Minelab Explorer tips, settings, questions

[Sa_bogan]

Hi guys, I have an offer to swap some of my silver for a second hand minelab explorer 2
Does anyone rate them and is it worth $480?

 

[Nugget]

What I can gather from a quick online search is that it's an old machine which is no longer in production. The reviews are rather mixed, some say its very difficult to use and others just love it. In terms of being worth $480 I don't know, if it's going to be as difficult to use as some make out I would say buy something like a Garrett Ace 250 which is far less in price or even a Minelab X-TERRA 305, the advantage is warranty and accessibility of replacement parts / support. Plus if you don't like it or want to upgrade later on, you shouldnt have too much trouble reselling it.

There are other machines out there within that price range, but at least that should give you a basic idea of what youre looking at. Also both the above mentioned machines are well suited for the beginner right up to the more experienced user.

Hopefully someone can comment more on the Minelab Explorer 2.

 

[Sa_bogan]

Thanks mate, I have been looking all over the Internet as well and have read the same. I have also watched some YouTube videos and it seems to go pretty deep on small objects and many have been pleased. Ultimately I would like the AT pro but its fairly costly to buy here instead of getting it from the USA which as i understand there is no help, warranty and the rest.

I guess what attracts me is I'm able to barter with my silver as well (I just converted it to cash to explain its worth) and comes with standard extras. Plus the old man talks minelab up over the other brands

 

[Nugget]

No worries, the AT-PRO is a great machine but as you said it's a little costly, especially for your first machine. Like everything else in life, each to their own when it comes to brands, so I wouldnt get too caught up in all that talk. At the end of the day youre the one who needs to be happy with your decision so keep on researching it and the answer will come.

Also I know exactly what you mean about the Silver, I'm a fellow stacker myself

 

[dazza513]

has anyone else had this problem? the last few months sometimes when I go to turn my explorer on it doesn't fire up so I take the battery pack in and out a few times then it works fine, does it with both the rechargeable and the alkaline pack.

but now it wont turn on at all.... I'm thinking it maybe the battery contacts in the housing but I'm unsure how to pull it apart to clean them, it's a very early xs model.

any idea's ?

Regards Daryl

 

[Goldpick]

Seems it was a pretty common issue with the older explorers, sometimes a simple fix to clean the contacts on the batteries and detector spring contacts, or the spring contcts themselves are over compressed and require stretching out again. Other times it can be more sinister, requiring board replacements, or face plate replacement (power button craps out).

Sound familiar?

http://www.findmall.com/read.php?10,1577484

To try your luck on the battery/post cleaning side of things, the following link may help out with disassembly:

http://www.dankowskidetectors.com/discussions/read.php?2,35904,36445

If that fails, and even though the XS is not supported anymore, still try Minelab, or contact AngerManagement and he may be able to help you out.

If the control panel is at fault re the power button, you can buy aftermarket replacement control panels off ebay for a reasonable amount. These guys used to be the UK repair wing for Minelab, but have since gone out on their own producing aftermarket panels for various minelab detectors.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/After-marke...Explorer-series-Metal-Detectors-/131355564284

 

[dazza513]

Seems it was a pretty common issue with the older explorers, sometimes a simple fix to clean the contacts on the batteries and detector spring contacts, or the spring contcts themselves are over compressed and require stretching out again. Other times it can be more sinister, requiring board replacements, or face plate replacement (power button craps out).

Sound familiar?

http://www.findmall.com/read.php?10,1577484

To try your luck on the battery/post cleaning side of things, the following link may help out with disassembly:

http://www.dankowskidetectors.com/discussions/read.php?2,35904,36445

If that fails, and even though the XS is not supported anymore, still try Minelab, or contact AngerManagement and he may be able to help you out.

If the control panel is at fault re the power button, you can buy aftermarket replacement control panels off ebay for a reasonable amount. These guys used to be the UK repair wing for Minelab, but have since gone out on their own producing aftermarket panels for various minelab detectors.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/After-marke...Explorer-series-Metal-Detectors-/131355564284

Thanks heaps goldpick! Was just a dodgy connection, all fixed now

 

[Goldpick]

No problem, glad I could help out.

 

[Ozmal]

Does anyone know where I might get DD coils for my Explorer 2 thanks

 

[PhaseTech]

The Explorer 2 is compatible with E-Trac and Safari coils.
All the coils available for these models are DD coils.

 

[Ozmal]

Great thanks for that ?