E-trac vs GTI 2500

[johnhinnc]

Can anyone give me the scoop on these two machines?
Does the E-trac really go that much deeper? I ask because my little Ace 250 routinely finds coins at 8''.
Thanks,
John

[Bootyhunter]

Hey, I owned the Ace250(still do) then "upgraded" to the GTI 2500. Just my opinion, but I think the Ace250 gives you just about as much as the GTI for a lot less price. GTI very hot on Iron and lots of good stuff masked by the iron. I got an Etrac after my finds didn't improve much over the ACE250 with the GTI. Went to the same spots as with the GTI and found much more with the ETRAC right off without really knowing the Etrac. First hunt went to a place that I had combed with the Ace250 and the GTI 2500 in All metal mode, very first hunt with Etrac, never touched one before and found South Carolina Civil War Button with it in an area under a tree right beside an old house that I KNOW I had passed coils over with the other machines before, it was masked by iron. I think that the GTI 2500 was awesome in its day but I think technology has improved and Garretts own Ace250 gives you all the detecting power of the GTI in a smaller, lighter package. The imaging is ok and fairly accurate to about 4 or 5" but then, it is easily fooled. I really like Garrett and hate to be running them down, I have and will keep my Ace250 and Garrett Pro-pointer, love both of them and think they are awesome but when I got the GTI 2500 I felt as if I was using a Heavy Outdated 1990'ish machine. Garrett really needs to come out with a new top of the line machine with new ergonomics and software/technology. Ace250 is a midrange machine with an entry level price. I love my ETrac and when doing serious metal detecting it is the only machine I use. Hope this helps.

[Jason in Enid]

I haven't used a Garrett since my old MH7 20 years ago.

I just started using the E-Trac and I can say that I am very impressed. I picked an older park in my town that has been hunted to death since the 70s. In one 150x150 foot area I have pulled 2 silvers and 7 wheats. Every one of them was inches away from iron, but they came in clear and smooth. This park also has lots of over-head power lines which gave my old detector fits. E-Trac doesn't even hiccup around them.

[johnhinnc]

Thanks for the replies guys.