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When do you consider a metal detector a vintage unit?

bigtim1973

bigtim1973

Well-known member
Just curious about what some of you may think. So when is a metal detector considered a vintage unit? Is it the age that determines it or is it when it goes out of production for a a few years. Every machine I use is out of production and have been for sometime. I consider vintage units to be like the De Tex or Garrett ADS 7. While others may think my Micro Max Bandido 2 or silver sabre umax. I do not consider those to be vintage. I have obtained a Whites Silver Eagle recently. To me this is almost a vintage unit just because of the size of the control housing. It performs well though and I would take it over quite a few new production models in the 300 to 800 range. Matter of fact I like quite a few out of production units over the modern ones. Maybe it is a nostalgic thing with me of maybe it is just that I am familiar with the older units more. Just looking for your thoughts or input on the subject.
 
This has been discussed on other forums.
Generally vintage are those detectors before 1970's, more or less earlier than the 1960's.
Which are those funny odd looking devices....LOL
With the production of 1970's TR thru 1980's can be considered classics. Once you jump into the 1990's, you get the modern era VLF motion disc detectors.

Overall most people consider vintage detectors that are 15 years or older.
If you want to place it safe, you can consider any of those machines "Old" detectors.
 
yeah those old ones from the 60s and so on are really some neat looking pieces. I do enjoy looking at them though and still favor those old Long John Latham metal detecting magazines from times gone by as well. I really enjoy looking at the old advertisements in them. They have come a long way for sure. Good stuff!!
 
I've got a Fisher M-scope or FRL M80, a red box with 2 knobs, needle meter, 11" round coil and a wooden finger indented hand grip, the 2 battery clips looks like they could both hold a D cell but I doubt that is what is supposed to power it.

I consider it vintage as so fare I have not been able to find any info on it.

If anyone have any details on this unit I would be pleased to hear it.
 
Good question. I get bothered when I see someone chiming in on "vintage" forums, with a machine only ~15 or 20 yrs. old. I guess in their minds it's "vintage" simply because its one that's out of production. Heck, I roll my eyes when someone post about a machine 30 yrs. old too (older 6000's, and other such machines from the 1980s).

At that point I realize that what most people are inclined to label "vintage", will be based on a) their own age, and b) the year they started in this hobby.

Because obviously someone that's only in his mid 20's, probably thinks of the "1980s" as being from the dinosaur era, eh ? haha But someone like me who's 55, and started detecting in the mid to late 1970s (as a teenager in my case) will view those machines as "ho hum".

Hence for me, I think of "vintage" as being pre mid 1970s. But that's just because of personal bias, as that's the era when I began to follow the hobby, and be familiar with current offerings of that era.

So your question is a loaded question :)
 
irnwrkr said:
Just as soon as I get it
Click to expand...


:rofl:


I feel the same way. Soon as I buy something, they come out with something new. Seems I'm always a series or two behind, minimum. Oh, and my first detector was a Vintage White's TR; mid-70's. Guess I am getting close to vintage myself.


Rich (Utah)
 
I consider my Compass Pro 77B (1974 era) to be well aged, vintage, mild to the touch..A true depth seeker, with the sweetest sounding high pitch on even older silver targets. LOL
 
The term "Vintage" should be used with a date. It refers more to a period than an age like antique. For example, you can have a vintage 1980's detector. IF you need to assign an age then it would refer to something generally over 20 years old. Actually, the term Vintage is targeting wine but gets used a lot to refer to and aged item. In this case the time period is supposed to also be added. I.E. Vintage 1980's detector.

That out os the way, I'd say about 20-25 years at this time and a detector becomes obsolete.
 
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