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Looks like the gloves are off. The T2 is back as the T2 Classic and ready to fight the lowlife look-a-likes with a new look and a radical new price. For real combat check out all the camo gear in amazingly inexpensive accessory kit. If this becomes the regular price perhaps Steve should update his nugget detector guide. Teknetics T2 Classic metal detector

So I see Teknetics announces the G2+ and a detector called the Digitek; Fisher announces the F11; F22; and F44. Not much info on the Fisher products yet, but - The G2+ seems interesting - maybe like an F19 with iron audio adjustment and available in non-camo:

Some time ago I received a prototype version of one of my favorite detectors, the Fisher F75. I had an old story that needed telling and combined that with a mini-review of the prototype at http://www.detectorprospector.com/forum/topic/357-fisher-f75-strikes-gold-twice-in-a-row/ The new version offered more resistance to electrical interference, a new Fast mode for working trashy locations, and some additional audio options, also intended to help in places where ferrous trash is abundant. Fisher did what seemed like a good thing at the time and offered existing owners the opportunity to upgrade their detector at http://www.fisherlab.com/hobby/upgrade.htm The Teknetics T2 immediately preceded the F75 and both are very similar detectors. A similar upgrade program exists for the T2 at http://www.tekneticst2.com/upgrade.htm All well and good but First Texas (parent company of Fisher and Teknetics) was swamped with upgrade units, and now that they are in customer hands issues are coming to light. There is an issue where if you employ one of the new audio modes it causes some strange side effects in the pinpoint mode. Never saw that since I never use pinpoint. There are a couple reports about ground balance issues with large coils but the coils are aftermarket so that is doubtful. Biggest issue seems to be some perceived weakness in the all metal mode compared to units not upgraded, possibly related to the Digital Shielding never being fully disengaged. There are two modes available, one with the filter for electrical interference (Digital Shielding Technology, or DST) engaged, and one mode that was supposed to revert the machine back to original non-shielded mode. It appears however the filter is engaged at a basic level, and turning it off only really turns it down. I had disposed of my previous F75 before getting the prototype and so could not compare to it, and the version I had only ran the single DST engaged mode, so no way to compare on and off or to an older version A lot of the commentary is based on "seems like" and "I remember" so hard info is difficult to come by. I returned the prototype and was told I would be getting a factory production unit at a later date, but so far it has never arrived. That pretty much makes me a bystander to the whole thing. If a person loved the all metal operation and electrical interference was not an issue, than holding off before an upgrade or just not doing it at all would be wise. The big question is what if you really, really want the new features that are being offered? In all honesty, being quick to get any First Texas new detector model or upgrade is really not a good idea if this sort of stuff will bother you. Issues on initial release has become the norm with them and revisions are very common. Rather than being first kid on the block, a couple month waiting period would be wise if you want to lower the odds of having a problem. The reality is no matter how the pre-release testing is done, hundreds of users in the field with different coils, ground, targets, and operating practices almost always find something. That being the case the only real choice a person has is to be quick but be patient with issues, or just wait. From my perspective nothing has changed. My old F75 was useless where I wanted to hunt and I sold it. The new version fixed the problem, and now I want one again. Due to everything I just said though I am in no hurry to get one as I am content to let the dust settle myself.

Fisher Research originally released the 19 kHz Gold Bug model about 1987. It was a real breakthrough design at the time with a compact control box, S-rod, and elliptical coils. The detector is a good unit but is strictly all metal (no discrimination). It has no LCD readout and looks much like the current 71 kHz Gold Bug 2 but has a white lower rod and a black control panel face. Some people are confusing this old model with the new so be aware of this when looking at used detectors. The 19 kHz coils for the old Gold Bug will not work on newer versions of the Gold Bug below. The 71 kHz Gold Bug 2 is a totally different detector than the various 19 kHz models described below. Around 2010 a number of new Gold Bug models were released by Fisher. First came the Gold Bug in 2009. Then came the Gold Bug SE (Special Edition) which added manual ground balance at a bargain introductory price. The SE with minor tweaks later became the Gold Bug Pro at a higher price. So now we have two basic versions, the Gold Bug and the Gold Bug Pro. They differ from the old 1987 model by having an LCD readout. The standard version of either detector comes with a 5" round coil. There is a Gold Bug DP (Deep Penetrating) which is nothing more than a Gold Bug Pro with an 11" x 7" DD elliptical coil instead of a 5" round DD coil. The only difference listed by Fisher between the Gold Bug and the Gold Bug Pro is that the Gold Bug Pro has a manual adjustment option for the ground balance and also offers "higher sensitivity". Both models use a "Ground Grab" button as a simple ground balance method that is quite effective. The Gold Bug Pro allows you to also manually adjust the ground balance setting up or down. The manual adjustment can be used in conjunction with or separately from the Ground Grab button. The big question is the "higher sensitivity" claim. There are two possibilities here. First, that the Gold Bug Pro actually allows for higher gain or sensitivity levels. However, I was in marketing too long and have a more jaded thought. Manual ground balance allows for a higher degree of control that if used properly can get you more sensitivity. There is a very distinct possibility the higher sensitivity claim follows directly from the ability to manually ground balance the Gold Bug Pro. This could be tested with both units set side by side with identical ground balance settings and max gain. If the Gold Bug Pro is inherently more sensitive an air test should show it. I have not had the chance to do this my self but if somebody wants to there you go. ads by Amazon... My opinion? I believe the Gold Bug and the Gold Bug Pro if outfitted with the same coil are basically the same detector. The only real difference is the manual ground balance option on the Gold Bug Pro. Do you need it? Not really, and especially when you consider that for $499 vs $649 that is probably all you are getting. The Ground Grab function is remarkably effective and would suit most people just fine. I personally do like manual ground balance and so for me spending the extra money to get it is a non-issue. I do as a rule tell people that if cost is not an issue get the Gold Bug Pro. It is far more popular and would be easier to resell. But in all honesty I think the Basic Gold Bug is the real bang-for-the-buck unit. There is nothing else close to it at the $499 price point that offers full LCD readout target discrimination while in full power all metal prospect mode. I should note that First Texas owns both Fisher and Teknetics. The Fisher Gold Bug DP (Gold Bug Pro with 11" coil) is marketed by Teknetics as the G2. The Fisher Gold Bug DP goes for $699 and the Teknetics G2 is $749. The $50 extra gets you a pistol grip rod instead of the Gold Bug S-rod and an arm strap. Nice gray paint scheme also. Really boils down to pistol grip vs S-rod, purely a personal preference thing. I use the 5" x 10" elliptical myself and consider it to be the best all around coil for the Gold Bug. However, right now you have to get it as an accessory or as part of a two coil package. Fisher would be doing us a service to release the Gold Bug with this coil as standard on the unit. My Gold Bug 2 is slightly better on the tiniest of gold but the Gold Bug Pro easily outperforms the Gold Bug 2 on larger nuggets at depth. For all around nugget detecting the Gold Bug or Gold Bug Pro (and G2) have a better balance of both small gold and large gold capability than the Gold Bug 2. Fisher Gold Bug Pro & Teknetics G2 Detailed Comparison To recap first came the original 1987 era Gold Bug with knobs and switches: 1987 era analog Fisher Gold Bug Then in 2009 we got the new Gold Bug: Fisher digital Gold Bug Followed quickly and briefly by the Gold Bug SE. Note how the plus and minus buttons now have dual functions, both Disc and Ground Balance, compared to the basic Gold Bug above: Fisher Gold Bug SE The Gold Bug SE was basically the prototype for the Gold Bug Pro, which got a new faceplate decal and a higher price: Fisher Gold Bug Pro And finally, the Gold Bug Pro was also marketed under the Teknetics line as the G2 with a different rod/handle assembly: Teknetics G2 Gold Bug Pro DP compared to Teknetics G2: Click on images below for larger versions.....