Sailorman said:
One big problem is darn few people have any appreciation for what it takes to go from ideas to R&D to prototyping to production. The Walmart mentality says I should have everything I want now and cheap or I'm going to whine and cry about it. Developing something like this and getting it built is a huge task. Most people wouldn't have the stick to it to get the plastic molds designed, approved and made, not to mention the cost of setting up just that small part of the whole package.
Since they haven't any appreciation for it they find it so easy to Monday morning quarterback the whole thing and then the instant gratification of the internet gives them a soapbox to stand on. I've been involved in manufacturing and helping people launch a product. My hat is off to Minelab. It's a big undertaking involving considerable time, money and effort. Far more then most people on a forum will ever realise and if you've never done it you really don't have a clue. I don't mean this in a nasty way it's just a simple fact. It's like owning a business. Everyone whose never done it is an expert on what you should do but in truth until you've done it you'll never understand.
They have considerable money and effort on the line and I hope it does well. To all the armchair experts I suggest you try and launch a better product! That's called being an entrepreneur and you will gain a vast appreciation for what is involved!
I want to post Robins point first:
The reason is because many of the Trolls, as you call them, are dedicated Minelab users that have waited almost 15 years for a new design. Should they have no voice if they happen to think some of the features are less than stellar? I can really sympathise with folks that don't like the weight. Getting older and having joint problems really is an issue for many. Hopefully the forum will continue to let everyone post their opinion. If it is clearly a post by a Troll, then everyone will know.
HH - Robin (MI)
I think we can see some of the truth in both posts and yet both posts address polar opposites to a point. Clearly a lot of work went into the new Minelab CTX. It looks to be a great machine. The BIGGEST complaint I've seen with the E-Trac/Explorer is weight though and for all the issues that Robin says, but even for younger folks. So, even though we have what looks like an incredible unit, the #1 task wasn't fully addressed. I say fully because it feels lighter to everyone that has used it, so maybe we don't really know yet. But when we see the weight went up and not down, it's a bit of a shock.
I too wanted a lighter unit and in a way we got it, as it is "effectively lighter". We'll see once more reports come out.
I think the observable danger in calling people trolls and such (or even assuming them to be) is that we are missing some valid points. Now that is on both sides. On the one hand people with worries or gripes need to learn to present them better and perhaps present both sides. And on the other hand people who see this "trolling" behavior, perhaps, need to not take it as personal and just address the concerns while also mentioning the good things. No, not their job, but I think we can all get a long ok, just have to try ;-)
Lastly, regarding the marketing debacle (reading many boards, this is the consensus - the 48hr countdown was great, but after that it kind of fell apart), I really hope that Minelab doesn't have another lighter unit on the horizon and release it in 6 months or so. If they have something in between, by all means release it now and be a bit compassionate regarding people and money, as times are truly tough. If we can save some money and remove some things, then lets see it now, not later.
Albert
i think we are just passing time as no one has any real questions as they haven't used the machine yet.
(you just know that is going to happen)
just hope it finds more silver than nails 
