Minelab just released the X-Terra 70

[Andy Sabisch]

. . . . . . we all have them!

I welcome your opinion but you know what, I do not write for Consumer Reports and guess what, advertising dollars still pay for printing metal detecting magazines. Over the years others have tried to come up with newsletters that were totally independent and guess what, they failed miserably. Sorry, but this is not a multi-million dollar hobby . . . which is why there a handful of companies and two magazines.

Bought detectors that were endorsed by me??? You give me way too much credit! I have bought equipment based on recommendations that turned out to be a dud . . . and not just in metal detecting . . heck, my wife's car was a Consumer Reports Best Buy and it has been the biggest lemon we've owned in 30 years! Should I post that their reviews are biased and they must be on the take?

I have never asked for or requested free equipment from ANY manufacturer and those that now me can attest to that . . . and have even said I was an idiot not to do so. As a matter of fact, during the trial phase for the X-Terra's, I had to pay for the shipping back to the factory each time a change was made . . . . want to see the bills?

As far as not saying anything bad, I again suggest you read over some past test reports and read the summary sections . . . . . not all positive at least on my screen and I can give you a few companies to call to see what they thought.

As far as not being used in the future if any of us provide negative feedback, the feedback I have received from all manufacturers save two has been that my comments were not what they wanted to hear but after thinking about them, they were what they NEEDED to hear.

Those that were used for testing the X-50 and X-30 models were contacted by Minelab and told to write what they thought - absolutley no screening took place and Minelab never asked 1) to see the comments first or 2) for the equipment back. There were some hard hitting comments from those testers - far from 100% positive. Sounds like the factory valued INDEPENDENT assessment of their equipment.

Enough of this banter that will go nowhere as you have your opinion cast in stone and it is really counter productive to argue about something that really has no resolution. Feel free to buy all the detectors out there and write an independent report . . . . build a following and see if your business model flies . . . .

Let's all go out and find some "goodies" and turn off the computers for a while!

Andy Sabisch

 

[El Cuerno]

n/t

 

[Steve(MS)]

from whoever has info on it. I think it is time that we not judge someone's motives especially if we don't know what they are. There are always a few that will be negative on anything new that comes out and question a testers motives. I didn't question the motives of the testers on the 50 because I didn't have any evidence that they were motivated by personal gain. Isn't it time that we withhold those type judgments if for nothing else just common decency? If a low priced other brand unit comes out, how many would be insinuating these type suspicions? Let's at least hear and not run off testers, heck, each individual will retain the right to buy or not to buy this or any other units. Does any of this make good sense, I think so and I bet most everyone else feels the same way even if for no other reason just curiosity. Everyone has the right to decide to buy a 200.00 or a 1200.00 detector so please allow the majority of us to learn about the X-70.All of us are always looking for an edge in finding stuff so let's find out some info on it then we can make up our own minds whether we want it or not.
Steve(MS)

 

[JBM]

Morning Guys,

Well I have only had my X-Terra 50 for a few months and its a brilliant detector and its fun to use.

If I was just in the market for a new detector I would buy the X70 but Iam not in that position.

I intend to go on enjoying my Terra 50 and I carry its spare alternative frequency coil in my napsck when out in the fields if I want to change frequency.

If the X70 prove to be worth having with its extra refinements then I will get one but until then I intend to go on with the X50 which is doing the business for me.

Have a nice day chaps and be happy,

Jerry.

 

[lionhrt9]

I just got the X50 also, and I intend on spending the time it takes to learn the machine. I am going to sit back and watch the show on the 70 and see if the extras are worth it.

I do like the L freq coil option though, for coinshooting.

 

[Sonny(IN)]

n/t

 

[plugger]

n/t

 

[Joe of South Jersey]

If you have an X-terra 50, why switch? Yes it may be an upgrade,But you have a detector with a warranty, that is doing the job for you. I would not think of switching. UNLESS I was able to justify this with more finds and/or a better detecting experience.

This is an offering that seems to have added feature. If you look back at a wish list that I had for a new X-terra some of these features are on the 70. I will see how these features work or add value to the difference in detector comparison of 50 and 70.

 

[BOB VALDEZ]

Shouldn't your "subjective" be... "OBJECTIVE" ????

BOB VALDEZ, Belgium

 

[jbow]

I think I will go with the Tejon because now, to get the top of the line X-Terra it will cost me a couple of hundred dollars more than the Tejon or the XT50... Plus I wont have to be buying more coils all along, and I would buy them if they are available.
I mean, why not go ahead and buy a T-2? It has to be comparable in price and I read in a post by Andy S. that the X-Terra 70 is no T-2...

So, it's a half pound lighter... I think the question there is how heavy are the coils, and I don't know the answer to that. The coil sticking out there is what put's the hurt on me, not the total detector weight.

Maybe i'm just a little dissappointed that Minelab put out the XT-30 and 50 at the same time as a new line and made no mention of the XT-70 that was in developement as the top of the series line. I guess it's a business strategy but it stinks a little and I am a Minelab user. My only detector right now is a Soverign GT.

I'm really not sure what I am trying to say. I am just dissappointed and very glad that I didn't buy an X-Terra 50 last week, or las t month. If I had I would be really mad...

J

 

[Rick(ND)]

I wonder, as I thought when a new Minelab came out that all the dealer should know it was coming out to be prepared and not only some selected dealers.
I sure wish Minelab would send us a E Mail or a letter telling us about any new detector coming out so we can be prepared for the questions and answer we will be getting.

Rick

 

[El Cuerno]

n/t

 

[John(Tx)]

n/t

 

[El Cuerno]

n/t

 

[steve herschbach]

Wow, I want one of these ASAP!

Main Minelab spec page at http://206.188.2.79/products/detectors/x-terra70.htm

Steve Herschbach
Steve's Mining Journal

 

[padigger]

I for one was not surprised at the XT70 release since I have read posts in this forum about the coming of this sometime back in January by many of you who have posted in this thread, I am surprised that the testers were able to keep their findings reasonably secret!

But like Andy's view of reporting back to make changes to get a better product should make it worthwhile, better to hammer out most of the problems before production.

P... Poor Prior Planning Provides P... Poor Performance

 

[jsamsky]

I guess I'll just wait for the X-Terra 110. Should go for the same price as the Explorer.

 

[jbow]

You said..."As a matter of fact, during the trial phase for the X-Terra's, I had to pay for the shipping back to the factory each time a change was made . . . . want to see the bills?"

You should be reimbursed for that. I don't think that would be considered a payment at all, but you should not be stuck with that expense since you were helping the company fine tune their product. IMO.

As for me, I think you do a good job. You can't please everyone even if you do try.

J

 

[jbow]

Well, I feel better after having said this, (above post), but I may still wind up with an X-Terra 70. I tried a Tejon today and after using a Soverign GT with a 180 Digi-meter I am not sure I can be happy with a detector that, though sensitive, does not tell me what the target is before I dig it. With my current setup I can tell what almost every target is before I dig it... I still dig most everything because you can't be too careful. I have been wrong but if I am in a hurry or if there are LOTs of targets, then I can be selective. I want a lighter detector but I have become spoiled by the Soverign GT.
I think I am going to try a Sun Ray 8" coil before I do anything else. I have been using a Tornado 10" coil and it is a bit of a drag. I have a Sun Ray 5.5" coil and it does not hurt me but it don't cover much ground. So, i'm thinking the SR 8" may be a workable compromise... We'll see.

I still may buy an X-Terra 70 though... I do think in a hobby as small as metal detecting Minelab could have, and should have let everyone know that the 70 was coming. It would have cost them some XT50 sales but the good will among the community would have been something that money cannot buy. It would have fostered a trust. As it is, I see the company as an uncaring business that make's a good product instead of a caring company that make's a good product. Minelab could and should match Tesoro's lifetime warranty also, IMO.
Still, as I said above, I am a Minelab user and even though I got my feathers ruffled a little bit, i'll still be a customer.
Maybe Minelab can find it in themselves to REALLY be the best company in the business by treating their customers as they themselves would wish to be treated.
This is only my opinion and that's all it is... That's all.

Julien

 

[BarnacleBill]

No company wants to telegraph to their competitors their next move. Many times an early announcement, is used when your competitors are bringing a product to market and your equivalent is still a prototype, in order to convince the customer base to wait for your machine. It's a pre-emptive early release, a marketing weapon.

HH
BarnacleBill