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how to tell a fake X-Terra

dfmike

dfmike

Well-known member
I bought my X-Terra 705 on the used market with no box, no manual and no receipt. The price was good but I don't know the history of this detector and I found out a few days ago that there are some fake 705's running around. Performance seems to be OK but since I've never used Minelab detectors, I have no reference. Is there a way I can know for sure if mine is counterfeit or not ? Thanks.
 
Call MInelab Customer Service with the serial number.
Also, the Minelab Website has information on spotting counterfeits.
http://www.minelab.com/usa/customer-care/stop-counterfeits
 
Thanks Old Longhair. I saw that part of their site. Unfortunately it seems they took measures to spot fakes on the X-Terra Gold pack which is not the one I have. I don't have the box as well so no official label that I can inspect.

I could check with Minelab with the serial number.
 
There is no visible difference in the detector itself between a "gold pack" and standard Xterra. The only difference is the coil that it comes with, so buying one second hand you wouldn't know unless it only came with a 5x10" HF DD.
 
On the Minelab site they seem to imply that the gold pack variety has a special holographic label on the side that can be verified with a special card for authenticity. They clearly state gold pack.

I guess it's possible I was sold an early version of the X-Terra without that label. I have no label on the side, just a serial number sticker on the back of the control box.
 
All a gold pack is. Is a regular detector with a 5x10 coil. A lot of people put them together and sell them as gold packs on the forums also. I have bought several 705'd and 70's close to 10 total and have never had a fake. I wouldn't worry about it to much.
 
Thanks 7centsworth. I know fakes are probably uncommon but I'd like to know nevertheless. I'm sure if I opened the control box there would probably be a few parts with the Minelab name on them if it was genuine. I'd rather not go there but since the detector is used I have no warranty on it anyway.

Did the 705's you bought have a label on the side of the box like Minelab shows in the video shown here at about 1:00 ???

Notice in the video at about the same time they mention 705 gold pack control box so Minelab does seem to differentiate between it and the "regular" 705 sold with the concentric coil. Perhaps the label is only available on detectors sold outside North America. So far I've had no reply from Minelab regarding my serial number.
 
I'm not sure I never paid any attention to them. You can call minelab with the serial number and find out for sure
 
Call them! Email is the poorest way to make contact.
And don't assume that it's out of warranty because you aren't the original purchaser. The warranty on Minelabs is transferrable.
 
dfmike said:
Did the 705's you bought have a label on the side of the box like Minelab shows in the video shown here at about 1:00 ???

Notice in the video at about the same time they mention 705 gold pack control box so Minelab does seem to differentiate between it and the "regular" 705 sold with the concentric coil. Perhaps the label is only available on detectors sold outside North America. So far I've had no reply from Minelab regarding my serial number.
Click to expand...

Forgot to post the video link from Minelab:

https://youtu.be/F-q74ASQA30?list=PL-wOIlBb-BIedWErkwm1qllzjcPytcnts
 
Old Longhair said:
Call them! Email is the poorest way to make contact.
And don't assume that it's out of warranty because you aren't the original purchaser. The warranty on Minelabs is transferrable.
Click to expand...

The warranty is out. It's been out for a while. How do I know ? I did the unthinkable and opened the control box. Circuit board revealed Minelab Electronics, another serial and Rev 1.9 07/08
So it seems I have an old model but a genuine one. I'm pretty sure the counterfeits would not have the word Minelab on the circuit board. They are only interested in copying the cover, not the inside. Also and this is my own opinion of course, I think that even though email might be the poorest way to make contact, Minelab should still respond. At worst they can tell me to call them.

I know for a fact that another well known company would have responded within 24 hours with some useful info even if an email is the poorest way to make contact.
 
A Minelab representative got back to me earlier today. They checked the serial and it is genuine. Old but genuine. Time to get out there and have fun with it.
 
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