The new Minelabs are coming . . . . . .

[NCDigger01]

Unfortunately they are new high end gold detectors . . . . . . the GPX 4800 and the GPX 5000. The infamous gold rush in Africa that drove the demand through the roof for the GPX 4500's (and the prices as well) left dealers with inventory that is gathering dust. The two new models probably have added a few bells and whistles but at $5,000 and $5,600 respectivley, one had better plan on making some real nice finds quickly to keep Mama from wrapping them around one's neck!

Too bad they did not ramp up the E-Trac or Excalibur production or better yet, bring out an Explorer or E-Trac in a lighter housing / better configuration which should be a simple retooling project.

 

[Terra1959]

My bet is that the new model E-trac should not be too far away.
I spoke with a dealer who says they are working on one.
In Australia the 4800 is $6150 and the 5000 $6700 AUD...my car is not worth that much. LOL

 

[Bushmeister]

So what have been the 'next generation' E Trac rumors/promises and how soon?

 

[Sabisch]

n/t

 

[AgileMJOLNIR]

So what have been the 'next generation' E Trac rumors/promises and how soon?

Let's hope a price drop is included

 

[NCDigger01]

If a detector has a new feature, the price will go up.

The reason the Excalibur and Explorer prices did not go up was little changed other than coils and decals.

If an E-Trac II or whatever it might be called is in fact in the pipeline (which does not seem likely with the current supply issues of all models) with new features which may make it worth upgrading to, it is a good bet that the price will be over the $2,000 list price . . . . . and in this economy, that makes for a pretty pricey hobby purchase. At least with the GPX units you can find gold in the rigtht locations that can quickly pay for the large investment . . . .

 

[Crispy Critter]

New models coming soon, could be the reason for the non-existant inventory. Wouldn't surprise me since I just bought a new Sovereign and Excalibur.

 

[silvereagle]

hey maybe the new one will be waterproof?

 

[MNCoinhunter]

Maybe the new model will have a powerful magnet on the coil so you don't have to dig. As if you guys were'nt spoiled enough already. What more could you possibly want?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPyc6cy3UqE

 

[hardrock]

In Sept is the dealer/partner conference,may be announcements on new detectors then,will find out when I am there. Hardrock

 

[Terra1959]

Thanks Andy, I guess you would know.
Do you test new models for ML ?
The guy who told me that must full of bs.
Maybe I will just get the current model, patience is not my strong point.

T59

 

[Sabisch]

And it seems someone always has a friend that knows someone that is related to an engineer working for one company or another that has some inside track on what is coming out and when . . . . and what usually turns up is that the wonder machine everyone is certain will be released on a certain date is not and a new detector comes seemingly out of the blue when no one is expecting it.

The E-Trac is a good example . . . Minelab introduced the SE Pro which was in essence simply an SE with a new decal and a different coil yet when they did , everyone thought it was the new detector that had been in development and then when the E-trac was released a few months later . . . complete surprise.

Every manufacturer is continually working on new detectors . . . some more agreesively than others but developing none the less. But with the limited staffing and resources, developing multiple machines at the same time rarely ever happens.

Minelab has just announced the release of the GPS 4800 and GPX 5000, which while the literature claims to have a coin / relic mode (or set of the infamous "timings"), is pretty much a deep seeking, non-discriminating PI detector. Well suited for prospecting and some relic hunters in super hot ground but most beach, coin or relic hunters will probably find that sacrificing some depth for discrimination will be a deciding factor when it comes to making a purchase decision . . . . . time will tell as to how these new models are embraced by the non-prospecting detectorists especially when there are units out there costing a fraction of the list price of the new models ($5,000 and $5,600 respectivley) such as the Whites TDI Pro and the Garrett Infinium. There is no doubt that the new models will be amazing performers in the field . . . . it's just that unless you are in an area where you can find gold that is selling for over $1,100 an ounce, spending more for a detector than you would for a second car may not be in a lot of people's budget in these economic times.

Development benefits us all even if we do not opt to buy the new detector since other companies look at the technology and see what they can leverage into their own development process and add to their detectors . . . . . there are some new machines simmering on the stove across the board . . . personally I am looking forward to the next 12 months as there might just be some real interesting developments "coming to a delaer near you".

Andy