Bill (S. CA)

Some of you may recall when the Equinox came out Steve's advice was to use the stock programs which he said were quite good.

I'd like to make a comment here, not specific to the Impulse AQ, but instead to the civility of the discussions on Steve's forum.  Let's be honest, on any other metal detecting forum, some if not all of us would have been torched for just offering honest opinions within this thread.  Instead, when there is a difference of opinion, it is discussed with courtesy and respect.  I'd just like to thank all of you folks for maintaining this standard of integrity and class in this environment that Steve has created and for making it an enjoyable forum in which to participate.

This is good news but honestly how much work is required by consumers to convince a company that they are interested in their products?  To think that it took this much effort from a person of Steve's stature to get a Fisher response is really just plain silly.  We've had Le Jag and Rick try earnestly to do this on their own time when it really is the responsibility of the company to professionally get the word out, right?

I'm hoping that this web site facelift includes an Impulse AQ page.  If it doesn't than Fisher will have botched yet another opportunity to reach its customer base.

I think it's just so strange that without Le Jag we probably wouldn't even know that the detector exists at all. 

Contrast this with Nokta/Makro and Dilek who is more than happy to contribute to your forums with at least hints of what's coming.  Fisher could adopt a similar approach with a company spokesperson if they cared to...which apparently they don't.

I'll cautiously throw in on this since I live in S. CA and have been hunting the beaches out here since the early 1980's.  I have used the TDI Beach Hunter and the Equinox 800 extensively.  Cautiously since I want to preface this by saying that this is only my experience.  The last time I posted a comment about this same subject, on a simple YouTube video, I got torched by PI loyalists.

So here goes.  From my own experience and observations, the Equinox is every bit the match for the TDI Beach Hunter.  Its depth is amazing, as is its sensitivity to small gold.  Let me share one experience with you that will prove my point.  Last winter, at one of our beaches, a storm had come in and created a huge cut.  Several of us hit it hard, a group of about six guys.  4 had Equinoxes, one had an Explorer and I decided to use my TDI Beach Hunter.  While I did find a single small gold, I was so busy digging deep iron trash that my buddies were killing me in total gold finds.  The reason for this is that the ground balance mode of the TDI Beach Hunter is just a gimmick and really limits your depth.  You have to use it as a pure PI to get maximum depth.  After several hours of digging trash I gave up and switched to my Equinox 800.  My reward: a nice 14K gold chain and a 14K gold signet ring at about 15" down.  Again, this is just my experience but if you have an Equinox 600, which you do, and you hunt in beach 1 with the stock coil you will get great depth and you can discriminate.  The TDI Beach Hunter does get excellent depth but the "dig all the trash" aspect of it is why I generally stay away from PI's.

So my advice would be to keep what you have.  I have never used a Garrett Sea Hunter so I can't comment on its capabilities.

Bill

You bring up an excellent point with regard to "useless digging action underwater."  Historically the curse of the PI.  I have been hunting the beaches of S. CA for many years and have used multi-frequency machines rather than PI's.  Yes, the PI's go deep, but I am not willing to dig the amount of trash the PI guys dig with the limited time I have to detect.  We will see what the Impulse AQ brings to the equation but to be a true leap forward it is going to have to improve on the need of a PI operator to dig everything.

Steve,

What an appropriate moniker to use for this latest smoke and mirrors machine.  Brought back a lot of memories about the "revolutionary" PD and its inventor.

Bill

Steve,

Thanks for posting the info about the Vanquish.  This is where I think Minelab, and Fisher for that matter, have it wrong.  Look back to last year and the excitement and dialogue about the new machine.  I remember following it and getting jazzed myself.  Now, nine months later, all that comes to mind is "meh" as my son would say.  Minelab let the interest dip into a flatline lull but not having the Vanquish ready to go in a timely manner.  Now maybe it will go gangbusters but in my world when you tease a product you need to have it ready to sell or else buyers move on.  Fisher would do well to give that some thought while they continue their tight-lipped launch of the Impulse AQ. 

Just my humble two cents.

Bill

Interesting comparison to Troy, spot on Steve.  I remember when he was ramping up way back when.  A couple of months ago I fixed my buddies X-5 (needed to replace the battery contacts) and got to hunt with it.  A good machine in its day.  There were rumors a few years ago that Troy was working on a VDI Shadow but nothing ever came of it.

But as to Fisher I'm with you, this "non-introduction"  introduction of a machine they have invested a ton  of time and money into doesn't make any sense to me, especially since from what we have been told it is in production.  If I were Fisher I would at least allow dealers to take pre-orders or at the minimum create an email interest list on their site.  The silence is just plain odd and instead of building anticipation I think it's building a lot of needless frustration among potential buyers. 

My compliments to Skate on his post and I'd like to add just a little more to it.  The metal detecting industry is more susceptible to speculation, both positive and negative,  than any other industry I can think of.  Every time a manufacturer is even remotely suspected of having a new machine coming this same pattern shows up.  You get antsy, "kid on Christmas morning" folks who just can't wait, you get doomsayers who can't wait to pick the product apart, and you get others who speculate endlessly as to what the machine will do and how it will do it.  For me, this is fun to follow for a little while and then I get burned out on it.  It reminds me of the off season in pro sports, when for months all you get are analysts resifting the same sand over and over until the season starts.  I commend Rick., Le Jag and Alexandre for sharing their info, and Steve for providing insight and also some much needed discipline to the conversation. But honestly, the only voice I really care to hear is that of Fisher to simply say when they will offer the Impulse AQ for sale.  Followed by the voices of people who actually buy and use this new detector.  Now that will be interesting.

Rick,

What you are doing is a courtesy to all of us who are excited about this new detector.  Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us and I'll be looking forward to new updates as you post them.

Bill

Steve,

Absolutely brilliant post.  I think most of us beach hunters would agree with you that what we are hoping for is that the AQ hits that "sweet spot" like no other machine.  How do you think it will handle platinum?

Bill

The Vanquish is going to be a huge game changer for the low to mid priced segment of the market.  Wonder how the companies that currently own this segment will react.

The downside is that for us beach hunters there is even more competition!  Nowadays almost every beach hunter I see in S. CA is swinging an Equinox and the lack of finds is an indication of how good this new multi-IQ technology works.  Even novice hunters aren't missing much anymore.

Well all I can say is thanks to Le Jag for doing what First Texas is bewilderingly unwilling to do: tell a very interested consumer base about the Impulse AQ going into production.  If the machine is what it appears to be, and the goal is to make and sell it, then...? 

I'm with Steve on this--I can't make a case for yet another repackaging of VLF regardless of the features/price point.  The technology has been mined to death.  The Fisher Impulse AQ is intriguing (if we ever actually see this machine) but otherwise I will be swinging my Equinox.  Nothing can beat it in the environments I hunt.

Steve,

Very interesting piece on First Texas.  I wonder just how much of their business is and will be night vision?  Government contracts can be huge so it wouldn't surprise me in the least if this becomes their core business so to speak.  As you and others pointed out, they can make low cost detectors by the palate for warehouse stores and still make a buck.  For me it is a bit of a bummer that they have had to look outside for new tech.  You may recall for several years they were messing with BBS after the Minelab patent expired.  One of their prototypes even made it onto a treasure hunting series.  The machine never worked because from what I hear you had to set it up custom for every environment you were hunting in.  I don't think First Texas has anyone on board who understands multi-frequency technology; they are essentially a single frequency VLF company and don't appear to have a problem being such.  So outside of the Manta/Impulse AQ, whenever it gets here, I think we are left with only Minelab and Nokta/Makro when it comes to advancing technology.

Steve,

Some very good points here.  For me the problem with the Impulse is that for some bizarre reason First Texas has chosen to remain almost completely quiet on the machine.  The questions of "holes" in gold targets are very legitimate and it is surprising to me that Fisher hasn't taken the time to at least release some sort an update on this detector. I mean, they've selectively teased everyone with short videos and drops of prototypes at shows, so why not just tell those of us honestly what's going on? 

Steve,

A very valid point.  Funny how we have two opposing scenarios here with anticipated new machines: The Vanquish, which has been teased to the max, and the Fisher Manta/Impulse AQ that has gone ridiculously dark after some now ancient teasing.  How about just actually making a new product and then having it available to purchase?  Guess that's just old school thinking, eh?

Kac,

Just saw your post and your product is interesting.  It may be a nice way for folks to address the "sight of a shovel" issue in parks. I'll be very honest, the worst damage I ever see in parks is from guys who try to dig deep using hand trowels.  A blade of this nature on a shovel is very clean.   I currently use a similar long handled design that I had made for me.  The 12" length means that I can't stand and use my foot/body weight to cut to the plug so my curiosity would be how this works for me if I am in a kneeling position.  But it does looks promising.  I, too, would be interested to know what one will cost.

Bill

Wonderful article, Steve. Can't wait to see more pix.  Thanks for taking the time to share your trip.

Hey, Tugboat, I'll throw in on this.  The issue comes up frequently at our beaches here in Southern California.  Generally the accepted courtesy is to give a fellow hunter "sufficient room" meaning if someone is hunting an area pick another patch of beach.  And if want to pass them, go around.  For the most part this works fine.  However, there are some hunters that deliberately encroach on other hunters, "pushing them" so to speak, and I've seen arguments and near fights break out several times over the years.  What I try to do is be friendly to everyone and if I get a guy pushing me I will try to at least say hello.  Sometimes these are new hunters and not jerks; they just simply don't know detecting etiquette.  But it it is one of the jerk hunters I just move on.  This is a hobby for me and getting into it with some idiot over a few zinc pennies just isn't worth it.

But to answer your question, at least at the beach, I say just work your own patch and use common sense. 

Bill

Update on the pouch issue.  I spoke with Jack at White's and as usual, their customer service is exceptional   He is sending me another pouch no charge and says they are aware of the issue but no decision has been made with regard to an upgrade or fix.  He did say that some users have had success putting a small towel or cloth a the bottom of the pouch since the area that tears is where the mesh is sewn into the pouch.  He said that this fix gives the pouch some support and keeps the latch on the control box from putting too much stress on the pouch.  I am going to try that this weekend if I get out.

Bill

Hey Gerry, I've had the same problem with mine.  Design is good but the fabric is just way too cheap.  The box is just too heavy for the pouch.  I'm on my second one and it is ripping in the same places.  I gave my first one to a buddy of mine who sews and is going to try some fuseable thread to see if that works.  But White's really should design a better pouch and then give it to owners at no charge given the price of the machine and the fact that they really push the hip mounting feature of the detector.

Steve,

No, you didn't miss anything.  And having corresponded with you for several years I can say that you seldom do.  I was just wondering if a company would make Equinox-dedicated wireless headphones that would be an upgrade from the Minelabs.  Sort of like what several manufacturers/guys have done in terms of the waterproof headphones.  I just happen to be a big fan of the Garretts which fit well, are super comfortable and have excellent audio.  The Minelabs work fine for me so I'm not really looking to change to an alternative but if one came along that was Equinox-specific I'd certainly give it a look..

Thanks, Steve.  I figured that was the case.  It would be cool if either Minelab or an aftermarket company would come up with a wireless alternative to the stock headphones.