Smudge said:
So how is a detector defined as a "toy"? Obviously it is meant to be a degrading statement, but lets dig into the meat of it for a second.
This post really nailed it.
No, the Compadre is not a Minelab. What it is is a $160 metal detector that works damn well, is very durable, super lightweight and even has its own niche, as far as doing something particularly well that other machines that cost a lot more don't keep up with.
It doesn't matter what the hobby, there are always the 'premier gear snobs'.
If you're a guitarist, they are the ones who play a $17,000 Olson.
If you're a golfer, they're the ones buying a new set of the best clubs, every year.
If you're a woodworker, they're the ones who only use Lie Nielsen tools.
If you're into the shooting sports, they're the guys who spent $3500 on a match grade rifle.
... and as is expected, the top practitioners of any field of interest usually use the priciest and most 'respected' brands, but there's a very curious thing that goes on with everyone else.
Amazingly enough, a lot of guitarists who own that $17,000 Olson are hardly mediocre as guitar players.
That guy who buys a new set of top clubs every year? Handicapped to death....
The woodworker who cites all manner of reasons why he will only use the $375 plane and not the $37.50 one? That's him over there, still working on turning a garden variety table leg...
And Mr. Super Tactical Marksman Warrior who only shoots the $4000 rifle and carries a 'finely tuned' $2K 1911 pistol?
There he is over there in the far stall, shooting 3 1/2" groups from a benchrest, even though the rifle is mechanically capable of shooting quarter inch groups.
Metal Detecting is one pursuit where the balance of relevance does break heavier towards gear than it does skill (since there is no way to 'skill' greater depth) but at the end of the day, is it really making a difference when you're detecting 6" deep into the mulch on a tot lot? The drysand towel line on the beach where everything lost that day is 10" or less?
It's natural for some people to get hung up in the "biggest-fastest-most" mentality and that's fine, but often times, it causes them to overlook (or, look down on) adequate gear that serves a purpose and might offer a cost benefit, a weight benefit, or whatever.
The Compadre is a fine machine. If one day you decide that you're going to take MDing very seriously then yes, you will broaden your battery of machines, but that little Compadre will remain relevant.
And lets not overlook the fact that somewhere in Southeast Asia, there's a kid playing amazing stuff on a $100 guitar that every American would laugh at, while John Q Dentist buys another $4000 Les Paul to play the 3 chords he knows. Same goes with Metal Detecting. Yes, gear performance is meaningful, but if we had a contest between a highly experienced detectorist with a knack for site selection and a Compadre, versus a clueless new guy with the best machine money can buy, the experienced detectorist puts more treasure in the pouch with that $160 machine than the clueless guy does with the $1600 machine.
Whew! Long one. Sorry.
am i missing something here?
