Evaluating the Makro Racer ... A Compact & Functional Performer.

[Monte]

set some records for myself.

Record #1 .. I have now spent more actual detecting hours afield using Double-D coils with any Discriminating detector, ever .. and I'm very satisfied!

Record #2 .. I have spent more time hunting a sandy beach since 2000. [size=small](A freshwater beach, not salty, but a beach nonetheless.)[/size]

I finished some tasks yesterday and had time to work with the stock 7X11 coil, only, for all of my hunting. Heavens, that, alone, is almost a record for me because I spend the bulk of my detecting time in trashier sites and use smaller-than-stock search coils a good 90% of the time. One thing I sometimes forget to mention about detector models I enjoy using is an important factor, too, and that is the "Fun Factor."

There's a lot of chat about features and such, and I have to tell you that the Racer has ample features [size=small](that are all easy-to-adjust even while on-the-fly)[/size], excellent performance, respectable detection depth [size=small](if needed, but I don't at most sites I hunt)[/size], and the light and handy package all add up to enjoying the FUN of hunting and FUN of finding stuff.

I look forward to the Racer's release and the increase in Forum posts from many who will be enjoying an excellent investment, and having their own fun to report on. It's only 43°, no rain yet, and going to warm up after sunrise so Rikki the Racer and I are headed out for more enjoyment.

Monte

 

[shortcut1224]

Thanks for your reviews, -8 degrees here today but can't wait for my Racer to get here!

 

[Low-Boy/LCPM]

I have not used anything but a DD for years now, and I relic hunt. Even in parks and I only hunt those a few times a year I have never felt that I needed one.

 

[Monte]

I have not used anything but a DD for years now, and I relic hunt. Even in parks and I only hunt those a few times a year I have never felt that I needed one.

Often I have seen people use one type of search coil, be it a Concentric or Double-D, for many years and they seem to have a reluctance to change coil types. I understand that because those people are often quite used to the types of circuitry designs the Double-D or Concentric coils came equipped with them as 'standard.' It isn't always the type of coil design that can make a difference, but the sizes of the search coil, and more importantly the circuitry design of the detector the coil is mounted to.

I know a lot of people who are urban Coin Hunters but have grown up using nothing but Concentric coils, and when they have a chance to work with a DD type, they don't do well. Part of that is they are not comfortable with the DD coil or size or shape, and the detector they were using didn't really do all that well with the DD coils they tried.

I also know quite a few people who kind of fall in the class of a Relic Hunter because they are working older sites and encountering a lot more trash, especially iron, and they find a lot of non-coin targets that "sound good," such as thimbles, suspender buckles, all sorts of metal buttons, and the list goes on. Their primary target of search tends to be older dated coins and similar size/shape trade tokens, but they are still "Relic Hunting."

In this group of people I find more coil-type loyalists, like those who just prefer a Concentric coil and others who favor a DD coil. There is a small margin of people, however, who will take the time to learn some of the strengths and weaknesses of both coil types and they learn when which coil type might work better for them in some site settings, and also pay attention to which detector make/model seems to do well with one type of coil over a different detector.

For many years, most of the detectors I preferred to use just happened to be designed such that they excelled with a Concentric coil mounted, and a few were actually terrible with a DD coil. In recent years we have seen more detector designs take on DD coils not just as a fashionable thing to do, but to actually put more time and effort into designing the Detectors to improve the performance afield in many ways using specific coil designs, especially Double-D search coils.

Both the FORS CoRe and Racer continue to work quite well on every outing I make with them. It is only 41° as I head out at 9:55 this morning to enjoy a cool day with a hint of spring to it, and also enjoy using these detectors, especially the Racer of late. It's off to do some shopping so it will be an in-town Coin Hunting day with it, after a 55 mile travel to get there. It's also going to be more of a 3-Tone audio mode hunt day, starting out with the small coil due to some of the metal picnic area and playground structures. Starting a 3rd month in a row using DD coils is quite a change .... for me.

Maybe their engineers will be able to work up a good Concentric coil for the Racer? That could be good for those of us who like them, and might also be something that would attract many avid Coin Hunters who just prefer Concentric coils to swing over to the Makro Racer side of the fence? I know I have been asked about Concentric coils by e-mail, phone calls, PM's and at a February detector club gathering. I told/tell them all I hope to see a nice smaller-size Concentric coil down the road, but I encourage them to not hesitate checking out the Racer, or the FORS CoRe, because it is a quality built and wonderful detector to use, and at a very competitive price point. Might even 'convert' a few folks over to the DD side.

Monte

 

[OregonGregg]

Had Crossed Over To the DD Darkside

 

[oleterryg]

Hi Monte
I just found this topic, and am very thankful you posted it. A double WOW WOW factor.

I just ordered the standard Racer today, and purchased the small coil too.
I feel much better now about my purchase.