Did Nokta/Makro Start The Detector Manufacturer Revolution?

[Guinea1]

I’ve been detecting now for over 25 years.  When I first started buying detectors, I was somewhat perplexed that lots of machines never even came with so much as a coil cover.  But in my opinion Nokta/Makro change all that, by always giving you more for less right from the very beginning.  I distinctly remember being highly impressed by the quality of the free cover sets which came with their early detectors that fitted like a glove.

So, if any detector manufacturer deserves a crown for starting a more for less revolution, which has benefited detectorists everywhere.  Then surely Nokta deserves that crown?  I personally believe without Nokta appearing on the detector scene, I think detector prices and technological innovations would still be in the Dark Ages.  Wherein the fierce competition between all the different detector manufacturers, is forcing them to give more innovations and additional extras at a fraction of the cost detectorists would have previously been expected to pay.  Which in reality is a really good thing, as some of the mid-range detectors nowadays have features which would have cost a small fortune not so long ago.  As even the beginner machines have incredible depth and features for a budget detector.

I own lots of different brands of metal detectors and have no real loyalty towards any manufacturer other than what works for me.  But I honestly do believe detectorists everywhere owe a show of gratitude towards Nokta for stating a revolution which has given detectorists the right to expect more for less whenever they buy a metal detector nowadays!    

[Steve Herschbach]

4 hours ago, Guinea1 said:

I personally believe without Nokta appearing on the detector scene, I think detector prices and technological innovations would still be in the Dark Ages.

I would credit Nokta with igniting a more for less movement in the industry. They deserve huge credit for helping to bring real price competition to the arena. Technical innovation, truly creating the bleeding edge technology? No. That credit goes to Minelab, with a nod to XP. Minelab spends huge sums of money to bring detectors like the GPZ 7000 to market, detectors that nobody comes close to matching after a decade. Most companies are playing catch up with Minelab. But that comes at a cost, both to Minelab in development costs and end users in helping pay for those costs. Nokta has come far in a short period of time, but they still a step behind Minelab. In things like PI they still have nothing to show. 

[JCR]

Nokta certainly has been a driving force in detector performance, quality and price/value.  I think they will continue that trend into PI also.   Other lesser known makers have played a part also.  It’s a great time to be active in the hobby.

[Guinea1]

2 hours ago, Steve Herschbach said:

I would credit Nokta with igniting a more for less movement in the industry. They deserve huge credit for helping to bring real price competition to the arena. Technical innovation, truly creating the bleeding edge technology? No. That credit goes to Minelab, with a nod to XP. Minelab spends huge sums of money to bring detectors like the GPZ 7000 to market, detectors that nobody comes close to matching after a decade. Most companies are playing catch up with Minelab. But that comes at a cost, both to Minelab in development costs and end users in helping pay for those costs. Nokta has come far in a short period of time, but they still a step behind Minelab. In things like PI they still have nothing to show. 

Good point Steve.  Minelab and XP have definitely brought some really ground-breaking technological innovations to the metal detector industry.  Though both of those two companies are still lacking in making good quality coil bolts which are fit for the purpose, despite their ground-breaking technological innovations!  The one on the early Equinox is the same design which shipped with the Minelab Explorer, which causes you to overtighten it trying to keep the coil at the correct detecting angle.  I remember my disappointment when I received the Equinox 800, which although most definitely innovative, the build quality of the arm cup and shaft left a lot to be desired.  Especially to someone who was used to owning Minelab detectors that you could literally use to beat down the undergrowth when you were detecting!

Whereas Nokta seem to learn very fast.  Their early detectors were clunky.  In fact, I remember you mentioning the rocker switches on one of their detectors which was quickly changed into a touchpad instead.  Plus, added bonuses like including a free sniper coil complete with the lower stem really enhances the versatility of the detector without any additional outlay at the expense of the detectorist.

I think the detector industry has needed a price war battleground for a very longtime.  It’s the detectorists who will ultimately be victorious in those battles, as the detector manufacturers offer more and more for less trying to entice people to buy their product.  So yeah, Nokta definitely deserve a crown for bringing radical change in the pricing structure of detectors! 

Talking of crowns, Detector Prospector definitely deserves one too for the quality of the articles and posts.  Wherein, I myself have learnt so much from this forum by reading the articles/reviews and posts that the knowledge gained is incalculable!

 

       

[RONS DETECTORS MINELAB]

3 hours ago, Steve Herschbach said:

Technical innovation, truly creating the bleeding edge technology? No. That credit goes to Minelab, with a nod to XP. Minelab spends huge sums of money to bring detectors like the GPZ 7000 to market, detectors that nobody comes close to matching after a decade. Most companies are playing catch up with Minelab. But that comes at a cost, both to Minelab in development costs and end users in helping pay for those costs. Nokta has come far in a short period of time, but they still a step behind Minelab.

The Minelab innovation started mostly by Bruce Candy and his patents some of which are now available for other companies to follow and what many are using. Bruce came to the U.S. and sold some of the patents to White’s company which now has been absorbed into Garrett’s control.

Yes, I have enjoyed the lower market prices coming from Nokta, XP, Garrett, Quest, Etc.. these companies have added good comparison models to their lineups with very similar performance capabilities .

But, IMHO, This is a double edged sword as I feel only Minelab’s innovation makes me feel like we have a new product that will truly make the next model a true upgrade from the previous models and I feel that the competition is definitely undercutting Minelab’s sales which in itself will make Minelab a declining company and eventually cutting into their innovation funding, also seems there a decline in the metal detecting community with the younger generation.

I do wish Minelab would listen to the user feedback’s more. Sometimes they do things we do not want (probably for more of a profit gain since their sales have gone downhill) like all these proprietary additions we all dread. 
Seems like Minelab is trying to survive on a budget now.

Another innovation that Dave Johnson from Fisher Labs came up with I believe first but was finally made available to the market place is the static conductivity on the Algoforce E1500. This is the best new addition to pulse induction technology for patch hunting detection.

[phrunt]

I love what Nokta has done and is continuing to do releasing good detectors are budget prices, thus far I don't see them as innovators though, they made a great near clone of the Equinox and now after many updates it's likely better than the Equinox from reports I read and they've improved upon features to give it a bit of difference.

The Pulse dive was quite innovative, something different, and I bought that for that reason and I like it, other than that I've only bought a Sinplex, not because I expected it to be good, just to experience a Nokta detector and its audio and menu system and get the feel for Nokta detectors and their build quality.  It felt very T2 like.  I've been hot and cold on buying a Legend, then when the Manticore came out I knew I'd be wasting my money on the Legend so finally gave up on that idea.

I hope their PI's bring something new to the table, if not they will end up popular anyway, as Minelab tries to hold onto high pricing even on old technology as long as they can get away with it, Nokta will bring their PI out at reasonable pricing bringing a wallet friendly option.

XP have been innovators walking their own path, not so much playing catch up, doing their own thing but following Minelab's pricing model.

The most appealing thing I see about Nokta is their quality and budget price more so than cutting edge detectors.  Once they've caught up completely which they almost have with VLF now then they may start to be a real innovator, I have high hopes for their PI.

[RONS DETECTORS MINELAB]

1 hour ago, phrunt said:

The most appealing thing I see about Nokta is their quality and budget price more so than cutting edge detectors.  Once they've caught up completely which they almost have with VLF now then they may start to be a real innovator, I have high hopes for their PI.

I am excited to see their new PI for relic and gold hunting, hopefully a lighter version of the 7000 with small and larger coil options, add some decent discrimination improvements from what’s currently available on the market and this alone would help them get ahead in the industry for innovation.