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With all the new affordable detectors coming out i can't help wondering if my modest arsenal is hopelessly outdated and i could just get a '1 (or 2 ) size fits all detector' 

I Have; 

testoro tejon

tesoro eldorado umax

CZ7

etrac.

The tesoro's have been doing well for me when i visit the Netherlands, and the cz and etrac been doing fine in the local parks here in Norcal, but hey, perhaps we're now living in a time where there's affordable detectors that pretty much cover relic, park, heavy mineralization and heavy iron just fine?

Thanks for your input 🙂

  • Like 2
  • The title was changed to Am I Way Behind Or Do I Have My Bases Covered?

On 2/5/2025 at 2:55 AM, vince1978 said:

I Have; 

testoro tejon

tesoro eldorado umax

CZ7

etrac.

Hi Vince.   

I have none of those detectors so there are far more qualified people on here that will hopefully comment.  But yes, my guess is that something like a Minelab Equinox 900 might do all of the things your current lineup does, maybe even better.  

And the added advantage of waterproof, better audio options, etc.  

Have you had a look through the detector database here?  https://www.detectorprospector.com/metal-detector-database/

Best of luck 'thinning out the herd'  😉

33 minutes ago, Steve Herschbach said:

Nothing wrong with what you have, but a Deus 2 could replace them all.

Yeah, I was kind of afraid the Deus 2 could do all that. 🙂 Just not sure if I'm ready to dump another $1500 into this hobby with the amount of detecting I'm doing. 

In a weird way I guess I'm happy that what I have is not completely obsolete, if I got the recommendation to just get a simplex or equinox 600 to replace all I have then I would feel like I'm looking at a pile of detectors that just won't do it anymore.  

 

I'll just get by with my vintage arsenal.

 

 

 

 

 

  • Like 3

I've never used the CZ7.

I have owned and used the other detectors you have.

Depending on your soil mineralization, you may have depth covered with the Etrac.

At least where I detect in Colorado, none of your detectors would be in my arsenal.

The Nokta Triple Score, Nokta Legend, Minelab X-Terra Elite, Equinox 600, Equinox 700, Equinox 800, Equinox 900, Manticore, Deus 2 WS6 Master and Deus 2 Full Remote would be my choices over the Etrac. They are equivalent in depth here and they are way better at picking out good targets from thick trash, even deeper targets, due to their much faster target recovery speed and better target separation. All of them are fully waterproof, have internal rechargeable batteries, wireless audio, great ergonomics and they can be used on targets of just about any size or conductivity.

Minelab created Multi IQ tech to improve higher mineralization ground handling and versatility of use. At least where I detect, they delivered on that task. Multi IQ out performs FBS. Nokta did a great job of producing similar tech as Multi IQ. So did XP. I had to run my Etrac at lower sensitivity levels to get it to settle down enough to use here. Running it in automatic settings......sensitivity would be on 8!.

As far as the Tejon and Eldorado......I would rather just use a Multi IQ Minelab Vanquish 340. 

Sorry for my brutal assessment but that is just reality here where I detect.

  • Like 3

A lot comes down to what you hunt and where you detect, for me at least the CTX 3030 (cousin of the E-trac) is still the best detector for finding silver coins, and I'd pick it over any of the more modern machines for that purpose.  I would likely feel the same about the E-trac but I've never used one.

Don't let age fool you, technology in detecting moves at a snail's pace, there are certainly improvements especially for those in difficult soils as Jeff points out, in milder soils you can use whatever you like and do well, that's not to say modern stuff isn't beneficial, but it's not overly necessary.

You can't go wrong with any of these modern multi frequency machines and they do replace the older detectors that were more single purpose so you benefitted from having a few of them for various tasks, you don't need that anymore as one can do it all and then some.

If someone owns a Manticore, Deus 2, Nox 800/900 or Legend they're pretty much covered for everything a VLF can do.

  • Like 2

Thanks again for the input guys! 

I noticed here in Northern California in the parks the Etrac and CZ7 do best when it comes to depth reach in heavy mineralized soil.. But yes, get the Etrac in trashy conditions and the thing will throw in the towel. Plus, I get more excited finding an old coin or relic compared to a modern-day ring, so it's been a year or 2 since I last went out locally.

The Tesoro's do really well in heavy trash / iron but at the cost of max detecting depth. However, when in the Netherlands I keep doing well with Tesoro, probably because I know these detectors best and the soil conditions where I detect are mild (except for iron trash but that's where Tesoro still shines is my impression)

 

 

 

 

  • Like 2

Your machines will find at least 90% of what the latest and greatest machines will find, assuming your regular hunting ground has average mineralization and trash. The advantage the newer machines with faster processors and multifrequencies have is handling harsher conditions. They also have the advantage of being waterproof too.

  • Like 4

I've had all your's except the etrac. I currently swing the Deus II most of the time but I recently bought the Nokta Triple score pro pack with the two coils and wireless headphones for $479 new.  I was more comfortable water hunting (submerged) with the sub $500 Score verse my $1600 Deus II. I've got to say that I'm totally impressed with the Triple Score. and in your position, I'd sell them all, get the TC and pocket the difference. JMHO 

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