Many of us have more than one detector, and that means we might have at least two that operate at different frequencies or, better stated, use a different set of coils. For now, since this is an MXT forum, we'll restrict the 'testing' to only those coils that work on the MXT's, M6, DFX and the two Spectra models.
There are so many coils available that it could be tough to only send one or two ff to one person and a couple more to someone else and still keep track of which coils have gone where. It would be good, also, if someone wanted to evaluate a coil or two and then most their opinions AFTER they have been able to do a fair, in-the-field comparison between several coils. Testing only one doesn't let us know how it really compares.
If you were going to test more than one coil, you would be paying shipping each time. It would be best, to do a very fair and complete comparison, to assemble ALL of the available search coils for these models. That would include the 'Shooter' DD, 5.3 Eclipse, 950, 10" DD 12" Concentric, and for the MXT/M6 the new MXT MAX coil. That's 6 search coils just from White's.
These would be shipped as a whole package to an individual. Then, to fairly compare and test them, it would take a few days to select a variety of different sites, some with trash and some without, grassy lawns, wood-chip or sand filled playgrounds or volleyball courts, sports fields, parks and other urban locations (to include renovation work), and to also hunt some out-of-town sites. Plowed fields, wooded areas, beaches, deserts.
I would bet that, if weather was close to ideal each day, and if the detector user had the pleasure of not working but actually going out for an entire day to hunt and change coils and compare target signals at different sites with multiple coils, and to visit an assortment of sites, it could take a week. If we allowed for 1 week of shipping, depending on where the package of coils was going and to ship them more affordably. Then it would take a week to get to a person, a week to test, and a 3rd week to get to the next inquisitive hobbyist.
So, there is the cost to assemble all of the donated search coils, and someone would have to coordinate the schedule and assignment of where the coil package is, and where it is to be shipped to next, and if 5 people put in a request to 'test' coils starting in June, the first shipment would start Friday, June 1st. If it arrived by the 8th, the 1st person would have that weekend and 4 days to test them, then ship it out on Friday the 15th. Person #2 might get the coils on Friday the 22nd and test them for a weekend and 4 days, shipping them out on Friday the 29th.
Person #3 will get them on/by Friday July 6th, use their weekend and 4 days, shipping them out on the 13th. Person #4 would have them on/by Friday July 20th, use their weekend and 4 day and ship them out on Friday July 27th, so Person #5 would get them on/by Friday August 3rd. If you were the 10th person on the list, and everything went smoothly in the evaluation and shipping times, you (Person #10) would get them delivered to you by about Friday, October 12th.
It would take a long time to accomplish that mission, but would make more sense to let everyone 'sample' each of White's coils. Here we are eliminating all the aftermarket coils, too. If an individual had an assortment of all the White's coils, like I do as a dealer, then we could offer a one-at-a-time sample the coil program, but it would cost the sampler, not the dealer. I have done this in the past and it was easier for me to control my own inventory and know who had which coil.
I had the individual pay for the shipping to them and then they paid to ship it back. If they liked the coil, and wanted to just by the sample coil in usually close to 'as new' condition, they could.
Dealers or individuals take a bit of a chance, and I can tell you the 'good guys' don't number 99%.
Then, there are the dealers, local or not, who will sell you a search coil you are interested in, but accept it on return and refund all but a part to offset the wear on the coil. Usually called a "restocking fee."
What I have done for years, when able, is to have a coil on a spare rod and ready-to-go. Any 'local' hobbyist can arrange to meet with me and they can use my "evaluation" coils when we hunt a site. That way IO am there to also answer any questions they might have, or give some pointers or tips on Sig the coil. If they like it, then I can sell them a brand new coil. if they don't, then they had the 'for free' opportunity to work with one or more search coils.
Maybe you have a dealer in your area who would help like that? If I know the individual, then I just 'loan it out' for a day or two and let them decide it it works for them. I'd suggest checking with a local hobbyist or local dealer doe any assistance with checking out search coils.
Monte
