Got out today with the Explorer SE

[FinalLastDays]

Well, there's been lots of craziness the past couple of weeks due to it raining on a daily basis as well as the ambulance having to rush my 5 year old son to the hospital for a broken elbow in which he had to get a couple of pins surgically put in. I was able to get out to the park today - the first time out to try out the Explorer SE. While using the 8" coil I was able to dig up .83 cents. In one hole I happened to recover two quarters and two nickels! The SE has so much more in features over the Ace 250 - my other detector. It is much more advanced, however as time and practice comes with learning this machine, I will understand more of the features. I am usually a quick learner when I set my mind to a task, so I have no doubt I will feel comfortable with this machine in no time at all.

My daughter came with me to the park and was wondering why I was taking the Ace 250 out of the bag when I got there... little did she know I was to have a hunting companion with me! It was her first time using a metal detector and she was able to dig up her first 2 penny's! So now that we have two metal detectors, I am sure I will get out to the parks more, since I personally don't like metal detecting by myself.

[dooby]

Way too cool, Final !!!

[julieburger]

Sorry about your son. I am glad you and your daughter had fun though.

[INDY]

Sounds like you are getting a good start with that explorer SE

[DougsGraphics]

I'm an Explorer II owner myself. I'm sure the SE hasn't changed too much. You'll come to love the machine. Once you get to know it's every quirk, you'll be able to outdo pretty much anything on the market. I'm surprised that it comes with just an 8" coil, though, or was that an ad-on? My II came with a 10.5" coil that does a fantastic job at the deeper stuff and still picks up even the tiniest of items. Anyway, welcome to the Minelab family!

[FinalLastDays]

Originally Posted by DougsGraphics

I'm an Explorer II owner myself. I'm sure the SE hasn't changed too much. You'll come to love the machine. Once you get to know it's every quirk, you'll be able to outdo pretty much anything on the market. I'm surprised that it comes with just an 8" coil, though, or was that an ad-on? My II came with a 10.5" coil that does a fantastic job at the deeper stuff and still picks up even the tiniest of items. Anyway, welcome to the Minelab family!

The Explorer SE comes standard with the 10.5" coil, however my purchase of the SE came with a ton of accessories, including the 8" coil. I chose to use the 8" coil to learn pinpointing with this machine as well as to weed out as much trash in the park as possible. I chose to hunt in the Digital Display setting - by watching the numbers of Ferrous and Conductivity I am slowly learning which numbers different coins fall under and which numbers are trash. I believe that one day I will be able to look at the numbers and immediatly tell what sort of object is underneath the soil. I am also documenting the ferrous and conductivity readings of all objects I find, treasures and trash. I will learn it as best as possible, especially now that I am able to have hunting buddies with me using the Ace 250 of mine!

[DougsGraphics]

I usually hunt in the graphic mode. I can pretty much know what I'm going to find before I dig, just by the tone and a quick glance at the screen.

I also see a lot of difference in results from various ground conditions. I'd be curious to see how much variation you see in your numbers.

Also, be prepared for those pocket dumps and other strange finds that can really confuse the heck out of you when trying to determine what you're detecting.

The smaller coil could certainly come in handy in areas where targets are close together!

Happy Hunting!