IMPACT and Testers

[Nokta Detectors]

Just wanted to copy and paste my post from another forum as similar discussions go on here as well:

''Hello everybody.

I wanted to chime in here and say a few words as I have been reading some of the posts with mixed emotions - disappointment / sadness / surprise …BUT with confidence all the way.

It has never been a secret that we send free test units to people around the world and we do this for 2 reasons ONLY:

1. We want our devices to be tested by certain individuals such as Tom D, Keith Southern, Steve Herschbach , Monte etc. ASSUMING that the detector community do respect their opinions and feedbacks.
2. We get the units tested on different grounds and environmental conditions to be able to offer end users around the world the most optimized and bug-free device.

For the first time with the IMPACT though, we decided to send the unit to more testers with different experience levels and to people who seem to be very satisfied with certain competition models (such as Lawrenzo – and I mean no insult with this). Moreover, we WERE ASKED RIGHT ON THIS FORUM by some members to send this unit to a hardcore coin hunter and I personally said ‘’ Name a hardcore coin hunter that the majority of the members would agree to.’’
I was given 2 names – we ended up sending one of them the unit – ‘’ wjs’’ as his name came up first and we had limited testing units at the time!

We have never, at any point, ASKED or REQUESTED any of these testers to talk about the device on forums or any other social media as our sole purpose was to advance the detector based on their findings and that is how we ended up with revision v1.11 with the software!
We only asked them NOT to talk about it until we made the official announcement. And we have NOT asked them to tell us what they were going to say in advance or had any kind of influence on what they were going to share! The only thing we asked them was to state the revision of the software if they were to share videos to avoid confusion and misinformation. Every one of them can vouch for this.

Now, we sent this unit to others in the UK, France, Italy, Australia and many other countries. Most of these people are not writing on forums or talking about the device at all. The testers ARE not picked to advertise BUT to test the units and give us feedbacks. Advertising is my job and I do not do that on forums!
We have never made any unrealistic claims about the IMPACT and stated that it was a ground breaking technology - Neither any VLF device on the market today is. BUT we do have a lot of features of the IMPACT and our other devices that are unique to our company and engineering and this is a fact. Therefore, it is really hard for us to comprehend how some people who have not even seen a device belonged to our company- let alone using it – could make comments about our devices or their performances.

Now regarding the testers – I, as the Sales & Marketing Manager of Nokta & Makro will not let any of these testers to be subject to slander or abuse.
These people spend hours and hours testing the product and believe me they do not need to go thru the hassle to get 1 free device. Most of them ask us what they will do with the device after the tests and we ask them to keep it because:

1. It will cost us a lot of money and time to get these units imported back here with all the customs laws and bureaucracy here.
2. I personally think they deserve a lot more for what they give back to us.

I, once again, THANK all testers for the time and effort they have spent to test the IMPACT and I do apologize that some of them were criticized very unfairly.
HOWEVER, if many members and the testers agree, I would be more than happy to tell them not to post anything on the forums before or after release for the next project . We are a very open and honest company. All we need is their feedbacks to better the product – we don’t need the hype or the talk. The product will speak for itself.

The success of our company and/or products should not intimidate anybody as we, as a company, have a lot of respect for competition and we truly believe that competition forces manufacturers to offer better products and benefits the end-users at the end. As they are working on new technologies, we are not just waiting or watching. They may succeed with the famous engineers today …we may succeed with the famous engineers of the future….only time will tell.

My personal intake on all this - We, as a company, will just keep on working more and more and delivering… the rest is up to our valued customers' - whom we owe were we are today - appreciation and decision!

THANK YOU all on behalf of my team and company.

Dilek''

 

[Rick(ND)]

The test need to be done by those that have used and understood many different detectors to know how they work. Also those that have the time to fully use a test detector and can tell if there is something they like and dont like as every detector made has good and bad point and one thing I wish tester would have to do is list the bad things too. Might be small things like the weight, balance or even the color of it, but there is something that they dont like and every detector has it.
I have a Red Racer, the Racer 2 and have ordered a Impact in when they are released just to try myself because of the feedback I have heard or read about from the field testers to see if I can feel the same way for my type of hunting.
I have faith in your decisions on who the tester are as they seem to be those that know their detectors they are using as they can tell if something is not right and give good tips on what can be changed. I also like the idea of not releasing the Impact until it was ready and all changes made before they are released.


Keep up the great job Dilek , you are one that makes this company one of the best out there.


Rick

 

[Monte]

Have a straight talking, sincere and dedicated Sales and Marketing Manager to head your team, and Dilek is unmatched in this industry. Absolutely!

Have a product line that is durably constructed, well balanced, very reasonably priced to the point of making it a real challenge on the competitors, and furthe3rmore provides some of the best all-purpose performance on the market today. That is reflected by what is in my Signature Always-Carry Working Detector Battery that travels with me or is in my hand and hard at work.

Putting forth the efforts to stay active and alert for any product improvements or model advancements in their product line, and just look what the 'team' and Nokta & Makro have offered consumers in their young life, especially just the past two-and-a-half-years.

I am honored to have been a 'tester' for several Nokta and Makro models, to include the new Impact, and I am pleased that Dilek has explained a difference between their products being sent to 'testers' to 'evaluate' the product for THEIR benefit in working out any fixes and tweaks they might need, so that the finished product with be OUR benefit to select a quality, working, efficient detector. No rush to market, no gimmicks in using goofy you tube videos to try and attract buyers.

I am working on my product review of the Nokta Impact, but I have held off awaiting things to reach final production stage and it looks like they are about there. Nokta & Makro detectors aren't sent out with 'controlled' and 'edited' expectations like most of us have seen in various "Field Tests" in magazines and such for decades where readers only see favorable comments. Instead, some of us get products to review and help them make sure any bugs might be caught but more seasoned veterans of metal detecting and corrected by knowledgeable electronic and physical package design engineers. That was the consumer gets a model that has seen more pre-production testing than most manufactures have done.

Yes, you we read favorable comments on most forums from those of us who have spent ample time evaluating the sample products for Dilek and her team, but that's NOT because we were asked to. And it was NOT because we were indebted, paid or bribed to. Certainly not! We have offered up our comments, be them good or bad, and in most cases they have been very favorable, but that is for the very simple reason that their product, all by itself, impressed us so favorably that we wanted to keep it to use it, and share out experiences with it ... 'after the testing' .

I know thatin my case it was because the excellent weight and balance was a blessing for me and my mobility issues, and that affords me more time afield w/o fatigue. It was because both the controlled testing and in-the-field, side-by-side performance matched or bettered the products I had been using. Also because I liked the control features and maneuverability through the adjustment menu so much that their products out-classed and felt better than most of what I had been using and easily replaced them in my detector arsenal. Therefore, like others, I am going to talk more about what I own, what I like, what I use, and what I feel is some of the best available to avid detectorists.

I am glad Dilek posted this here on Findmall, and as soon as my site is switched to a new server I am going to make sure it is posted there. There is another very active Forum that seems to have drawn more negative comments and I am sure it has annoyed Dilek as I know it has annoyed me, and I am just an avid detectorist, with an open mind. Not a manufacturer or manufacturer's rep, who I am sure would be more bothered.

So I send my 'Thank You' to Dilek and all of the people who are actively working at Nokta & Makro for keeping me and other metal detecting enthusiasts informed about up-to-date facts, no hype, and definitely working hard to bring us some of the best equipment we could ever put to use in our searches.

Monte

 

[dbado1]

In response to your question, I like the way you are currently utilizing different testers and I enjoy reading about the testing of the machine prior to release. I like this format. Keep up the good work.

Dean

 

[squirrel1]

I have tried to report honestly about this unit,,even some talk comparing other models.
I do go by tnsharpshooter on other forums.

If a person will pay attention to what I've said about this detector and a few others in my posts and threads,,,some good information for folks interested or are contemplating a purchase.

The name of the game here for the manufacturer is to get the best product possible using any reasonable means necessary.

All manufacturers should be striving for this.

Now,,all this public talk about this detector before official release,,,,had folks rather here it after the fact or before???

I think before is BETTER actually,,,fewer surprises for folks,,,and they get exposed more to detector.

Every tester has their methods for talking about and testing a detector.

I will try to answer any question I can about this detector,,,as honestly as I can.

 

[Farmerstan]

I for One Really like to read Reviews of the testers and Videos that individuals such as The You tuber Dirtfisher i havent seen any magic yet but i have not used one yet lol. I think the Fors Cor out performed any review or Video ive seen it Just Kills in Trash and is my go to detector for Construction sites, so i Bet the Impact will out perform in the same way, you guys are doing a great Job Testing and Nokta keep up the Great Work.....

 

[doc holiday232]

Dilek,
you,your company and the testers are ALL doing a great job. Your approach is unheard of in the industry and as a result you will be rewarded where it counts---happy customers.

 

[Sven]

Monte said it best about Dilek and Notka.

I have been watching and reading about the Notka and Makro products for the past several years.
Here's a company that wants to give its customers what they are looking for in a detector, unlike other companies marketing department deciding and shoving a
product with features they think we should want down our throats.................

Notka really moved on getting a detectorists detector on the market by utilizing many testers and implementing suggestions in a fast track way. Which is really great for us age-sters who can't sit around waiting 4+ years for another companies new detector to hit the market. Does show they have the passion for treasure hunting and its customers.

Have to hand it to all the testers making posts on several forums, it really helps any Notka/Makro owners, shorten the learning curves of these detectors and also help them find treasure.
Think the posts also help owners of other brand detectors try different tuning settings get the most out of their detectors.

Keep it up Notka.

 

[Cal_Cobra]

Dilek I applaud you and your team for your accomplishments and aggressive stance in the detecting world, truly raising the bar and inching us towards that "perfect" detector

If you didn't field test them, imagine the complaining then

 

[amberjack]

sorry but the only tester I trust is me as I am the only one using it..

I have learnt this the hard way to many times ...

not being rude its the truth.. as no one on this planet knows what I need in a detector other than me.. that's why I have a few as none of them do everything I need them too.

I will say one thing well done to nokta/makro for shoving their heads out in to the market place as its a volatile environment.

AJ

 

[squirrel1]

I guarantee if folks will look around,,they will know a whole more more about the Impact detector.
It cost what??? $850-$1000 roughly depending on what package one buys.

How much do new autos costs???

Here in USA around 20-50 times more usually depending on the model.
How much info do we get on these autos before they are released to base a purchase decision?????

Hardly any!!!!!

 

[Flbchbm]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Nokta, you are doing it right!

Unfortunately, the internet is a rough place where people will write things that they would never say in person. They voice things that they would normally say in their heads but never would say out loud. Too bad, because to people who really care, those people are a real downer. You don't want to read any more about the Impact- don't. You don't trust what testers say about the product- don't. You feel the need to give us your opinion on a product you have never even touched, much less used- please don't, because your opinion is of no real value until you have something to base it upon. You feel like you can't spend money on the product based on what you have seen so far- don't. A couple months from now the internet will give you plenty of data to base a decision upon. Do us all a favor and change the frikin' channel if what you see is making you unhappy. We don't need to hear your inside voice bitch about every little thing that makes you unhappy.

Anyway, thank you Nokta for being the kind of company that all companies should strive to be. Thank you to all the testers for their hard work making this a better product, and for including those of us on the forums in the information chain. The vast majority of us appreciate you.

 

[amberjack]

if you were referring to my comments Flbchbm, I am not putting anyone down or do I have an opinion on the impact, I do not have opinions that was my point what I do have is experience with the detectors I have used, I haven't used the impact so I have no thoughts other than does it have features that I may need?

i can write my experience with a detector be it good/bad or indifferent and that doesn't make me right and it may not be your experience with the same detector and that was my whole point and that being that you and only you can decide whether this or any other detector is for you and i would guess that you can only make that choice based on your experience not mine.

so sure read up on features read reviews watch videos but keep in mind that at the end of the day those are not your experiences they are someone else's.

life is about experiences, and opinions are like but holes everyone has one but its useless to me, so then what i need is personal experience and the only way to get that is to fork out the cash if i want to have one..

so we can spin this yarn any which way it all boils down to cash and am i willing to part with it and the ultimate question is why? why do i want to spend my money on anything i buy?

just so you know all those feelings are yours too know one else's and i don't want to change them or make you feel any different you experience life as you see it or feel it, just as i do or anyone else and if you ask my mates they will tell you i am like this face to face i don't have a persona non grata internet personality i am like this everywhere.

AJ

 

[Hardrock65]

Does the Impact have a beach mode?

 

[Nokta Detectors]

Does the Impact have a beach mode?

Yes, it does - called COG (Conductive Ground).

 

[Flbchbm]

Not specifically aimed at you, AJ. General comment on multiple posts by multiple posters on multiple forums. There are those whose posts, by intention or not, beat up on people who have taken the time to post what they have learned through actual experience over hours of use of actual, in-hand detectors. It cost them hours to get the experience. It cost you minutes to read about it. Pretty good deal for you. Your comments can pay them back for their contribution, or your comments can cost them more for taking the time to share. Enough negative comments, usually from the same few people, and those folks that are trying to contribute to the community start to wonder why they bother, they stop posting, and we all lose. Sometimes the best post is no post at all. Don't punish people for trying to contribute. And AJ, "you" in this post applies to the reader of this post, not to a specific person.

 

[amberjack]

no worries Flbchbm and i understand

AJ

 

[nalc472]

I hope the impact with continue to receive downloadable updates. Another brand sold their high end detector with "downloadable updates". Only problem they did not deliver any updates. Hope this detector does not do that. I will get one once I know it will be updated as it is needed.

 

[Indotguy]

I'm impressed with this company and with what I hear about their products. I have room on my wall rack for one more detector and I think it's going to be a Nokta.

 

[JASONSPAZ1]

Nokta has proven by feedback that they are 2nd to none in user engagement and applying user feedback on the fly to make appropriate changes. For instance, I or we asked for a toggle boot on the pinpoint switch and it was done. We asked for expanded coin range on the racer and it was done. In mine and many other books, Makro/Nokta has proven themselves as the top company that values and applies user feedback. How can anyone have a problem with that?