Field Testing New Machines?

[silverseeker 2]

Just curious as how these companies choose their people
to field test their new products. Do you have to be a dealer,
or is it by their submitted finds? Any input here is appreciated.
It also seems some field testers beef up the hype to that machine
instead of the true facts.I'd give examples of some but not here
to bash any company as I use what works for me!!!
silverseeker 2

 

[amberjack]

no idea

AJ

 

[lytle78]

2 kinds of testers.

Engineering testers - they get prototypes and furnis detailed feedback, sometimes on a whole series of development detectors. These guys are carefully selected for their deep knowledge of the actual details of detector behavior. keith Southern, for example is one of these guys. Their feedback is hared ONLY with the manufactires since it is the final feedback the maker gets before finalizing the released for production units.

marketing testers - these are folks who have a reputation in the marketplace and who recieve production models and who are expected to share their results with the public of they like the machine. If they hate it, I guess their feedback is directly to the manufacturer.

 

[Mega]

You will never read a bad review from a tester,some may highlight a few things that could be improved upon,but on the whole reviewers are carefully selected because they have a large following on social media.

 

[BarryL]

Been curious about this myself as well. Seems like its always the same folks field testing the new detectors and other equipment . I'm pretty sure these folks are not going to give bad reviews due to the fact they may not be a tester long! I am not saying any or bias its just that when you watch all the video reviews as well as read the reviews its always the same people . I myself could not be a tester as I find myself being to greedy and might not want to give the machine back But for the most part most of these guys are really honest in their testing or I would think there would be lot more issues with things going bad on some new products than there are JMHO but heck if ever brings out the Cazador I would be happy to give it a field test for them providing I get to keep the first one out the door Hint! Hint!

 

[Southwind]

They look for people who are willing to test their machines and give a review that pretty much only covers the positive aspects.

After 40 years I've learned that most detector reviews do not give the potential buyer the information that counts. They are mostly truthful, they just avoid mentioning the bad. It is an art for sure. They can make any detector sound good. It is this skill set that I think the manufacturers look for.

 

[HaroldILL.]

It's easy to tell who got a freebee for a field test as they will be the guys constantly bragging about it. They pick a guy on a Forum who people look up to as a guru give Him a freebee so He is biased to begin with. At least that's the way some of those foreign detector companie's do it.

 

[silverseeker 2]

n/t

 

[calabash digger]

[attachment 333987 Calabash-Digger-logo-new.jpg]I saw a post the other other day about the whites mx sport said everything looks good it was supposedly by one of the gurus and for all you have been following that fiasco well you know everything is not alright.
I just started making videos about my deus and they did contact me and ask permission to use them on their website,facebook, and twitter accounts but they have not sent me a machine! man I wish they would send me a free new updated coil. LOL Ive saw the review guys and dont put to much trust in the gurus either.

 

[Sven]

In the past before the internet, you relied on magazine field tests. After awhile you came to the conclusion the field tests could not be trusted.
But, they sold plenty of detectors........only after you bought one persuaded by the field test you found how much they fell short...............
That always ticked me off as well as some dealers who played tricks showing the unsuspecting customer how wonderful some air tested..LOL

I always like to report my results by actually using the detector for an extended time. You really can't digest everything about a detector in a short after noon hunt or a bench test.
Put 40 hours on a machine, you have a better handle on its good and bad points. Too many goodie too shoos out there testing giving nothing but praise and super depth results
in hopes of getting more detectors to test.

I like giving the real scoop about a detector, how well it works for what purpose......in real hunt situations, that the average detectorists would encounter.
I don't post phoney finds at incredible depths, what I do find is what most find, lots of trash and clad coins and occasional gold, silver jewelry item at the average depths they are found at.
If a detector can do that well, maybe better than others and have some nice features, then for the masses would make a good excellent machine. All depends upon the price point and the other detectors in that price range it has to compete with.

I was graciously given an original Deteknix Quest Pro MK1 to play with, unfortunately it got some bad press by a tester or two. Part of it was not having knowledge, experience understanding how to operate the detector. Some issues were the factory preset programs being programmed way too hot, some where button arrangement, control box angle. Have to tell you, after sorting some of these out myself, found the Quest to be an excellent detector, right now one of my favorites. When the weather cooperates with some dampness will get out more with it and do some more reports. Shortly an improved version MKII will be coming out a improved version that addressed all past concerns and have enhancements suggested by testers. Hope to have one of those and no, not giving up the orig. model, its one a few that are still in testers hands. Could be a collectors rarity one day....

Like they say, take most field tests results with a grain of salt........you know who to trust and believe and those not to after awhile.

 

[amberjack]

yep people who pay for their detector are more likely to give honest report but then not always.

gee I have had detectors for years I am still learning about so a few hrs or even weeks does not give a full report.

the only tester I fully trust is me and even then I don't believe everything I find unless its repeatable in several areas/

but hey we need guru's lots of people like them

AJ

 

[After-1-]

Another question about testing -----------How many machine's do you think they give out for testing? -----------------------after1 -------------------------

 

[calabash digger]

not enough because I dont have one! I have no clue.

 

[silverseeker 2]

Hey there Calabash,
I swing a Deus also and have attended Andy's 1rst Boot camp. AWESOME machine.
Your Videos are excellent and being approached by Deus is a good thing I would say.
Since they wanted to use your Vids. I'm sure it will help PROMOTE sales for them
as your Vids. show what this machine is VERY CAPABLE of. I would have said
Yes, you can use the Vids. but they should have offered you at least a little something
as your time and efforts and labor are WORTH at least something. I know you love the
hobby though and sometimes we do things just for the love of it. BUT with all Deus's money
they could have thrown you a bone!!! Keep up the GREAT work. I knew the Deus was
AWESOME the 1rst hour I held her in my hands!!!
silverseeker 2

 

[Southwind]

the only tester I fully trust is me

Exactly!

I'd make a terrible tester because I call'em like I see'em. If it's a POS I say so. I don't do the "Oh I really like the way it feels." or "It has one of the easiest to see displays." to draw attention away from the fact it's a POS as far as hunting.

 

[calabash digger]

Hey there Calabash,
I swing a Deus also and have attended Andy's 1rst Boot camp. AWESOME machine.
Your Videos are excellent and being approached by Deus is a good thing I would say.
Since they wanted to use your Vids. I'm sure it will help PROMOTE sales for them
as your Vids. show what this machine is VERY CAPABLE of. I would have said
Yes, you can use the Vids. but they should have offered you at least a little something
as your time and efforts and labor are WORTH at least something. I know you love the
hobby though and sometimes we do things just for the love of it. BUT with all Deus's money
they could have thrown you a bone!!! Keep up the GREAT work. I knew the Deus was
AWESOME the 1rst hour I held her in my hands!!!
silverseeker 2

Well it just feels good to be able to help people with something I love now if I find those people on my sites using that technique to find my relics well maybe I wont feel that way anymore. LOL

 

[Hoser John]

Back in the 80-90s when in the biz I received many to try from Tesoro ,Fisher , and Compass as was a dealer for all brands at the time, even a old Proline tr-Have a great friend who gets many Notka units and numerous coils from a few folks also still. No secret just post, use and they will find you or send them a letter and simply ask.John

 

[Larry (IL)]

I don't know what info you are looking for but Lytle78, Rick, has it pretty well pegged. I have been on both sides of the fence, working with the engineering departments testing pre-production units (black boxes) and I have been asked to review a production unit for publication as well. Almost all of the reviews posted has no link to the manufactures. Anyone can write a review and some hope to sell their work to a magazine while others are happy with a "well done" . There are a few writers who are paid by the manufactures to promote products, but not many.

No matter which way one wants to go, it is done as a labor of love, the compensation is lousy for the hours invested.

 

[Furious T]

Yeh, for me the post by Lytle78 was the "shining light of illumination" regarding the "who does what" of testing. Larry (IL) has just added a view from another perspective...thanks guys. HH

 

[steve herschbach]

Here is the reality from somebody who should know - Dave Johnson at First Texas...

http://www.fisherlab.com/hobby/davejohnson/field-testing-essay.htm