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Happy New Year! It has been a couple years of furious activity in a normally slow moving industry. We are in a Golden Age of detector hardware, with intense competition driving prices lower while fostering innovative new designs. Most of the action has been from manufacturers outside the U.S. - will 2019 be the year U.S. manufacturers strike back? It will be interesting but rumors are thin on the ground right now. New models appearing are niche models, like the new XP ORX, aimed at the gold prospectors. A new manufacturer has appeared, Tarsacci, with the new MDT 8000 that initially anyway seems to be aimed at beach hunters. The machine I most have my eye on is the upcoming Fisher Impulse AQ. I am satisfied with what VLF technology exists now, so all I need is a PI detector at least as powerful as a Garrett ATX in a housing weighing under 5 lbs. I sold my ATX and currently do not have a PI and am waiting on what Fisher has to show before deciding what to do about that. F75 replacement? I will believe it when I see it but the Aqua Manta is all but assured for 2019. I lobbied Garrett for years to make a LTX (Lightweight ATX) but to no avail. However, with the new AT Max just out it does make me wonder what Garrett has up their sleeve for 2019. If not a replacement for the embarrassingly long in the tooth GTI 2500 than perhaps my wished for lightweight ATX? A guy can hope but I am not holding my breath. Garrett has pushed single frequency as far as they can so their next step will be revealing. Minelab is still consolidating the Equinox rollout and a raft full of new gold machines in the last few years. They seem well set at the moment. I wish I could get a SDC 2300 in a Eureka Gold box but that is one wish I doubt will be granted. Nokta/Makro? They have long been known to be working on a PI detector so maybe the new Fisher Impulse AQ will have a competitor? It is almost 100% that Nokta/Makro will release a true multifrequency detector in 2019 so there will be that to look for. That and the soon to be released Nokta/Makro Simplex, a new low cost multipurpose detector. Tarsacci MDT 8000? I will let the beach and relic hunters sort that out. Tesoro is gone now so we can officially ignore them without feeling guilty about it. White's I will continue to hope beyond hope that a working version of the Half Sine Technology may finally appear. Fingers crossed as always, but the odds are low. One does get the sense that White's really does need to hit a home run however so the pressure is on to get it out the door. This could short circuit other developments above were it to actually happen. I’m not holding my breath however. XP just started shipping the new X35 coils and ORX model, so 2019 may be a quiet one for them. And with that, best wishes for a great 2019 to one and all!!

Everyone who got the December 2018 issue of Treasure Magazine has a collector edition since it is apparently the last one. The magazine has been published in various forms for over 50 years. Unfortunately the company has closed its doors and both the website and Facebook page are gone. Sad to see another part of detecting history fade away.

Was checking out Whites website and saw this. Not sure if it’s still relevant with so many newer machines available, but for $289 it seems like quite the deal for a beginning prospector. I may snatch one up to play with in the woodchips for jewelry and incase I ever get a chance to hunt for gold out west! https://www.whiteselectronics.com/product/sierra-gold-trac/

If Tesoro does close their doors, which appears to be the case, what happens to your "Lifetime Warranty"? Warranties are only as good as the company behind them. In theory if a company goes away, so does the warranty. However, warranties are a financial obligation that can't be tossed on a whim. For Tesoro to completely ditch all their warranty obligations I believe they have to go bankrupt and prove they do not have the financial resources to back the warranties any longer. Otherwise a company can just close their doors and walk with money in the bank that would have funded future warranty work. I am no legal expert in this stuff, but I do think there is hope on the warranty front still. Tesoro may be looking for a buyer or some other avenue under which warranties will continue to be honored. Until and unless a full bankruptcy occurs there is hope. On the flip side anyone buying a Tesoro right now and assuming they have a lifetime warranty better think twice. I do wonder about the liability of the dealers who still have these in stock and are still selling them and advertising them as having a "Lifetime Warranty". This is an area that dealers would be wise to resolve with Tesoro immediately. From http://www.tesoro.com/service/warranty.html "Our lifetime warranty covers defects in material and workmanship for as long as it is owned by the original purchaser. The warranty excludes batteries, damage caused by leaky batteries, cable breakage due to flexing, wear of the searchcoil housing, and leakage caused by the condition of water seals on underwater detectors. Also excluded are instruments which have been abused, altered, or repaired by an unauthorized party."

This tidbit from a post on Dankowskis.... "...we are now working on the final arrangements of our service center in the USA. You will see an announcement from me hopefully soon. Here I guarantee that no one will be left out in the dark in terms of after sales support. One way or another, we will always stand behind our products and valued customer...whether it is through our service center or us directly."

Apparently Minelab was having a social media contest that just ended. Winners who posted Equinox finds on social media were eligible for a couple Equinox accessory packages including coils. Kind of after the fact but if you are interested in seeing who won and what their finds were then visit the Minelab website.

From the Fisher metal detector website: GOLD & TREASURE METAL DETECTORS FISHER "F" SERIES MULTI-PURPOSE VISUAL & AUDIO TARGET ID DETECTORS Fisher F44 - The Ultimate Weatherproof Multi-Purpose Metal Detector. Fisher F44 metal detector MSRP $399.00 Internet Price $309.00 Details here Fisher F44 control panel Fisher F22 - Weatherproof All-Purpose Metal Detector. Fisher F22 metal detector MSRP $289.00 Internet Price $209.00 Details here Fisher F22 control panel Fisher F11 - Great All-Purpose Metal Detector. Fisher F11 metal detector MSRP $199.00 Internet Price $159.00 Details here Fisher F11 control panel Fisher F75+ - The F75+ is an American Made, high-performance multi-purpose professional metal detector. The F75+ was built off the proven F75 platform, all the legendary features you've come to know and trust from the F75, plus an added Boost Mode for even more depth! Fisher F75+ metal detector MSRP $799.00 Internet Price $649.00 Details here Fisher F75+ control panel Fisher F75 Ltd - The F75 in black, with Boost and Cache Locating Processes. The metal detecting industry's premier relic hunting and ultimate multi-purpose metal detector. Fisher F75 Limited Edition (Ltd) MSRP $1449.00 Internet Price $699.00 Details here Fisher F75 Ltd control panel Fisher F75 - The Ultimate Detector! The metal detecting industry's premier relic hunting and general purpose metal detector. Fisher F75 metal detector MSRP $1249.00 Internet Price $549.00 Details here Fisher F75 control panel Fisher F70 - Has Many Great Features. Use it for Coin Shooting, Relic Hunting, Gold Prospecting & More. Fisher F70 metal detector MSRP $799.00 Internet Price $449.00 Details here Fisher F70 control panel Fisher F19 - New from Fisher®, the best relic machine ever! Fisher F19 metal detector MSRP $899.00 Internet Price $449.00 Details here Fisher F19 control panel Fisher F5 - Combining the Best in Analog and Digital Technology. Fisher F5 metal detector MSRP $549.00 Internet Price $349.00 Details here Fisher F5 control panel Fisher F4 - Versatile Multi-Purpose Detector with DD Coil. Fisher F4 metal detector MSRP $449.00 Internet Price $299.00 Details here Fisher F4 control panel FISHER GOLD NUGGET / PROSPECTING METAL DETECTORS Fisher Gold Bug - More than just a HOT Gold Machine! Fisher Gold Bug metal detector MSRP $549.95 Internet Price $449.00 Details here Fisher Gold Bug control panel Fisher Gold Bug Pro - The best, most versatile prospecting machine on the market! Incredible sensitivity to the tiniest gold nuggets. Fisher Gold Bug Pro metal detector MSRP $699.00 Internet Price $549.00 Details here Fisher Gold Bug Pro control panel Fisher Gold Bug DP - Superior gold prospecting and relic hunting performance! Fisher Gold Bug DP metal detector MSRP $749.00 Internet Price $599.00 Details here Fisher Gold Bug DP control panel Fisher Gold Bug 2 - The MOST Sensitive Gold Hunting Detector Ever Made. Fisher Gold Bug 2 metal detector MSRP $899.00 Internet Price $764.00 Details here Fisher Gold Bug 2 control panel FISHER UNDERWATER, BEACH & SURF HUNTING METAL DETECTORS Fisher CZ-21 Quicksilver - Premium Multi-Frequency Underwater Detector Whether it be Dry Land, Saltwater or Fresh Water, the CZ-21 Delivers. Fisher CZ-21 metal detector MSRP $1799.00 Internet Price $1099.00 Details here Fisher CZ-21 control panel Fisher 1280X - Proven Performance on Land or in Water. Fisher 1280X metal detector MSRP $829.00 Internet Price $549.00 Details here Fisher 1280X control panel FISHER RELIC HUNTING / MULTIPURPOSE / DEEP SEEKING METAL DETECTORS Fisher CZ-3D - Coin, Relic & Saltwater Beach Hunting Specialist Fisher CZ-3D metal detector MSRP $949.00 Internet Price $799.00 Details here Fisher CZ-3D control panel Fisher Gemini 3 - The Deepest Treasure Finder - DEEPEST All-Metal Detection! Fisher Gemini 3 metal detector MSRP $849.00 Internet Price $649.00 Details here From latest Fisher catalog (2016) click for larger version: Fisher metal detector models and specifications 2016

That’s too bad, many years of accumulated posts and knowledge, all gone.....

I guess that is a new word! According to Minelab "Detexpert (noun) – those who embrace the thrill of the hunt and know that nothing is ever truly lost, just waiting to be found. They use their thirst for greater detecting knowledge and skill to benefit not only themselves, but all who love detecting." There are already a half dozen "Detexperts" on the Minelab Meet the Detexperts page. You can apply to be a Detexpert yourself although Minelab makes no case for as to why a person would want to do this. Interestingly enough one of the questions is "Why do you want to become a Minelab Detexpert?". Why indeed Minelab? Looking at the pictures presumably a free t-shirt is part of the deal. My guess is they are looking for people who are on all or at least many of the social media outlets and who are interested in representing Minelab in some fashion. Anyway, if you have dreamed of being a Detexpert (even if you never heard of it until now) this is your chance to apply! Minelab Detexpert Logo

Nokta / Makro Black Friday / Christmas Promotion

At the ICMJ we've decided to post a free issue of the prospecting and Mining Journal magazine on the internet for any new folks who are around to see what it is. (Also experienced prospectors who are wondering about the magazine). We have up to date articles about how to get more gold in your prospecting, legal issues and the best equipment out there for finding gold. If you have any interest in prospecting, this is the magazine you will the most learn from. I may be a little biased as I'm the assistant Editor, but on the other hand I've been getting this magazine since the late 1970s and its always been a lot of fun. Take a look, I think you'll be glad you did. I you want to subscribe, the subscription info is on the inside of the last page. Its worth not missing a single issue. https://www.icmj.com/resources/news-and-events/miners-news/free-online-sample-issue-392/

Garrett Searcher Fall 2018 Issue

White’s this year is coming to a end sooner than soon! I seen your early bundles you have for people on are before Christmas. They all some great deals that covers the total spectrum of detecting but I for one want more. What I’m wanting you don’t have yet . I wanting what others have now in a multi frequency and yet pick a single one if I do desire. I been with White’s over 50 years and at 77 I know I don’t have another 50 . I don’t want somebody blowing smoke up my south end . I do have some years before I kick the can and I want to take it with me . I’ve ask my wife to put it in the coffin with me . One just don’t know where he’ll be when he gets to the other side . So much for the bull ! Tom Boykin just tell it like it is and if it’s not too be just say so. Chuck

White’s has 12 early I guess you could say Christmas Packages of different detectors Just some more great deals coming from White’s for Christmas are just because you want it . I’ve never been the one to have a special reason to buy a detector other than I want it . Let me correct the word want it’s more in the way I need it and my life is dependent on me getting it Tom if you’re the lucky one to pull my name out of the hat for Christmas I need the 24 K bad! Chuck PS Guys remember it don’t cost anymore to wish big.

Sent my MX Sport in for repair, rear plastic housing cracked. I had taped it together to use it in the Rye Patch nugget shoot,(worked fine, and I found a token:)) Whites sent me a new one, even came with new headphones! That's one of the reasons I have two Whites machines. Thank you again Whites.

I heard this. Too bad.

Rick Kempf passed this to me and it does not look like good news. It is being reported most of the people at Tesoro have been laid off. http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/tesoro/589971-tesoro-laid-off-all-factory-staff.html Tesoro was not a real old company, since it was founded in 1980, actually making it the newest of the major U.S. manufacturers. Still, the company made its mark with lightweight, high performance detectors. Tesoro was also noted for many years for its exceptional support of the independent metal detector dealer. However, that policy changed after founder Jack Gifford passed away in 2015 and the company seems to have been on cruise control ever since. There are probably not too many people surprised by this, but if true it marks a sad day in metal detecting history.

Seeing and hearing about these new detectors is very exciting, it seems almost all the other detecting companies have simply stopped innovating!? It’s very excited about the simultaneous multifrequency detector Nokta/Makro have mentioned, I just hope the first iteration of their SMF detector is waterproof and preferably below the magic number of 3m/ 10ft all other manufactures stick too. Ive already entered the naming and featured contest but am considering having another crack at it ? What do you want to see in this detector that you’ve been wishing for years for in other detectors?

Keith Leppert has a new website set up for his Detector Center Metal detector repair business https://www.detectorrepair.com Keith currently is servicing both Minelab and Detector Pro products. It’s a nice website, with some explanation of out of warranty service costs, plus online parts sales. Check it out, and I will point Keith here for any feedback you all may have. Minelab Detector Parts Diagrams

This year the folks from Nokta/Makro stole the show at Detectival with their SMF announcement, but what was Minelab showing or discussing there? Any new Equinox accessories? Anything at all?

Copying from another forum: Hello everybody... I have been in the UK since Monday and just got done with Detectival this evening. I have been reading some of the posts and comments and I figured the best way to address some of the questions you have would be to start a new thread so it is easier for me to follow them. Please understand that I have always tried my best to be as transparent as I can while writing on these forums and sharing info. First of all, Detectival has been great (except for the timeframe where I was literally buried underground). Yes, we did announce a few products there and I will just try to give you a short rundown here and then I can answer any questions you may have... Please note that we just announced the merger of the brands moving forward… this means we will no longer produce products under separate brands… soon we will consolidate the websites/Facebook pages and all. This is all done with the best intentions to simplify everything for our dealers, our valued customers ...and for Nokta&Makro to be able to focus more on developing new technologies and products rather than trying to provide products for 2 brands. You all pretty much know the history of our company - 4 years ago Nokta & Makro companies merged..but we had to keep the two brands separate as the distribution channels were different in many countries around the world. So we had to feed the two brands with products....since the merger of the companies, I personally have been trying to push both brands thru the same channel so we could eventually combine them...But believe me guys it took me 4 years to finally achieve this goal and consolidate the brands--... some of you guys, naturally, only look at what is happening around you in 1 country only! But please do not forget that we deal with the whole world.... in many countries around the world, especially in non-English speaking countries, customers are not even aware that Nokta&Makro has been the same company for almost 4 years now. Just to make my case clear I will give you an example - we started working with a new reseller in one of the Asian countries - when we were discussing our first order, the dealer listed the Makro products he wanted and when we asked about Nokta, he said - no, thank you Makro is a better brand..no matter what we said, we could not make him understand that it is the same company, same engineers and same sales team. Another and a similar example is that while I was attending a dealer day in a another country, I was told that customers in that specific country believed Nokta was Lexus and Makro was Toyota... funny but real…what I am trying to explain you is that while some of our releases upset a few people, please try to look at it from our point of view. We had to produce products for both brands ..and because we release them at a faster pace than what the customers in certain countries, such as the USA are used to, I am aware of the fact that it upsets certain customers. If you look at the manufacturers in any industry today, whether it is the cars or cell phones, they constantly offer new products because development is an ongoing process and demands and needs differ from individual to individual, country to country… Now, if as a manufacturer we are to be blamed for listening to our customers and for developing products and offering them pretty fast, then yes we are guilty ….but also very proud of our really hard work and our worldwide increasing brand awareness. With the consolidation of 2 brands, we are discontinuing a few of our products (Golden Sense/Velox/ Fors Series) and start with a new fresh product line up on our new website soon - The Anfibio Series - I see that there are positive and negative comments on this one - now to clear it up - Guys, no need to get upset – we did not go to Detectival and create any hype – we sincerely shared what we have in the pipeline with everybody – did not make any claims other than what we have been told by our testers, did not say it will obsolete anything, and neither did we ask anybody to sell their newly bought Impact and/or Kruzer to buy the Anfibio. If you are happy with your Impact or Kruzer – please keep it and we will be more than happy. Anfibio will be distributed to dealers next month… once it is in the hands of the users, you can decide for yourself whether you want it or not. Anfibio comes with our new design coil + 7 optional coil to choose from – And yes they are all compatible with the Kruzer series! Among the 7 optional coils – we will offer a new 9’’ concentric coil which many users have been asking for! The Scuba Pointer - Scuba Detector + Pinpointer - patent pending, 2-in-1 device and it is pulse. Simplex - Entry Level, Waterproof (fully submersible) with built in wireless module - 2 versions between $249 - $399. This will be the first waterproof detector at this price point. Our future simultaneous multi-freq. device - planned to share the design / form of the enrty level one (with slight changes) as the form is pretty light and compact -- looking for inputs/feedbacks in terms of what the customers would like to see in this device – unique ideas/features or anything that you believe is currently lacking on other simultaneous freq. devices. I will stop here as I have slept a total of 6 hours in 3 days but will answer any questions you have… thank you all!!

Nokta Anfibio Multi Waterproof Metal Detector More information on Nokta Anfibio

XP has just announced a new model called the XP ORX which looks to me to be a version of the XP made Depar DPR 600. The main clues are HF versions only (13 - 81 kHz), just like the DPR 600, and a four preset program with two custom programs setup (two gold programs, two coin programs). Information on new XP ORX Information on the Depar DPR 600 Available in two versions, HF 9” round and elliptical HF for €700 with wired headphones, €800 with wireless headphones. I am not sure on the U.S. pricing but if it is a straight exchange of the Euro then we are looking at $816 and $932 respectively. Probably more like $799 and $899. If so they would be targeting machines like the Equinox and those below. The advertising does suggest the machines are targeting the gold prospecting segment, just like the DPR 600. The XP product line may be splitting, with the Deus X35 coils taking over as the normal coin and relic offering, and the XP ORX aimed more at the gold prospecting crowd. Makro Gold Racer 56 kHz - $599 one coil White's Goldmaster 24K 48 kHz - $649 one coil White's GMT 48 khz - $729 one coil White's Goldmaster 24K 48 kHz - $749 two coils Makro Gold Kruzer 61 kHz - $749 two coils Fisher Gold Bug 2 71 kHz - $764 one coil Minelab Gold Monster 1000 45 kHz - $799 two coils Nokta AU Gold Finder 56 kHz - $799 two coils And new XP ORX here at $799 - $899 XP ORX metal detectors