Spectra... first thoughts

[Andy Sabisch]

The dealers were informed of the upgrades . . . . . if the dealer opted to save the $$ and not get the unit upgraded and tehn sell it to someone else, how is that Whites fault? Since Whites will make things right - and that should be what you want - how are they the bad guy in this deal? I'd be more questioning the dealer that sold it to you or the other dealer that sold / traded it to him . . .

 

[jbow]

I will post more later but I am very happy with what they have offered me. Couldn't be happier... Whites does have good customer service and they do indeed care about the customer. I am looking forward to making some great finds with this machine. I think this is the one that is going to find a 3 carat diamond ring that has been lost for years in a world of pulltabs and canslaw.


Julien

 

[jbow]

The dealer ordered it last Thursday and it arrived Monday PM. It is only the second unit he has sold and he is laboring under a huge personal family problem right now, I don't fault him at all. The distributor, with whom I spoke this morning, told me that this is the newest version and all he has are 1.1 units in stock and that he just got them. I told him that I didn't think so and he said he would call Whites and call me back.

He called Steve at Whites Mfg and then called me back to tell me that I was right but that he would not have a 1.3 until the end of the month and he, on his own, would swap them out at that time but all Whites would agree to do was to have me send it in for an update...
however, since this morning Carl at Whites has been in contact with me to resolve the issue and they have indeed made it right.

I don't know all the ins and outs, all I know is what the distributor in FL told me and what Carl offered this afternoon.

I am happy,

J

 

[Erik in NJ]

n/t

 

[ngrelic]

Good for you Julien. Sounds like the dealer, distributor, and manufacturer all have their act together. Good luck and happy hunting with your new detector.

 

[NCDigger01]

While it may be frustrating to think you have an issue out of the box, it looks like the solution was a simple call to Sweet Home and viola . . . issue solved and at no cost to Jbow . . . . . not too often you see that level of service anymore, especially in today;s economy . . . . just another reason I have moved back into the Whites camp with my latest detector and am not regretting the move one iota!

 

[Erik in NJ]

Andy,

OK, defective may have been somewhat too strong a word - how about we agree on the term obsolete. If the current version of the software is version 3 and someone buys a brand new unit and it comes with version 1, then the unit is by definition obsolete. When I bought my first Explorer XS, it seems as if Minelab may have had some manufacturing issues as there was a stray piece of plastic behind the screen. I called the dealer and he promptly replaced it after inspecting the second unit before it shipped (he claimed), but amazingly the second unit showed up (before I returned the first) with another plastic shaving behind the screen! I called Minelab and they appologized & sent another out direct from the company, before I had returned the others. This is just the right thing to do.

Whites did the right thing too for Julien! It proves that they care about their customers and in this economic climate customer service is more important than ever. I don't feel that I was too harsh with my earlier posts - had it been me and I'd just invested in a unit with obsolete software that I could not upgrade myself and I was told to just mail it back only to have to wait a week or two, I would have been livid. Fortunately it got the proper level of attention (perhaps thanks to this forum) and everyone is happy. Now to really eat Minelab's lunch Whites should hire me to redesign the software to make it light years ahead of where Minelab is - God knows I've offered it to Minelab on the forum, but I don't think they read it. Kudos to Whites for being in direct contact with their customers on the forum - this is VERY important. Who knows I may even invest in a V3 to try it out against my eTrac in the near future!

 

[Jack Flynn]

n/t

Must be

 

[Andy Sabisch]

The slight software revisions made to the V3 have NOTHING . . . . . repeat NOTHING to do with any performance bugs found after release . . . . . the specifics of the upgrades are in the following post:

http://www.findmall.com/read.php?66,990298,990335#msg-990335

Many of us are still running Version 1.0 and are perfectly happy with it . . . if the headphone volume is not an issue to the user and if the mono/stereo issue is not apparent, then as Whites says, there is no need to get the detector upgraded which they will do FOR FREE.

There have been far bigger fiascos after the release of other detectors which included up to and including recalls of every unit built and sold . . . . . . personally, knowing that Whites will do the upgrade for no charge, that they will take care of the customer if asked and that the only issues software-wise have been issues that do not affect performance in terms of finding targets, I think that is commendable on the parts of Whites management and engineers considering the scope of this detector project.

Andy

 

[Andy Sabisch]

The extent of the "bugs" if you can call them that are detailed in the following post . . . . . . don't see anything on the list that appears to be a bug that affects the in-field performance so rushing it to market? Seem to remember the initial posts talking about a multi-year development program that involved a larger than normal number of testers to ensure it was released as bug-free as possible

http://www.findmall.com/read.php?66,990298,990335#msg-990335

Andy

 

[jbow]

n/t

 

[Erik in NJ]

When I say "obsolete" I mean not current. If I buy a laptop and I discover that my BIOS is backdated even though I can still use the laptop fine, I just feel that I should have gotten the lastest BIOS revision....look bottom line is that Whites did the right thing -- I commend them -- furthermore I respect them for engaging the users on this forum. I am impressed so far with the analyze screen and thing that there is much that can be done as far as analysis to further improve the software. Anyway I think we're on the same page

 

[king-ghidorah]

SOunds like WHite's is really going the extra mile.

 

[andreak77]

Actually, we took care of our customer because it's just how we do business - not "because of this forum". Just as well Andy is correct - if the customer does not have an issue with the audio then there is no necessary need for the update.

 

[jbow]

Any sophisticated piece of equipment with complex software is going to have to have a few updates. Any decent software I have ever bought had updates. It is just the way it is.

Whites has updated the software... what? twice in a short time.... that is good. The only reason it is a problem at all is that it cannot be upated online. I bet in the future online updates will be an option like any software that you put on your computer. I use music software and hardware. The HW that runs software has a usb port and updates are available online. For example Line6 amps and recording equipment are all software driven. They are digital clones of classic tube guitar amps etc. It is proprietary sofware and protected, they have no problems with updates.

Connecting registered hardware via a usb and downloading a little fix or upgrade should be secure enough. I think it will be an option in the future.

I don't think that Whites rushed out a detector that has problems. Like I said, anything this complex and good... that uses software... is going to have an update or two... it all does, that isn't a problem... it's just the way it is. Whites has given us a detector that takes a new step in the field, this one is, I think, more adaptable to your ground conditions than any machine before it. Given some time I think this will be evident. The filters are going to be a huge tool when setting up for different places. I see a lot to like with the Spectra and nothing to dislike. I had some neck problems at first but it seems that was something else, not the detector... besides a straight shaft or flipping the curved one over will fix it.

Do you remember when the E-TRAC came out? I think the same things were said at first, "it was rushed out", ML made a mistake with the "12 ferrous" grouping... but it has turned out, imo, to be a great machine and the right decision, even though some had a problem trying to make it be a new Explorer. I love mine and I think that I am going to love the V-3 even more.

Nothing wrong with the Spectra V-3.... I think it will prove to be the best all around detector available.

Whites customer service is second to none. They made it clear to me that they would do anything necessary to make the customer happy... and the machine is great! Simple, beep and dig machines rarely need an update or a tweak... it's the complex machines the ones that give you all the options you may need in the field that hold the potential for needing an update.... so, thanks to Whites for making such a super machine and for supporting it so well.

The finds will tell the story and start watching for them!!!

J

 

[Andy Sabisch]

The V3 clearly has taken detectors in a new direction incorporating software and a user interface not seen before . . . . will there be some "tweaks" as things unfold? Well despite a very robust field development phase, when you get as many out as they have around the world, some items are bound to arise . . . the questions comes up how well they are addressed by the manufacturer and as we have seen, Whites has taken care of ANY issue that has arisen and done so extremely quickly . . . . . . can't ask for any more that that.

Keep us updated as to how you do in some of the lovely Georgia red clay and cinders around your place . . . . . looking forward to seeing that 3 carat diamond ring you're hunting or some Confederate relics from the areas you hit.

Andy Sabisch

 

[Erik in NJ]

n/t

 

[jbow]

I got permission to hunt two large properties that go up to the ridge behind Cassville Rd, on is in Cassville and the other is neear Cass Rd and the Red Barn store. The latter property also has a small gold ring lost in the yard. I am looking forward to trying the Spectra to see if it can find both rings.

Do you have any quick pointers for searching for a ladies gold ring? Should I set it for the one frequency for gold, use prospecting mode or what? Any pointers?

I have another question but I will start another thread for it...

Thanks,

Julien

 

[sweepdog]

The best advice is not to anounce where you were given permission to hunt. And where it is. Other folks will kind of just show up there.

 

[jbow]

I usually don't, but Cassville is well known and at this particular property is a residence with big lawn and... there is always someone home.

If this were either a wooded or a hot site... I wouldn't have said anything, this spot is really nothing new and not particularly special. Probably not as good as the local parks... besides, if someone does that, i'll see to it that they are prosecuted and these people will do it anyway... people around here don't take kindly to strangers digging in their yard, they might get shot at. Woods are a little different... but lawns... well it would take a real fool to just show up.

You are right however and most places, I keep to myself and a friend or two. I traded pest control services for permission. Anyone else is going to get run off and besides... they aren't going to find much, these places were hunted since the 60s. It wouldn't be worth the trouble they'd get into. Local hunters all know about these areas and pass on them for better diggin's.

BTW, I accidentally strayed onto someone elses property last week out in Kingston and... almost got arrested. The police refused to do it and I met and talked to the offended party, and defused the situation and wound up with 40+ more acres to hunt from his neighbor. I don't think anyone is going to just show up in someone's front yard to hunt without permission, that'd be pretty bold. Maybe in Atlanta, but Cassville ain't Atlanta... it's a small place. Same with Kingston... you'd better have permission if you're on private property.

I appreciate your post, I probably should not have posted it, I will mention to the owners that I have not invited anyone and if they see anyone else they should call the police. I'll tell them that someone may see me detecting and think that they can too and for them to keep an eye out.

Thanks, sometimes I speak before I think... but again, these places are nothing special... not anymore.

There are plenty of parks to hunt anyway and as you probably know... there is no such thing as a hunted out park. The type people who would bother to "claim jump" want a place where they can come in and find good stuff easily, they are lazy and dishonest, they wouldn't want to bother with sites like this... i'd never post about a special or good site.

But thanks... i'll not do it again, I should have PM'd.

J