Michigan Badger
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 12, 2005
- Messages
- 6,797
- Reaction score
- 149
- Golden Thread
- 0
- Location
- Northern, Michigan
- Detector(s) used
- willow stick
- Primary Interest:
- Other
China's Verson of The Explorer and BEWARE of the Crooks
As usual I'm here to answer questions nobody is asking.
I buy way too many different metal detectors and enjoy testing them out in the real world.
I've now finished testing a few Chinese units sold off ebay. The only unit I've found so far that's worth about $100 max is the GC1023. It's consistant at about 4 inches deep on a dime and maybe 5 inches on a quarter. It's cheaply made but worth the low price as it's faster than greased lightening and the tones and auto ground balance seem to work well. It runs forever on its 2 9-volt batteries and the machine really produces. It's light as a feather and holds up well.
BUT...watch out for those other Chinese units and sellers!
I tested the model sometimes called the "ADVANCED METAL DETECTOR 3030 - EXPERT" (many different names). My machine was 100% trash! The connector from the coil was defective and that was the best feature on that machine. It's programming (Explorer style) was a joke.
Many times these sellers get lots of good feedback because often the buyer never even tests the machine before posting feedback. These crooks are counting on that bad move on the part of the buyer. Also, as us old timers know, many detectors work extremely well in an air test but out in the real world they're worthless junk.
I got it from that big ebay seller of general Chinese merchandise out of Canada. Right now I'm fighting via Paypal to get my money back. I returned the trash machine but the seller seems to have a bad memory.
Advice:
1. Generally stay with the major brands and don't buy Chinese.
2. Whenever buying a detector online do the following:
a) Read the ad very carefully and ask questions if anything is unclear.
b) Never pay by money order or Western Union, etc. (a rare exception would be someone you know you can trust).
c) Pay via Paypal from your credit card.
d) If you want a refund, contact the seller 1st.
e) If he doesn't respond within 3 days time, file the issue with Paypal. If he doesn't respond to the Paypal message to him within 24 hours, escalate the process to Paypal arbitration.
f) Wait for Paypal to send you the true return address to the seller.
g) Mail the detector back via some tracking method and keep all shipping papers (very important).
h) Send Paypal the tracking number of the returned detector.
Many times all these steps won't be necessary. But, when it comes to some sellers of detectors, these steps are essential or you could lose all your money.
Oh, and too, sellers don't want you to know that if you're not satisfied with you purchase of anything off ebay, they have to refund not only your purchase price but also the postage you paid. Paypal has a strong buyer protection position. Those ads that say "AS IS" with "no refunds" are simply a bluff.
Thought you'd all like to know.
Badger
As usual I'm here to answer questions nobody is asking.
I buy way too many different metal detectors and enjoy testing them out in the real world.
I've now finished testing a few Chinese units sold off ebay. The only unit I've found so far that's worth about $100 max is the GC1023. It's consistant at about 4 inches deep on a dime and maybe 5 inches on a quarter. It's cheaply made but worth the low price as it's faster than greased lightening and the tones and auto ground balance seem to work well. It runs forever on its 2 9-volt batteries and the machine really produces. It's light as a feather and holds up well.
BUT...watch out for those other Chinese units and sellers!
I tested the model sometimes called the "ADVANCED METAL DETECTOR 3030 - EXPERT" (many different names). My machine was 100% trash! The connector from the coil was defective and that was the best feature on that machine. It's programming (Explorer style) was a joke.
Many times these sellers get lots of good feedback because often the buyer never even tests the machine before posting feedback. These crooks are counting on that bad move on the part of the buyer. Also, as us old timers know, many detectors work extremely well in an air test but out in the real world they're worthless junk.
I got it from that big ebay seller of general Chinese merchandise out of Canada. Right now I'm fighting via Paypal to get my money back. I returned the trash machine but the seller seems to have a bad memory.
Advice:
1. Generally stay with the major brands and don't buy Chinese.
2. Whenever buying a detector online do the following:
a) Read the ad very carefully and ask questions if anything is unclear.
b) Never pay by money order or Western Union, etc. (a rare exception would be someone you know you can trust).
c) Pay via Paypal from your credit card.
d) If you want a refund, contact the seller 1st.
e) If he doesn't respond within 3 days time, file the issue with Paypal. If he doesn't respond to the Paypal message to him within 24 hours, escalate the process to Paypal arbitration.
f) Wait for Paypal to send you the true return address to the seller.
g) Mail the detector back via some tracking method and keep all shipping papers (very important).
h) Send Paypal the tracking number of the returned detector.
Many times all these steps won't be necessary. But, when it comes to some sellers of detectors, these steps are essential or you could lose all your money.
Oh, and too, sellers don't want you to know that if you're not satisfied with you purchase of anything off ebay, they have to refund not only your purchase price but also the postage you paid. Paypal has a strong buyer protection position. Those ads that say "AS IS" with "no refunds" are simply a bluff.
Thought you'd all like to know.
Badger
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