Gary's Metal Detecting Forum

Gary's Detecting forum => General detecting talk => Topic started by: goldfinger on August 04, 2016, 01:05 pm

Title: Etrac v Deus
Post by: goldfinger on August 04, 2016, 01:05 pm
I have had an Etrac for the past 5 years now and have got to know it inside out now and I have been thinking of a change. The Deus has always looked like it might be  a good detector to replace it but am not sure if it would be suitable on my type of land which is 99% pasture. I have an Ultimate 13" coil on the Etrac and it performs well, even on small targets at depth, but I never find cut halves or quarters, only full hammered coins. Just wondering if the extra sensitivity to small items the Deus would give might do the trick.
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: Connor on August 04, 2016, 03:06 pm
 Hi, I just want to warn you, if you tried the deus ones you probably leave the Minelab at home :), I won't say the deus is better both machine are on the top range, the etrac is a deep seeking machine on clean ground, the deus performers better on difficult ground because he is very very fast, this will help you on iron infested sites, he picks the goodies between the iron, the etrac hasn't a fast recovery speed so he will have problems on those iron infested sites, with the etrac you will have to walk slow therefor you will make less meters than with the deus, the deus is a lightweight machine the etrac isn't , if you search a lot on the beach I will prefer the etrac, in my opinion there isn't a better machine for it then the minelab range, but if you want find those little half cut silver coins as thin as a leaf then I think the deus is the better option.
I had the Minelab range like the exporer 2, etrac, souverein, Gt, they are very good but not of this time anymore, I think XP has run- and take over the number one position!

Gr c
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: mr fox on August 04, 2016, 06:38 pm
Cant comment on etrac but I own a ctx and explorer before that and have a deus which is excellent machine for stubble but usless on pasture you will be sorry you sold the etrac for the deus if you said all your permissions were stubble then deus all the way just crap depth on pasture
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: Devonlad on August 04, 2016, 08:28 pm
Quote
Cant comment on etrac but I own a ctx and explorer before that and have a deus which is excellent machine for stubble but usless on pasture you will be sorry you sold the etrac for the deus if you said all your permissions were stubble then deus all the way just crap depth on pasture

I must reluctantly agree, I have over  five hundred hours of experience with the Deus, yes it’s light, yes it is unbeatable on iron sites and separation and yes if a cut half or quarter is in the top four inches it will find it.

Real ‘never been ploughed pasture’ of which I have been on for the last couple of months, where the small targets are likely to be deep, is problematic, all the deepest small targets have been iffy for me and never more than five inches, believe me when I say I have experimented.

I know some may jump to the defense of the Deus with claims of depth but I have listened and adjusted over the years to all the so-called deep settings and own all coils and headphone options including in ear and Chefphones.  It will go deep on lower frequencies without doubt but not on small targets.

I love my Deus and would never sell it, but for going deep on pasture I am seriously considering the Makro Racer 2, if I had the upper body strength for the heavy Minelabs then I would be considering one.

In answer to the opening post, you say you know the Etrac well and are finding small targets at depth, then stick with it, as it can only be a matter of time. On the flip side, if your detecting is mainly a problem because of iron, then the Deus could be a consideration for you.
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: Rew on August 05, 2016, 09:35 am
When I opened this thread, I thought, here we go another slagging match.   But a very pleasant supprise to read very honest, truthful and thoughtful answers.
Well done chaps.
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: Keith67 on August 05, 2016, 10:15 am
When I opened this thread, I thought, here we go another slagging match.   But a very pleasant supprise to read very honest, truthful and thoughtful answers.
Well done chaps.

Must also admit, that after several months reading Minelab v XP comments I thought this would be a punch up  ;D
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: Connor on August 05, 2016, 11:44 am
 We are grown up people :)aren't we :), I testet the etrack against the deus on clean ground with several coins silver copper gold bronze small.and big ones, the etrack will goes deeper on a big bronze roman coin about 2.5 /3cm, that's a lot, but when I put iron next or underneath above the object the etrack has problems to detect the coin, in some cases he recognises the coin as a piece of iron, therefore if a lot of iron is involved i would prefer the deus Gr c
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: Nigel at Regtons on August 05, 2016, 11:47 am
When I opened this thread, I thought, here we go another slagging match.   But a very pleasant supprise to read very honest, truthful and thoughtful answers.
Well done chaps.

Must also admit, that after several months reading Minelab v XP comments I thought this would be a punch up  ;D

The day is young......
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: The oil man on August 05, 2016, 06:58 pm
I was just thinking the same Nigel  ;D
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: Redfoot on August 05, 2016, 10:51 pm
Just goes to show not one detector does it all, its horses for courses keep both detectors and have the best search options what ever site you find yourself on
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: Gary on August 06, 2016, 07:30 am
At the weekend Wanderers rally a few years back we had a detector challenge at the XP stand. Some of you may remember it. A large coin was buried at about 11 inches.
Everyone tried their machines and the only machine that got it was the Deus, the CTX, The Goldenmask, The Blistool all failed to register, this was all in front of witnesses over 2 days.

Sure in some types of soil the BBS will go deeper but that's the soil matching the machine. Sometimes they have bigger coils and we all know a much slower recovery speed that all adds to depth. I have had some impressive depth out of the CTX on sandy soil.

The Deus talks a very different language you need to learn what deep targets sound like, this is why there are videos in the making.
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: Rew on August 06, 2016, 08:51 am
The day is young......

I was hoping to set the tone. If it works that's another thing :D
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: needlegun on August 06, 2016, 12:40 pm
If as you say your land is all pasture . Etrac .Because you only need the one program.Also,
Target s  sound a lot clearer at depth .
The basic programs on Deus go deep. On medium to large targets.They are my preferred pasture progs.Easy going.
I wouldnt worry about not finding cut quarters and halves. Unless they are Saxon they are pretty worthless anyway.
 ;)
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: 13oots2 on August 06, 2016, 01:12 pm
They might not be worth anything but I would love to find one.
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: Keith67 on August 06, 2016, 01:16 pm
If as you say your land is all pasture . Etrac .Because you only need the one program.Also,
Target s  sound a lot clearer at depth .
The basic programs on Deus go deep. On medium to large targets.They are my preferred pasture progs.Easy going.
I wouldnt worry about not finding cut quarters and halves. Unless they are Saxon they are pretty worthless anyway.
 ;)

Informative stuff, although I would not call cut quarters and halves worthless, regardless of monetary value.  Holding a medieval cut half in my fingers is priceless to me, and friends are amazed when I tell them all about it and explain what cut coins are. All part of the fun of the hobby.
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: needlegun on August 07, 2016, 04:27 pm
I was making the point that it seems a bit extreme to change a perfectly capable machine for the sake of finding cut halves and quarters.
By the way , the Explorers DO find cut quarters and halves with ease.
Maybe a case of they are not there?
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: Keith67 on August 08, 2016, 12:21 am
I see your point but I guess if you ain't getting them and you desire them?  I agree though, from what I have read it's more likely that they aren't under the feet than those machines can't hit them.  You obviously have experience, is there a way to swing these machines to ensure the best chance of hitting small targets?  Maybe a little advise on techniques could be helpful here?   
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: needlegun on August 08, 2016, 08:29 am
Using conductive tones and multi sounds is the way to go .As little discrimination as you feel comfortable with. I used 1 thin line along bottom of screen on Etrac and when using Explorer xs just the smallest pixel disked out in top left of screen.
Sweeping no more than i second from left to right and overlap sweeps.
Cut halves and quarters come in on a very nice low tone. Highest tones are iron.
A swing easy harness is a must for ease of use.
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: Keith67 on August 08, 2016, 08:45 am
Using conductive tones and multi sounds is the way to go .As little discrimination as you feel comfortable with. I used 1 thin line along bottom of screen on Etrac and when using Explorer xs just the smallest pixel disked out in top left of screen.
Sweeping no more than i second from left to right and overlap sweeps.
Cut halves and quarters come in on a very nice low tone. Highest tones are iron.
A swing easy harness is a must for ease of use.

Goldfinger - These tips may be better than paying out for another machine?  From what I have read and heard, you have already got a formidable pasture machine mate.
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: Rew on August 08, 2016, 09:53 am
Orientation of coin/half/quarter is. 
I was out yeasturday and dug a good signal. At 7" it just diapeared. Then i saw a glint of silver. It was the sharp end only of a ring pull on edge. I must of rolled it over on edge.
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: needlegun on August 08, 2016, 09:54 am
I think goldfinger has a very good understanding of his machine.
I am merely saying how i used mine to find small sceats and hammered.
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: Keith67 on August 08, 2016, 11:13 am
I think goldfinger has a very good understanding of his machine.
I am merely saying how i used mine to find small sceats and hammered.

Absolutely, didn't mean to imply Goldfinger needed any instruction but it never hurts to share successful tactics on a Forum.  Lord knows this group has been invaluable to be this year  ;D
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: goldfinger on August 08, 2016, 08:02 pm
Thank's for all the replies men, it's interesting to hear peoples thoughts and opinions on the two detectors.
After my last outing with the Etrac though, I am definitely gonna keep it for a little while longer (see my "How was your weekend" post) The small hammered penny of Charles 1st found at 5 inches on a previously well worked field was the clincher, it tells me my machine is capable of finding the type of targets I was referring to within 5 -8 inch range but also has the power to punch down to good depths for larger finds like bronze axes....not gloating  ! Honestly :)
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: Nigel at Regtons on September 02, 2016, 09:13 am
At the weekend Wanderers rally a few years back we had a detector challenge at the XP stand. Some of you may remember it. A large coin was buried at about 11 inches.
Everyone tried their machines and the only machine that got it was the Deus, the CTX, The Goldenmask, The Blistool all failed to register, this was all in front of witnesses over 2 days.

Sure in some types of soil the BBS will go deeper but that's the soil matching the machine. Sometimes they have bigger coils and we all know a much slower recovery speed that all adds to depth. I have had some impressive depth out of the CTX on sandy soil.

The Deus talks a very different language you need to learn what deep targets sound like, this is why there are videos in the making.

I was standing next to you that day Gary, the coin was a 10 centime copper coin very similar to our pre-decimal penny size, the ground was bone dry which we all know isn't the best for any detector but the depth was impressive, 17" (yes 17") & despite every Tom, Dick & Harry trying their X Y & Z with dustbin lids fitted not one could detect the coin, the magic program, test conducted with 11" coil in P5 with GB set by pumping, nothing altered or adjusted from factory program. Very brave test/demo by XP that day.
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: Keith67 on September 02, 2016, 11:43 am
Interesting. P5 runs 8kh and reactivity 1. I am assuming this is a deep program for low iron sites and you need a slower swing speed ?
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: JBM on September 02, 2016, 04:59 pm
At the weekend Wanderers rally a few years back we had a detector challenge at the XP stand. Some of you may remember it. A large coin was buried at about 11 inches.
Everyone tried their machines and the only machine that got it was the Deus, the CTX, The Goldenmask, The Blistool all failed to register, this was all in front of witnesses over 2 days.

Sure in some types of soil the BBS will go deeper but that's the soil matching the machine. Sometimes they have bigger coils and we all know a much slower recovery speed that all adds to depth. I have had some impressive depth out of the CTX on sandy soil.

The Deus talks a very different language you need to learn what deep targets sound like, this is why there are videos in the making.


I remember it well and the well known Minelab experts who walked away. ;) :)  Jerry.
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: clayman on September 02, 2016, 05:42 pm
That was after you defected Jerry.
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: unclened on September 02, 2016, 06:06 pm
gary did you try the vista smart on that 11 inch coin? I'm sure it would gobble it up ....
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: JBM on September 02, 2016, 08:13 pm
That was after you defected Jerry.


I defected from Minelab 6 years ago having seen the light with XP Deus serial Number 008, ;) :)  Jerry.

PS As there are no pockets in shrouds, I do try the odd new toy when they hit the market place and the occasional good machine comes along.

     Todate Alain loubet has them all beaten and thats why so many of his machines are seen on all the rallies and club events.
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: Connor on September 03, 2016, 11:34 am
I wonder does anyone has the serial number between 5 en 10? Could be a wanted machine one day😊😊😊
Gr c
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: Aurelia on September 03, 2016, 11:43 am
Real ‘never been ploughed pasture’ of which I have been on for the last couple of months, where the small targets are likely to be deep, is problematic, all the deepest small targets have been iffy for me and never more than five inches, believe me when I say I have experimented.

I'm not sure what you mean by the "deepest small targets" but I found a hammered farthing (0.32g of silver) 10" down with the Deus.
Title: Re: Etrac v Deus
Post by: Devonlad on September 03, 2016, 11:51 am
Quote
I'm not sure what you mean by the "deepest small targets" but I found a hammered farthing (0.32g of silver) 10" down with the Deus.

I would be interested in how you had the Deus set up, I must be doing something wrong.