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I guess it's not only Minelab's customers that have been a bit disgruntled of late, with a terrible launch of the Manticore just not being able to supply stock while pumping out other new models they also could barely supply it annoyed more than just their customers, add to that the terrible warranty issues with faulty detectors and abnormally high numbers of warranty claims Europe's largest metal detector distributor and Minelab service agent has given Minelab the boot, no longer wanting to deal with them, I would imagine quite a big blow to Minelab. You can read the article here https://treasurehuntingworld.com/2023/03/17/international-detector-center-idc-part-ways-with-minelab/ Now Minelab should heed this warning and get their act together, release detectors they can supply and focus as much as possible on delivering a quality well tested product.

I'll be at Alaska Mining & Diving Supply all day next Wednesday thru Friday as part of the Grand Opening of the new Mining Superstore. I'll also be doing some free seminars with question and answer session each afternoon (details below). I'll probably step out one day for lunch with my sister so if you want to catch me morning or afternoon are best. If you know anyone in Alaska who might be interested, please let them know. I hope I might see a few of you there Here are a bunch of photos of the new store location on a previous thread The AMDS Story Grand Opening Celebration! May 17-19th 10am - 7pm daily FREE Seminars and daily prizes! Prizes May 17th - Garrett Ace Metal Detector May 18th - Garrett Apex Metal Detector May 19th - Garrett AT Max Metal Detector (No purchase necessary, winners will be selected and notified the next business day, limit one entry per person per day) Steve Herschbach, AMDS Co-Founder and World-Renowned Metal Detector Expert will be on hand daily sharing his expertise and wisdom with FREE seminars. May 17th @530pm Metal Detecting for Gold Nuggets May 18th @530pm The New Garrett Axiom May 19th @530pm Gold Dredging Basics Special Guest Kayla Johanson from "Gold Rush: White Water" on Discovery Channel Friday May 19th 11am-3pm

So, the great news is Nokta are working on a Pulse Induction Gold prospecting detector, it was delayed a bit due to other projects, I can only assume the Legend but it's back in development now and to be honest I'm quite excited about it. The market has long needed a good quality low cost relatively high performance PI option. While I don't expect them to match the performance of the GPX 6000 or GPZ 7000 that's not overly necessary, they're likely going to put their detector in a very competitive price bracket to enable a larger number of people to take up prospecting with a PI detector. I would not be surprised if the performance exceeds my expectations though, Nokta never ceases to amaze people with the products they come out with for the price they sell them. I figured it's time to start a thread on it so Nokta can get a bit of feedback from various detector prospectors as to what they'd want in a new PI detector. I'll kick it off with something that I would like, for me I would love the detector to support existing GPX coils, not GPX 6000 coils obviously, the earlier GPX coils. People have a bunch of these things, manufacturers have started long running businesses solely around making coils for the GPX series of Detectors, there are literally hundreds of coils available for the GPX detectors, this would give the Nokta machine a big head start and a also attract a lot of buyers to it knowing they can use their existing coils. There are a range of coils available for the GPX to suit just about any environment with DD, Mono, Concentric, Anti Interferance and so on, a coil for every occasion in every size you can imagine. It would just really make sense for Nokta to take advantage of that if at all possible. Other detectors are running GPX coils fine so technically and legally it's not a problem, it is more so if there detector is designed to suit them. They could even do what Fisher were intending to do and do a Land (gold) and Sea (beach) version of the detector to get more out of their R&D. I could go on for ages on the features I would want it to have and I'll do that in time if others don't chime in with the same requests. So, what would you want in the new Nokta Makro PI Gold machine?

I haven't been keeping up with Minelab's progress now I'm no longer a share holder, fortunately I did get out at a good time, so this is a month or so late but interesting none the less. I took a few tidbits from the documents which can be read in full here: https://codan.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2512906.pdf https://codan.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2512925.pdf Starting with the Chief Executives introduction message. It's surprising to see how much Communications has taken over metal detection as the better part of their business, even in R&D they're spending far more on communications now reflecting that market performance I guess. Some bad news for dealers, they're investing more in e-commerse, we all know what they means, there will be more buying direct from Minelab and cutting out middle men smaller dealers like they've recently done in Malaysia and Indonesia with their own buy direct website - https://minelab.co.id/ You'll likely need to click on the images to see them in a readable form depending on your screen size. It's interesting the key markets for Gold Detectors are Asia Pacific, yep that includes me 🙂, not the USA though. The USA is in the treasure detectors category as a key market. Latin America is a key market for the Gold Detectors though. I guess not many Americans look for gold anymore by comparison to other countries. The near term strategy is just to focus on marketing and selling the new Manticore and Nox 700/900, so it doesn't look like we'll see another detector out of Minelab this year, the long awaited CTX and GPZ replacements are a long way away yet, although this was also interesting. See smaller dealers, increase E-Commerse penetration, they're wanting to do that into more markets! It will eventually be big box stores and E-Commerse (Minelab direct sales) They didn't consider the Equinox to be a high end machine, more of a mid range and this Manticore is considered a CTX level machine, maybe there never will be a CTX 4040. The best coin and treasure detector on the market they say, more accurate discrimination at depth they say....... not sure I can agree with that statement. Now lets have a look at performance..... Not looking too crash hot, it shows that gold detectors and Africa were vital to their good figures. Africa then.... and now A massive drop in sales to Africa. The USA is making up some of that slack with the treasure detectors, the Americans must be buying up Manticores and Nox's in big numbers. Not looking good at all, no matter how it's spun. So, I guess we won't see anymore new detectors this year, it's very unlikely, surprising the X-Terra didn't even get a mention although it's not a high profit detector, it's to remain competitive at that end of the market and won't be a big money maker regardless of sales I would think. Engineering investment is now favouring communcations where the money is being made more so than metal detection. Lucky for me I'm in no rush to buy any new detectors, in fact I may not buy another Minelab in quite some time, I can't see me buying their new GPZ when it comes out unless it's significantly better than my GPZ with X-coils and I have my doubts especially when I don't care about ergonomics, I'm not paying a massive amount of money for a GPZ on a diet. I doubt I'd even buy the new CTX unless there was some dramatic improvement in performance and the Manticore which I did buy isn't really that great big jump over the Equinox, and in many ways for my needs still well behind the CTX that's a decade old. Maybe their engineers have finally hit the wall when it comes to performance.

Just thought I would share this with you all, I spotted it today while lurking around. The article is here

Now that White’s has closed the factory in Sweet Home, these are the officially designated places to have warranty work and service done. Garrett has purchased White's, and will continue to support the product, with manuals here. Centreville Electronics (East Coast) 9437 Main Street Manassas, VA 20110 (888) 645-0202 (703) 367-7999 Fax: (703) 367-0868 bobnpaul@centrevilleelectronics.net www.centrevilleelectronics.net Centreville Electronics Northwest (West Coast) 1550 Maple Pl. Lebanon Oregon 97355 (541)409-7263 www.centrevilleelectronicsnw.com centrevilleelectronicsnw@gmail.com Canada Ed Sebulski 21920 44A Avenue Langley, British Columbia, Canada V3A 9J3 604-532-8153 Use this Service Center for Older Water Detectors Specializing in repairing legacy White’s water detectors. Please call for other repairs. Warren’s Repair Center Freeport, Florida (850) 835-3344 warren32439@gmail.com Europe At last report the White’s facility in Scotland closed in November and is no longer accepting items for service: White’s Electronics (UK) Ltd 35J Harbour Road Inverness Scotland IV1 1UA Email: info@whites.co.uk UK Customers: 01463 223 456 International Customers: +44 1463 223 456

I saw this and wondered if they’re talking smf or just several single frequencies. Anyone heard anything?

To compete with Garrett? Just curious

Every 6 months I get these rumors that I'm dead. I think Gerry McMullen starts them. 😁 Gerry knows I'm not dead because he is a dealer for a lot of my detector covers. I know how this happens. It's because it is hard to get in touch with me via phone. Oon the average day I have around 20 to 30 orders to get out. This time of the year it hovers around 50. Unfortunately, I just can't answer the phone. You know us metal detecting folks love to talk. I had a customer who kept me on the phone for an hour and 45 minutes on Friday and it really threw my entire day off. I didn't get to the post office until 8:30 that evening. We business customers are allowed to go to the main post office in the rear where they had overhead doors up until 9 pm so that is great when I am running late. The best way to get in touch with me if you have questions is to email me at docsdetecting@gmail.com. That way if I get a break throughout the day I can answer your email. If you need to talk to me directly put your phone number in the email, but don't expect a call back immediately. It will probably be after I have every customer's package ready to be shipped. I love my customers and I am as guilty as the next person when it comes to getting tied up on the phone telling stories. So if you start talking to me about gold prospecting chances are my sense of time flies out the window. I am easily distracted. So I have to stay on task. Please do not take offense if I try to keep our conversations short and sweet. Just know that I will get your order out as fast as I do all of my customers. Usually if your order is in before 2pm, it's going to go out the same day. If after 2pm it may go out that day but more likely the next. Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and thanking you for all the business you have sent my way over the past 30 years. And I'm still not dead. I don't even have anything wrong with me. And after an extensive battery of medical tests as well as COGNITION tests for "THE ELDERLY" I just got approved for more life insurance for another 10 year term. Which means the insurance company is betting I am going to live longer than when I turn 83, while apparently I am betting that I am going to die before 83. Living in Las Vegas, this seems like a strange bet. Don't forget it's Christmas time, and my story that I wrote in 1999, "All That Glitters" A Prospector's Christmas Story is still available to read for free at: A Prospector's Christmas Story - Doc's Place (docsdetecting.com) It's also available in book form for Christmas giving. Best wishes to all of you and your family during this Christmas season. Doc

Well it looks like XP is trying to increase their American market, caught this announcement on their website: https://www.xpmetaldetectors.com/en/ba/the-blog/xp-metal-detectors-launches-amazon-store-to-expand-market-reach-in-the-usa.php Yay. You'll probably pay MSRP for stuff there, but as it expands ya might get what ya need. 😀 Direct link to store: https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/49F4A193-A28A-475C-8F2B-AF1F47A0033B

The stock traded up 18% on the release with the communications segment beating guidance. Interesting to all of us is that the Minelab segment's revenue missed at $74mm. Guidance was $75-80mm. Codan maintained its Minelab margin guidance, so pricing was stable. It just sold fewer units. Always hard to say what caused the miss, but competition has obviously heated up and production seemed delayed. The management call is February 16th. Analysts generally ask about product releases on that call. ASX RELEASE 24 January 2023 Trading Update Codan Limited (ASX:CDA) (Codan) is pleased to provide the market with a trading update for the half year ended 31 December 2022 (H1 FY23). At the AGM in October 2022, the Codan Board expected that revenue for H1 FY23 would be in the range of $198 million to $215 million and this would generate a net profit after tax between $25 million and $30 million. The unaudited revenue achieved in H1 FY23 was $212 million and the net profit after tax may now approach $31 million. Highlights: • Minelab unaudited revenue was slightly below the guided range at $74 million, however the business is still expected to deliver a segment profit margin of 30%, in line with guidance. • Communications unaudited revenue was $137 million, slightly exceeding expectations and the segment profit margin will improve to 25%. • Communications orderbook as of December 2022 has increased 16% from 30 June 2022 to $173 million.

Surprised to hear that Felix is no longer with FT. I've known Felix for 40 years + a great source of information I will miss his accurate and detailed approach to his work. The FT detectors have always been very solid and thanks in part to Felix they do back them up with great service. Wishing him well in nis new endevours. cjc

Just a couple weeks ago it looks like Minelab sued Nokta for patent infringement. https://dockets.justia.com/docket/pennsylvania/pawdce/3:2022cv00211/293964

Here is a short poll to get a feel of how people are going to deal with all these new detectors on the market, and get an idea of how many people intend to jump in and get one.

Merrill of Detecting NYC presents a little interesting info on Minelab and its relationship with Parent Codan. Codan stock has been in the tank lately and their money maker, Minelab, may be releasing the Manticore and the Nox 700 and 900 so close together to try and spur a much needed sales and profit boost. You be the judge.

Having more than one coil for my new Equinox 800 I'd like spare lower shaft. I've upgraded from an X-Terra 705, I carry it as a spare detector, so I thought, great I will use the lower shaft from that. Different size of course, it would be reasonable to assume that an X-Terra owner would, when upgrading, be buying a nox. So this situation to me is disappointing, to my mind Minelab have deliberately changed the size of the shaft in order to sell me another shaft. As buyers we we tend to be brand loyal, but increasingly for me that is becoming trite, they clearly don't care about us so why should we remain loyal ? My Equinox is made in Malaysia so Minelab don't even employ Australians to make the Equinox at least. Some may say big deal just buy a new shaft and get on with it. If that's what you think then big business has you exactly where they want you and the future is grim for consumers { remember when we used to be Customers }

Is anyone here a member of the AMRA? If so, do you think it is worth the price of joining?

Minelab plastered their propaganda yesterday on Facebook on their dealers pages. I asked a couple of them what it was. Their response, "we don't know". Bahaaa, this must be how Minelab likes to do business with its dealers and customers. Just like the 6000 speaker EMI fiasco of 2022. 🤣

https://www.facebook.com/MinelabMetalDetectors/?mibextid=LQQJ4d

this has always been my strong belief. When a great metal detecting company loses its founder and is replaced by a financial person. Apple tried it with a CEO from pepsi john sculley who was a consumer brand wizard or Microsoft elevated steve balmer to CEO who was another consumer branding guru. I think the same fate has hit garrett with the current ceo. Zero experience in metal detector design. I wonder if he has ever gone metal detecting in the wild.

A proposed mine at Hecla, Wy (near Cheyenne), is currently in the permitting process, and independent economic studies estimate over 2000 jobs will be opened by it. The company is CK mining, and are proposing a site of about 900-acres to be quarried there. The company’s website has some interesting historical information and a geological report about the area: https://www.ckgoldmine.com/site-history https://d1io3yog0oux5.cloudfront.net/_d9c22c808a6c7fec48fed1b6f801c02c/usgoldcorp/db/332/1560/pdf/Copper+King+Report.pdf[1].pdf

Debated on posting the following but it's the truth so here goes. Long story but I managed to ruin the battery on my Monster (my fault) and need one ASAP! So I called Gerry and left a message on the answering machine. Immediately after the call I also shoot an email stating the same. Maybe 10-15min after I shot the email the phone rings and some guy says "it's on it's way out tomorrow". So then I know it's Gerry...lol Anyways...just a little pump and with out a doubt that is the fastest service/transaction I've EVER gotten anywhere, no shit!. So thanks Gerry, appreciate the super fast service.....

Minelab/Codan full year report FY22 is on the Codan website. I skimmed through it and they mention a couple of times new product releases for 2023. "FY23 first half sales may not reach the $138 million achieved in FY22. We do however expect improvement in the second half of FY23, as we generate sales from new product releases and realize the benefits of our business development and marketing initiatives. " Later they mention again "The business remains well positioned to drive further market share growth with new product releases in FY23...." So maybe they will announce something at Detectival. I really hope so anyway.

Thought I saw something about them coming out with a new land machine for coins and relics is there any truth to this