Gerry in Idaho

That's dead nuts 10 grams, well done. 

I try to set detecting goals as well.  It keeps me more motivated and wanting to get back out there where the fun is. 

No worries PSPR, it's all good.  I get a little chapped when being accused when you don't know me or how I do business. 

At least we have a place such as DP to chat,  discuss and view our opinions.  We know eventually all will be good for those who are patient including myself. 

17 minutes ago, Metal Detecting Stuff said:

That's 700 preorders for one of 3 USA Distributors. I think he has about 80 Minelab Dealers. I have 35 on order out of that 700. 

I'm surprised that they would release two additional products before they got the Manticores all built. I'd guess it's a marketing decision to get people to hold off buying competing product.

Wayne

Wayne, who's the 3rd Distributor as I only know of Teri at Outdoor and Robert at American. I don't count KellycO as they sell direct to customers and Teri/Robert do not. 

Yes I agree the release of 700/900 will cut into Manticore sales. 

Glad you ordered a good amount as you'll be able to make a few bucks unless most your sales are military.  Each new detector my Pre Order list gets more and more Military.  As a Veteran myself I don't mind as they earned it. In the long run I come out ok. Hopefully you do as well. 

2 hours ago, PSPR said:

Of course, it isn't the dealer's fault, Gerry.  But I do blame Minelab for advertising the Manticore would be available to put under the Christmas tree then not delivering.  14 units is NOT honoring that promise.  It doesn't matter if the U.S. is #1 or #10 in sales.  It's about customer service and following through with promises.

As far as brand loyalty, a company that gives customers the runaround then fails them with delivery promises deserves no loyalty.  I'll buy a Minelab product as long as I think it is the best product for my needs but if another company comes out with a better detector that I think better suits me, I'll be right there to switch to that machine.  Dealer loyalty is another matter entirely.

You are not wrong for your thinking,  but the reality is the Advertising is done months in advance and who knows if it was Minelab USA or Australia who placed the ad in the magazine.  Either way,  we/you/I know those dates are not guaranteed.  What it does do is keep us hoping to get another Minelab and that's what they want. 

When you placed your order with your dealer and made payment, did dealer promise you by Christmas?  If so, he's a fool.  Us dealers who have been around for some detector releases know the ropes.  Heck, I don't require a dime for Pre Order as I've learned it's out of my control how the rollout will be.  

My truck was delayed 3 months,  my camper shell 2 months and I made deposits on both.  Both instances it was not the dealers fault.  Could I have asked for my deposit back? Sure, but the bottom line is, I didn't want to start the process all over again down the road when in fact there's a reason I wanted those exact items to begin with. 

We know the Manticore is going to be a great product.  We know there are delays and interruptions all across the world right now.  We know we have the right to change our minds and get something different from another Manufacture.  But you/I know and most others also know,  including Minelab....we'll wait.

On a side note,  there will be people, including a few slimy dealers who will sell their new in box Manticore for more than MAP. It's not illegal, so you'll have options if you're willing to pay the price. 

All good my friend and I hope your dealer was upfront. We need to be reasonable, or we walk away.  I'm sure you won't though and so is Minelab. 

When you do get it, be sure and share some Success pics on DetectorProspector.

As a dealer of 25 yrs,  I was very disappointed to hear the US 1st allotment.  We have 2 US Distributors and they received 7 units each.  There's a handful of dealers who purchase bulk directly from Minelab and I'm one of them. I was shipped 1 detector.  Was informed some dealers received Zero.  Here is how I look at it.   At least a few were sent to US and those dealers now have a unit to show.  So we did get some Manticore Pre Christmas.  No, it's not great news but realize we are not #1 in sales anymore and I suspect around 3rd.  Even if we were #1, they can only do what they can do. Not making excuses but we all know how hard it is just to keep enough employees at a job. I'm currently in Cancun and they are running into same issues.   I talk to my UK and Canada friends and it's the same.  We're in different changing times across the world right now.  Our expectations need to adjust or we'll be upset for something we have no control. 

Calling your dealer and or Minelab USA and giving them your displeasure does nothing to help.  Being patient and supporting the long term dealers,  keeping faith with the manufacture who offered us new detectors and being loyal to the brands who we use and speak highly of, ends in best results.

We'll get more I promise.  The Equinox rollout was similar but nothing before Christmas.  In fact 1st units didn't arrive until February.  That was Pre Covid and Pre Transportation/Delivery issue. 

We're a spoiled County USA, but we also need to be humble and respectful.  I can only ship what I am given.

In the mean time.  It's great in Saltwater, loves gold and diamonds. 

Here's a peek of Manticore find. Nothing high end but cute.  Will update with info and thoughts later.

What's so great about your dilemma....Options 

Happy Merry Father's Birthday Year to you and just get 4 of them all at once. 

Glad to see you made it back.

Selling of Arizona place now is smart, as the value is up.  Phillipines is a fun and smart choice. I've read up on it and a $40K annual budget can go along ways.  I've heard of guys ever doing it on $30k.

Live life my friend,  we're only here 1 time.

As stated before,  I'm expecting a smaller allocation to the US,  so that means a smaller allotment to dealers. As soon as I see tracking to me for X amount of units,  those customers on my list will be notified. 

Not much more I can do. 

23 minutes ago, Cascade Steven said:

Gerry:  I too need to update my knowledge on detectors and thus have a question about VLF units.  You mentioned that from your perspective that the 800 is the best VLF detector.  Do you know of or do you have any information on an objective comparison of strengths and weaknesses of the 800 compared to the Goldmaster 24k (Garrett)? Just an educational question on my part. Thanks.

I have the 24K and was a Field Tester, when it was White's.  24K is a great VLF gold detector and actually for a Gold Only design (advertising), I'll take it over any other VLF Gold Only Detector.  It has the features I like.

Now when you compare it to the NOX 800, there is more to the Equinox and it's features/capabilities and ID system.  I've posted it on here before and I think Steve H did as well.  You might have to do some digging, but it has been said.

Don't think I'm trying to down talk the 24K, it's a fantastic VLF Gold Only detector, especially when you compare it's price point to the NOX-800.

1 minute ago, jasong said:

That's the question I have too. Hoping someone with some experience can provide a good answer once they start shipping.

Since we now know there is no new GPZ being released, I'm going to get either a 900 or a Manticore after I sell my house. I want a new toy to play with in AZ this winter. I'm so far behind on VLF tech, acronyms, and everything else that I'm hoping someone else can fill in the blanks.  It's probably time I start updating myself and learning though I guess.

Learning new detectors is part of the fun.  Sure it takes time away from hunting with what you know, but quite often, the new technology is better.  Example is the Equinox 800.  I was not totally on board when Engineering said it was a good gold detector.  When my staff/I flew in for the class and we talked with the Engineers, we were provided more details.  After the class ended, I had a staff member hang around for a day and spent time in the field with the Engineer.

Eventually after hours of use/comparing and testing, we started seeing results.  As my team put in more hours and playing with the options to get even better results, we realized the machine is way more capable that 1st impression.  Now the NOX 800 is #1 VLF Gold Detector in our books.  

Well now, could change to an EQ-900 or Manticore.  I'm happy and excited to start playing with them and as soon as I can get those detectors in my different staffs hands, they'll start providing their experiences in the different regions and soils we hunt for the varieties of gold we like to collect.

I'm not expecting a lot of real field use as most of my staff is shut down for the winter.  South I must go.

1 hour ago, Steve Herschbach said:

Cabelas has the Equinox 600 at $599 now. Price decrease? Would seem there would have to be with Equinox 700 at $699.

Seems like they are continuing to seek 600 and 800 for now, which is weird. I’d have thought half the idea was to eliminate warranty costs being incurred on the older models. Just running out old inventory? We will see.

Minelab dropped the MAP pricing of the NOX series last month so the $599 is the new MAP for the EQ-600 and $899 is the new MAP for the EQ-800.  But it would not surprise me to see Minelab have a blow out sale of the older versions in the next 6 months.

We're going to probably see a firestorm of used EQ-600 and EQ-800 in a short time.

Realize a new EQ-600 with 15% VET discount can be had today for $510, so a used one will probably sell around $350.  The EQ-800 MAP of $800 with VET 15% discount is $765, so used ones will be $450-$500 range.  

One other great deal right now many folks don't realize.  Purchase a new EQ-800 and get a $180 6" coil for FREE from Gerry's Detector (limited supply).

Glad to see a new face on here MTron and hope to see you posting your success more often.  Yes the GPX-6000 is deeper than many folks realize.  No, it's not a ZED your back will like that after 6 hrs.  Well done and I love the knapping work as well.

So the news is out. As soon as I get proper pricing and release dates, this forum will be updated. Until then, we patiently wait.

In the mean time, do you feel this was a smart move or not so?  Either way, I'm a guy who enjoys OPTIONS and do like the new updated fixes.

Here's the pricing of each.  

EQ-700 is $699 US and part # is 3720-0005 as the EQ-900 is $1099 US and part # 3720-0006

So the MANTICORE only has 1 Gold Mode.  Not sure why this is, but I imagine one of the Jewelry Modes might be usable to some extent.  What I don't like is the Iron Rejection is already ON when you go to GOLD MODE.  Most Gold Detectors start out in ALL METAL MODE when in Prospecting Mode.  This gives you best depth and best sensitivity right off the get go.  Then when you go over a target, you can decide if you want to turn the Iron ID ON or not.  The Equinox 800 was the same way and I was hoping this machine in the GOLD MODE would be more traditional.  When my Field Staff and I train customer to find gold with the NOX, the 1st thing we have them do it TURN OFF the IRON DISC and open the machine up.  Sure wish they would have done it this way this go around, but it's not  deal breaker.

Now we need to see how well it actually does in the gold fields. 

Only 1 PROSPECTING MODE???

If your friend or your dealer in the USA has told you that the Distributors in the US have been sent Manticore detectors, they're silly wrong and trying to cause problems.

I have spoke with Mrs. Otto (East Cost Distributor) and Mr. Proenza (West Coast Distributor) and neither of them have been shipped any Manticore Units at this time.

Why some dealers want to cause issues is beyond me?

This is how Gerry's Detectors will get the units out to the customers.  When Minelab informs me that X amount of units are allocated to me and ready to ship, I'll then contact X amount of customers to get payment at that time.  Then that X amount of people will get their detectors shipped accordingly.

I'm just as excited as the rest of you all, but please quit causing unnecessary issues.

Thanks for being courteous and cooperative with your dealer, especially the one dealing the cards.

Gerry at Gerry's Detectors in Boise, Idaho

I hope you do get it in time as your experience and sharing abilities is tops.  Good luck and keep us posted.

Love seeing the beautiful gold in quartz and especially with a VLF.  So many folks feel PI is the only way but they don't know what their missing.  Great on ya.

38 minutes ago, Cal_Cobra said:

My dealer sent me this email this morning:

Manticores starting shipping to US warehouses yesterday.... You are number  1 on the list..You still wanting to purchase  ?

Okay take my money, I ain't mad about it.... 🤠

Well that could be the case.  Guess your distributor know more than the one in TX.  TX Distributor (as of 2 minutes ago) has not heard a word from Minelab USA.  Either way, it's getting close and hopefully you get your unit and your dealer has bunches more, then that tell me, I'll be in the same boat very soon.

1 hour ago, UT Dave said:

Anxiously awaiting Gerry's shipment!

Now, haven't heard anything, so presume there's nothing to hear, but I'm also anxious for that small elliptical coil.

- Dave

I don't need to get my customers in a tizzy until I know the facts.  Fact is, no detectors have shipped to me from Minelab USA.  Fact is Minelab USA would not tell me how many they were getting, even though they know.  Reality is, I don't need to know that, but I was hoping to get an idea if I was expecting 1 unit, 2 or 4 or 10 or 50 or 100 or more.  My initial order was way more than most from day 1 back in Aug.  So if they go that route, then many dealers who don't know a good product won't get any.  That's totally fine with me, if a dealer drags his ass and can't tell a hot selling product.  But I know Minelab and have been told by them...this Management team thinks everyone is equal.  A lazy dealer complained, probably the same kind who never spends a dime to show up at the dealer conferences, or the same kind who never tries to get a product ahead of time and put it through it's passes.  Yeah we have a good portion of them.

Well, I looked out the window and we have snowflakes falling.   Guess I'll get the blower out again and clean the fluff out of the way.  Or just toss in the towel and ride that last wave...

It's all good and when I get facts I'll touch base with the appropriate amount of eager customers.

10 minutes ago, PSPR said:

  Of course, that assumes I even get one in the first shipment.  

That's the potential problem, how many?  When NOX came out, most dealers received 1, some got 2 and I with a couple other received 4.  If the release goes the same way and I have 4 customers waiting, I know they'll be just as happy to wait a few days longer while I test the waters.  Heck, we've been teased and stretched since Aug. right, what's another couple weeks.