With A Little Power Comes A Little Responsibility - Getting Heard By The Manufacturers

[Steve Herschbach]

Ok, time to out myself. I am self declared promoter and cheerleader for all things metal detecting. I may appear at times to promote a certain brand, but simply Google me and study a bit and you will see I promote all reasonably good brands. It has nothing to do with brands. Ultimately, I am a consumer advocate and do what I can to foster competition and innovation in the marketplace. It is all for very selfish reasons - I want the best metal detectors possible to be put in my very own hands before I get too old to use them anymore.

I have always tried to the best of my ability to treat all the manufacturers fairly and with an even hand in commentary because I very much want to influence them if possible. Being too much on any one team would hurt me by limiting my access to the other team. Bashing anyone at all in an unreasonable way is self defeating, so the trick is to try and offer critical commentary without being rude about it.

You are all part of this. This forum had a specific goal by design of trying to attract the most knowledgeable detector users possible. Hand in hand with that is an insistence on polite, reasoned discourse.

I can tell you for a fact most manufacturers look on the forums as a Wild West show at best, and it you are honest the behavior exhibited on many forums should embarrass us all as a community. Why should manufacturers listen to a bunch of bickering children casting insults at one another? Or those who say that they, the manufacturers, are stupid dull idiots?

I am sure this forum gets watched by more manufacturers now than most, purely because there are some smart people here providing some smart commentary. That means that you, the forum member, have a certain degree of influence, but only if you present yourself well as a person who can put two sentences together to make a logical argument.

Do certain things about metal detectors frustrate you? Are there things you want improved? Competition is now heating up to unheard of levels and the only manufacturers that are going to win are the ones who start listening to their customers more than they ever have before.

Be part of my plan and get on my team as being a person to provide and offer commentary on what detector products do well and why. What do you like, what don't you like? Do it in a professional - that is the key - as professional a manner as possible, and I believe I can promise your desires and concerns will get seen by people who can make a difference.

You do have a little power here. Please use it responsibly.

[Ridge Runner]

I was reading over again about the MX Sport in Lost Treasure written by Andy. On the MX Sport Andy didn't have a 100 % to say on it. On any detector we will have some positive and negative thing to say about it . What is trouble for one is not for another. I think this wholes true for us all.

It's a old saying if you live in a glass house you shouldn't throw rocks. Maybe it would be best if we take a look at ones self before we pickup a negative word.

I think all of us want the detector companies to listen to us. Like when I posted on here my new out of the box Nokta Gold Plus was not working. I just posted I needed help bad and Nokta was here. It did help I knew they posted on here all the time. The main thing they were there more than willing to make it right.

 I'm no saint being Steve just had to removed something said between me and another guy. Like me I forget what I'm saying is here for all to read. I just need to remember what I say is here for all ears to read. Nothing private be positive are negative.

Chuck

 

[fredmason]

Well said, Steve. I think you have to rank as the most even-handed Detector commentator ever!

I agree that intelligent comments without slurs would be more effective.

Nokta Detectors seems to understand the need and benefit in listening to the pleas of the masses. I especially like the fact that they opening participate in this forum.Other manufacturers should take note.

fred

[Steve Herschbach]

Dilek does a great job but working the forums can be hard for manufacturers. Some people seem to forget there are people with feelings behind keyboards. Just because they work for companies does not make it any less so.

[fredmason]

Yes, the people have feelings and possibly pride of their employ. However, if "they" want to find the truth they will have to dig through the fluff, muck and slime to hit paydirt (the facts) of  what the end-user thinks. Not every one writes as clearly or as prudently as you or Chris Ralph or my distant friend Jonathan Porter.

 

[DDancer]

Hehh, that being said I posted a bit about the Zed's car port recharger cable.... the insulation is junk for cold weather.... anyrate What ever happened to that detector coil quiz some time ago... What Coil Size Do You Most Want For The GPZ 7000?  That'd be a response I could appreciate among others to see feed back.  Not your Job Steve~ theirs.  However it would be most unfortunate if people came flocking here to make a gaggle out of things.... sigh.

 

Honestly I just want the best as a consumer.  If there  is any genuine interest in this forum from manufactures I would be glad to help directly or indirectly. *shrugs*  Steve your running a tight crew *figurative* so I do hope your creation here is a driver for the manufactures to take a gage on.

[Steve Herschbach]

They may or not respond publicly. Just because Minelab did not chime in on that survey on the forum and comment does not mean it was not paid attention to. Whether they do or not is beside the point from my perspective, though certainly I would welcome it.

[californiagold]

I think this forum is great. there is alot of topics on tech and ideas. I think it is a responsibility to also help the new guy or girl. I dont think anybody started this thrill without help or seeing someone find a treasure with a detector that spark the interest.  I notice everybody is more then willing to help a new detectorist with tips and such. I know everybody cant give away some of their great gold locations, but atleast aiming them on the right track helps. pay it forward is good for the detector society.  I pretty much spend alot of my free time doing research for new people to try to get them a few gold locations going. Being on the gold is very important or people get bored and give up. it is definitely not easy to find gold. it is very good at hiding. I think it is also a good balance to have the successes of detecting trips posted to keep morale up and dreams going. I pretty much think this forum has about the most well rounded characteristics to be the most informative to help anyone at any skill level. manufactors definitely should keep an eye on this community.