Sir Gala Clad
Bronze Member
Looking into my crystal ball I see:
The Minelab Sovereign GT in the past (100% probability) as it is out of production.
I see the Minelab Excalibur II and CTX-3030 in the present (100% probability) - another no brainer prediction).
Sadly I only see the Minelab CTX-3030 in the future (75% probability Oh No - the Excals will be forced to walk the plank).
Before you shiver me timbers mate_e and flog me with your cat of nine, please note that this is MY OPINION which differs from most, if not all moderators.
The reason(s) for this dastardly prediction has to do with reliability, and repair costs, and profit margins. Sadly companies are not in business to sell us what we want, they are in business to make the most profit on their investment.
Minelab will make more profit by increasing sales of the higher priced CTX-3030 which I suspect: has a higher profit margin, less returns on warranty, cost less to repair and will be more reliable than the Excalibur II.
It is well known that reliability can be significantly improved by minimizing the use of analog components: mainly potentiometers {(pot) - not the smoking kind}, and switches plus replacing analog devices with digital designs where possible. Reducing the number of water proof seals ( there are eight or more on the Excal) should also help.
It is also faster and more cost effective to remove and replace small low cost digital circuit boards than to trouble shoot and repair analog components on a circuit board, especially if it is multi layer.
Unless one steps off into the abyss a 200 ft depth capability is a bit of overkill for shallow water hunting. It is probable that the market for diving detectors, which is what the Excalibur was designed for is much much smaller than the market for detectors for shallow water hunting.
To Me actions speak louder than reassurances:
Mine lab recently stopped production on the Sovereign, a more flexible BBS detector, and has raised the sale price of the Excalibur, which is Sovereign (with limited capabilities) ruggedized and optimized for diving . At the same time they have lowered the sale price of their CTX-3030 ( tutee tutee). If this trend continues the Excalibur no longer be affordable.
While you can treat a diver for bends by putting him in a hyperbaric chamber, there is not treatment for a price squeeze. One will either have to switch to the tutee tutee or another multifrequency detector which has been ruggedized for diving such as the CZ21.
I see less than a 2.5% probability of the return of the Sovereign or of a more powerful Excalibur (using recent Sovereign technology) in the future as it is far easier to be born again than rise from the dead.
The Minelab Sovereign GT in the past (100% probability) as it is out of production.
I see the Minelab Excalibur II and CTX-3030 in the present (100% probability) - another no brainer prediction).
Sadly I only see the Minelab CTX-3030 in the future (75% probability Oh No - the Excals will be forced to walk the plank).
Before you shiver me timbers mate_e and flog me with your cat of nine, please note that this is MY OPINION which differs from most, if not all moderators.
The reason(s) for this dastardly prediction has to do with reliability, and repair costs, and profit margins. Sadly companies are not in business to sell us what we want, they are in business to make the most profit on their investment.
Minelab will make more profit by increasing sales of the higher priced CTX-3030 which I suspect: has a higher profit margin, less returns on warranty, cost less to repair and will be more reliable than the Excalibur II.
It is well known that reliability can be significantly improved by minimizing the use of analog components: mainly potentiometers {(pot) - not the smoking kind}, and switches plus replacing analog devices with digital designs where possible. Reducing the number of water proof seals ( there are eight or more on the Excal) should also help.
It is also faster and more cost effective to remove and replace small low cost digital circuit boards than to trouble shoot and repair analog components on a circuit board, especially if it is multi layer.
Unless one steps off into the abyss a 200 ft depth capability is a bit of overkill for shallow water hunting. It is probable that the market for diving detectors, which is what the Excalibur was designed for is much much smaller than the market for detectors for shallow water hunting.
To Me actions speak louder than reassurances:
Mine lab recently stopped production on the Sovereign, a more flexible BBS detector, and has raised the sale price of the Excalibur, which is Sovereign (with limited capabilities) ruggedized and optimized for diving . At the same time they have lowered the sale price of their CTX-3030 ( tutee tutee). If this trend continues the Excalibur no longer be affordable.
While you can treat a diver for bends by putting him in a hyperbaric chamber, there is not treatment for a price squeeze. One will either have to switch to the tutee tutee or another multifrequency detector which has been ruggedized for diving such as the CZ21.
I see less than a 2.5% probability of the return of the Sovereign or of a more powerful Excalibur (using recent Sovereign technology) in the future as it is far easier to be born again than rise from the dead.
Last edited:
Upvote
0
