When did the first discriminator come out?

[FAT SEXY]

Any knowledge on this topic is appreciated.

 

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[SD51]

IMO... in the 1970's.

Garrett introduced their first TR detector in 1973...

From their History section in their webpage; 1973 Garrett introduces its first TR (Transmitter-Receiver) metal detector. Garrett TR models during this period include the Competition Master, the Master Hunter, and the Cache Hunter.

I got my first VLF/TR detector in 1979 and it's a Garrett Groundhog model.

 

[smokeythecat]

I'm with SD51. Early 70's. In the 60's we had the BFO machines. My friend Paul had one of the first TR machine in the early 70's.

 

[CalReg]

The first discriminating detectors I can remember were the White's Coinmasters of the early 70's (I'm thinking 1972 or '73). I thought it was fascinating at the time that a MD could actually do that. I was only 12 or 13 at the time, so I couldn't afford that kind of technology

 

[Slingshot]

Garrett had a late production BFO with a discriminator circuit, Master Hunter around 1970.

 

[fistfulladirt]

The first discriminating detectors I can remember were the White's Coinmasters of the early 70's (I'm thinking 1972 or '73). I thought it was fascinating at the time that a MD could actually do that. I was only 12 or 13 at the time, so I couldn't afford that kind of technology

My second detector was a Coinmaster II, I remember the “Bicentennial” price was on the high end of $200, a lot of money for a 15 y.o. I swear it had a half dozen knobs, and trying to set up discrimination was similar to opening a fancy safe in which you were given the wrong combo. Separate 12 AND 9 volt battery packs, that’s fourteen AA’s and if I remember right the machine ate batteries. I dug a few things but back then I had no clue. Imagine no internet, gasp!

 

[Terry Soloman]

Got started with the Garret machines in the mid-1970s.

 

[CalReg]

That machine is still in great shape!

 

[FAT SEXY]

That thing just looks too cool.. Ever take it out for a spin just for old times sake?

 

[Carl-NC]

It's true that Garrett marketed a "discriminating" BFO around '72. All BFO's can "discriminate" between ferrous/non-ferrous but Garrett claimed to have extended that to foil and maybe some pull tabs. IMO it didn't work well (I have one).

Allen Hametta marketed the A.H. Pro around 1974. It was an "off-resonance" design (cousin to the BFO) and could discriminate foil, pull tabs, and even screw caps but had little depth.

Technos introduced the Phase Readout Gradiometer in '74 which was a true TR discriminator and even had a target ID meter (definitely a first).

Bob Gardiner also had a phase discriminator design by 1974 but I'm not sure if it was marketed at the time. All my Gardiner lit is at the office.

By 75-76, White's, Garrett, Compass, and Bounty Hunter all had TR discriminators. But they clearly weren't first.

So a lot of different people were working on discriminators in the early 70's but if I had to give the nod for the first TR disc it would probably be Technos. BTW, phase discriminators were being developed for eddy testing devices (basically works just like a metal detector) in the mid-60s.

 

[CASPER-2]

I started with a borrowed Whites Tr Goldmaster (one of the largest machine back them) 1974
My first personal machine was a Compass Tr 94B in 1975 - all metal
around then is when discriminators were coming out by all companies
I found way too many goodies with others and around using discriminating machines
even now most times i hunt in all metal and still find goodies in spots others say they
cleaned out with their high end discriminators

 

[smallfoot]

I had one of Whites Coinmasters in early 70s. Great machine!

 

[ARC]

If I am not mistaken... the first discriminator waaaassss...

I think it was the Stegosaurus Dinosaur...

It did not like the Raptors OR the Tyrannosaurus Rex.