Detector choice...........

[Bakie7253]

I am new to this site.....it is great Greg!!......Just thought I would post
my decision to buy a Minelab Quattro instead of a Tesoro Tejon....wondering
if I am making the right decision or not?.....any input would be greatly appreciated.......and it's great to be on board with you guys.....thanks....
...........................Bakie7253

[robzombie852]

i think you did good. been looking at any reviews?

[Jeb]

Here is an extract from the Minelab owners forum UK
A First Impression of the Quattro by Erik








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The Minelab Quattro

Today i had the pleasure of testing the new Minelab Quattro.
To be as objective as possible I tried to not compare it directly to other detectors.

Main points

At first glance the Quattro looks just like an Explorer 2 fitted in a nice blue jacket.
The construction is the same although everything seems that the connections are somewhat stronger.
Only the arm strap could have been a bit bigger then it would be a bit more comfortable.
The only direct visible difference is in the display.
Concerning the weight it seems to be a bit less compared to the Ex2 maybe due to a better balance.
Detectorists that are used to lighter detectors like tesoro, laser etc. may have a little problem with this weight, but if you search for the right balance than it is not to bad.
As for myself, I to am used to a lighter detector but I did not have any problem with the weight.
Just like his big brother the Ex2 the Quattro is fitted with the FBS system that will let you search on the most difficult soil around.
Also there is no interference from power lines, trains etc. etc.

Operating and settings

The operating panel is easy to reach and easy to understand.
As for myself I am not a fan of digital detectors, mainly because of all the menus you have to skip trough to modify settings.
But on this the detector the menu goes just one layer deep, which makes modifying settings nice and simple. (A child could do it)
There are 4 factory-preset programs, which you can alter to suit your own taste.

1. Coin Mode
This mode is suited for parks, beaches etc.
In these mode metal objects like silver, gold and copper will produce a high-pitched tone, while foil, nickel and low carat jewellery will produce a low tone.

2. Coin/jewellery
In this mode the discrimination is set lower allowing non-ferrous objects to be detected as well as gold.
Disadvantage is that also aluminium and pull-tabs are detected.
The tone-id tells you which metal you are dealing with.

3. Relic
In this mode discrimination is set lower even more so even metal objects with a low conductivity are passed trough.
The pitch of the tone is different from the other 2 modes.
Objects with a high ferrous content will produce a low-pitched tone while objects with a low ferrous content will produce a high-pitched tone.
So different metals will produce different tones.

4. All metal
This mode is essentially the same is the relic mode with the difference that all metals are accepted.
The tone-id is the same as in relic mode.

Without explaining the menu choices in detail the following choices are available:

1. Discrimination settings
2. Sensitivity
3. Threshold
4. Noise cancel
5. Object volume
6. Contrast display
7. Trash density

Searching

After powering on you are welcomed by a happy tune.
Next step is pushing the noise cancel button.
The detector will now search for a clean channel so no outside interference will influence the detector.
I decide to start in the all-metal program and the sensitivity on auto and dig up everything I come across.
This way I can get an impression, which numbers and tones belong to each metal I find.
The first thing I notice is the fast recovery speed and the short and fast signal you get on an object.
This signal is strong and clear on all objects.
The fact you can search in all metal mode and still have tone-id on objects is really nice.
After just searching for an hour I really, really like this tone-id very much.
Every low-pitched tone is an iron object and every higher pitched tone is a good metal.
This tone-id in combination with the numberidentfication makes the identification of the metal almost spot on.
Almost because the number displayed sometimes will fluctuate, but the tone-id is always right one the money.
The fluctuating numbers most of the time are caused by a piece of iron near the find.
Even in all metal modes the detector gives a higher priority to the find and not the iron object.
On two occasions a pick up a piece of copper wire next to a large piece of iron.
So it looks like this detector has no iron-masking problem.
When detecting an object the display also shows an estimated depth in the form of a vertical graphic bar.
This depth is correct about half the time so it is not very useful.
It only indicates how much pain in your back you can maybe expect.
Adding metals to the discrimination pattern is really simple, and can be done in two ways.
You can skip to a desired number you want to discriminate with the plus and minus buttons, and the select the accept/reject button.
A filled graphic bar will appear in the bottom of the display indicating the number that will no longer be accepted.
When you again accept a number than a non-filled graphic bar will appear.
Another way of discriminating is even simpler.
Just sweep the detector over the object you want to discriminate and push the accept/reject button in order to accept or reject the metal.
Nearly all iron objects I dug up gave me a number in the –10 to –5 range.
Now something that again and again is subject to discussion, the depth range.
Although depth is not the most important feature it is nice when it is no problem.
Well with this detector it is NO PROBLEM.
Depth range is very good.

Conclusion

A very nice detector with extra ordinary performance.
Easy to learn and very easy to operate even for people who do not like digital detectors.
I still think the construction and the weight could be better but the performance makes up for this.
The tone-id is superb and the fact it is also useable in the all-metal mode makes this feature really nice.
This detector is especially interesting for those who want the FBS system but do not want to spend the Explorer 2 price.
Of course the price difference between these two can be found in the extra functions the Ex2 offers, but if you are not interested in these extra’s than the Quattro is a very good choice.

Figures out of ten

Construction: 7
Weight: 7
Balance: 8
Discrimination: 10
Sensitivity: 9
Depth: 10

[Bakie7253]

Yes Rob....been trying to get as much info on these 2 detectors as I can....
I heard the Quattro is a bit heavier than the Tejon but is more user friendly
......I also heard the Tejon is a great relic machine.....I like to search for
coins, relics, jewelry, or anything sterling silver.....so I would like a machine
that is versatile....The only drawback I see to the Quattro would be the
weight......I am 51 ....and I don't know if swinging the Quattro all day is
going to do me in! .....I also have read that you can get other coils that
are lighter than the stock coil on the Quattro.....maybe that's the answer...
anyhow....I am leaning towards the Quattro......Thanks for the UK review
on the Quattro, Jeb.....Excellent!!......this will help....I am going to visit my
daughter in Belgium this fall and I am hoping to go to Colchester England
for a hunt there....If I do...the Quattro will be at my side for sure!...
Thanks for the input guys!...........Bakie7253

[JohnWPA]

Hi Bakie......just wanted to give you my input on the Quattro! I purchased one and then went out hunting with Greg....he had an Exployer Pro II. After the day was over....I made up my mind to trade my Quattro in for the Exployer Pro II. The Quattro is a good machine don't get me wrong, but it can't compete with the Exployer, also if you like to go night-time hunting there's no back light on the Quattro....

Thanks!
John

[Bakie7253]

Hey John..........
I have heard a lot of good things about the Explorer Pro II....
that it is an excellent machine but harder to learn than the Quattro...
also the price is a bit more hefty....If I was able to get a used Explorer
or one on sale....maybe I would go that route....One of the guys in my
TH club has the Explorer and swears by it!.....and he has made some excellent
finds.....It is so hard to decide!....(performance, weight, price, etc., etc.. )....
I have a lot of thinking to do.................
Thanks for the input.................Bakie7253

[Jeb]

Bakie the Explorer is not light but lots of people in the UK bungee them, so the weight is then not a prob. I`m 55 and i swing an Explorer for 6 hours at a time.

[Gregory]

I purchased the Explorer II back in December after using the XLT for 7 years.

The weight is not even noticed while I detect, John even said that my EX II felt lighter then the Quattro.

I found the EX II very easy to learn and enjoy making up new programs to hunt with.
The learn feature is simply the best.
It is one of the deepest detectors I have used
Unmatched 28 Freq

There really isn't too much of a difference in price from the Quattro to the EX II
Quattro is $845
EX II is $1185 (Pro package) includes car charger house charger bag Extended 2 year warranty UR 30 Koss phones and much more...
Plus if someone buy the Quattro you need to get all the extras needed so That adds up to more $$

[Bakie7253]

Well Greg....I went and did it!
I bought the Quattro....I didn't have the $$ for the Explorer......But the
Dealer I bought it from is giving me a bunch of extras with it (Bag,Headphones,
Digger, etc.)...So I am Happy....I'm sure I will like have fun with it...and
isn't that really what matters?........Thanks for all the great input you guys gave me........................Bakie7253

[Gregory]

Good for you Bakie, hey you live in a good area for digging the old stuff.

If you need help let us know, Jeb has a good understanding on the Minelabs so I think we are set