I just purchased a new Minelab Explorer SE Pro, the newest model that is out there in the Explorer series of detectors. I also have a Explorer XS, but wanted to try the new updated model.  If anyone has ever tried to master one of these machines they are not for the beginner, nor are they for the occasional detectorist. They are for the dedicated ones that are willing to get out there and try to find the stuff that others have missed. I have used other detectors or have been with others that are using other brands of detectors and I really feel that these machines will detect deeper into the ground than any other detector on the market today. (But, I have not tried all of them.) Just my opinion.
What a difference a couple of years will make in the technology of a detector. Now,  I will have to say that I have loved my Explorer XS for years now and have made some very nice finds ( my opinion, again ). But, getting a new machine one month before going to the U.K. to go detecting, even though it is just an updated model of what I have, this is going to be a challenge. There are all sorts of changes that I have noticed just detecting a few times with this new machine. Tones, pin-point mode ( Whoa! What a difference, verdict still out on this one, good or bad, not sure! ) just overall performance is so different. Does seem to be quicker in target separation and not as many false signals.
To see how I did with this new ‘Explorer’ in the UK, check out my article titled ‘My First Gold Coin’ on this website.
When I get a new machine ( or coil ) one of the first things that I like to do is go to where I have been many times before. This way I feel that if I find something then it was a good purchase. Example: Last year I purchased a larger coil for my detector. After installing it, the first place I went was to an older house site that I had been to many times before. I will tell you that when I go back to a place over and over again, I cover and re-cover all of the ground in hopes that I will get everything that I possibly can. When I feel that I have gotten everything that I can then I do not go back. UNTIL: I have purchased a new piece of equipment; i.e. coil or detector. In this case a new coil. Well, when I pulled an older pull tab right off the bat, I felt that there must be targets that my other coil did miss. Sure enough, I found an old silver-plated spoon, smashed aluminum measuring cup at about 14 to 16in deep under a 4in diameter root, also pulled at least one wheat cent and one silver dime. It to me was worth the purchase. I now know that this coil will find other things that others will miss.
TIP: To all serious detectorists. I will suggest getting an after market coil for any machine. If you think about it. When you buy a detector, you mainly pay for the best electronics ( for that price range ) but the manufacturer will not put the best coil on that machine. Makes since to them, maybe sell a better coil to that person at a latter date. Called Add-on Sales. Well, I do believe this and it is true that you will find stuff with the stock coil. But, if you want to spend a little bit more money and find more stuff, then an after market coil is the way to go.
Smaller coils for trashy areas. Larger coils for the less trashy areas to cover more ground in less time. They both have there advantages. I have both for my detector, and love them both.
TIP: If you hunt older areas, and know that you are the first or it has not had to much pressure. Go with the smaller coil first and get rid of the surface targets, then go back with larger coil and get the GOOD deeper ones, being masked by the surface ones.
Some will dispute this technique, and dig just what they feel is the deeper targets. This is possible if you really have been detecting years and years. But, for most and even seasoned veterans, this technique works and some of the good targets are masked by the more shallower ones. And can be missed be even the best detectorists.
Any Questions? Please post comments! I will reply.
