Minelab E-TRAC Metal Detector Field Guide
An overview of the Minelab E-TRAC metal detector's features and operational guidance.
Pinpointing the Target
Follow these steps to accurately locate a detected target:
- Once the approximate target location is known, move the coil to one side of that location and press Pinpoint [?].
- Sweep the coil slowly over the target location. Note: Keep the coil parallel to the ground while Pinpointing.
- Taking note of the response, reduce the span of each successive pass of the coil until you are confident of the location of the target. Make a mental note of the position, or mark a line on the soil with your shoe or a digging tool.
- Move to one side so that you can pass the coil over the target at right angles to your initial direction.
- Repeating the above steps in the new direction will give an exact location to dig.
Visual Description: The diagram illustrates the process of sweeping a metal detector coil over a target area from multiple directions to triangulate its position.
Minelab Modes
The E-TRAC offers several preset operating modes:
- Mode 1: Coins [?]
- Mode 2: High Trash [?️]
- Mode 3: Beach [?️]
- Mode 4: Relics [?]
User Interface and Controls
Display Elements
Pattern Screen: Displays the active Discrimination Pattern, showing ferrous (Fe) [?] and conductive (Co) [⚡] targets. The example shows Fe-Co with a discrimination level of 16.
Digital Screen: Similar to Pattern, often showing more detailed target information.
Sensitivity Gauge: A visual indicator of the detector's sensitivity level.
FE-CO Numbers: Displays the Ferrous and Conductive properties of a detected target, with a numerical value (e.g., 16).
Smartfind Window: Displays the active Discrimination Pattern.
QuickMask Dialogue Box: Appears to confirm loading the QuickMask Discrimination Pattern into the Pattern or Digital Screen. It prompts 'Load QuickMask into Smartfind?' with 'Yes' and 'Cancel' options [?].
Navigation and Function Buttons
Power Button [?]: Press to turn E-Trac On/Off.
Backlight Button [?]: Press to turn the Backlight On/Off.
Left Shift Button [⬅️]: Used for adjusting settings.
Right Shift Button [➡️]: Used for adjusting settings.
Navigation Buttons (Up/Down/Left/Right Arrows [⬆️⬇️⬅️➡️]): Used for adjusting settings in Detect Screens and navigating the Menu.
Menu Button [☰]: Accesses the Main Menu at any stage of detector operation.
Detect Button [?]: Press to switch between the Pattern or Digital Screen. Press to return to the Pattern or Digital Screen whilst in QuickMask or the Main Menu.
Pinpoint Button [?]: Press to turn Pinpoint On/Off.
QuickMask Button: Press to access QuickMask settings.
Noise Cancel Button: Starts an Automatic Noise Cancel process.
Accept/Reject Button [✔️/❌]: Pressing in the Detection Screens accepts or rejects the detected target.
Depth Gauge: Indicates the estimated depth of a detected target.
Settings and Modes Configuration
User Modes: Allows selection and saving of custom modes. Options include 'Select', 'Save', and predefined modes like 'Minelab modes', 'My mode 1', 'My mode 2', 'My mode 3'.
Discrimination: Options include 'Select', 'Save', 'Edit', 'Combine'.
Audio Settings:
- Threshold Level: 30
- Volume Limit: 30
- Volume Gain: 24
- Response: Normal
- Tone ID: 15
- No. of Tones: Multi
- Sounds: Conduct
- Variability: 25
- Limits: 30
Preferences:
- Contrast: 15
- Pinpoint Mode: Normal
- Show Sensitivity: On
- Show Mode Info: Off
- Display Timeout: Off
- Master Reset: [❓] Yes/Cancel [⚙️]
Pattern: Options for Fe-Co discrimination.
Digital: Options for digital discrimination.
Sensitivity: Options include Auto, Manual Level (e.g., 22), Auto Level (e.g., A).
Expert Settings:
- Recovery Deep: Off
- Recovery Fast: Off
- Trash Density: Low
- Ground: Difficult
- Noise Cancel: 6
