Let me first note that I am a new AT Pro owner. That means that I am likely to be a victim of what is known as cognitive dissonance - which simply means that once we make a decision we are hard pressed to listen to any feedback that hints at us being wrong in our choice. With that in mind, and with all respect toward El Padron, let me respond.
First of all I do not know what a $30 machine ought to feel like. Do you mean light? Because if that is true a detector that costs $600 ought to weigh about 20 times more than the el cheapo model. If you mean flimsy, then things ought to break off easily and when shaken the machine should sound like a mahjong dice cup. I am old, but I am slow too, so light is right for me.
Next, as a Ham radio operator (KG7CFV) I can assure you that all circuit boards (chip boards") are not equal. Quality control is a big issue. Cold solder joints crack and ultimately short or open. Cheap components fail. Considering that a metal detector must function in a series of hostile environments, there is a price to be paid for that sort of internal ruggedness. Throw in waterproof - not water resistant or water repelling - and the demand for quality in assembly goes up some more. Furthermore, use of a $200 handheld transceiver - or HT, as they're called - can satisfy the most basic line-of-sight communications needs. To effectively communicate in, say, emergency conditions one might choose a more sophisticated unit with superior transmit and receive capabilities. And so it goes.
There is no question that one can spend a whole pile of money for very little incremental value in terms of performance. For example, I used to be a fly fisherman. As far as I am concerned a fly reel is little more than a line holder. I have spent $60 and up to $350 on my reels, but scratch my head at guys who need to catch 9 inch fish with $1,000 finely machined and impeccably finished reels. Do they catch more fish than I do? Who knows, and who cares? Can they stop a full-bore run of a steelhead or chinook salmon faster than me? Probably - but I just have to be smart and think a bit more about how I handle a big fish.
In summary, it's not that I disagree with El Padron, it's just that I remember my Dad telling me:
"There will always be somebody who has more than you, in which case I say 'God Bless 'em.' Likewise there will always be those who have less than you and in that case I say 'God help 'em.'"
"Cognitive dissonance", So that's what it's called.
Out of the 17,000 hits on this thread I've so far counted 8? posters (including myself) who have basically expressed that they also have noticed that the industry standard products that they have purchased are generally very overpriced, under built, under innovated and over marketed, (Find more treasure then in your wildest dreams, but don't ask about the content of your control box, and or don't get it wet )
Just bringing the subject to light has been regarded as hostile.
The point that I have made is inarguable. Its fact.
The industry standards are so low, and the profit margins so huge, that great improvements in product capability, construction, and design could be brought on almost instantly and effortlessly should the lead manufacturer's find themselves in the position of needing to direct such improvements.
Pertaining to the weight of your metal detector, No I don't mean light, I mean cheap. If you shake it, you wont hear anything, not as a testament to its durability, but more so because there is not a lot to it.
What I mean is, it cost less then $20.00 to both innovate and manufacture each one that was later sold for $600.00.
Maybe much less.
Hand held dual bands (HT's, thank you) have increased both in capabilities and durability while at the same time dropping from the ACTUAL dollar amount of $850 circa 1990 to about $145 today.
If you take time value of money into consideration that $145 is actually about $55 1990 dollars.
Fishing reels? The more expensive ones are comprised of meticulously treated alloys. Worth the money,? Probably not, but undeniably, much more additional time, effort, material prep and craftsmanship goes into the higher end more expensive reels.
I am an amateur archeologist, and treasure hunter. I have found many valuable and even a few amazing things.
I am very satisfied and happy with some of my equiptment purchases.
(One detector, and one shovel, LOL)
Others? well, I'm just being honest.
Edit, add:
Lately, It seems some really obvious "technical issues" have been at least acknowledged by a few manufacturers. Not issues that entailed improved technology or better product materials.
The improvements that have been lately set forth are in recognition of the open disrespect and contempt that they traditionally have had for their customers.
