My 2 zincs worth on new machines.....

[Mark in NC]

Hi, my name is Mark and I'm a detector-a-holic... (all together) "Hi Mark!"... I've been following the latest info. on the new machines hittin' the market with great interest. Shoot, if I had enough money, I'd own one of each (old and new). I love this hobby, and even enjoy the inevitable detector battles (from the sideline of course).

Here's my take on the latest release from Mlab. I don't have one, but after reading the "tests" from other folks... Doesn't it sound just like a Fisher? 4 tones? Digital ID? Single frequency? notches? lightweight? It sounds just like a excel/C$ clone to me. (on paper anyway). Maybe a reverse engineered C$? I'm not knocking the big "M", it just looks kinda obvious to me. Would I like to try one? sure I would..(remember I like 'em all). However, which to prefer, the original or the copy? I'm sure it's a swell machine, but what if Fisher released a 100 frequency detector with infinite tones, wouldn't folks say they're copying Mlab? I guess emulation is the best form of flattery, so Fisher (and their users) should be really flattered!

The more I read about the x machine, the more I'm intrigued by the soon to be released ID edge. Why?, well no one has had time to copy it yet! Also, Mlab must feel the Edge is gonna be a real threat since they're doing a publicity saturation by sending machines out to folks all over the place, just before the Edge release. If it indeed improves upon everything that was great about the C$ and the excell, it should be something else. I personally think I'm gonna start saving my clad for the Edge. My only gripe thus far is the use of different coils.. I wish my big coil (yeah I know it's only one) investment for the C$ could be used with the Edge.

With work and other responsibilities, I think about detecting a lot more than I actually get to do it. At $600 to $700 bucks (or more), it's a pretty darn big investment for a hobby (but one of the few that can pay for itself). I opine too much, but before I plunk down that kinda cash, I wanna hear from some real, genuine users that bought the machine themselves with their hard-earned money. If you read some of the folks that are using the x machine, all the stuff they're excited over sounds like current excell and C$ features.

Sorry to run on with this, but I just had to vent...and insert my unwanted opinion

HH

Mark in NC

 

[Bill Ladd]

especially in trash where you can work it in disc mode well & not all metal

 

[Jackpine Savage]

and I would like to be able to own one of each also. As far as the rest of your post. My thoughts exactly!

HH Tom

 

[mtdoramike]

new machine testers that I would even put stock in when it comes to a new detectors review and thats Bill 525 Ladd. I take his reviews to heart, because he has outstanding feedback on the C$, ID Excel in the past and was dead on the money so to speak. Glad to know you Mark. But it is always nice to hear from a lot of users before smacking down $600.00.

 

[Mark in NC]

I've always liked and respected Fisher machines. Even when I was trading around and didn't have one, I still held them in the highest regard. The pioneers in metal detection, rugged build/high quality...and American made. I've used down under detectors and I respect them too, but I just hate seeing Fisher gettin' slapped around and their innovations treated like it's no big deal, then when another company does the same thing, it's exclaimed as "ground breaking" and "amazing"... I mean Fisher has "been there, done that". I remember when the C$ came out, people said "well, it's just a single frequency detector" especially the folks jumping up and down about the x machines. I know the C$ frequency is listed as "proprietary", but some folks suspect they're using that single frequency in a non-traditional way.. kinda wish if they are, Fisher would "brag" a little bit about it...get them some much deserved attention....

Just one humble idiot's opinion...

Mark in NC

 

[Tony (NC)]

n/t

 

[Mark in NC]

n/t

 

[Daniel Tn]

Every detector I know of has some form of copy from another manufacturer. Manufacturers will take note of features people like from machines and incorporate them into their new machines. Well some of them do anyway. Fisher has never really caught onto the fact that people like having more than just a couple of coil options to choose from. Look at the C$ -- great machine depth...less than perfect menu buttons and menu changes -- tons of potential for a machine and they give us a stock 8" coil and a big 10.5 inch coil. A deep seeking 5-6 inch coil would have been a hot seller for the machine I think. Then there is the ID Excel...as of date just the stock coil.

Then you have detector manufacturers like Garrett come along with their little Ace 250 that people love to death. I had one and I really liked it too...my only complaint was the belltone on coins. If it had an option to disable that feature...wow what machine that thing would be. It's been out but a little time and there are already two accessory coils for it! The new Minelab machines are going to be the same way with their upcoming coils.

Speaking of the X-Terra. I will be seeing one first hand Saturday. I'm hunting with Mike B and we're going relic hunting here in Tennessee. I'm taking him to a site of mine that has really tough dirt...matter of fact only the CoinStrike and a Shadow X5 have been able to get ANY depth in this site. The rest of the machines have read the non-ferrous items as ferrous items. In other words...when you use discrimination to knock out iron you miss all the stuff that shouldn't be knocked out (brass, lead, etc). It'll be fun to see how the X-Terra does here.

 

[Bill Ladd]

believe me I have been one that has been begging for more coil choices for the Excel/C$ all along. Not just with FRL, but also trying to get others involved like Sun Ray. Your right...a small coil on a C$ would easily make it the #1 unit in trash by far....no contest. I do well with the 8"....
With the Excel I wonder if adding additional coils if many folks would pay over $100 for an added coil when they just got their Excel used for under $300? Marketing probably thinks they will lose money. Sun Ray still may do one someday, but when very few Excel probes sell then ya have to wonder how many 5" coils will move? I also understand that the C$/Excel coils (though they look like normal spider coils, have wierd electronics inside & are very very hard to figure out). This may help to explain why no aftermarket coils have been done for the C$/excel. FRL could use the 5" soild coil for the Edge....lets hope & let us know if that X_Ter. can handle that bad dirt....
Bill

 

[Bill Ladd]

Like I said on the Fisher forum, I'm hard at work trying to get a field test done right. Unlike some field tests, these are units I truely believe in & WILL be using in the field...HH, Bill

 

[BarnacleBill]

n/t

 

[Bill Ladd]

Mr. Bill is on his way down as we speak to check out the new Edge first hand today. A couple other guys have tried it & love it too. I know this thing is the real deal, & I will be using it extensively in the field going forward...
That's the big difference. No lies, hype, or slick advertising is needed with the ID Edge. Performance (especially in trash) is what will win out in the end after all the "hype" fades out....