What are differences between bandido II micromax and outlaw?

[NCtoad]

I've read where the bandido II's are highly sought after and I think I read somewhere that the outlaw is a newer version the bandido series. So why would one rather have an older bandido II micromax over an outlaw?

 

[Stoof-tabsallday]

The bandido II umax has higher pitch audio, has toggle switches instead of a button, and doesn't have the outlaws button with all it's functions.
The disc knob has the more modern words and the b2mm has the 1-9 on the disc knob like tesoros used to.

 

[NCtoad]

The bandido II umax has higher pitch audio, has toggle switches instead of a button, and doesn't have the outlaws button with all it's functions.
The disc knob has the more modern words and the b2mm has the 1-9 on the disc knob like tesoros used to.

Thanks. So pretty much the same featurewise. Are they similar performancewise?

 

[Stoof-tabsallday]

Well that's more of an opinion based thing.
The outlaw being newer model probably has a slight edge in some way, but nothing that I notice off hand

 

[Monte]

I've read where the bandido II's are highly sought after and I think I read somewhere that the outlaw is a newer version the bandido series.

The Outlaw is a newer production detector, yes, and it is essentially patterned after the former, and very reliable, Bandido II [size=small]micro[/size]MAX [size=small](labeled µMAX)[/size] which is the most desired of the four Bandido series models. There were four of those models, with the most sought after being the final version, the Bandido II µMAX. The least desired was the Bandido µMAX, and the original Bandido and Bandido II have about an equal appeal and fall in a close 2nd place to the Bandido II [size=small]micro[/size]MAX.

So pretty much the same featurewise.

The Bandido series and Outlaw all share the ED-120 Discriminate range of acceptance, and the Outlaw does have both a standard non-Auto-Tune and an Auto-Tune option for the Threshold-based All Metal mode. They are in a similar micro-MAX packaging configuration and general search performance is also very similar.

Are they similar performancewise?

Almost, but not quite. The Bandido II [size=small]micro[/size]MAX uses a two-position toggle switch so the operator can select either a Normal or standard All Metal mode w/o auto-tune, and that allows for a manual retune as desired. There is also an 'Auto' selection for continuous auto-tune in the All Metal mode. Generally, this is how I keep my Bandido II µMAX set for most search operations and I can toggle into the All Metal mode, if desired, to quickly size & shape a target or Pinpoint a target. If I want to size & shape w/o the auto-tune function, I can simply toggle to Normal operation. With the Bandido II µMAX you can be in the Normal [size=small](non-auto-tune or manual retune)[/size] setting ot the Auto

The Outlaw uses a 2-position pushbutton to select Normal or Auto-Tune function. An interesting concept, but there was really no need to abandon the already very practical, simple, and workable 2-position toggle switch. With the Bandido II µMAX you knew for sure which retune option you were using, AND you could simply toggle back to the Discriminate mode and continue searching w/o any issues at any time.

So why would one rather have an older bandido II micromax over an outlaw?

Because I find the Bandido II µMAX has a slightly different audio tone pitch that I prefer, but mostly because the pushbutton on the Outlaw cause some issues. For one, I have used several Outlaw units before I bought the one I HAD and two of the loaner versions had a misbehaving pushbutton.

Also, with the Outlaw design, once you are finished using the All Metal mode for any purpose, be it searching for a target, or isolating and sizing and shaping a target, you MUST hold the coil away from the ground then press-and-release the Pinpoint/Function button before you can continue searching in the Discriminate mode. If you do not do that, you are likely to be operating at a much reduced Sensitivity level that can really have a negative impact on performance in the Disc. mode.

The only reason I liked buying the Outlaw is that I bought the 3-coil package. I wanted the excellent thin-profile 6" Concentric coil, and the white colored 8" 'donut' Concentric coil to replace by brown 8" coil because I prefer white coils to brown or black when I have that option instead of my older version brown coil. Then I sold the Outlaw and the 10X12 coil and have never missed them. The Bandido II µMAX, of which I have owned many through the years, have been very reliable performing detectors and one is always in my detector battery and usually travels with several other detectors in my vehicle.

There are a lot of old adages that don't mean much to me, but one that does fit this two-detector comparison is: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

Unfortunately, they discontinued the Bandido II µMAX in January of '01 when they introduced a model that, they figured, would replace it. That was with the newer Eldorado in the [size=small]micro[/size]MAX configuration that was introduced two months later in March of 2001. Also a very good detector, but I prefer the good old Bandido II µMAX along with it's simpler turn-on-and-go sibling, the Silver Sabre µMAX. The only newer model Tesoro has introduced that provides manual GB and is in a simple, light weight package that I also like, is the Vaquero. I also have one of those models, with the high-tone mod, that still isn't as high as I would like it, and it is a close 2nd in my list of favorite versatile Tesoro models, coming in behind my #1 favorite, the Bandido II [size=small]micro[/size]MAX.

Monte

 

[NCtoad]

Monte, I read your detailed and informative response soon after you posted it and for some reason I didn't have time to respond with a thank you and then simply forgot until now. Thank you for the great answer!

I've read where the bandido II's are highly sought after and I think I read somewhere that the outlaw is a newer version the bandido series.

The Outlaw is a newer production detector, yes, and it is essentially patterned after the former, and very reliable, Bandido II [size=small]micro[/size]MAX [size=small](labeled µMAX)[/size] which is the most desired of the four Bandido series models. There were four of those models, with the most sought after being the final version, the Bandido II µMAX. The least desired was the Bandido µMAX, and the original Bandido and Bandido II have about an equal appeal and fall in a close 2nd place to the Bandido II [size=small]micro[/size]MAX.

So pretty much the same featurewise.

The Bandido series and Outlaw all share the ED-120 Discriminate range of acceptance, and the Outlaw does have both a standard non-Auto-Tune and an Auto-Tune option for the Threshold-based All Metal mode. They are in a similar micro-MAX packaging configuration and general search performance is also very similar.

Are they similar performancewise?

Almost, but not quite. The Bandido II [size=small]micro[/size]MAX uses a two-position toggle switch so the operator can select either a Normal or standard All Metal mode w/o auto-tune, and that allows for a manual retune as desired. There is also an 'Auto' selection for continuous auto-tune in the All Metal mode. Generally, this is how I keep my Bandido II µMAX set for most search operations and I can toggle into the All Metal mode, if desired, to quickly size & shape a target or Pinpoint a target. If I want to size & shape w/o the auto-tune function, I can simply toggle to Normal operation. With the Bandido II µMAX you can be in the Normal [size=small](non-auto-tune or manual retune)[/size] setting ot the Auto

The Outlaw uses a 2-position pushbutton to select Normal or Auto-Tune function. An interesting concept, but there was really no need to abandon the already very practical, simple, and workable 2-position toggle switch. With the Bandido II µMAX you knew for sure which retune option you were using, AND you could simply toggle back to the Discriminate mode and continue searching w/o any issues at any time.

So why would one rather have an older bandido II micromax over an outlaw?

Because I find the Bandido II µMAX has a slightly different audio tone pitch that I prefer, but mostly because the pushbutton on the Outlaw cause some issues. For one, I have used several Outlaw units before I bought the one I HAD and two of the loaner versions had a misbehaving pushbutton.

Also, with the Outlaw design, once you are finished using the All Metal mode for any purpose, be it searching for a target, or isolating and sizing and shaping a target, you MUST hold the coil away from the ground then press-and-release the Pinpoint/Function button before you can continue searching in the Discriminate mode. If you do not do that, you are likely to be operating at a much reduced Sensitivity level that can really have a negative impact on performance in the Disc. mode.

The only reason I liked buying the Outlaw is that I bought the 3-coil package. I wanted the excellent thin-profile 6" Concentric coil, and the white colored 8" 'donut' Concentric coil to replace by brown 8" coil because I prefer white coils to brown or black when I have that option instead of my older version brown coil. Then I sold the Outlaw and the 10X12 coil and have never missed them. The Bandido II µMAX, of which I have owned many through the years, have been very reliable performing detectors and one is always in my detector battery and usually travels with several other detectors in my vehicle.

There are a lot of old adages that don't mean much to me, but one that does fit this two-detector comparison is: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

Unfortunately, they discontinued the Bandido II µMAX in January of '01 when they introduced a model that, they figured, would replace it. That was with the newer Eldorado in the [size=small]micro[/size]MAX configuration that was introduced two months later in March of 2001. Also a very good detector, but I prefer the good old Bandido II µMAX along with it's simpler turn-on-and-go sibling, the Silver Sabre µMAX. The only newer model Tesoro has introduced that provides manual GB and is in a simple, light weight package that I also like, is the Vaquero. I also have one of those models, with the high-tone mod, that still isn't as high as I would like it, and it is a close 2nd in my list of favorite versatile Tesoro models, coming in behind my #1 favorite, the Bandido II [size=small]micro[/size]MAX.

Monte

 

[bigtim1973]

Out of curiosity and to clear up a few things of hear say I myself have read throughout the years on Tesoro units I took it upon myself to open up the housings and a peek inside my Eldorado and Bandido 2 uMax units. I can say that the electronic boards do not look anything like one another. Totally different from each other. So just for those I know who have read that all that Tesoro is doing is making new stickers and putting the same circuits inside the housings are full of bologna. Now I know that this is kind of off topic from the original post about the Outlaw but I bet it looks defferent from the Eldorado as well but I do not have one to open up and see. So goes to show you there are some differences between the models. Just thought I would share this. .