Detector Review Contradictions

[Michigan Badger]

I've just passed through a stage of posting to various treasure forums and purposely asking questions and making statements that would hopefully provoke some useful commentary in regard to today's metal detector market.

I was successful!

The sum: All brands and models stink!

No, I'm not kidding. If you post enough what you'll discover is there's always someone out there who knows all the technical jargon who will trash any and all machines.

When I was getting serious about purchasing a Tesoro, I couldn't find a sour note online. Some disliked this or that feature (or lack of same) but I found no statements like: "the Ace 250 is better than any Tesoro." Just recently in answer to one of my posts someone wrote: "I'd take an Ace 250 any day over any Tesoro" (or words to that affect).

It's really funny because I had someone on here post this same thing last spring (it was directed at me) stating that: "I'd rather have an Ace 250 than any Minelab!" (back then I was using the Minelab Excalibur).

Lately I've noticed that anytime someone wants to bash a brand and or model, the Ace 250 almost always pops into the story.

A few years back I was a Fisher man all the way. I was told in two or three languages that they are all junk. Unfortunately for the commentors, the Ace 250 wasn't around yet so they used the lowest cost Bounty Hunter.

This little voyage of mine has been interesting and I have learned a few things along the way. The major thing I've learned is NOT to take online reviews or even forum postings too seriously. When in the market for a new machine, read many postings to get a general direction and then pray?

P.S. Just one more added note. I also found those who say the Ace 250 is a cheap little toy. Round and round we go, where we stop--nobody knows.

 

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[DigEmAll]

Re: Review Contradictions

They all don't stink... just the ones that I don't own, hunt, or like!

Really though, each has it place and Minelab, Fisher, Whites, Garretts, Bounty Hunters, and Tesoro all make good machines. Even some of the lesser known brands are just as good. No, my Cobra Beach Magnet won't get as deep as my GTI 2500, but my GTI wouldn't even turn on ten feet underwater. It's all in how you look at things!

 

[Michigan Badger]

Re: Review Contradictions

They all don't stink... just the ones that I don't own, hunt, or like!? ?

Really though, each has it place and Minelab, Fisher, Whites, Garretts, Bounty Hunters, and Tesoro all make good machines.? Even some of the lesser known brands are just as good.? No, my Cobra Beach Magnet won't get as deep as my GTI 2500, but my GTI wouldn't even turn on ten feet underwater.? It's all in how you look at things!? ?

An absolutely awesome post!

HH

 

[Klaatu]

Re: Review Contradictions

Like the Stones said in Satisfaction,

Well he can?t be a man ?cause he doesn?t smoke
The same cigarrettes as me.

 

[bakergeol]

Re: Review Contradictions

I remember awhile back I was visiting a "tech" forum. A newbie asked a question about the performance of a brand X detector. As an owner of one I posted my favorable views of the machine which I still possess today. Immediately I was jumped on by several regular forum members who simply trashed the machine. The impression the newbie received was negative. Fast forward a year later on the same forum another newbie asked the identical question. Well you guessed it. This time around great favorable reviews.

The bottom line is the majority of the viewpoints made by folks of a detector regardless of their time in this hobby are worth 2 cents. The exceptions are the folks who have spent 3 years in the field every weekend exclusively with this detector. These folks I pay close attention to. They have fully mastered their machines. Complaints or problems "short time" users have with a detector I usually don't give much credence to as they have not fully mastered these machines. Long time users have either found solutions for, a way around the problem or have concluded the problem is minor compared to the benefits of the detector.

There are other issues too which are less innocent.? Long time members of this hobby do develop? arrogance and really believe their opinions are worth more than 2 cents. A lot of high end users have similar arrogance for the low end users. "Detector Wars" in which logic simply flys out the door. The? "my toy" is better than "your toy"? attitude is still with a lot of people.

Yes I agree the best bet is to follow the majority opinion. Following a lot of forums regularily has it's advanages. After viewing an incredible amount of posting on a certain detector from all over you can guage what the majority opinion is.

All in all a lot of people take all of this too seriously. It is just guys and gals playing with our toys.


George

 

[Michigan Badger]

Re: Review Contradictions

The bottom line is the majority of the viewpoints made by folks of a detector regardless of their time in this hobby are worth 2 cents. The exceptions are the folks who have spent 3 years in the field every weekend exclusively with this detector. These folks I pay close attention to. They have fully mastered their machines. Complaints or problems "short time" users have with a detector I usually don't give much credence to as they have not fully mastered these machines. Long time users have either found solutions for, a way around the problem or have concluded the problem is minor compared to the benefits of the detector.

There are other issues too which are less innocent.? Long time members of this hobby do develop? arrogance and really believe their opinions are worth more than 2 cents. A lot of high end users have similar arrogance for the low end users. "Detector Wars" in which logic simply flys out the door. The? "my toy" is better than "your toy"? attitude is still with a lot of people.

All in all a lot of people take all of this too seriously. It is just guys and gals playing with our toys.

George

George, this is a masterpiece!

This is one of the few topic posts I've made that I'm actually glad I started. The comments on this post have made the whole voyage worth while.

Thanks MUCH to all!

 

[Michigan Badger]

And too George, don't you think a lot of the harsh nasty stuff is the result of dealers wanting to protect their interests?

Personally I've alway suspected this.

 

[Scarecrow]

Okay, I'm finally gonna post something. I've been reading this forum for several months now, and the heading keeps telling me I've made "0" posts, so I have to have at least one.
I've been a photographer, scuba diver, computer geek, and now a metal detectorist.(?) I've found that in any hobby there is a certain amount of "elitism", and metal detecting is no exception. I read this forum because there seems to be far less of that here than in others I've read. Many people seem to think that they have to have the most expensive piece of whatever, and if yours is cheaper, then theirs is better. I've noticed a definite trend of many people slamming Bounty Hunter detectors. I use a Bounty Hunter Land Star, and have absolutely no problems with it, but that is really beside the point. The main reason I made this post is because this is the kind of thread that makes my day.
I follow this forum because it seems to be on a higher level than some others, and the posts on this thread are a prime example.
It's really nice to see logic, common sense, and honesty in use.
Thanks, guys. Zeb, I've been following your Tesoro adventure and look forward to each post.
Maybe someday I'll have something meaningful to post. Until then.............

 

[rvbvetter]

? ? ? ? Ah? Shucks? ? Any more talk like that, and I'll never get my head through the door.

? ?Logic, common sense and honesty?
? ? What low down forum was using dirty tactics like that? HH

 

[bakergeol]

Well here is my 2 cents again.
Once upon a time in another forum in a galaxy not too far away, there suddenly appeared a new poster. He magically appeared on this forum one day and started praising the virtues of a new detector which just had some out. The greatest thing since sliced bread from an obviously disinterested third party. Obviously better in performance than a competitor's brand X detector and cheaper too. Well it quickly became a circus act and lots of people tuned in regularly to see the chaos. The end result was an increase in sales for this new detector(actually a fine detector). Well guess what? The guy suddenly became a DEALER for this machine. As Gomer used to say "Surprise, Surprise, Surprise".

Actually I regard the above as an exception, the vast majority of dealers in my opinion are reputable folks. Most dealers have a reputation to maintain and believe me word spreads pretty quick on the internet .For quite a few dealers I highly value their opinions on new detectors. If anything they are a bit more conservative as they are afraid of being accused of "hype". Actually I don't envy their task. They are the first ones to use this detector and everyone is asking for their opinion on the new unit. If they give an honest opinion as a detectorist that they like the machine- someone else will always find something wrong with the detector and accuse the dealer of "hype". Dealers don't really need to "hype" their new machines. Brand loyalists and their customers do a fine job of it without their help.


My 1 1/2cents
George

 

[jeff of pa]

Re: Review Contradictions

They all don't stink... just the ones that I don't own, hunt, or like!? ?
?

I AGREE WITH THIS STATEMENT

Only I'm the "I"

Personally tho, I think they all have their place.
After all, If others didn't have other brands then Me.
I wouldn't have the BEST DETECTOR out there :P

 

[Michigan Badger]

May I share something I've observed about forums in general? Okay--be nice! Remember this is a G rated forum.

Anyway, I think lots of people are into this forum mainly for friendship and a feeling of worth, not non-ferrous treasure.

The hostilities sometimes aroused here (and all other forums) are the result of feelings of rejection.

Unconsciously, some strongly feel that to reject their brand of metal detector is to reject them personally. Now, as weird as that may sound, I'm convinced that that is exactly what is behind these flame wars and obviously unfair detector reviews.

I noticed years ago that some school children abuse other children, raise heck on the buss, and cause lots of trouble at school simply because they long for attention. They just want someone to notice them and they will be noticed even if the only way to this end is to create an atmosphere of hatred toward themselves. To these disoriented children, hate is better than being totally ignored.

For some people their detector(s) represent their feelings of self-worth. In other words, the brand and model they use IS THEM. Whenever they sense someone is down on their brand they immediately write that person off as a personal enemy and a threat to their struggle for worth.

Now, if you-all will send me your addresses I'll have my secretary add your name to my monthly billings for services rendered?

 

[mumszie]

My thoughts... to each his own. When a person just starts out in this hobby he (or she) tries to get all the info they can and it is real confusing! I've been doing this for about 1-1/2 years. I definitely do NOT know my machine. I could only say that I like what I use even if I don't find much but I am a very slow learner. Much of what is posted on these forums you just have to take with a grain of salt. Personally, I have learned a lot from the forums. You just can't believe EVERYTHING. You have to do some finding out for yourself. Practice practice practice! Be patient! and don't expect to get rich overnight... sometimes it takes a couple of days.

 

[gregl01]

Great post Zeb. I too ahve been following you Tesoro adventure. I hope to be a Tesoro owner come spring, but in the meantime I'll lurk around on the net. I agree with all the above posters and also am glad we have a civilized place to discuss our hobby. WTG everybody!!! Just remember that your detector is yours, and if you're happy with it so am I
HH
Greg

 

[Jeffro]

Any detector is only as good as its user- so when someone posts that brand X is a piece of you-know- what, well, what do you think that is saying about them?

LOL!


Also, any detector out in the field is better than the one sitting in the closet.

 

[littlehugger]

Zeb,
I agree with you and others that this is a friendly, civilized forum.
I wonder about the motives of those who argue "The Bes" though.
If I was going to assign motive, I would think anger would primarily stem from having your judgement questioned.
There is no objective comparison for detectors, so decisions are usually made based on personal judgement and needs.
Someone new, with a limited budget, would get himself a Gizmo Special, and feel well pleased. Another detector, with different needs and more to spend, drops a kilobuck on a SuperSnob.
Each may well agree that the other got the best, either the best value, or the best for his needs.
But then a 3rd detectorist comes in the scene, calls detector one cheap, and detector two naive, because everyone knows, his Atomic Sniffer is the "best"
I personally do not think its possible to decide the best, as it is relative to cost, usage and need. A top PI beach detector may blow away every other detector on depth, but has no discrimination, etc.
People buy based on personal judgement, and feel personally challenged when someone makes a flat statement belittling that decision.
I personally do not care, unless it is stated very insultingly. But what I do find myself caring about is WHY.
There are a lot of experienced, thoughtful detectorists here, and I value the wealth of experience here as a resource. But what you use means less to me than WHY.
Your Gold Plated SuperDooper may very well be the best, in the absolute sense, but be entirely unsuitable for me.
So, your ownership of Brand X would only influence my purchase if I knew WHY, and it made sense to me.
I for one, would very, very much appreciate a debate on "The Best" as long as it included WHY they said or thought so.
Hugger

 

[Michigan Badger]

There is no objective comparison for detectors, so decisions are usually made based on personal judgement and needs.

I personally do not think its possible to decide the best, as it is relative to cost, usage and need.

There are a lot of experienced, thoughtful detectorists here, and I value the wealth of experience here as a resource. But what you use means less to me than WHY.

Great comments and I totally agree, Hugger!

 

[slow sweeper]

Well I spent over $700.00 for my detector, an extra coil and various accessories. Of course I bought the best one made. I'm no dummy.

 

[JW]

Just purchased my second Minelab detector... I added an ExplorerXS to my bag o tricks, with a Sunray X-1 probe and 2 coils for less than a new M6 and all I can say is all metal detectors find stuff, some more easily than others, some faster than others. I went for not top of the line to begin with (big mistake) but rectified the problem quickly and now have an Explorer for my friends that detect with me, had a hard time having a friend use my d3900 while I was swingng the Explorer, I find cool stuff and they are digging trash. Yeah, its a detector but...have you tried the Explorer or the DFX compared to say a 3900 or a Ace250? Sorta like the difference between a Honda Civic and a BMW 7series, sure they get you to where your going but there are differences...

So whatever you do don't buy the Explorer... If everyone had one it would be really hard to find the goodies and I still need more silver coins to feed my addiction!!!!!! So PLEASE DON'T buy an Explorer (anyone!) or soon it will be impossible to find keepers!

LOL- Great thread...

The Explorer SUCKS!

HH

JW

 

[jeff of pa]

I agree with JW