Best selling unit ever?

[Deft Tones]

I want to know what was/is the best selling metal detector of all time?

For example, with phones it's supposedly the Nokia 1110, sold about 250,000,000 units.

I'm not counting industrial, military, or security units, but hobby style units manufactured anywhere at any time period.

Garrett ace series?
Chinese no-name discount store unit?
?

 

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[2020hindsite]

I'd be willing to bet that it's the Garrett ace series...
On a side note, with the new AT Max coming out soon, do you think the price will drop on the AT Pro?

 

[kingskid1611]

I'd be willing to bet that it's the Garrett ace series...
On a side note, with the new AT Max coming out soon, do you think the price will drop on the AT Pro?

I hope so

 

[Terry Soloman]

Garrett Ace 250 is the WORLD leader in units sold.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

I know that for the late 1970s into the early 1980s, it was perhaps the original Whites 6000 D (and then it's successors) . The local dealer could not even keep those on the shelves. The statistics you could gather would be skewed though. I mean, go figure that there's simply more people on earth now, than there was 30 or 40 yrs. ago. But as a ratio of the population, I'd say the 6000D, then di, the series II, etc... of the 6000 incarnations.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Garrett Ace 250 is the WORLD leader in units sold.

But as a ratio of those machines destined for the closet, or limited to "sandboxes", I'll bet that the 250 is also the leader in that statistic as well. Just sayin' .....

 

[Blak bart]

I know that for the late 1970s into the early 1980s, it was perhaps the original Whites 6000 D (and then it's successors) . The local dealer could not even keep those on the shelves. The statistics you could gather would be skewed though. I mean, go figure that there's simply more people on earth now, than there was 30 or 40 yrs. ago. But as a ratio of the population, I'd say the 6000D, then di, the series II, etc... of the 6000 incarnations.

I agree tom when I was a kid these machines were all over florida. Just remember whites being very popular in the old days. I learned on my grandpas whites 6000 growing up.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

... these machines were all over florida. ....

Ditto for CA. I recall when ...... in a group of 25 hunters at a club meeting, that clearly better than 1/2 the room was swinging the 6000D. And when it came time for "ability comparisons" (ie: what a machine is capable of), the 6000D was sort of the bench-mark ruler of that era.

Hard to compare to the OP's question now, since, ....... today ...... there are cheapie beginner machines that are no doubt capable of the same ability as the original 6000 D. So how can one compare just on the basis of "sales" ?

 

[Deft Tones]

I'd be willing to bet that it's the Garrett ace series...
On a side note, with the new AT Max coming out soon, do you think the price will drop on the AT Pro?

That seems a solid bet on the Ace series.

I haven't even bothered to look at the ATMax to be honest. I'll bet used prices drop but retail holds for a time.

 

[Deft Tones]

Garrett Ace 250 is the WORLD leader in units sold.

I like your confidence.

Any idea on the numbers?

 

[Deft Tones]

I know that for the late 1970s into the early 1980s, it was perhaps the original Whites 6000 D (and then it's successors) . The local dealer could not even keep those on the shelves. The statistics you could gather would be skewed though. I mean, go figure that there's simply more people on earth now, than there was 30 or 40 yrs. ago. But as a ratio of the population, I'd say the 6000D, then di, the series II, etc... of the 6000 incarnations.

Awesome. Wasn't even on my radar. Sounds like a good candidate to the top 3 or 5, but perhaps the real numbers would be surprising.

The phone example of 250 million units sold represents how many were sold throughout its lifetime. It was released in 2005.

 

[Rick K]

The Bounty Hunter Tracker IV is number 1 in sales on Amazon. I would be very much surprised if any detector has outsold these "muffler on a stick" detectors in the decades since they were introduced.

 

[beerguy]

Since MD Manufacturers are privately held companies, they are not compelled to release sales numbers.

I am curious how any sales figures were obtained, since they may be from their marketing departments.

 

[Terry Soloman]

You must know the people that have access to the actual sales numbers at each of these companies. Garrett is the World leader in sales.

Garrett Electronics Inc. Started 1964

The Achiever ( BFO ) - introduced 1964
The Seeker ( BFO ) - introduced 1964
The Provider ( BFO ) - introduced 1964
The Shark ( BFO ) - introduced 1964 ( underwater detector )
The Playmate ( BFO ) - introduced 1964
The Sidewinder ( BFO ) - introduced 1964
The Hunter ( BFO ) - introduced 1964
The Hustler ( BFO ) - introduced 1964
The Finder ( BFO ) - introduced 1964
Hombre ( BFO ) - introduced 1971
Cache Hunter( BFO ) - introduced 1972
Coin Hunter( BFO ) - introduced 1972
Mini Hunter Ghost Towner( BFO ) - introduced 1972
Garrett Mini-Hunter( BFO ) - introduced 1972
Treasure Hunter( BFO ) - introduced 1972
Nugget Hunter( BFO ) - introduced 1972
Money Hunter TR - introduced 1973
Master Hunter TR - introduced 1973
Super Mini-Hunter TR - introduced 1973
Mini-Hunter TR - introduced 1973
Super Mini-Hunter( BFO ) - introduced 1973
Mini-Hunter Ghost Towner TR - introduced 1974
Cache Hunter TR- introduced 1975
Ghost Town Hunter TR - introduced 1975
Relic Hunter BFO - introduced 1975
Relic Hunter TR - introduced 1975
Coin Hunter - vlf/tr - introduced 1976
Coin Hunter TR - introduced 1977
Fortune Hunter TR - introduced 1977
Money Hunter BFO - introduced 1977
Master Hunter - Deepseeker on coil - introduced 1977
Coin Hunter - Featherweight series - groundhog coil- introduced 1977
Master Hunter - Featherweight series - groundhog coil - introduced 1977
Coin Hunter - introduced 1978
Money Hunter - groundhog coil - introduced 1978
Money Hunter P.B. - Groundhog - introduced 1979
Coin Hunter ADS - Deepseeker - introduced 1979
Coin Hunter ADS - Groundhog - introduced 1979
International TR S2 - introduced 1979
Fortune Hunter P.B.- Groundhog - introduced 1979
Master Hunter ADS - Deepseeker - introduced 1979
Master Hunter ADS - Groundhog - introduced 1979
Marksman P.B. - introduced 1979
Garrett BFO - introduced 1980
Sea Hunter - introduced 1981
Pocket Scanner - introduced 1982
American S3 - groundhog coil - introduced 1982
American S4 ADS - groundhog coil - introduced 1982
American TR S1 - deep scan coil - introduced 1982
American TR S2 - introduced 1982
Master Hunter ADS I - Deepseeker - introduced 1982
Master Hunter ADS I - Groundhog - introduced 1982
Master Hunter ADS II - introduced 1982
Master Hunter ADS III - introduced 1982
Master Hunter BFO - introduced 1982
Gold Hunter A2B - groundhog coil - introduced 1982

Freedom 1 - introduced 1983
Freedom 3 - introduced 1983
American AM-1 - introduced 1984
American AM-2 - introduced 1984
Freedom 1 Coin Commander - introduced 1984
Freedom 2 Coin Commander - introduced 1984
Master Hunter ADS 4 - introduced 1984
Master Hunter ADS 5 - introduced 1984
Master Hunter ADS 6 - introduced 1984
Master Hunter ADS 7 - introduced 1984
Gold Hunter - introduced 1985
Freedom Ace Coin Commander - introduced 1985
Beach Hunter AT3 - introduced 1986
Sea Hunter XL 200 - introduced 1986 ( Pulse Induction )
Sea Hunter XL 500 - introduced 1986 ( Pulse Induction )
Gold Hunter A3B - introduced 1988
Grand Master Hunter - introduced 1988
Freedom 1 CDC - introduced 1988
Freedom 3 CDC - introduced 1988
Beach Hunter AT4 - introduced 1988
Grand Master Hunter II - introduced 1989
Freedom 2 Plus - introduced 1990
Freedom 3 Plus - introduced 1990
Master Hunter 7X - introduced 1990
Master Hunter CX - introduced 1990
Scorpion Gold Stinger - introduced 1990
Grand Master Hunter CX II - introduced 1990
Freedom Ace Plus - introduced 1990
Pocket Probe - introduced 1991
Ultra GTA 500 - introduced 1991
Ultra GTA 1000 - introduced 1991
Master Hunter CX III - introduced 1993
Ultra GTA 350 - introduced 1994
GTAX 400 - introduced 1996
GTAX 500 - introduced 1996
GTAX 1000 - introduced 1996
Treasure Ace 100 - introduced 1997
Treasure Ace 200 - introduced 1997
Treasure Ace 300 - introduced 1997
GTI 1500 - introduced 1998
GTAX 1250 - introduced 1999
GTAX 750 - introduced 1999
GTI 2500 - introduced 1999
Sea Hunter Mark II - introduced 1999
Master Hunter CX Plus - introduced 2000
GTI 2000 - introduced 2000
Infinium LS - introduced 2004 ( underwater detector )
GTP 1350 - introduced 2004
Ace 150 - introduced 2006
Ace 250 - introduced 2006

 

[Blak bart]

Holey cow thats a lot of models. Wow !!

 

[Xraywolf]

But as a ratio of those machines destined for the closet, or limited to "sandboxes", I'll bet that the 250 is also the leader in that statistic as well. Just sayin' .....

Not understanding the logic here.
A sold machine is a sold machine, and a certain % of any detector sold are destined for the closet.

It has sold very well because it is a decent performing machine at a very reasonable price, no great mystery there.
It is perhaps the ultimate "gateway metal detector", leading people [like me] further into the hobby using more advanced and expensive machines, while the Ace is still being used.
Sure, there are folks who will never venture outside their backyard with it, same for people who go off the deep end and start with a Deus or 3030 for their 1st detector, and you see it on craigslist 4 months later.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Not understanding the logic here.
A sold machine is a sold machine, and a certain % of any detector sold are destined for the closet......

Ok. Granted. A vast # of ctx 3030 end up "in the closet " too. Bought by people with deep pockets with initial enthusiasm . And a vast # of CTX 3030's are sold to guys who only use them in the tot-lots (because they wanted "the latest greatest"). I see your point.

I guess I was seeing an underlying tone of the initial question, that the highest # of sales = "the best machine" . But was just trying to point out, that this isn't necessarily the case. But you're right: The # that end up in the closet, or don't get used to their full potential, doesn't mean they're not good machines.

Ok, I guess I was reading too much between the lines of the initial OP, as if the answer would result in "the best detector". When perhaps it was strictly a monetary marketing question.

 

[Deft Tones]

The Bounty Hunter Tracker IV is number 1 in sales on Amazon. I would be very much surprised if any detector has outsold these "muffler on a stick" detectors in the decades since they were introduced.

There you go! Another probable top contender. Great suggestion. I've seen two out in the wild in the past two years.

Inexpensive, works well, easily mass produced, widely available.

 

[Deft Tones]

Ok. Granted. A vast # of ctx 3030 end up "in the closet " too. Bought by people with deep pockets with initial enthusiasm . And a vast # of CTX 3030's are sold to guys who only use them in the tot-lots (because they wanted "the latest greatest"). I see your point.

I guess I was seeing an underlying tone of the initial question, that the highest # of sales = "the best machine" . But was just trying to point out, that this isn't necessarily the case. But you're right: The # that end up in the closet, or don't get used to their full potential, doesn't mean they're not good machines.

Ok, I guess I was reading too much between the lines of the initial OP, as if the answer would result in "the best detector". When perhaps it was strictly a monetary marketing question.

No,Tom. I meant to be strictly asking in terms of total number of units sold. Sorry if that was unclear in the OP.

The best selling phone of all time is not the best performing unit, lol....but it works enough to perform in the market!

 

[IDXMonster]

Whites entire line of "Classic" series?