Bad news Minelab will be discontinuing The Sovereign Gt and the Explorer SE pro.

[Critterhunter]

I'm sure the GT (and Elite) will still be repaired as parts are still in stock for some years to come. Way I understand it the older Sovereign models can't be repaired, or at least some parts can't be replaced on them anymore.

Same deal with the Explorers. I think the XS and the II they either no longer service or can only fix certain things on them these days, but expect the SE to be repaired for several years to come. Doesn't seem like very good customer relations to me on the older stuff though. Some other companies will fix machines from years ago. Heck, there are even people repairing the old Compus models.

But in terms of worrying about break downs, truth is that electronics generaly fail early on if a component is borderline. If a machine has survived for years then chances are it's got good parts that aren't near failure due to manufacturing defects or something. So long as you baby the machine and not expose it to excessive heat or moisture a machine that's been around for say 5 or 10 years is unlikely to suddenly fail IMO.

And even when that happens, usually it's not a component failure but rather just a bad solder joint or a loose wire. I've got some education in an electronics related field and first rule in electronic troubleshooting is that most of the time a failure is a bad wire connection or some other form of short. Always look for that first...

The Compus is another prime example of prices going up on defunct machines. Some of those old Compus models are more now than when they were new years ago, IF you can find one for sale. They've got some unique traits to them, just like the Explorer or the Sovereign, so expect used prices to climb.

My GT ain't going nowhere, I just hope I can find a used SE down the road here to add to my line up, and if I do find one I hope it's not at a "collector" status price. If you guys have any money to burn, stock up on as many GTs, SEs, IIs, and even Elites as you can find to sit on. Unlike the stock market, if prices don't climb they for sure ain't going to drop so there is little risk IMO...

 

[Tony in FL]

I am not saying I agree with Minelab's decision, but with respect to the Sovereign I think this has been in the works for some time i.e. disproportionate price increase of the GT some time ago (perhaps to steer new buyers to other models) and the discontinuation of the digital meter (without the meter there is not much technology differentiation between the Sovereign and the Excal). At a high level I can see their management team deciding to drop the SE since it was close to the e-Trac in terms of price, features, and technology. I don't see them dumping the Excal anytime soon since that is their only machine that can be used in deeper water. On the other hand the Excal has changed very little since introduction in 1993, so I think it is a fair guess that Minelab has a replacement on the drawing board for potential introduction within the next 3 - 5 years. Purely speculation, but it would not surprise me if Minelab is carefully reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of the CTX 3030 to help it design a deep water version of this technology (not necessarily with a color screen and GPS, but perhaps leveraging FBS 2 and Smartfind 2).

 

[Neil]

I am not saying I agree with Minelab's decision, but with respect to the Sovereign I think this has been in the works for some time i.e. disproportionate price increase of the GT some time ago (perhaps to steer new buyers to other models) and the discontinuation of the digital meter (without the meter there is not much technology differentiation between the Sovereign and the Excal). At a high level I can see their management team deciding to drop the SE since it was close to the e-Trac in terms of price, features, and technology. I don't see them dumping the Excal anytime soon since that is their only machine that can be used in deeper water. On the other hand the Excal has changed very little since introduction in 1993, so I think it is a fair guess that Minelab has a replacement on the drawing board for potential introduction within the next 3 - 5 years. Purely speculation, but it would not surprise me if Minelab is carefully reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of the CTX 3030 to help it design a deep water version of this technology (not necessarily with a color screen and GPS, but perhaps leveraging FBS 2 and Smartfind 2).

once the meter was discontinued that pretty much showed you what was in store for the Sov in its present configuration.

minelab overall must not be selling enough of the GTs or SEs to keep manufacturing them.

probably wouldnt take much to make the Xterra waterproof (similiar to the AT pro) and affordable? certainly the cost of the ctx 3030 makes it prohibitive to alot of detectorists. gonna be interesting at least

 

[Critterhunter]

I'm hoping for a BBS unit. Something along the lines of the huge succes of the AT Pro dual purpose/land water unit to kill two birds with one stone- the Excal and the GT. A waterproof BBS unit with waterproof VDI meter in the thousand dollar range would be a huge success IMO. Now that would be a dream come true to a lot of die hard BBS guys, both those who use them for the beach/water, and those who use them on land. The raw power, audio, and stability of the BBS machines is one of their biggest strengths. Even with 20 year old technology, it's still light years ahead of it's time.

If Minelab was watching the hopes and dreams and big activity in posts from many on the forums for a long time then they might have saw what a brilliant idea and demand there seemed to be for such a machine, and how well the AT Pro has sold. I doubt it'll happen though. Logic dictates they eliminated these machines to have less machines competing for the same costumers, so why come out with another model that is going to do the same thing in some ways. Didn't Minelab just get bought about a year or so ago by a corporation? If they did then the bean counters are looking to streamline the cost/profit margins perhaps, so in a way the decision makes perfect business sense.

I had heard a rumor a few years back that Fisher either bought the rights to BBS, or that the patents had expired and so Fisher was free to pursue the technology. Don't know if either is fact or fiction, but man wouldn't that be something to see what they might do with it? Perhaps for one a faster machine so you could sweep faster without fear of masking targets, or to cover the beach quicker.

 

[dewcon4414]

Yes the meters were stopped .... and the SEF coils hard to get..... kind of the hand writting on the wall. These may not be the only ones disappearing.... i heard Fisher was coming out with a new machine and considering stopping the CZ brand. guess we will see some changes at the end of the year.... hang onto those dollars.

Dew

 

[deepdiger60]

Posted on Minelab,s forum ..
http://www.mlotv.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23863

 

[Buried Crap NJ]

The information comes from a very reliable soarce!
BCNJ

 

[Smudge]

I was at a CTX unvieling event when I heard a Minelab rep saying that Minelab considered their current field of detectors as "cluttered".

I always thought that meant the end of the line for the Safari.

I never expected them to cut the GT or the Explorer.

 

[ML]

At this point, I think the only thing "cluttered" is Minelab's thought process. I'm sure it all comes down to profit, and I'm guessing the CTX brings MUCH more in.

 

[Smudge]

Funny thing is, I was seriously considering buying a GT for beach use. But thats not going to happen now. Good luck finding repari parts in a couple of years.

 

[goodmore]

The GT is a solid built unit. I have had threee of them and never had a poblem. I might not buy a brand new one now, but a used one should give you years of trouble free detecting. You could take a wave or drop it I guess, but the performance is well worth the gamble of future repairs. The finds I make with mine beach hunting I never worry about the $$ end. Plus I have a great time detecting with the best wet sand detector out there. The performance and stability I feel are second to none.

 

[Maxwedge]

Hey Smudge,

Maybe you should consider buying a lightly used GT. It will pay for itself and I believe the parts will be available for quite awhile. Mine has never been to the shop-knock on wood. HH-Mark

 

[Maxwedge]

n/t

 

[deepdiger60]

I have my GT 4 years now and like Smudge says it is a well built unit i dropped my blue box 2 times out of my hip bag in the parking lot and not a thing broke TG !! and like most are saying part,s most likely will be available for awhile , ill just keep my eye,s open for a used unit as a back-up . And who know Minelab might have something new up the sleeve ? BBS of course . Jim

 

[Frank(FL)]

It true they have posted this on their Web site.

 

[Critterhunter]

Yep, here it is. Notice they say the 8" and 10" Tornados are also being canned by the deadline. If anybody out there is wanting one of these coils, I'd order the thing from Kellyco as soon as possible, because Minelab says they'll fill any orders up until the deadline. Those two coils are hard to find used, in particular the 8" Tornado coil. Hardly ever see one for sale used. I'm wanting that coil to replace my S-5 as my trash coil, because I've seen many guys post they use it as their every day coil in heavy trash being only 7 & 1/2" in actual size, and yet it'll still pound super deep. Just hope when I get around to buying one I can find a used one to trade for my S-5 or pay cash for.

I'm amazed they are continuing the Safari and the Xterra line. I'm sure they are fine machines, but do they have nearly the following of the Explorer or the Sovereign? Probably the price thing. The Xterras are priced low enough not to compete with the Etrac, and the Safari is different enough from the Etrac to warrant it also not competing for the same costumers. Besides, many seemed to opt for a used Explorer versus the price of a new Safari, so that might be one of the reasons the Safari never seemed to be as popular. Lacking a new Explorer to buy instead, the Safari might get much more popular among new buyers out there. Perfect business sense in what they did in some respects, even if it might have other ramifications not so obvious at this point in time. I'm still hoping for another new BBS or FBS machine that room has been cleared for, but I doubt it. Here's Minelabs statement...

Product Discontinuations
October 3, 2012

Minelab is discontinuing 2 of its existing products as of December 31st, 2012. These are:

 

[Tony in FL]

I guess the good news for GT and SE Pro users is that it seems that Minelab will need to keep repair parts on hand through the end of 2015 in order to satisfy warranty support.

 

[Rick(ND)]

These things happen and sometimes for the good too as new models will come out. The Sovereign line of detectors I feel where ahead of their times back in the 90s and only those that wanted to learn how to use them could see what they will do. Minelab has made several different model of the Sovereign over the years and they were all good with a few a little better than others, but the GT to me was the best one they made, but any one will do the job better than most detectors out there. The same goes for the Explorers as many different models and all were very good in the right hands and many like them over the Sovereign while other like me like our Sovereigns as we know them well and see what they can and will do. One of my hunting buddies bought a new Explorer XS when they came out and got a Sovereign latter on, but hardly uses the Sovereign as he really knows his Explorer well and he been averaging 300-400 silver coins a year. He tried other Explorers and even a E-Trac, but the XS works the best for him only because he knows it well like many of us with the Sovereigns, so it is going to be sad to see the Sovereign go along with the Explorers. Most of those that have one of them and love them will probably keep them now until they don't work, but some will just take the next step and go to the next level in detectors and learn them and may see once they learn them they will probably do more than what they have been using.
It is hard to let go of something that works good and comfortable but it has to be done or I would still be using my Compass Relic Mag 7 auto detector which go me more silver in one year then any of the others I had used. Went to the Teknetic 8500B and hated it, that is until I learned it and see this detector was really ahead of its time. Myself I expect with the dropping of the Sovereigns and the Explorers some new and better detectors will show up from Minelab and with the Sovereign so popular and so many thing that can be done to them I expect in the future possibly a detector that will look like a CTX that is well balanced and rain proof with a built in meter that will bring the BBS to the next level, can only hope they do.
Myself I do like the E-Trac over the Explorers and I do have a CTX 3030 too which I am still learning when I have been able to get out to detect and one of the main concerns on the CTX 3030 is the price and understanding which setting to use where.
Bottom line is I really do hope with the dropping of 2 great detectors of Minelab they will work to create 2 even better ones like a CTX using BBS with wireless headphones and a wireless pin pointing probe as I feel it would be one of Minelab best sellers for us that like the Sovereigns and the BBS.
Both the Sovereign and the Explorers will go down as one of the best detectors ever made and were ahead of their time, if there was a Hall of Fame for detectors both of these would be in there and feel with these 2 detectors the Sovereign and the Explorer has made Minelab what they are to day.


Rick

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Thanks Ron

 

[Buried Crap NJ]

Well while I am an avid user of both the GT. I hate to see it go by the wayside. I have to say I would probally never use the GT on land for dirt hunting again since I bought the CTX 3030! The 3030 is really that good in the dirt. While I am primarily a beach hunter I do go into the dirt from time to time.
I have revisited parks that I have pounded with the GT and came home with far more good targets to trash then ever! My silver count is way up at the same time. I have always believed that the machines pay for themselfs its just how long! The CTX 3030 is only 4 months old and its at 1200 dollars thus far. It will only take the rest of the year to be paid for. I make this point so anyone who's sitting the fence due to the cost factor, don't just jump in and find some targets previously missed by others!
BCNJ