tboykin

Thanks for sharing Steve. This was why I didn't have as much forum time the last few weeks! It's only 10 pages but man, it was a lot of work. If anyone has requests for articles in the next issue please let me know! Also curious if anyone can find the clue I hid....

Does the winner get this as a prize?

Respectfully - dealers get first dibs on any sale. If a customer has a bad experience or is unable to have their needs fulfilled by the local dealers, it is the company's responsibility to correct that. So if I see someone having a problem on Steve's forum, or Facebook, or anywhere else, I will do whatever I can to help them. From past experience referring a customer to dealer after dealer is a good way to lose them for life. Sometimes it is easier to deal with a company directly.

This is false! We want dealers to be active online in order to increase their sales. We have media kits for them to do just that, and every time I talk to a dealer I will usually bring up online promotion (i.e. website, eCommerce, Facebook, AdWords, etc). Our top dealers have websites and sell more of our product, and there's no "disallowing" or finger wagging about being online. Maybe 5-10 years ago, but not now. After all, it is CURRENT YEAR. The fact of the matter is we have a lot of dealers who aren't comfortable with computers. When I ask them if they have ever thought of doing a simple website, running a Facebook page, or even just listing their shop on Google with some simple AdWords campaigns designed to increase foot traffic, some of them say they "don't have time for that" or "don't know much about computers or the internet." I usually offer to help them learn these skills, but have yet to be taken up on my offer. Which is too bad. It's the most cost-effective form of advertising out there. I would wager that as more and more people shop online, dealers who refuse to adapt to the changing times will get Darwin'd and fall to natural selection. It is sad, as so many of the old time dealers have knowledge and skills that will be lost if this happens. But as far as being active online, I think White's is doing better than the competition. Check out the growth numbers of our social media pages, web traffic, and search engine results. Definitely a focus for us right now, in addition to bringing some technological advances to the industry in the next few years.

Hey Rick, sorry it's taken me a while to respond. Had yesterday off and am in the process of moving so my computer time is less and less. Convincing dealers to carry flagship models can be difficult. The inventory may sit on their shelf until someone like you comes along. So for small time shops carrying more low to mid level units makes more financial sense. But that doesn't really help you out! The best thing I would suggest is if the local dealers are no help, order online. Many websites have a very liberal return policy. You could also order factory direct (over the phone or go to whiteselectronics.com). If you decide to do that I will vouch for you if the V3i doesn't seem like the right choice. We have other detectors that may fit your needs better, but it's my personal go-to machine when the weather is nice and I'm not after gold. Previous was a DFX, so a similar upgrade path for me. As for the V3i having a steep learning curve - it CAN if you want to learn everything about it and how to tweak each parameter. It is probably the most customizable metal detector on the market. But at the same time there are I believe 9 turn on and go presets. Really all you'd need to tweak with them is your TX and RX gain. If you'd like a machine with a little less - check out the VX3. It is like the V3i's little brother and you can also use the SpectraSound wireless headphones with that model. PM me if you'd like to discuss more or could use a little extra incentive to buy factory direct : )

Thanks Luke, concise and helpful.

I think it is a personal preference for some. I like to detect by sound alone for the most part. Beep. Beep. Dig. But some people like a screen. With smart phones, computers, heck even new cars.... I can use one less glowing box to look at.

What kind of HMI (human/machine interface) do you like in a metal detector? Asking for... a friend. CONTROLS- Knobs or buttons? One control per function or menu-based? If menu-based what kind of controls do you like to have at your fingertips? Examples of machines that, in your mind, "got it right" when it comes to controls AUDIO- Do you prefer beep and dig, or do you prefer machines that have "language" (i.e. multiple tones)? Any thoughts on Stereo Mixed Mode (like V3i - all metal in one ear, toneID in the other)? Iron ID - prefer a threshold NULL or a GRUNT? DISPLAY- What kind of info is essential for you to see? (personally I don't like screens, prefer to look at my surroundings) Thanks to any who share their thoughts on this. I know it depends on what kind of machine, but for the sake of this thread let's say it's some flavor of VLF that is geared towards prospecting.

I will relay your idea about crowdsourcing some funding, but we are already pursuing new projects that should make all White's fans happy. Might be tough getting folks to buy into an idea early on vs. just buy the finished product. There is enough information out there on this and other forums that a smart person could come to certain conclusions about what that product might be. If you have specific ideas on things like HMI, features, please let us know at https://www.whiteselectronics.com/contact-us/, address it to Advertising (which comes directly to me).

NOPE.

Bob, I will never help you change your brakes....

Steve - you can snag one of these 2 units left and save a bit (and also be sure the machines are up to date). MX Sport has become our top-seller since we fixed everything... Thanks to feedback on various forums like DP and the NASA one. https://www.whiteselectronics.com/product/mx-sport-refurb/

Just tested out some of Reg's mods..... I think the guys who don't have $2k+ for a pulse machine will be very happy next year!

Thanks! If money was my goal I would not have left my last job. Finding a gold nugget up at Quartzville would be enough, just gotta wait for the snow to melt now....

Reg - I will look into these. As far as the pulse delay, it's not possible to lower it any more than 10usec due to the processor speed. Swapping the processor will unravel the sweater, so to speak. But the other mods with a small folded mono coil should address the instrument's response to small gold. If we can do these mods cost effectively they are worth it, but it makes sense to invest more $ in new tech. The idea is to squeeze a few more inches/grams out of this machine before the next generation hits shelves. Thank you for your input.

We have our hands full here with some of our own projects. But if a QED showed up at the factory and ticked all the boxes I could put in a good word or two. After reading through the history of this project I would say I'm skeptical. But any advances in the industry are welcome, whether it's from the big guys or built in a garage somewhere. As long as it helps people find gold!

Brian that is very kind of you. We are the closest manufacturer to your neck of the woods and I hope to see you out there when I head down to NV next year! Initial test with a 14.8 volt battery (overcharged to 16+) showed the TDI SL within an inch of the PRO on nickel and larger-sized targets and neck and neck on smaller targets. This was with the stock 12" coil and also the smaller 7.5" DF. Wide open on both machines, GB off, delay of 10usec. But the SL was a lot smoother at full throttle. You can try it yourself for proof. I need to test it with more aftermarket coils like the MJD and Coiltek, but I would guess that results will be similar. You can make your own battery pack with a set of 4 18650's and some clever wiring but we hope to have a proper version soon. Such a simple change, and the bonus is it will fit all of our other machines that use that style of battery!

Looking forward to it. Quartzville is my second favorite place, first is Josephine County serpentine contact zone. My mom's side is from JC, used to spend a lot of time on River Rd, at the JC pond, and haircuts at the old barber shop in town.

Tested with 4 18650's.... Interesting results at 16+ volts fully charged. Eight cells is unnecessary (and too heavy).

The great thing about these changes is they cost very little and improve the performance enough for one last hurrah before the next generation of machines comes out.... if they were to come out. Maybe we will just re-release all of the classics! I have heard a lot about you in my short time here. You are a smart dude, and I would love to shake hands with ya some day. Next time you're in the valley let me know. As far as that platform I have no idea what you're talking about... Maybe it got boxed up and forgotten. Going forward our detectors will be bulkier, heavier, shallower, and have a shorter battery life than any other machine. Here is a picture of the next generation of machines from White's, it runs on forty 9v batteries and hits a nickel at 2 inches---

Rob, thank you for the suggestions. The SL can safely handle up to 16 volts, and I've tested it with higher voltage batteries with a good increase in performance. The issue with an 8usec delay is choosing a coil that can operate smoothly at that setting. Gotta go with a smaller coil at that low of a pulse delay. A small folded mono with a hot battery and 8usec delay... You will be closer to GMT-sized nuggets with that combo.

Rod, you could always head down to Armadillo Mining in Grants Pass (or another dealer) and find out yourself. I just mention Armadillo because Sam really knows the SL and is a multi-line dealer. She is way less biased than I am!

I appreciate the Aussie banter! Just looking to make the most out of a machine that doesn't cost big bikkies. I will look into why the mark-up is so high on our machines. Those prices are venturing a little too close to Codan levels.... Although it is good to hear you guys are back to using proper money after this....

Chuck, thanks for your thoughts. Over the past year I have learned that is best to wait until you have something that is ready to sell before hyping it up. I don't think there will be much for heavy-hitters (heh, heavy swingers I guess...) to be excited about until some kind of new technology is released. Otherwise it is just rehashing old ground. Pumping a little life into the TDI SL wouldn't beat a GPZ's performance. But it would give regular folks a chance to get into an easy to use, decent P.I. for not much more than a GMT. And you could take it places the Z would be too cumbersome to follow. Still a rehash, or maybe an improvement you could say. I will say this - if I post an ambiguous thread asking for testers next year, it might be worth getting excited about. But we will see what happens.

There are a few easy things we can do to improve performance, wondering what you think about them: 1. Include a hotter battery (with charger). This bumps up the depth closer to a Pro, and in practical, in-ground use (keeping in mind things like a smooth threshold/noise and target identifiability) it really is almost a wash with higher voltage. Talking an inch difference or so based on initial testing. 2. Replace stock coil with a different design for better ground rejection and sensitivity to small gold. Coil technology for the TDI series has come a long way in the past few years thanks to guys like Miner John. 3. Decrease weight even further and include built-in options for chest mount. This would make it the lightest pulse on the market, and ideal for backpacking in. Not a big deal for older guys who like to stay within a stone's throw of their car or ATV. But that kind of detecting isn't for them. I know for a select few U.S. prospectors money is no issue. But for the rest of the world things like weight, cost, and portability are bigger factors. If you are hitting the same areas that have been hammered for decades, obviously you will need the deepest, most expensive detector just to find 3 DWT in a week's time. The guys who are beating the brush (or freshly opened gold fields in Brazil, Africa, or OZ) need something that they can drop, scratch, pack-in, and will find them gold in harsh ground. The GMT struggles in areas like serpentine zones, ironstone, basalt, etc. My gut feeling is that the SL has a stink about it based on hearsay (not actual use), and that with a little bit of attention will make an excellent working man's pulse machine. The reason I wanted to ask you guys is I have been talking to SL owners and dealers recently, and they are quick to sing its praises. And these are people who use the machine regularly! The only knocks on it have been on forums and they say the same three things (which would be improved by the previously-mentioned list)- 1. Not as deep as Pro (insert other machines like GPX/Z depending on forum) 2. Not as good on small gold as VLF/MF 3. Doesn't work well in red-hot ground I think it's worth looking at and maybe tailoring it more to the blue collar guys who don't have 2k+ for a machine. Or a backup beater/slamhog detector for when you don't want to scuff up your shiny Lamborghini. There are a lot of great ideas in this thread, and I welcome more input. A lot easier asking the pros directly than shooting in the dark!