Troy Shadow X2 - Nostalgia

[Bob S.]

Having looked around on the forums and recently posting about Tesoro put me in a nostalgic way! Reason being, I was the original graphic artist/designer for Troy metal detectors in around 1998. I designed Troy's corporate and Shadow X2 product logo, plus all the graphics for the box, panel, and coil. It was actually manufactured by Tesoro for Troy, he conceptualized and designed the features. It basically was a Tesoro Silver Sabre UMAX with a forward preset discrimination point tactile button called "Coin Check". The other button was the pinpoint mode. It came with a thin, solid 7" concentric searchcoil. The entire detector was all in black and it was a challenge (yet fun) to create its artwork and magazine advertisement. We were actually working on another version of the X2 called the "Shadow Lady" for women. I can't remember if it ever came to be, but I have one of the prototype box logo decals around somewhere. It was a great little detector and I actually enjoyed using it. The following is for those of you who enjoy true metal detecting adventures...

I was out with one of the first Shadow X2 production units. It was a site of an old hotel grounds that had been worked pretty hard by many detectorists over the years. Swinging around for 1/2 hour, my eyes started drifting to a section of the grounds which had sort of an "island" to it. It was a small stretch of land bounded by a good-sized curved stream and a steep hill. The only "easy" way to get there was to jump across the 6 ft. wide stream! The Shadow X2 was only like 2 pounds, so I got the bright idea I would toss the detector over the stream to the unhunted island. Then back up and then run myself unhindered and jump across! This was early Spring, sunny and cold enough where I could still see my breath.

The Shadow X2 was airborne! It hit the stream bank on the other side and teetered on the edge like a car on a cliff in the movies. You got it... It fell back into the raging water and went "submarine"! I ran along side the stream hoping to grab it as it bobbed in and out of the frigid water, it was just outside my reach. It traveled about 12 feet and stopped against a small branch laying in the water. I grabbed it nearly falling in... Got my arms soaked! Compensation for "brainy schemes"! A few minutes later after draining, I turned on the Shadow X2... Nothing! The water must have shorted the electronics. Luckily I carried basic tools in my backpack and was able to open the control housing. After awhile in the sun and breeze, myself and the X2 were almost dry. Dry enough to find a few coins still on my side of the stream!

I never did get to hunt the "island" that day or later on, but the events surrounding it has always been a treasured memory of my metal detecting adventures! I honestly don't remember what became of the X2. It likely got sold to afford a new detector, but I have solid 3 pages in my coin log of excellent coin finds from 1998 -2001. If I could have been able to look forward into the future and been nostalgic about the day, I would have kept the Shadow X2 for sure. So, if any of you, or you know someone would like to sell a Troy Shadow X2, I would be very grateful to have one back and give it a good home once again!

[kac]

Very cool.

I have seen a couple for sale but they don't stay posted very long.

[JCR]

There have been a couple of X5 change hands in the last few months.

 

[Joe D.]

I have two! May be willing to part with one!🤔

  We can discuss! Pm me!

[Rick N. MI]

I had one. Nice detector. You listened for those whispers and knew you had a deeper coin.

[Bob S.]

9 hours ago, Joe D. said:

I have two! May be willing to part with one!🤔

  We can discuss! Pm me!

Hi Joe... Fabulous! Only problem is I'm not allowed to PM yet for some reason, likely my new status. Can you please PM me so we can arrange?......Bob

[Bob S.]

11 hours ago, JCR said:

There have been a couple of X5 change hands in the last few months.

Thanks JCR, but the X3 and X5, I had nothing to do with. Fisher was manufacturing those for Troy. The magazine ads and product logos look the same only because someone else reworked my original X2 ad creation after I moved on from Troy.

[Bob S.]

1 hour ago, Rick N. MI said:

I had one. Nice detector. You listened for those whispers and knew you had a deeper coin.

I was 46 years old when I owned my X2. In just those three years as mentioned earlier, I developed a real appreciation for uncomplicated truly lightweight detectors. It weighed less than any detector I've owned since. Yes simple, but oh so capable. I found Seated, Barber, Indian all the time. The little 7" concentric was beautiful for working tight iron debris locations. The outer winding was right to the edge of the housing almost and that added a surprising little edge to the depth capability given its physical size. I really loved the power supply... One 9V. I used rechargeables and carried spares, even back then. I was never without power. I really liked the overall black color scheme which gave me a fun pallet to create the product artwork. I have a drafting background as well, so I could get fancy with the control markings too. Add to that waterproof panel switching! I would just tape over the "salt shaker" speaker grill and all was good on a rainy day. That didn't help though in my story above! 🙂  I would backpack into the mountains and the three-piece breakdown was so pack friendly. Yes, I have have always loved modulated analog audio, even to this day. Getting one back would be very comforting to me and I plan on using one if I do.

[Joe D.]

   I'll get ahold of you soon! They aren't going anywhere! 👍

   Yeah, for the safety of the forum, and us users, Steve H. has some "safety's" in place! You will have full access soon enough! Keep up the cool stories!🍀👍