Metal detectors seem to be over priced

[junglejim]

Compared to most consumer electronics I have decided that MD's are over priced by a hefty margin. I guess the manufacturers realize that hobbyists will pay more for a product because they "want" it rather than "needing" it.

They're probably right.

 

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[Saturna]

They also make WAY less of them than consumer electronics.

 

[Roland58]

Oh, I don't know......I figure I'll have mine payed off with my finds in another......ummmm........ten years?

 

[mlayers]

I guess if we want to play we have to pay. I guess it is like the pro fishingmen they pay 3 to 4 hundred dollars for a pole and then spend hat much on a reel. Plus they spend 18 to 20 K on a boat.

My first detector was paided for in around 3 yrs. then my 2ND was paid off in 2 yrs. I am now working on about the 6 detector that I have own and all the others was paided off. So far on my new Ecal I have found around a 1/3 of what I have paided for it. So if all goes the same as my other detectors I will have it paid for in another 2 yrs.

Then you have to look what the other electronics dose for you they don't give you anything back that is worth anything. What other electronics with help you find gold, silver and other metals.....Matt

 

[ThTx]

Oh, I don't know......I figure I'll have mine payed off with my finds in another......ummmm........ten years?

How long will it take your TV to pay for itself? Just kidding. My detectors NEVER pay for themselves. I have to go out and do the hunting! Lazy machines!

 

[jeff of pa]

Oh, I don't know......I figure I'll have mine payed off with my finds in another......ummmm........ten years?

Unfortunately this is part of the reason.

Most consumer electronics do not pay for themselves.

The ones that do are DJ Sound boards
& Sound boards used by Groups.

So they cost alot too.

Then you have detectors
& The value of Gold & Silver
So the manufacturers soak us
to make sure some of our Finds
values end up in their pockets

no matter if a detector costs $1500
0r $150,
or if they produce 10,000 or 100 a day,

I Doubt any of them cost more then $100 a piece in parts

 

[luvsdux]

I think the smaller volume of sales plus the fact that the decent machines are mostly made in the US is a big factor. There's a much larger market for tvs, cd players, cell phones etc. to fill and there fore there are manufacturers all over the world, but especially in Japan, China, Korea etc. turning them out by the millions and by low priced labor to boot. Plus, the cost of development, factory tooling, labor etc. is spread over that smaller volume I mentioned and, of course, they do have to make a profit or they won't be building any detectors for sale.
luvsdux

 

[Roland58]

I must say that, in reality, my detector and the associated tools (digger, pouch, tool belt, pin pointer, etc.) have all paid for themselves many times over with their entertainment and exercise value! I have bought many things in my life (many for a LOT more money) that did not bring me enjoyment even close to what my detector has provided! I sincerely love this hobby and only wish I had taken it up many years ago.

I didn't buy my detector with the expectation of having it pay for itself in 'finds'.......if it does, however, that would be just icing on the cake!!

 

[S.S.Tupperware]

How many houses in your town have a TV, and how many have a MD? Think a MD is expensive... but an Infrared camera...

 

[Roland58]

How many houses in your town have a TV, and how many have a MD? Think a MD is expensive... but an Infrared camera...

Ooooo, those are a bit pricey! I did see a few that were in the same range with a Fisher F75 LTD, but, I think they were probably the cheapo units, where the F75 is one of the better detectors

 

[Dano Sverige]

How much do people who are semi-serious about other hobbies spent on their kit?
A very good mountain bike/bmx -with helmet,pads,riding shirt n shorts,gloves etc?
A complete skiing/snowboarding outfit,and then throw in skilift passes and even helicopter hire sometimes?
Cold and warm water wetsuits and everything associated for scuba diving?
Coarse fishing/angling (the European way) can cost an absolute fortune!
Skydiving/basejumping..inc what it costs to get there etc!

I think you'll find most of those will cost a lot more than what we pay for our detecting in the long run, and they all give the same things we (most of us) get from detecting - thrills,spills,excitement,fun,laughter,happiness,satisfaction and an all around good feeling!
What they don't give to their participants (in a purely "hobby" stance) is Gold, Silver,cash or the absolute jaw dropping awe of holding something that has been lost,dropped or thrown away and not been held or touched in a couple of hundred years (USA) or a few thousand years (UK & Europe)!

Our hobby holds more than it's own rewards.Your friend can show you the biggest fish you've ever seen that he caught, but it pales in significance when you hand him that union or CSA belt buckle or a coin dropped 2000 years ago by a Roman legionary!

My opinions anyhow!

 

[Saturna]

... and not been held or touched in a couple of hundred years (USA) or a few thousand years (UK & Europe)!

Or even in a few decades on the Pacific Westcoast.

 

[Roland58]

Very well said, Dano.

 

[Produce Guy]

I don't mind paying a little more if their made in america,it's those ones that are made overseas I don't like spending the extra $$ on.

 

[fmrUSMC_0844]

I don't mind paying a little more if their made in america,it's those ones that are made overseas I don't like spending the extra $$ on.

I completely agree.

 

[Dano Sverige]

...Then stay at the back of the pack!

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

I'm with Dano.

How much does a fisherman spend on on his hobby? Rods, reels, tackle. The bass boats are rather expensive too.$$

Recreational Boating Jet Ski, ski boats, pontoon boats? $$$ ( Boats are a hole in the water you pour money into.)

Golf is another hobby that can be expensive, clubs, bags, shoes, green fees, golf carts.$

Hot Rods and show cars...$$$$

Harley Bikes...$$$

Hot Air Balloons..$$$$

 

[FarmerChick]

same for me that a hobby costs money regardless of what hobby you choose......and it is never just the cost of the "main" hobby equipment----it is the side goodies that add up. Pinpointer, digging tools, etc. Just like any hobby, the products are out there to purchase, you get to pick and choose how much you are willing to spend.

Everyone has their own love of a hobby---so that monster fish caught is probably more important to that person than any buckle or coin, regardless of date.....

for me I love alot of hobbies ---I sure don't hold myself just to detecting. I have a bass boat and love to fish, I have a big camper and love to go RVing, so yea, those manufactures got alot of my money

 

[dogpound]

actually metal detecting is cheap compared to alot of other hobbies, my fishing hobby cost me 10 x more with the boat and all the gear, not to mention double the gas (boat and truck) and i can't say that my boat has paid for itself

 

[Iron Patch]

Well I paid over 2k for my tv and now see the same one for $800.

Over 11 years I've paid $$$$ for detecting equipment and recovered $$$$$ worth of finds, so don't mind paying a grand plus for a good detector. Just one very good find can take care of almost all your cost for equipment.

PS... I'm glad top model detectors aren't cheap because people that don't know better think the detector does all the work, so it would be much more likely there would be many more newbies out there making a mess. (not caring - just thinking there's easy money to be made)