Metal Detectors and Technology

[tlmothy]

Thank you for reading my post.
I am trying to get back in the metal detector game ever since my father got me a whites metal detector in 1986. I had a few years of great use but never really dedicated myself to the sport. It has been almost 7 years since I touched a metal detector and at that time I was looking to spend some coin on a nice new one. Let me get to the point. I looked into getting a new one some time ago and I have noticed that not much had changed in the MD hardware. Infact some of the very same models I was looking at a few years ago are the same ones being offered at major MD company websites today. What gives? Do these companies release new models ever 5 years? I mean come on! Computer hardware advances about every 6 months. Just think about what kind of computers were available just 5 years ago and compare them to todays computers. I know it's like comparing apples and oranges. But when was the last top of the line whites model of garret or any other company release of a new model? DFX has got to be 3+ years old, Garret 2500, around 2001. This is just to name a few. Forget about new mid level ones I am talking about high end MD's.

Well don't get me wrong, I am sure these medal detectors on the market have more than enough features and capability to do the job.

Does anyone know upcoming innovation in the MD hardware? Should I hold off on buying a new one and wait for a new release?

Well I look forward to replies.

 

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[Willy]

One thing you gotta remember is that the metal detector market isn't as big as, let's say, colour TV's. R&D, manufacturing costs, ads, personnel, etc., all cost money. Another thing to remember is that there's a thriving market in used detectors.. which cuts into the profits on new ones. Another problem occurs when a company produces a lemon; a lot of hard won money can go down the drain. This can make for slow introduction of new detector models. ...Willy.

 

[tlmothy]

Yes I understand that MD isn't exactly main stream, and advertising, production cost money. It is kind of sad that not much innovation comes about. I would think that if they released something 10 times better than what they have out now. People would flock to buy one. Something that would make people want to get the latest rather than get a used one. Heck I would probably even buy a used one right now.

 

[ZumbroKid]

I upgraded to a Whites MXT. I had a BH made for RadioShack. All my top coin finds were made with the RadioShack. To me it is not the machine.

 

[Willy]

If you want innovation, you can check out the Garrett GTI series. They have a second receive loop in the coil and will give both size and a more accurate depth measurement. Even that is a few years old. ...Willy.

 

[Ricky1601 aka pull tab king]

One thing about the cost of the hobby is what you are willing to put into it and what you expect to get out of it. Yes 1000$ is alot of money but if you look at other hobbies, 2 of mine are fishing and hunting...... I have spent way more on both of those hobbies with no way to get even a fraction of it back. I guess the point i'm making is at least with the money you spend in this hobby you can more than make up those costs with a few finds, jewlry, gold and silver etc......i hope this puts a different perspective on it. thanks and HH

 

[rvbvetter]

This is just my opinion. But I've always felt that the detector mftrs. feed us "New" technology a little at a time from their vast and far more advanced technological reserve than we get to see. I tend to think that they already have the knowledge today, that they will use to build the machines that will hit the market 10 years from now. Because if they were to lay all their cards on the table right now. They know there would be no returning customers for sometime. Except for repairs. They know giving us a little at a time will always keep us coming back to get the latest new and improved version. A never ending supply of customers.
I kind of find it hard to blame them though. Because, whether it be ethical or not. In this day and age that's pretty much the way any successful business is run. Not many Mom and Pop business's left out their. Although I wish there was. HH