Where did all the metal detectors go.

[mtdoramike]

This has to be the first time in history that people seem to be happy with what they are swinging. I see the classifieds are the most quiet I can recall seeing them. I'm guessing most folk are finally happy with what they are using, or is there something else afoot. Could it be the $600.00 transactions limit? The economy stupid? It couldn't be the price of the detectors, back in the day most good detectors were $700.00 to well over $1000.00, but now detectors can be had for under $500.00 and even cheaper on the used market. Or could it be most all of the try buy, try and sell guys have died off or smartened up like I did and realized and came to realized all metal detectors go beat when passed over metal. Now some can argue depth, target separation, masking, but unless your a professional hunter all that stuff might stoke your ego, but in reality, most of us are tot lot hunters with the occasional beach hunt thrown in the mix.

I'm just curious where all the detectors have gone. Or could it be I'm mistaken and all this is just a bunch of rambling from an old man and who is a reformed buy and try guy and metal detector hoarder.

 

[MuddyMo]

Me and my buddy noticed this for the last year. Less interest after bs pandemic and less expensive, good performing new models with more features like waterproof.

 

[mtdoramike]

I agree Muddy, back before the (pandemic )? I was one of those buy and try guys and went through a minimum of 30 detectors more or less thinking I found the next best thing only to eventually realize that I owned it all the time, which was for me the Fisher Coin $trike. It seemed to suit me best for what I needed it for and I wound up owned three of them. I think the most machines I had at one given time were 6 or 7 until I realized that I could only hunt with one at a time. Boy if they had all these new fangled machines that they have now back 20 years ago, I would have went bat crap crazy. That monkey is still trying to crawl back up my back. I bit the bullet a few months ago and bought a new Nokta Simplex Elite from Richard @ Backwoods detectors, he was one of the main sources feeding my habit and this thing is like from another planet. I think it can do everything but whistle dixie or dig my holes.

 

[MuddyMo]

I’ve had well over 50. Many only to play with but I could always sell them for about the same as I paid. Now it’s a struggle. I have 11 or 12 and trying to get down to 4. As far as the best one, at least for me, is the Manticore. It just fits perfectly except not using Bluetooth for wireless. Not the best for everyone though.

 

[mtdoramike]

I’ve had well over 50. Many only to play with but I could always sell them for about the same as I paid. Now it’s a struggle. I have 11 or 12 and trying to get down to 4. As far as the best one, at least for me, is the Manticore. It just fits perfectly except not using Bluetooth for wireless. Not the best for everyone though.

I know what you mean, it's kind of like someone asking you which child you like better.

 

[Mark ( ohio )]

This has to be the first time in history that people seem to be happy with what they are swinging. I see the classifieds are the most quiet I can recall seeing them. I'm guessing most folk are finally happy with what they are using, or is there something else afoot. Could it be the $600.00 transactions limit? The economy stupid? It couldn't be the price of the detectors, back in the day most good detectors were $700.00 to well over $1000.00, but now detectors can be had for under $500.00 and even cheaper on the used market. Or could it be most all of the try buy, try and sell guys have died off or smartened up like I did and realized and came to realized all metal detectors go beat when passed over metal. Now some can argue depth, target separation, masking, but unless your a professional hunter all that stuff might stoke your ego, but in reality, most of us are tot lot hunters with the occasional beach hunt thrown in the mix.

I'm just curious where all the detectors have gone. Or could it be I'm mistaken and all this is just a bunch of rambling from an old man and who is a reformed buy and try guy and metal detector hoarder.

Well Mike, heres my spin of the story... Back in 1994 when I started, my wife got me my very first detector as a Christmas present. ( a Whites 4900 d black box unit ). I had a whites dealer about 15 miles from the house so I visited him and made a deal/purchase on a whites silver eagle. This guy was a real piece of sh$t to deal with and I called the 800 number for whites and told them so about this guy. My call landed up to the regional distributer and he told me directly; " any time I ever need anything just call me ". He dist. whites but also had a full line store and could get me anything I wanted. This began a great 25+ yr relationship. I was working like a mad man and had mony to blow.. Every yr when new units hit the market I usually bought one...Over all I too had probably 40+ detectors over time. I've had many whites, tesoros, fishers, minelabs, and garretts.. Now I just have 3, a nox 600, a fisher f-44 and a cz20/21.

What a great hobby its been, but many of my detecting buddies are just too old or have transitioned to the other realm.

Take care. Mark ( ohio )

 

[laplander]

I am seeing a steady flow of detectors, starters to high end units. Business as usual. It is the greatest hobby.