Minelab Explorer II
Street Price $1200 - Coin, relic
Number of Reviews: 79
on 8 pages.
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Minelab Explorer II
A serious machine for serious detectorists!
K. Isaac in Midwest, USA -
I was prepared to buy a DFX this spring but ran across a great deal on an Exp II and since a friend of mine had one and loved it I went ahead and got it. I was using a Whites IDX Pro and really liked it but wanted to step up to something more serious. The first couple times I took the Explorer out I was completely lost and confused. It was making so many noises with every sweep of the coil that I could not tell what was in the ground. I was seriously considering selling it or trading it for something else. After reading the manual a couple times and getting some more practice with the machine I am beginning to realize why this detector is bragged about so much. If you are looking to just go out and "have some fun " finding clad coins a couple inches in the ground go get a $100 detector at a discount store and have all the fun you want. If your idea of fun is finding the good coins and things those other guys are walking right over then you want an Explorer!
Jan 11, 2006
20 Yes
1 No
Explorer, The Standard That All Detectors Are Judged By
R.L. Johnson in NE Ohio -It seems that all coin detectors are compared to the Explorer and I have done this many times in the past. I had an XS several years back and I made many outstanding finds with that detector, but I sold it and have tried many detectors since.
Last summer I bought a new Ex 11 and immediately had success. In three months, I found over 150 silver coins and close to 500 wheats. Also, many older nickles and IH's. Many of the coins were found 10 inches plus deep, with a silver half at 14 inches. I have no doubt that a big silver is capable of being dug at 18 inches. I bought a Sunray 8 inch coil and I can wade through the trashiest spots around my neck of the woods and find old coins. I guess I will have to eat my words and now say the Explorer is the gold standard. I now move the CZ3D to second place.
Jan 08, 2006
14 Yes
1 No
OK, here is MY opinion, sigh !
BOB VALDEZ in Belgium -I started metal detecting 4 months ago. Started with a XP-GMaxx. A very good machine to start with. Found things the very first day, never stopped doing so.
After a few weeks, purchased a Minelab Explorer II.
Never ever could use it :
1. far too heavy to be fun (you know, fun ? That is what it is all about ; metal detecting, in my opinion : having FUN !)
2. it is EATING batteries
3. pinpointing ? Whàt pinpoiting ?
4. far too difficult to learn. Why spent months on learning a simple & stupid metal detector ? Why lose months of pleasure if you could just be out somewhere FINDING things with any detector ? How about learning to use your next car, bike, pc, gps, mobil, etc for months ? Come on, be serious ! It is just another tool.
5. NO (repeat : NO !) recovery speed. (of course not : 28 signals !) For me, THAT DID IT ; I cannot work without a (fast) recovery speed.
The explorer ii is still here, somewhere. Bought a Minelab X-Terra 50 and started finding things again. I don't think I'll EVER "use" that explorer again...
Why waste time on an Explorer when you can be having FUN ?????????
Jan 07, 2006
25 Yes
38 No
Exp II
Joe in NY -I too read all of these review when I was looking to purchase a new MD. A great many "pros' about the ExpII but the few cons scared me a little... How could so many people absolutely LOVE it and yet, have those who couldn't even work it?
Well, I purchased one on some advice from people I know personally who use them. Here's my take on the "cons"
Heavy machine: Yes it's heavy. So, I bought a bugee harness. I'm 50, no weight lifter, yet I can swing this thing for hours at the park without the harness. The only time I use the bungee is at the beach (mainly so I don't drop it in the water). Between the 7 lb stainless steel sand scoop in my left hand and the ExpII in my right, my arms are lookin' good :)
Learning Curve: Yes, there is a learning curve. But it's only as steep as you make it. If you read your manual a couple of times, get Sabich's book, read the classroom forums, you can make it a lot easier on yourself. I read the manual way before I got the machine. This thing gives you a LOT of information, it just takes a little time to learn what it's trying to tell you. If you don't want to take the time to really get to know a machine, any machine, don't buy it.
Difficult to pinpoint: I don't find that to be the case at all. There are a few tricks that help you narrow it down very accurately. I dig very small plugs and more often than not, my target is right where I thought it was. One necessary accessory (although expensive), is the Sunray X-1. Can't leave home without it.
Plastic: Yes, it's made of plastic, just like everything else. I'm sure if I take care of it, it will last.
Reliability: I have it about 9 months and believe it or not the coil died about 5 months after I bought it. Stuff happens. I sent it to Minelab and they sent back a new coil the same day. Very helpful customer service.
Expensive: Yes :) But in my opinion, worth it. If something were to happen to the one I have, I would do what I could to get another.
Unbalanced machine: The coil mount is at the rear of the coil. This makes it top heavy. Simply shorthening the length of the rod, getting it closer to the front of your toes, makes it a lot better. Not something I think about.
I think that about covers the cons... The pro's? I will have to do that another time. Most have already been mentioned anyway. Bottom line is, if most of the clocks on your electronic equipment at home are flashing "12:00", the Exp II is not for you. If you like top of the line gadgets with lots of useful bells and whistles and awesome performance, the ExpII is one great machine. I know that I've found things with the Exp II that others simple could not find.
Jan 02, 2006
32 Yes
1 No
How good or what?
Peter Abbott in Brighton England -As a novice to detecting I got to say useing this machine was rather daunting to say the least,but the end results are worth all the effort,read the books that are available and cds,this machine will out perform the rest.
I joined a club and i can honestly say that its the explorers that find the most on club digs, pinpointint is 100% and easy, there are lighter machines but I use a harnes so no problems there .
Even useing factory settings it out performs all other detectors, ok its expensive ,but you get what you pay for.
Nov 08, 2005
36 Yes
5 No
Too Much Hype
John in AZ in USA -
The Explorer II is a good detector not as great as all the hype claims it to be. It's heavy and made out of plastic, very unbalanced and too slow on recovery. It masks targets that are too close to iron and very difficult to learn. It is however a deep seeking silver coin machine no doubt about that but no deeper than my DFX plus the DFX is killer on gold jewelry. I am glad I did not sell my DFX to get the Explorer II since I have decided to keep the DFX instead.
Oct 28, 2005
34 Yes
39 No
Explorer 2
Andres Ventura in San Salvador, El Salvador. -I just received the Explorer 2 a week ago, and I must say I'm really impressed! This detector is amazing! Not only has the best discrimination that I have dealt with, and the best tone ID, and the best 'Target ID' (Smart Find), but it has the best depth too! I'm finding coins in the 9"-10" range with ease, no silver yet, but that's because I'm in El Salvador right now and the park I'm going is from 1980 so nothing really old there. The Explorer is EASY to learn contrary to what most people said, and it becomes even easier if you read the book 'Mastering the Explorer S & XS' by Andy Sabisch, reading your manual thoroughly and watching the Training Presentation video which is included with your Explorer. To make a long story short, if you have the money, and want The BEST machine there is for the job (coin hunting, relic hunting, etc.) get the Explorer; Pinpointing is also very easy once you master it. Oh and you might want to buy the Sunray X-1 Target Probe from 'Sunray Detectors', it has aided me a lot when looking for a target in a deep hole preventing me from scratching it, it's an invaluable tool for me. Hope this helps, you'll certainly enjoy the Explorer, I know I do.
And as for DFX comparison, I haven't owned a DFX but I'm pretty sure both go head to head, and I'm also sure the DFX is a great detector. I've just owned a CL IDX from Whites and was really satisfied for coinhunting purposes, but I upgraded to a Minelab and wouldn't change it for anything.
Oct 22, 2005
23 Yes
2 No
Explorer 2.....
DES in GREAT BRITAIN ----WAS -Hi the Explorer 11 is the best so far .Shame it cant pinpoint a bit better But you can't have it all .I have tried it on beach //rivers /all fields /clay to peat all sorts of ground here in the UK ... it just spits out the finds If it's there the explorer will find it..A very good machine: Takes a bit of time to get use to it .......Very good
Oct 01, 2005
20 Yes
3 No
Explorer 2 A master piece.
Gary . in uk -Incredible sensitivity , the best sensitivity i have ever seen on a metal detector. This detector has the best discrimination i have ever used on a metal detector . I dig hardly any trash at all but i still find many coins and rings from beaches and inland sites, Sites that have been pounded by other detector users using other brands. This detector is WITHOUT doubt very "heavy on the arm" due to its poor balance it aint really heavy its just not balanced right , i guess some kind of counter weight on the end of the arm rest would be the way to get this machine to balance but not really a practical idea. Minelab should get the balance problem sorted out on the ex3 when it eventually appears.very Good depth. Looks real sleek and very impressive with its flashy screens. If you like playing about with settings and making lots of adjustments this machine is very "customisable" more so than say an xlt Its very clever this detector- a TOTAL credit to its designers . The people who designed this machine deserve a gold medal because its A totally unique powerfull feature packed detector and very clever at finding good targets from within trash.
I really like this machine. No way will i ever sell this detector its a keeper for sure. Anyone who does not like this detector is dumb. I aint sure it would be suitable for beginners though as it is a complex machine to operate to full potential, beginners would be better of with the quattro to start with ,then move up to the ex2 once some experience is gained.
Sep 08, 2005
33 Yes
1 No
Minelab Explorer....fact not hype
Ron in Georgia, USA -I have been detecting a number of years and have owned three different Fisher machines. I still have the CZ-6 as a spare. I have also owned the Garrett 2500, Sovereign, a Bounty Hunter and a couple of other machines. The Explorer XS is the best I have found. The Fisher units find deep coins, the Garrett is a heavy poorly balanced machine that did not fit my detecting needs at all. The Sovereign is a great detector but is also heavy and poorly balanced. Sure the Explorer XS has a steep learning curve but it obviously can be learned by most people. After almost 4 years of use my Explorer XS is the top of the line. I've never owned a White...but a friend does and I think I made a better choice with the Explorer. Good hunting!
Aug 03, 2005
19 Yes
3 No