I got to play with a Garrett Ace250 yesterday as it was my friend's detector, and I thought I was using a kids detector. The whole thing just felt cheaply made and way overpriced at $250 that Garrett wants for it. Especially for tech that's been out since 2005? It just seems like when they released the 350 in 2010, that the 250 should have dropped in price and the 350 available for the $250. Instead, they just tacked on another hundred bucks.
So I'm not really shocked there are knockoffs of these kinds of detectors. My Whites MXT feels rugged and well made. The Ace250 looks and feels like a child's toy. I really was shocked that she paid $250 for it. The price points of the knockoffs feel more in line with what these should retail for from Garrett new.
Maybe it's just the perception and the switch from metal to injection molded plastic. Arguably it's lighter and less fatigue so it's a "design" choice. It's also cheaper to make so the profit margin is larger. But I can't help the feeling that I wouldn't be getting value for my money if I purchased on of these at full retail.
In 2016 for $250 I should be getting Bluetooth headphones standard on all models (with the option to hard wire), some form of integration with my phone/tablet/PC that tracks finds with GPS coordinates standard on a base level "Garrett 450" (to go with the 5-year cycle). Waterproof to 10' STANDARD, so if I drop it in the creek/beach/spill a drink it's not ruined. LED Flashlight and backlit LED Screen. It really feels like there is ZERO reason to buy one of these newer entry level detectors when I can scoop up a gently used MXT for $300 off Craigslist and it has the same features as the 350 plus extra coils, plus additional modes of opperation and also feels well built and made to last.
Sure I can get these "modern" features on the DeusXP but as a newbie to detecting, and as someone who wasn't sure if they are going to like detecting, that's a big chunk of cash for me to frontload on my first detector. Why are entry level detectors in 2016 still the same as they were 10 years ago? I really felt like I was going back in time when I looked at all modern $500-$600 ish range detectors. Literally, none of them have features that I'm USED to having on pretty much ALL of my modern "tech" toys that cost much less. Which is why I ultimately decided to go with a USED MXT rather than buying something like a Garrett AT Pro, or a Racer2. I didn't feel like I was losing out on much of anything by purchasing an older model detector for half the price. I had the cash to spend, but after comparing the models I really don't feel like I'm missing out on a "first detector." I'm sure I would have been just as happy with a Garrett 250/350, but again, there wasn't enough difference to buy new retail, vs used.
I would of totally looked at a 2016 detector if it had felt more modern than the Original MXT. But they really don't. It just really suprises me that in 2016 every detector isn't wireless with tablet/phone integration from entry level, to top end.
