Explorer II Coil Air Test

[bluemask]

Since I got my Minelab Explorer II back, I've decided to test the various coils I've managed to salvage. Currently, the Minelab FBS 800 with the 1000 and the three Detech coils: the 8x6 SEF, the Ultimate 13, and the 15x12 SEF.

I'll start by saying that I'm not one to nitpick the tests I see around; I just need them to get an idea of the detector's power. Performance varies in the field (or sand).

The setting used was that of a great Italian detectorist who recently passed away...sorry for the emotion...

DIGITAL DISPLAY
CONTRAST 9
SELECT: REMOVE THE CHECKS COMPLETELY FROM EVERYTHING
AUDIO VOLUME ON MAX LIM AND GAIN ON 5
AUDIO TONE ON TH TONE 6, VARIABLE 9, LIMITS ON 7
AUDIO SOUNDS ON CONDUCT
OPTIONS ADVANCED RESPONSE AUDIO 1
OPTIONS ADVANCED RECOVERY "STANDARD"
SENSITIVITY ON 22
THRESHOLD ON 4
IRON MASK ON -5

My test was conducted on 20 objects: 11 roundels of various sizes and compositions, a 4 cm crucifix, a 2 cm button, two votive offerings, one 2 cm and the other 1 cm, a 3 cm four-leaf clover, a crown cork, a A crushed beer can, a torn can, and a piece of shrapnel.

MINELAB FBS 1000 (10"): Blanks with detection ranges of 24 to 32 cm, a crucifix at 19 cm, a small votive at 19 cm and a large votive at 24 cm, a four-leaf clover at 31 cm, a button at 27 cm, a can at 36 cm, shrapnel at 24 cm, a crown cap at 25 cm, and a torn can at 19 cm.

DETECH ULTIMATE 13 (13"): Same objects with detection ranges of 5 to 7 cm. The coil is exceptional, as expected (I also have it on my DFX).

I should note that the VDI values for FER and COND on the EX2 with both coils remained identical and very stable.

More tests with the other coils later...

[Rivers rat]

Hello i know its an old machine BUT the detech 13 is an amazing coil and so is the 8X6 

 

RR

[bluemask]

On 12/18/2025 at 1:39 PM, Rivers rat said:

Hello i know its an old machine BUT the detech 13 is an amazing coil and so is the 8X6 

 

RR

Have you tested the Detech 8x6 against the Minelab 800?

[Rivers rat]

no i havent but i read a lot in older forums

 

RR

[bluemask]

I did some air tests with the newly arrived 15" MarsMD Goliath, which I found used for a great price on the usual online markets. What can I say...impressive! Again with same last setting, I detected a crushed can at 49 cm, and rounds at 39-40 cm. Compared to the 13 Detech Ultimate, I gained 3 to 6 cm. On the downside, the coil itself is a bit unstable, and for real hunting, I would definitely reduce the sensitivity a bit.

Next week, I think I'll be able to test the Etrac Minelab 11" on the EX2.

[EL NINO77]

Bluemask...

I think that 3 centimeters for smaller targets and 6 centimeters for larger ones. goals... practically a test on stable sensitivity in the field would show the difference between 13" ultimate and 15" Goliath....

11" pro from Etrac is a really good coil...but I'm curious about your testing of this coil..