So... Please tell me Why does a metal detector cost $2499 again?

[dieselram94]

Well I say just skip the cheap bounty hunters altogether. Saves loosing money on them. OK to start off with a low end name brand unit like the Tesoro Compadre. $160.00 shipped new with lifetime warranty! Try that value with the cheap bounty hunter...

sent from a potato with gravy!!...

 

[el padron]

Finally, a waterproof frigging pinpointer!!!!!!

Why oh why am I so good to you?

 

[mikeraydj]

I know this is an old thread. But I believe we have been seeing lately some new companies getting into the detector biz that are offering some quality products at a lower price. So if you are looking for value, (Value = what you get vs. what you paid) then there are alternatives from Nokta, Makro, Deteknix, just to name a few. But that may mean getting out of your comfort zone of only buying from mainstream manufacturers. I am of the belief that innovation and low prices come from competition. I believe that none of the mainstream manufacturers would be improving their products if it weren't for new competition. That is a win for the consumer. The argument buy American made is moot as we don't Make anymore, we Assemble parts that are imported from other countries, in Texas by migrants from Mexico.

 

[Keppy]

I know this is an old thread. But I believe we have been seeing lately some new companies getting into the detector biz that are offering some quality products at a lower price. So if you are looking for value, (Value = what you get vs. what you paid) then there are alternatives from Nokta, Makro, Deteknix, just to name a few. But that may mean getting out of your comfort zone of only buying from mainstream manufacturers. I am of the belief that innovation and low prices come from competition. I believe that none of the mainstream manufacturers would be improving their products if it weren't for new competition. That is a win for the consumer. The argument buy American made is moot as we don't Make anymore, we Assemble parts that are imported from other countries, in Texas by migrants from Mexico.

You said it down in our southern states a lot of workers in those factories are illegal's You know Texas , Arizona

 

[mikeraydj]

Finally, a waterproof frigging pinpointer!!!!!!

Why oh why am I so good to you?

Deteknix is selling this one this spring, waterproof to 120 feet! not 10 like the other guys.

 

[el padron]

This thread is not that old. Its still timeless.
It illustrates the absolute blind brand allegiance that many who participate in this hobby possess for unbelievably overpriced trash that they seldom if ever use.

$135 Pin pointers.
They are primarily used on beaches, damp soil, and lake or riverbeds. How is it possible that at that price point they are not at least water resistant.?

How easy would it have been to waterproof a $135 pin pointer?

Basically effortless, but from the manufacturers perspective it just wasn't necessary to spend the extra 65 cents per unit.
These guys are really really proud of their pin pointers. I mean they take great offense to anyone who questions their original purchase. Their money comes easy, and they don't know any better.


Yeah, its really bizarre, but it works out unbelievably well for the big three.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

I watch a lot of metal detecting videos on YouTube and most of the amazing finds I see are found with metal detectors that cost $600 or less. Sorry, I'm not buying hype that a $2,500 detector will find more or better stuff than cheaper models.

A fool and his money are soon parted...

P.S. PATRIOTS WIN!

 

[FreeBirdTim]

One more note. I hunt with an Ace 250, don't use headphones, have an $8 digger and wouldn't be caught dead poking around in a hole with a pinpointer.

Here's some of my better finds from 2014. All were found on public land that has been "hunted out":

1773 half real
1775 KGIII halfpenny
1776 half real
1784 half real
Silver plated colonial shoe buckle
1803 LC (2)
1854 LC
3 no date LC's
30 flat buttons from 1700's and early 1800's
13 musket balls
1863 IHC
13 various date IHC's
1897 Barber dime
13 Sterling silver rings
12 Sterling silver pendants, earrings or bracelets
$105.00 in clad
$300.00 in scrap copper, brass and lead

 

[NWMP]

The actual cost of parts is probably not too much. What most are missing is the cost of the factories, people they hire, advertising, shipping, research, trials, etc... I think you get the picture...
Its not just the cost of parts... If it was none of us would have a detector...
Gary in Oregon

Then these accrued costs were 4-5 times higher for a CTX than an AT Pro ? The cutting edge technology angle sounds weak when so much advanced computer tech. is out there and available to manufacturers. And we all know that progressively more advanced computers continue to DROP in price over the decades. Which may have been one of El Padrons original points I believe.

 

[signal]

Whether its $500 or $2500, I don't think price should be the barrier. Either one would pay for itself quickly, at least if you live near a good beach and are a beach hunter. I think what is more important than a lot of bells and whistles is having the right tool for the job. This means a variety of coil sizes, multi-frequency VLF or PI for the wet/saltwater, etc.

 

[dieselram94]

I like the price point being high. If you take care of your machine when it's time to sell, you get most of your money back. So what's the big deal if over three years your loss on a sand shark is $250? In that three years it should have found way more than that. There's enough people in the hobby now competing for the good finds. Why would you want it to be cheap to get into? You can either afford to play or you can't...


Sent from a empty soda can!

 

[Ahab8]

Lots of guys with money assume that the newest machine with the most hype is going to be the best. The reason these companies put those price tags on them is simple. Because people pay it. I do believe that there is is a certain point that separates the low end detectors from the too digs but once you get to that point it's only a difference of the research. I have a $900 T2 SE and I will put my first year finds up against anyone's with a more expensive detector. It's not because I'm some genius with a md in my hand. It's because I spend hours digging through old maps and books. I love local history and completely immerse myself in it. And I've put myself on great sites. A $5000 machine won't do that for you. And I have a very hard time believing many other machines are as deep as my $900 machine. It separates well and now they've got the emi stuff worked out.
So basically I'm a firm believer in it being 80% research and 10% your machine, 10% being proficient with your machine. Regardless of how much your machine cost I wish you all the best in 2015

 

[Higgy]

I like the price point being high. If you take care of your machine when it's time to sell, you get most of your money back. So what's the big deal if over three years your loss on a sand shark is $250? In that three years it should have found way more than that. There's enough people in the hobby now competing for the good finds. Why would you want it to be cheap to get into? You can either afford to play or you can't...


Sent from a empty soda can!

Cheap machines and chuckleheads yelling juice and nectar on the tv are what will get this hobby killed. Just my opinion.

I am in favor of paying higher prices for higher-end machines... within reason. You get what you pay for. I think the CTX is $500 too high, but what the heck do I know.

 

[Higgy]

So basically I'm a firm believer in it being 80% research and 10% your machine, 10% being proficient with your machine.

There it is.

 

[Escape]

One more note. I hunt with an Ace 250, don't use headphones, have an $8 digger and wouldn't be caught dead poking around in a hole with a pinpointer.

Here's some of my better finds from 2014. All were found on public land that has been "hunted out":

1773 half real
1775 KGIII halfpenny
1776 half real
1784 half real
Silver plated colonial shoe buckle
1803 LC (2)
1854 LC
3 no date LC's
30 flat buttons from 1700's and early 1800's
13 musket balls
1863 IHC
13 various date IHC's
1897 Barber dime
13 Sterling silver rings
12 Sterling silver pendants, earrings or bracelets
$105.00 in clad
$300.00 in scrap copper, brass and lead

Wow! If it wasn't hunted out before it sure will be when your through with it. Real nice hunting!

 

[FreeBirdTim]

You can either afford to play or you can't

Skill, research and location will always trump throwing wads of cash at this hobby. There's always someone who tries to buy into this hobby instead of paying their dues and learning how to detect. Same guys who spend thousands on golf clubs, guns or anything else. They think if they spend the most, they'll have an advantage. Lazy is the word that comes to mind...

 

[FreeBirdTim]

Wow! If it wasn't hunted out before it sure will be when your through with it. Real nice hunting!

Thanks! The key is to go slow and do the same spots over and over. The guys with the 2k detectors run through trying to pick out all the "big silver" and then quit when they realize there is no big silver left. I guess they're trying to justify the 2k they flushed on their detector by finding valuable stuff right away. It takes a heck of a lot of good finds to recover 2k!

 

[FreeBirdTim]

Cheap machines and chuckleheads yelling juice and nectar on the tv are what will get this hobby killed. Just my opinion.

Yes, us guys with the "cheap" machines aren't as refined as you guys. Talk about a stereotypical statement. Check out some of Beau Ouimette's finds on YouTube. He uses an AT Pro and finds amazing Civil War relics. This guy is obviously well off financially, but doesn't feel the need to spend 2k on a machine.

 

[Jason in Enid]

Skill, research and location will always trump throwing wads of cash at this hobby. There's always someone who tries to buy into this hobby instead of paying their dues and learning how to detect. Same guys who spend thousands on golf clubs, guns or anything else. They think if they spend the most, they'll have an advantage. Lazy is the word that comes to mind...

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Thanks! The key is to go slow and do the same spots over and over. The guys with the 2k detectors run through trying to pick out all the "big silver" and then quit when they realize there is no big silver left. I guess they're trying to justify the 2k they flushed on their detector by finding valuable stuff right away. It takes a heck of a lot of good finds to recover 2k!

You really only spent what you can't get back on a resale. If you pay $2000 for a detector and sell it 5 years later for $1500 you paid $500 or a $100 a year to use that detector...

I have sold detectors after using them for several years and got 70-95% of my money back. I have 2 excals right now I have custom mods on and I could get every dime back I have in them if I wanted to resale them...





Posted From My $50 Tablet....