I can assure you that I, too, have owned and used most of what some refer to as a "High-End" detector as well as most "Mid-Level" and even too many "Low-End" models. I get they, evaluate them, and decide of they work for me or not.Southwind said:
One problem we have is how we each decide or categorize what a High-End or Mid-Level detector is. I generally associate a detector by the MSRP price range it falls in. A Deus or CTX-3030 or V3i, for example, I class in the 'High-End' DOLLAR bracket. Certainly not High-End in performance, for me, and for the types of sites I hunt. A 'Mid-Level' detector to me is really a 'Mid-Prized' detector range that is more attractive and fitting for the bulk of the more enthusiastic hobbyists and avid detectorists. Detectors that are priced from about $600 to $800 or so as a detector-only price range.
I do also, and the 'specs' are more important than the suggested retail price. It doesn't matter what the price-point is, the detector either works and works well for what I want and need, or it doesn't. Many High-Priced detector have all sorts of adjustment features, but that doesn't matter when they really do not work all that well afield. It's all a matter of persona opinion and personal choice.Southwind said:
Not only "High-End" detectors save programs, and even then the 'program' might not work all that well, anyway.Southwind said:
But Yes, the Racer 2 DOES provide a very easy-to-access Fd [size=small](Factory Default)[/size] or SA [size=small](Save)[/size] feature that allows you to select any changes to any of the five modes [size=small](except the Ground Balance setting)[/size] and save them. Better still, like the Nokta FORS series, you can make any change you want, then go to the search mode you prefer to use, and SAVE all settings, and doing so means that when you turn the Racer 2 'On' it starts up in the mode you prefer to use, and all settings are saved.
Yes, I think '0' to '99 ought to be enough. So instead of Notching out broad segments with a liot of numbers, like many makes and models do, the Racer 2 lets you Notch reject any segment as you progress up the Discrimination range on the display.Southwind said:
I usually hunt in 2-Tone or 1-Tone, and that's about I all I need. I do like to occasionally have a small-range of multiple tone for some city Coin Shooting, and the Racer 2 has a 3-Tone mode as well. Too many tones, especially on many lof the current or recent multi-tone detectors can leave you with a rather 'muddy' audio response, especially in trashier sites. Most people I converse with have tried several multi-tone detectors and, by far most of them don't like more than 3 or 4 tones.Southwind said:
They aren't. They are getting a very well engineered detector, based on a proven platform that has excellent target separation abilities in masking trash, and functional adjustments. To this they added more useable features, like Tone Break, Iron Audio Volume, Notch Filter, a very wide-range Audio Tone adjustment, and extra DEEP mode for applications where it is applicable, and the Save or return to Factory Default features, plus a few more.Southwind said:
All this in what I consider to be a 'Mid-Level' priced detector with 'High-End' performance.
It is a Very, Very Nice Mid-Priced' detector that I know folks should be happy with.Southwind said:
I see High-End PERFORMANCE, regardless of price. I can enjoy good cooking and a great meal at reasonable prices from several locations, and end up with terrible food that lacks flavor and value from High-End, High-Dollar places to eat. I enjoy where I get the most for the best value.Southwind said:
MSRP is listed on the Makro Website as $749 for the Racer 2, and $949 for the Pro=Pack that includes rechargeable batteries and charger, two housing environmental covers, the excellent 'OOR' search coil plus the extra lower rod and mounting hardware and more in a backpack carrying bag.Southwind said:
To some hobbyists who are just getting into it or don't know the difference, they might thing=k anything over $300 is "High-End," but to those of us who enjoy quality, durability, performance, and useable adjustment features and in-the-field results, it is all here to be had in a "Mid-Level' or 'Mid-Priced' Racer 2.
I usually hunt more ghost towns, stage stops and railroad depot and siding sites, homesteads and barns and put-buildings, and other places that abound in dense iron trash. I hunt them with friends and other detector operators who use what detectors they have seemed to like. Last year on a Welcome-to-Hunt Outing [size=small](and you or anyone is invited to come join the fun)[/size] we had a aCTX-3030 with the brand new Minelab 6" DD coil mounted try to match some dense nail trash encounters we deal with. It was terrible! Other brand and models also had difficulty trying to work in and around all the metal debris.
The best performing detectors out of all makes present were a few Tesoro's, a lot of Makro Racer's and a couple of Nokta FORS CoRe's. Just my set of opinions, and I know the Racer 2 and how well it works in a good variety of hunting scenarios.
Monte
