Bill, will you continue to make videos/field test for :fisher: now that you have

[vlad]

offers from other makers?
I know you have always been considered a Fisher user, but its hard to turn down money. Right
now the Fisher F-75 is considered by many the best detector out, but that just means the competition
is hard at work on something new, and having Fisher's ACE proponent would really help them out.
I for one would hate to see you leave because your valuable tips and insights on setting up
a {any} particular detector in a difficult situation. And I know you were personally involved in the design
of at least one Fisher detector.:sad:

 

[Bill Ladd]

It all depends upon getting the equipment to learn & test with. If companies think I'm going to buy an F5 (for example) & then do all kinds of free movie promotion, that's not gonna happen because it's alot of time & work (plus a daughter & a night job). Standard practice with magazine field tests is that the writer gets to keep the detector when finished, which I always felt was fair. How about if I get cut a check everytime there's a new "view" on YouTube? That would work too
People in the hobby have been looking closely at the video's I have done already, and I already see some copycats popping up. Why wouldn't other brands want to get over 2000 views in a week to introduce a new unit?????

When I was pictured on the Fisher catalog, and all the magazine ad's, though I was curious about other machines, I felt it would be "taboo" if I was seen in the field toying with a Minelab I wanted to remain brand loyal (plus I had used a 1265 since a teenager and felt loyal). Now that the ad's, postcards, and catalog covers are history, I'm trying to expand into other things. Sales of my DVD are picking up even though I have no banner or ad's everywhere. I'd love for someone to publish them, like Fisher & Whites usted to sell books from their catalogs. Or even get my treasure hunts on cable TV (like those hunting & Fishing shows on sports channels). I'd like to get my own website set up, start video testing all kinds of brands, & doing more speaking engagements (I have one Monday). Maybe even talk to some people about getting back into designing a detector like Troy did?? That's my ultimate dream.....
Thanks for the support,
Bill

 

[jmaryt]

bill!..truthfully!..your contributions to the hobby WILL be missed!..i hope they don't drop you!,,seriously!..i believe you sold your fair share of detectors for them!

(h.h!)
j.t.

 

[jmaryt]

bill!
i have said all along that THIS is the approach the manufacturers SHOULD be taking going forward!..in essence , what you have is a REGULAR joe shmuck..(you!)
who is engaged in demonstrating actual field tutorials on the various detectors to inform the general public!..in MY view,there is NO BETTER marketing aproach to sell detectors...to actually "see" the detector perform "in the field" eliminates any possibility of illigitemacy in the prospective customer's mind,and in effect "levels the playing field" for the consumer.

(h.h!)
j.t.

 

[vlad]

and their catalog. This way they stand to make something off each sale also. Plus you are always going
to have advanced or expert techniques added. Being able to view a video and walk through a set-up is
miles ahead of any booklet. And DVD players, MP-3 players, or laptops have become so inexpensive and small
its possible to carry one along now on a hunt. Its as good as having the EXPERT, "on the phone" to use a term. As is,
no one offers a video guide that goes beyond the bare essentials, and this is where you could really expand. Plus you
might offer an extra feature like one of your "Saving History" scenarios-only I envision you showing the detector program
setting and more actual field hunting. Once you have done the editing, just burn them as needed, but copy write & use
some system like Copy Guard where they cannot be copied.
If First Texas is so myopic they cannot see the wave of the future, then they deserve to become one of the "also ran."