jmaclen ... We are in agreement about a lot of things, and while I didn't buy a CTX-3030 I had one provided for a month or so. I used the Explorer II and Explorer SE Pro
(preferred the 'II') the most, but only for select locations, and only when my body could tolerate their awkward weight and balance ... aka 'feel'.
But their use was far less than my other detectors which all excelled over them in the very dense heavy mineralization and dense ferrous debris associated with the ghost towns I mainly hunted.
Tahtsadatsago ... I agree, I like to check out a lot of detectors and learn what I can. Then, I always put in the time to get to know the detector well so as to trust what it's doing.
Detector ... Quite correct, we all have reasons why we like-what-we-like, and I wish everyone would just respect other's opinions and Not want to argue the fact of get into pushing their selection as if it were the one-and-only best choice out there.
Just for fun I took a reverse approach in asking about likeable detectors, by simply asking for 4 different models
(not make but model) that someone would NOT like to be burdened with.
Buying the house here in Texas and all of the remodeling and needed, but unknown before, repair has tapped me dry Totally! Still I decided during the night as I was awake and thinking about what I have, what I have had, and what's available, that I am going to add a new model back into my Detector Outfit. It's been around a while and I let one go this past winter/spring, but I want a brand new, unused device.
Do I need it? No.
Is it a newer-production design? No.
Will some folks think I'm a bit coocoo? Possibly.
But I like it, it's comfortable, it is functional, and I would only use a smaller coil on it for trashier Coin Hunting applications and a few other tasks.
At least my backwards approach to a like/dislike question shouldn't cause any argument. It will just be interesting.
Monte
https://www.ahrps.org/forums/read.php?2,24884,24884#msg-24884