Minelab Explorer SE
Street Price $1200
Number of Reviews: 21
on 3 pages.
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Also in this price range:
Minelab Explorer II
Minelab Explorer SE
It does what it does very well..learn it and it will reward
Steve in Cleveland, OH -
I have own the Explorer SE now for slightly over a year.I paid $600 for it. Found a great deal and pounced on it.
Here is what I think about the Explorer SE.
If you are new to metal detecting, then go to another machine. Stay away from this one at first.
I have found that there is no one great overall machine. Each detector has its advantages in certain situations. It seems that the complaints about this machine are a direct result of too high expectations because they paid so much for it. I see too many people with the thought that if I paid over $1,200 for a machine, then it should be the best machine ever. It should do this or that.
Advertising is to blame for that.
I own 6 detectors.....
And each one has its advantages and I make sure I don't think that any one detector is the answer to all my needs. They don't make a detector that does that and probably never will.
I have found that the Explorer SE does exactly what it was designed for. It is a very accurate, deep seeking although slow recovery detector that is probably the best at identifying what is in the ground. Good for trashy areas with lots of Iron. You will need a smaller coil.
It has a lot of bells and whistles that allow me to decide to dig or not to dig. It is the best machine in my opinion for highly mineralized ground. It works best when you work slow and easy.
I cannot say the Explorer is the deepest machine available. Any machine can go deep if conditions are right. I have used the Explorer SE after a rain storm and have found silver dimes at almost 15 inches. If I go out during a dry spell, I have a hard time finding anything below 7 inches. But I have had problems with other machines in the same situations. So to say it is the deepest is really stretching things a bit. I think every manufacturer of metal detectors have said that they have the deepest machines.
I see comparisons to the White's machines quite often . I own a Spectrum and I will say that the Spectrum has advantages in certain circumstances. It is faster in recovery and so I can cover more ground with it, especially with a Bigfoot coil. I do have a problem with the White in that it is not as good on silver as the Explorer SE.
Yes the White's are easier to use. The Explorer requires learning it to bring out the best it can be. Don't sell the Explorer SE short. If you learn it, the finds will come.
To spend a couple of hours on a weekend with it every other week will not cut it. If you don't plan on making metal detecting your passion, then find a less expensive machine. The Explorer SE is meant to be used by people who are serious about metal detecting. I can't for the life of me figure out why people spend over a grand for a detector, use it once or twice and then put it in their closet, never to be used again.
To sum it up, the Explorer SE is meant for those who want a very accurate multi frequency detector and use it. It is great for highly mineralized ground. It is a bit slow on recovery. It can in many instances go deeper when other machines do not even register the targets. The multi frequency advantage is the real deciding factor for having this machine. If you cannot figure out how to use the Explorer SE, then get some advice from the people who sold it to you. If they can't or won't help you, then you shouldn't have bought it from them in the first place.
Mar 16, 2008
141 Yes
22 No
Not For Newbies
Jason in Northeast USA -This detector is the best but if you are new to the hobby you can get swamped with all the "stuff" you do not know about. Too many people go to the advanced area and try to program etc.. Let me say that again ..ADVANCED. This means your not a beginner. When you buy this machine you should not mess with it until you have a least a season of detecting under your belt. (some people get out more than others so this is a tough call) When you are familiar with all the tones and the displays that corispond with these then you can move up. THIS IS A GREAT MACHINE. I like it because I knew I would grow with it and thats what you need to do. If you are not patient and do not have alot of time to spend on this hobby more specifically this machine buy another. If you do learn it you'll find all the stuff the others do not even know is there. Happy Hunting.
Feb 22, 2008
34 Yes
3 No
Short review SE
Fritz in Belgium -I now have many hours with the SE, these are my findings :
HEAVY : yes, much to heavy
DEEP : very deep
EXPENSIVE : yes, to expensive
DISCRIM : very good, good tone and visual target ID
LOOKS : very good looking
SWING : feels like a sponge, not sturdy enough
LEARNING CURVE : very difficult, but interesting
SENSATIVE : could be better
Oct 24, 2007
37 Yes
17 No
Minelab SE worth the bucks!
Michael Rybicki in Downers Grove, Illinois -I have been a Minelab user now for several years. I have had the Explorer, Explorer II and now the SE. Minelab continues to improve the machine every time I purchase the next model up. I started metal detectuing with the DFX and soon realized I was not really finding the treasures. Once I switched to Minelab, my finds increased and I was having more fun. No to belabor this review with technicalities I would say that in order to switch to the Minelab, be prepared to use your ears more than your eyes. It's a "sound machine" and will find the deep silver. I have no need for other detectors...I have the best.
Jul 20, 2007
35 Yes
8 No
My first detector.
Orlando Auction in Orlando, Fl. USA -I put a lot of time and thought into my first purchase. This site was the best source of info I could find.
I wanted a machine I could grow into, not out of. My 2 choices were narrowed down to the Minelab Explorer SE and the Whites DFX. After speaking to many people who have used both, I chose the SE.
It is an amazing machine. I have tested it in my yard, as well as tests at the beach trailing people with different machines. I was shocked at how many targets they had missed.
The "learning curve" is not as bad as some would have you believe. I plucked coins out of the ground from day one. After reading the manual and the expert advice from this forum I pretty much eliminate this mysterious learning curve.
Of course I can not compare the SE to other machines as this is the only one I have owned since childhood. However I can tell you that if the metal is in the ground, this machine will find it.
In 2 weeks I am at well over 100 clad coins, many trinkets and a 1919 wheat penny in great shape. I have found items below 12 inches on the wet beach. This machine is so much fun to use.
I will assume that others who don't like this machine may be used to a lesser quality product and don't want to be bothered with so much information on what lies below the surface. However if there is a coin next to a nail, I want that coin. The SE will signal both. To each their own, but for me I wanted the best and feel like I made the right decision.
I will submit another review in 6 months once I have mastered this product.
I hope this helps.
May 24, 2007
72 Yes
2 No
Honest se review.
Gary uk. in uk -Well here is another Minelab Explorer Se review for your reading pleasure , aimed at the potential buyer with as honest a review as possible. I am a Previous experienced user of loads of top of the range and a few bottom of the range detectors and everthing in between over the last many moons (20 + years). Metal detecting can be fun on a site that has good finds buried/lost underground, even the cheapest detectors will find buried coins however you will get about half of the depth with a cheap detector on coins compared with the se , se will give good sweet signals on coins down to around 7 inches , past 7 inches the signal will start to go weaker and many coins will only repeat with a signal from 1 sweep angle , so dont expect loud repeating "flute signals" on deep coins past 7 inches because they sound bad trust me. To get the real deep coins that eveyone is talking about is hard , be prepared to dig alot of rubbish in the process of hunting the 7 - 10 inch+ deep coins. The depth is good on the Explorer se but don't expect to be finding coins at 10 -12 inches because you won't , you will need tons of practice and i mean hundreds of hours experience to know how to get really deep good targets. On sites like grassy parks that have been worked with xlt's the explorer will find deeper silver and copper coins missed with xlt's. The depth is not as good as the hype you hear on the internet like 12 -14 inch deep coins is just rubbish. Expect 8 inches to be mostly the depth you will get coins down to with reasonable signals at 6 -7 inches , at 8 inches coins start to repeat from only 1 sweep angle , this is something i have learned over time. Also iron even 7 inches away from a buried coin can cause the se to go quiet on certain sites. You need to search in a criss cross method because poor or no signal and bad repeatabilty from different search directions are common problems i have encountered in the field. Also i thought i would mention the price , here in the uk the new price is about £1100!. What ever you do don't pay this amount the se detector is no where near worth this amount , the best option is to buy an ex demo unit or a almost new secondhand unit, then if you decide you dont like your se you wont loose hundreds and hundreds of pounds so don't say i didn't warn you. If you are a bill wyman of the world with millions of pounds stuffed into your bank account then go ahead and waste your £1100.When you come to re sell you will be lucky to get half your money back.
May 21, 2007
81 Yes
4 No
Explorer SE - Man - I've had it!!
Colorado's own GoldenRoyBoy in Trinidad, Colorado -
This ain't a short story so be warned ---
Granted, I'm new at this, yet old. I once did a lot of metal detecting back in the 80's. I went in big time! Bought me a Garrett Master Hunter with all the coils and hip mounting system. Also purchased 2 Fisher 1280s for water along with wet suit and all that stuff. Even owned Fisher's 1265-66 as backups. I found a lot of stuff and I didn't waste much time trying to figure out the technical part of it. No, the Garrett was not the most simple machine but it did what it was designed to do with a little help from me. The Explorer SE on the other hand is totally different.
I must admit I'm feeling a little foolish now having already invested a ridiculous amount of money to get up and going almost (4) weeks ago. (3) extra coils, Pelican case, (2) sets of Gray Ghost headphones, no less than (5) various digging implements, a Sun Ray attachable probe. You get the picture. I won't even mention the GPX 4000. Yes, I fell for the advertising hype. But, I also thought things had changed for the better considering new technology and such since I last participated in what use to be a relaxing sport! I realize things have not gotten better just the hype has!
Now, don't get me wrong or judge me as being a "quick gun" to go negative; I've done my time with the SE. I've now logged way over 150 hard hours with the machine and have used it from Northern New Mexico to Central Colorado! Hell, I've even slept with the dang thing hoping after a night or two I'd feel the karma! That part was actually easy. My wife's been out of the country for the last three weeks and I'm basically retired.
Yes, I'll agree; the Explorer SE is capable of going deeper than any detector I've ever owned but at a rather large price. What is the use of detecting coins and such at 10 plus inches if you have to dig a crater to recover your loot? At first I thought it was me, not the machine. After having pin-pointing problems with the factory 10.5 inch round I simple went to the Excelerator 4.5 x 7. It's the primary reason I recovered (5) rings, (1) silver necklace and, over 500 coins and numerous bits of brass, lead, etc. Believe me; my take represents a lot of earth moving. One digging instrument, the Lesche shark made digging a lot easier but as many of you probably know you can't dig a small hole with it. I hate digging. I also hate appearing like I'm digging to China. Nothing turns property owners off more than to see a detectorist digging huge holes no matter how well he covers them up. Trying to pin-point with the Explorer SE, I felt just like a blind man in a room of prostitutes groping for a virgin! I never knew where my hands and fingers would lead me!
Anyway, I'm a nobody so don't listen to me. But, if you do beware or be warned about the Explorer SE'S lack of pinpointing. I probably have no choice but to keep it as I don't think I can lie to sell mine.
Do this; go to Ebay and look for a used Teroso. Now look for a used Minelab. Isn't it amazing how all of the Minelab ads read "Great machine?" If they are so great then one must ask themselves "why are there so many used ones for sale?"
Boy, I really have good hind-sight vision. And, to think I thought I did my homework! What finally got my goat was attempting to use my new Excelerator 10x14 coil. I had the same pin-pointing results with it as I had with Minelab's standard 10.5 coil. After speaking to Kellyco, they did offer to replace the Excelerator suspecting it's a bad coil. In all honesty, I don't think anything is wrong with it. I'll know next week as the new one should arrive about then.
There will be those who read this and declare I am just another idiot searching for a miracle machine. Not true; all I want is to enjoy my hobby not be frustrated by it.
Incidentally, before anyone may ask; yes, I learned the manual back and forth. I know how to auto-tune the machine. I know about gain (6-7). I know about "all metal modes" both conductive and ferrous. I know how to use the Iron Mask (12-18). I know to go easy on sensitivity (12-16). Man, I've tried it all and can honestly say, "It ain't me!"
One more thing; the weight of the Explorer didn't bother me a bit until I added the Sun Ray probe and larger coil. It's not a machine, so equipped for the weak.
In hind-sight my largest regret, other than purchasing this thing is having recommended it to several other people. I honestly thought it was everything the hype promised it would be. Boy, was I ever wrong.
Getting off track just a little. Referencing Sun Ray's attached pin-pointer; it's not worth the $150 or more price tag either. Sun Ray claims it's hot only on the end. Not true. If you have one you know this. Take a coin and run it up and down the sides. It'll sing like a Sunday preacher on steroids.
Best to you,
GRB
May 17, 2007
102 Yes
23 No
YES it is all it's cracked up to be!
AgileMJOLNIR in Morgan Hill, California -Lately it seems like there is a slew of new detectors hitting the market. Each one claiming to be the deepest, fastest and most accurate there is. Even though there are some great units out there none to this day can match the Explorers Target ID at depth. This remains true for the new SE.
After procrastinating I finally decided to pick up the SE. The day it arrived was a day of extreme excitement for me since I had not detected for over a year. The SE is put together just like the other Explorers (like a tank). The new black finish is very eye pleasing and the software is noticeably quicker, you will see what I mean the moment you turn yours on.
Due to work and weather I didn't get to take it out for a good week but my first day out I found an 1895 Indian Head, several wheaties and mercs and lots of clad.
The new pinpointing system makes it so much easier to locate a target. The Explorer SE still has the same very nice and smooth flutey sounds as the past models. The SE is definitely lighter or perhaps it's the new coil and balance, either way it is far easier to swing for long periods of time than it's predecessors.
As expected the SE goes deep and ID's strong at those depths. The SE is a faster machine between targets even though it's no Whites for F75 so make sure to swing slow as usual. Trust me, it will pay off.
All in all I cannot recommend this detector enough. It has a bit of a learning curve but once you get into the swing of things (no pun intended) you will be finding coins, relics, gold etc that you never knew was there. Watch out "hunted out" sites here comes the new Minelab Explorer SE!
Apr 25, 2007
32 Yes
8 No
Explorer SE is total pure magic.
Ringpowers . in UK -This is a honest review from a detector user with 30 years of metal detecting practice. Metal detecting has been my passion from early teens to date. Am i really that old :-( Wow time flies when your having fun metal detecting i guess! Over the last 30 years i have used well over 100 different detectors , all of these detectors found coins and other old treasures, some did it better than others. Well i have to say that none of these other detectors even came close to the supreme performance of the Explorer SE. This detector will get your pulse racing once you have practiced using it a little - this i promise you. Its ability to locate coins and rings & other valuable items on pounded out sites is TOTALLY phenominal. I have used an explorer 2 for 18 months but i honestly can tell you that the SE will find many many more good targets on sites you thought were totally worked out. On mineralised ground it will pull small coins out from impressive depths, i truly and honestly believe that the Minelab Explorer SE is by far the best coin shooting metal detector ever made to date by any manufacturer (including minelab). This detector amazes me with what it will find on sites that i was totally convinced had nothing but iron and other trash buried underground.Sites i have worked and re worked with every top of the range detector eever made! Even with just turn on and go settings it will beat anything out there for pure depth and discrimination it will easily thrash the competition!. Once you get a little practice under your belt and you get to know what all of the different sounds coming from the SE mean then you will be able to cherry pick coins and rings from sites you thought were totally worked out!. Your pockets will fill up with coins on sites you thought were cleared out.
Coins sound as "smooth as silk" even deep coins sound smooth unmistakable to the trained ear. Trash has a very distinguished sound, if you put the hours in and learn what trashy targets sound like then this is where you can hit those sites that other detector user's have given up on years ago. The explorer SE is fantastic looking detector too - great looks with supreme performance make for a detector that is a real pleasure to use . The pinpointing system is much better than on the old explorer xs and 2 models - much better with target id in pinpoint this is of great use too , you dig alot less trash because of this feature alone - superb. Please don't take my word for it just get out and buy an SE - remember this review because the secret is out now - Minelab have produced something here that is going to be a legend - honest it is that good. No bull SHI+! . I think even Minelab wil have a problem making another detector better than this - it really is that good. Marks out of ten 9.5. Now you know why their are not many second hand explorer se's on e - bay. Shh the secret is out..Sneek out and buy one and clear up on those sites you and others have "worked out" - sites that were once great but are now dead. The se will produce on these sites buy one and see for your self. I won't lie to you i truly believe the se is the worlds ultimate metal detector (by a fair stretch too). Buy now! Do it before others gradually find out what the se is capable of.. Bruce Candy and co pulled the rabbit out of the hat with this baby! Pure Magic. Happy hunting to treasure hunters worldwide from RingPowers uk.
Apr 12, 2007
31 Yes
111 No
Explorer SE review
mike in New York -I have hunted with a Whites XLT for the last 5 years and am used to getting alot of information from my detector. It has been quite an adjustment from the XLT to the SE and i have mixed feelings. The SE goes just as deep as the XLT. It gives alot of info in the form of a digital ferrous and conductivity rating on a scale of 0 - 31.. each target typically showing its own signature reading. The audio changes dramatically depending on the target and the discrimination is good. The weight has never been an issue to me. I dont like that the LCD screen is very difficult to read even after adjusting the contrast. The glare often makes it impossible. I also feel i must hunt much slower with the SE than with my XLT so im covering much less ground. I do feel though, that im picking up stuff that the XLT might have missed. Its almost like i sacrificed speed for accuracy. In high junk areas i think the SE has the XLT hands down.. I guess the effectiveness of the machine would depend largely on its intended application. I havent tried it on the beach yet. For 1200$ though i expect the machine to be flawless. I also got an SE that has a problem with the screen being offset down the middle. Minelab has been encountering this problem with the SE and ive heard nothing but rave reviews about their customer service and plan on sending mine in when the ground freezes to be fixed. The double D coil (i use an 8 inch coil) pinpoints to my satisfaction. Overall a really good machine but i wonder if i had spent half as much on say a tesoro cortes if id be equally happy. I dont believe this is a machine for the beginner (not that a beginner would spend 1200 bones on a machine). Also the buttons are hard to depress and require alot of pressure. Im a 6'2" Marine and no weakling but im worried about damaging the machine with the amount of pressure i must use to trigger the buttons.
Dec 23, 2006
71 Yes
5 No