Minelab Explorer II

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

35 Yes
39 No

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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

24 Yes
2 No

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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

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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

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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

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The Best.

Digitaltim in Ct, USA -
Ignores Iron better than any other brand. The backlit lcd is a must at night. Incredibly accurate discrimination..... the best. ....I've tried top of the line models from Garrett and Fisher.... lots of cheapos too....this is my favorite.detector

No experience with white's though.


Cons: It is heavy...can't hip mount it....changing coils could be easier

I wish it was water proof

Jul 02, 2005

14 Yes
1 No

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james

james montgomery in GA -
I have been metal detecting since I was about 13 years old I am now 33. So I have a few years under my belt...I have owned Whites metal detectors the whole time. About a week ago I purchased a minelab ex II. So far I think it is a great machine...It is a little heavy with the 10.5 coil. From what I can tell pinpointing is not a problem it is usually right on the money. So far the learning curve is a little steep but I don't mind it. I have learned that when the machine reads pulltab that is probably what it is. I have yet to try all the bells and whistles but like I said I am still learning. I do still like my XLT and will probably keep it. I still have my other detectors I never sell them. But so far so good I just have to take the time to learn the machine and be patient

Jun 27, 2005

17 Yes
1 No

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Minelab Explorer 2

Pierre Poulin in Montreal Quebec Canada -
I been detecting for about 10 years, and once I got my EXPII, I didn't give up. Yes I agree it's a complicated instrument, but once you learn the functions which are fairly straight forward, you can't go wrong! Mr Jones there is a book by Andie Sabisch
"Mastering the Minelab Explorer XS & S"
That makes it all so simple.Even me a Frenchmen understood it. I just hope that you didn't sold it out of frustration.
Remember Mr Jones Minelab Explorer 2, is a precise instrument and not a toy!
"Happy Detecting"

Jun 17, 2005

10 Yes
0 No

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The more you use it the better it gets

Ed Erdman in Janesville, WI. USA -
After a year of using the Explorer II, I'd like to share what I've learned in that time (and give a truly fair review with a year's worth of use under my belt).
First of all, that's fine if the White's and Garrett's users want to rip this machine. That will mean that fewer of my competition has one and that's great by me, since I'm betting I can find the stuff they walk over with their hot machines.
In my area maximum depth isn't nearly as important as finding goodies in areas literally carpeted with rusty iron. Using my Explorer, I can get stuff that is right next to or touching iron. I use iron mask -16, ferrous sounds, and a 5" or 8" coil (depending on the amount of trash). Anything interesting gets investigated from several angles, and I go slowly and check the ground from different directions to pick out the goodies among the trash. After becoming familiar with this machine, it's OUTSTANDING finding goodies in the trash. Other machines that I've used could NOT get the goodies in the trash the way this one can once you learn it. Is there a learning curve? Yes, if you want simple that won't get the stuff in the trash, the competition makes good machines and will be happy to sell to you. But you may regret that choice if we meet in the field because I'll be pulling stuff out of trashy areas that you had no idea was even there.
Bottom line: Just keep with it, be patient and REALLY learn this one, practice with it in a test bed environment and play with the settings to see what happens so you know what it's telling you in the field. You won't be sorry when you start finding good stuff.

Jun 12, 2005

59 Yes
2 No

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Explorer 2

Lee in W, Mids UK -
I've been detecting for a respectabe length of time (10 years). I owned a Fisher and have now upgraded to a ML EXP 2. I am sick and tired of hearing people who do not do their research on a product before buying it complain. This detectors features are heavensent. Switch it on and away you go in the factory preset or sit down with a cuppa read the manual practice and then go for it in manual mode. Dont be put off by the folks who constantly complain about the weight of the detector and its complicity.

Jun 09, 2005

28 Yes
1 No

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