Buried Crap NJ
New member
Just got this from my Minelab dealer! Discontinuing the Sovereign GT and SE pro.As of Dec.31 of 2012!
BCNJ
BCNJ
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Bad news Minelab will be discontinuing The Sovereign Gt and the Explorer SE pro.
- Thread starter Buried Crap NJ
- Start date
Critterhunter
New member
NO! You've GOT TO BE KIDDING ME?! And to top it all off the SE is being discontinued too?! That's my next machine to add back to my line up to sit along side my GT. I'm sorry but the Safari just doesn't seem nearly as popular as either the Explorer or the Sovereign, so I can't understand why they'd continue to make it and not at least the Sovereign or the Explorer.
Many out there prefer the Explorer over the Etrac for various reasons (myself included), and the performance of each is on par provided you are using the right coils and know how to use the machine. Only thing I can figure is that the SE is too closely priced to the Etrac, which means you've got two machines that customers are opting one over the other of each for, which isn't a very efficient business practice, because now you are going thru the expense to make two machines that the same potential customers would be buying only one of if they didn't have both choices anyway. So that I can kind of see business wise, even though I don't like it. Explorer/Etrac is a Chevy Vs Ford thing. Some just like one and some just like the other. I prefer the VDI setup of the Explorer and the audio on things like silver at depth over the Etrac myself for one thing.
Far as the Sovereign goes, again...Some people want Minelab performance but with simple dials and knobs to keep things as laid back and easy going as possible while hunting. Just look at the Whites units. Whites knows some people prefer dials and switches so they can "feel" certain controls even on computer machines (which the Sovereign is), that's why the MXT/M6 units have a combination of both. Something about being able to tweak sensitivity or threshold "just right" by the feel of a dial. Or look to Tesoro. Big reason why they have a rabid following, and it ain't just the audio many like, it's the dials/switches thing. I would think Minelab would want to keep a more "analog" controls type of detector in their line up to appeal to customers who want that type of interface. Then there is the long detailed drawn out audio of the Sovereign. Nothing like it out there except perhaps the old cream of the crop analog units of yesterday, but with the tone alerts and performance of a Minelab. It's unique among detectors in many respects.
To replace both the GT and SE and yet it appears (?) they are keeping the Safari? How is that machine going to get suddenly more popular? I'm not knocking it as a machine, I'm just saying it seems to have less of a following because many seem to opt for a used Explorer over the price of a new Safari IMO. My suspicion is that while it might not make sense in some respects, it does make business sense. Now the Etrac is clearly distinctly different from the next machine down in terms of the money you spend. Now you've got a more efficient line up without several products competing with each other for the same customer you are going to get anyway.
Welp, get ready for prices to go up even more than they have on used Sovereigns and in particular the GT. After the price increase the used GTs were selling a bit more than they were before, and they were never cheap used to begin with. Same deal happened with the 6000 Pro XL. Now that machine in nice shape goes for a premium buck because of its' devoted followers. Same deal will happen with the Explorers, and even more so with the SE. Used prices, IF you can find one, will only go up.
So what's this mean for aftermarket coils for the Sovereign? I doubt they'll stop making them. Just too many coil compatible Sovereigns out there, not to mention the Excals using the same coils too. Heck, Detech even makes the SEF coil for the old Musketeer and some other far less numerous models of detectors than the BBS units. Still, just the same, I'm glad I got my 12x10 in case things go south here, and hope I can get the Ultimate or the 8" Tornado I want to add to my line up. Coils might become hard to come by. Expect prices on those to skyrocket used too if they are not going to be made anymore.
Many out there prefer the Explorer over the Etrac for various reasons (myself included), and the performance of each is on par provided you are using the right coils and know how to use the machine. Only thing I can figure is that the SE is too closely priced to the Etrac, which means you've got two machines that customers are opting one over the other of each for, which isn't a very efficient business practice, because now you are going thru the expense to make two machines that the same potential customers would be buying only one of if they didn't have both choices anyway. So that I can kind of see business wise, even though I don't like it. Explorer/Etrac is a Chevy Vs Ford thing. Some just like one and some just like the other. I prefer the VDI setup of the Explorer and the audio on things like silver at depth over the Etrac myself for one thing.
Far as the Sovereign goes, again...Some people want Minelab performance but with simple dials and knobs to keep things as laid back and easy going as possible while hunting. Just look at the Whites units. Whites knows some people prefer dials and switches so they can "feel" certain controls even on computer machines (which the Sovereign is), that's why the MXT/M6 units have a combination of both. Something about being able to tweak sensitivity or threshold "just right" by the feel of a dial. Or look to Tesoro. Big reason why they have a rabid following, and it ain't just the audio many like, it's the dials/switches thing. I would think Minelab would want to keep a more "analog" controls type of detector in their line up to appeal to customers who want that type of interface. Then there is the long detailed drawn out audio of the Sovereign. Nothing like it out there except perhaps the old cream of the crop analog units of yesterday, but with the tone alerts and performance of a Minelab. It's unique among detectors in many respects.
To replace both the GT and SE and yet it appears (?) they are keeping the Safari? How is that machine going to get suddenly more popular? I'm not knocking it as a machine, I'm just saying it seems to have less of a following because many seem to opt for a used Explorer over the price of a new Safari IMO. My suspicion is that while it might not make sense in some respects, it does make business sense. Now the Etrac is clearly distinctly different from the next machine down in terms of the money you spend. Now you've got a more efficient line up without several products competing with each other for the same customer you are going to get anyway.
Welp, get ready for prices to go up even more than they have on used Sovereigns and in particular the GT. After the price increase the used GTs were selling a bit more than they were before, and they were never cheap used to begin with. Same deal happened with the 6000 Pro XL. Now that machine in nice shape goes for a premium buck because of its' devoted followers. Same deal will happen with the Explorers, and even more so with the SE. Used prices, IF you can find one, will only go up.
So what's this mean for aftermarket coils for the Sovereign? I doubt they'll stop making them. Just too many coil compatible Sovereigns out there, not to mention the Excals using the same coils too. Heck, Detech even makes the SEF coil for the old Musketeer and some other far less numerous models of detectors than the BBS units. Still, just the same, I'm glad I got my 12x10 in case things go south here, and hope I can get the Ultimate or the 8" Tornado I want to add to my line up. Coils might become hard to come by. Expect prices on those to skyrocket used too if they are not going to be made anymore.
dewcon4414
Well-known member
If they cut that line they are just plum smoking something. Thats not going to get people to buy their high end CTX. Sounds like used Sov prices are going to go thru the roof sinc you just can beat them. Id still use an Xcal on the beach and in the water over their CTX and i already have an SE. All i can say is i hope they sell BBS to other companies that can put it to use. Whose doing the thinking down there?? Must be the same guy who introduced the CTX.
Dew
Dew
Sounds like they need to replace some managers who made this decision. They will lose business, unless they replace the gt with another simular type detector, improved (lighter). A lot of people don't want all the programs and things that higher end dectectors have. They like to turn on the Gt, zero the meter and hunt. I'm sure the SE pro people feel the same way, that they don't want to have to pay more money for something else, when they are happy with their good detector deseign that works good. They are going to lose some customers, is all I can say. Sometimes, new, improved, business thoughts suck. They need to realize that profits on each machine adds up, no matter what it is, and keep selling them. HH-Mark
Neil in West Jersey
New member
n/t
Jack Flynn
New member
I sincerely hope they regret that move! Of course it makes you feel like you are being held hostage. Seen stupid moves by companies like this in other high end hobbies. The high end adult precision airgun industry had a huge American following then they did something stupid like this and increased prices and changed their lineup and lost a big share of their business. They just might get that wakeup call.
MNCoinhunter
Active member
I guess I won't be parting with my SE Pro anytime soon. And I just saw a decent used one with a pro-pointer sell for $600 on here. Should have sold a kidney and bought it !
Critterhunter
New member
Funny you should say that maybe somebody else will/has bought the rights to BBS. I heard a rumor a while back that Fisher had aquired the rights to BBS technology, but that's all it is far as I know- a rumor. Can you imagine what the wizards at Fisher might be able to do with BBS to carry it into the next decade or two? One can dream anyway...
The remarks that maybe they are replacing the Explorer and GT with something else are something to hope for. Maybe yet another new Sovereign model, and also a new Explorer model? I doubt it though. Here's why...
Might just be Minelab wants to be the "Lexus" of the detector market and not get into the more "economical" modes of transportation (or detecting I should say). They have to be careful about that though, because that hurt another company in the past I can think of and they don't have nearly the market share these days they did years ago...
The remarks that maybe they are replacing the Explorer and GT with something else are something to hope for. Maybe yet another new Sovereign model, and also a new Explorer model? I doubt it though. Here's why...
Might just be Minelab wants to be the "Lexus" of the detector market and not get into the more "economical" modes of transportation (or detecting I should say). They have to be careful about that though, because that hurt another company in the past I can think of and they don't have nearly the market share these days they did years ago...
deepdiger60
New member
Not a very bright idea on Minelabs behalf unless they have something new up there sleeve ? Jim
deepdiger60
New member
I just had a thought ? since my GT is out of warranty a few years now should it ever break down will Minelab still repair it at my cost ? since it is being takin out of the lineup in Dec. Jim