Whites Metal Detectors Going Out Of Business

[Terry Soloman]

June 18, 2020 To our valued White's Dealers- This is a very difficult message to write, but the time has come for retirement from White's Electronics. We are suspending manufacturing operations at our Sweet Home facility while we re-evaluate the future of the company. It is never easy to make these decisions, however, we are faced with the reality of intense competition in the industry and ongoing counterfeit instruments coming from China. Lastly, there have been critical material shortages since the Covid 19 shutdown that we now find insurmountable. All of us here in Sweet Home are grateful for your service. We consider each you part of the White's extended family. Sincerely, Ken White

American Made Metal Detectors since 1950 [email protected] • 1-888-666-6121

 

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[signal_line]

Kinda wonder who's next? A lot of lost advertising dollars. Won't be long before forums like T-net start charging money to participate. Maybe someday things will change and someone will come up with the "dream machine" that can hit gold and ignore aluminum. Maybe somebody will get wise and help me with the Contraption.

 

[Toecutter]

Not long after the Apex release, makes me wonder if its more about technology then Chinese counterfeit instruments...

 

[Iffy Signals]

So sad that we cant keep up with metal detector technology.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Sad news. Never owned one but I appreciate their products. I know a couple guys with MXTs that don't seem to miss much.

I probably would have owned one but the semi-local dealer was "by appointment" and I lost two half day vacation afternoons because he was a no show both times - so I gave up on him.

 

[burlbark]

If they had just got with the program and adapted to change. Perhaps someone will buy the name and make a new go at their business model. This really sucks.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Monkeys uncle, please keep political comments out of posts.

 

[Dirtslinger]

Nothing on their website indicates this. Where is the source of this information?

 

[1637]

wow ,this really sucks ,i have 4 of there detectors and my brand new gmt is not working right.
brad

 

[Customx_12]

Nothing on their website indicates this. Where is the source of this information?

The email that he posted. Others here have posted the same email.

 

[digger27]

If they had just got with the program and adapted to change. Perhaps someone will buy the name and make a new go at their business model. This really sucks.

Nobody bought Tesoro, nobody is going to buy Whites, either, because their business model doesn't work anymore.
Great names just don't mean as much as they used to, you would like to think they do but the sad reality is they don't if there are no modern and new popular products behind them.
Especially important in a niche hobby like this one.
Both companies had rabid, loyal fans, both companies had legendary service but that wasn't enough.
In this day and age you either innovate or you fade away and neither company did that for years so they both had great runs but it's over.

 

[eman1000]

I don't buy the counterfeit excuse but I will tell you I received as a gift a pin-pointer that looks nearly identical to the TRX pinpointer by Whites from Amazon and it made me wonder if Whites was using Chinese mold shops to produce their products. Its also possible they used an American mold shop that outsources to China which is pretty much the standard these days.

I've owned the V3i and MX5 and they were both very good machines but I haven't really seen anything from them in the last 5 years that looked interesting. I'll never understand why they didn't just make the V3i lighter with a new battery, modern processor, possibly a little less complex, and waterproof and they would have sold like hotcakes! That machine in a simplex shell - perfect!

Either way its a sad day I hate to see those great employees lose their jobs - I have followed them on facebook and they are very supportive of the community.

HH
Eman

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

There are lots of counterfeit Whites sold on EBay, I have reported several myself. Seen counterfeit Minelabs too.

 

[Rookster]

I hate to hear that. White made a good and durable machine.

 

[gunsil]

Dang that IS sad news!! I never ran one, but I am a fossil from when Garrett and Whites ruled the detector market and they were really all one could choose from. I ended up with a Garrett because that's what the civil war hunters I knew preferred. Hopefully some of their employees will have a repair business for all you Whites guys.

 

[RustyGold]

I wanted to find a Surfmaster PI Pro to change it up with the Nox on the beach. I guess now that’ll go by the wayside.
Best of luck to all the Whites employees.

 

[bc5391]

It is sad they are closing, White brand was the first detector that I owned. But with all the competition out there, you had to see it coming, for the most part their detectors are heavy, when the come out with a new product, it is simply a rebranded older model (24k, TDI) to name a couple. The competition is now multi-freq. Fisher is developing a lighter Pulse induction(water proof).

What will be next, my bet is on the Auto industry, which will lead to less highway construction, the Jetson's vehicle is just around the corner.

 

[RustyGold]

It is sad they are closing, White brand was the first detector that I owned. But with all the competition out there, you had to see it coming, for the most part their detectors are heavy, when the come out with a new product, it is simply a rebranded older model (24k, TDI) to name a couple. The competition is now multi-freq. Fisher is developing a lighter Pulse induction(water proof).

What will be next, my bet is on the Auto industry, which will lead to less highway construction, the Jetson's vehicle is just around the corner.

I just wish VW would bring out a new split window VW Bus and I’d be happy. Make sure it’s electric.

 

[Gilligan]

This is truly sad news. It is part of my history. I am 57 now. Back in the 1970's as a young teen, my Dad bought me my first detector, a White's Coinmaster (4D). I became an expert with that detector, an old TR. Hand salute.

 

[gunsil]

I just wish VW would bring out a new split window VW Bus and I’d be happy. Make sure it’s electric.

My father bought one of the first VW buses in the country in 1956. It was a simple Kombie as we were sorta poor, it had no interior panels in the back and was coooold in the winter. When he got a much better job in 1961 we got a brand new 23 window deluxe in 1962. I quit college in 1967 and became a VW mechanic and bought and repaired about ten more to sell in the next few years, some non-sunroof and some more deluxes. Loved those things!! Spartan and could not keep up with traffic on big hills but hey, who needed to be in a hurry? Now immaculate restored versions can run over a hundred grand. I had saved two rust free 23 window ones into the late 80s, but I lost my storage and sadly sold them for a song. Nowadays it would be hard to replicate due to "safety" standards. I still have some windows for a 23 window and a few jalousy windows new for a camper. A few other parts I need to find a buyer for. Damn I loved those cars!!