Are Detectors Being Discontinued A Sign Of What's To Come With Minelab?

[phrunt]

We quietly saw the Equinox 600 and 800 slip into discontinued status, although the way it works with dealers having stock etc the process takes a while and it's kept on the down low, the 700 and 900 are now the models to buy although I think I'd still rather an 800 than a 900, at least the guts of it, in a 900 shell, my personal preference with the 800's better target ID and stability.

Now something I have been expecting looks to have happened, I've long thought the next release from Minelab won't be a GPZ 8000, they really don't need to rush this as they have no need to do so with the lack of competition other than a boost in sales it would give them but if history tells them anything a part of the market is heating up and they're missing out, the cheaper PI's.  The Algoforce has caused a bigger impact than they were expecting I think, it's become very popular as a Minelab VLF priced PI machine.   They've been fiercely fighting back with Notka with the release of better and higher spec low-end VLF machines but thus far have avoided eating into their profits with the PI's.

We know the Nokta PI models are not far away now, they are without a doubt going to cause a shift in the market, they're touting them to be a GPX 6000 comparable machine and if they achieve that it's really going to be a different market than what we are used to with one brand dominating.

The Axiom took me by surprise, they started out with high hopes and insane prices on it in Australia and NZ but over time they came back to earth, it's a far better detector than many people may think and really is biting at the heels of the GPX 6000 showing that a company like Nokta with enough R&D and staff talent could possibly match the 6000 or even beat it.

With the Axiom and Algoforce being priced in the lower range for PI's especially the Axiom in the USA and Minelab's closest competitor price wise although more expensive being the SDC 2300 which both the Axiom and Algoforce in my opinion are better than it leaves Minelab in a bit of a pickle.

The pending release of the GM2000 isn't a competitor to them regardless of marketing's wording, it's NOT a PI machine, it is however going to be a very good VLF machine as far as VLF machines go handling bad ground, but I would be shocked if it's PI level ground and hot rock handling, and I think expecting that is expecting far too much, especially if the Manticore is a stepping stone to what we are going to see.

Now to why I think the next release from Minelab isn't a GPZ 8000 and something else, the SDC has silently disappeared off their new website, it was there last week and gone today so it did make its way onto the new website, but then was removed.

Their current list of Gold Detectors.

So, are we about to see an Algoforce, Axiom and possible Nokta competitor? Is the 6000 Nokta's competitor? We will soon see but they still have to answer the Axiom and Algoforce as they've lost a lot of potential sales to these detectors, the buyers of them didn't buy the very dated SDC which is older than the 7000.

[Aureous]

Hmmm, I seem to recall someone else commenting that the SDC is about to be dumped due to its ludicrous noncompetitive-ness . I really DO expect that the SDC's replacement in that market segment IS the GM2K though. A budget PI will cut into the sales segment for the GM2K. The ONLY market segment that they currently have open is the high end one. Its the ONLY segment that allows very high markups because they have zero competitors. Its the waiting for what Nokta will do that keeps them hanging off I suspect. Remember, the promise was 2 'leapfrog' prospecting detector technologies in FY25-26. A budget PI aint that. 

But Simon is 100% correct, the Algo and Axiom have severely reduced sales of the tired old SDC to the point of retirement.

[Mountaineer Matt]

I really enjoy reading these analytical posts you share after doing some detective research. There would have to be something special about an SDC2300 replacement. One comment I get alot when comparing the SDC2300 vs the Axiom is that a lot of folks are willing to pay more for the foldability and that it's "waterproof." I put waterproof in quotes because I've seen too many 2300s be sent in for warranty after their first time in the water. If Minelab doesn't keep these two features, it's hard to see how it could be a serious competitor to other mid-level PI detectors.

A side note on the Nokta PI. I've been in touch with their marketing department about receiving a unit for testing on U.S. soil and they have been pretty quiet about it. In March, they told me they "have not started testing the devices yet." and a couple weeks ago the told me "there is no clear update we can share yet" and once there is progress, they will contact me. It does feel like there will be a strong marketing campaign for it based on the talks I've had with them. I would really like to see some competition.

[phrunt]

We have to think what makes the SDC different than other Minelab's available now

Waterproof 
Handles hot rocks FAR BETTER than the GPX 6000 and I would guess difficult soil conditions too.
Fold down portability

We know Nokta are doing waterproof, with Minelab's only waterproof PI possibly discontinued they're falling behind the pack in another area unless a new model comes out that's waterproof, that's not the GM2000.

A waterproof GPZ 8000? Doesn't sound likely to me as it's the big deep gold hunter in their lineup, not really the detector waterproofing is necessary on, they also don't have a good track record with waterproof machines, that would be a higher cost of repair if they produce a bunch of leakers.

Gaps in their line up are widening.  Leapfrog doesn't just mean high end leapfrog, it could be some change they've come up with for a lower end machine to be different to their existing machines, Target ID alone could be the jump, you can bet Nokta are going to do it, Algo already does.  Their marketing team likes to play with words; I wouldn't read too much into leapfrog at this stage.  Pretty exciting times though with new gold machines coming, it doesn't happen often.

[VicR]

One way to look at the Minelab PI line up is to look at pricing.

GM2000 - now rumoured to be $3000 AUD

GPX6000 - $8000 AUD

GPZ7000 - $11000 AUD

 

So there is a big $5000 AUD gap between the entry level GM2000 and the GPX6000.

A new flagship GPZ8000 would allow for some pricing discounts in current models. So pricing could be  -

GM2000  - $3000 AUD (current rumoured price) - up against the Algo and Axiom

GPX6000 - discount to $6000 AUD a reduction of $2000 AUD to combat the Nokta Magnetar

GPZ7000 - discount to $9000 AUD

GPZ8000 - $15000 AUD - naturally this price would only work if its the best gold detector ever and a game changer.

The price gap between the GM2000 and GPX6000 is reduced from $5000 AUD to $3000 AUD and balances out the pricing segments until you get to the GPZ8000 which is where customers are prepared to pay the earth to get the best.

 

 

 

[Aureous]

Everyone brings valid points the to the discussion but ask all of the prior SDC owners (myself included), 'Did you buy one due to it being waterproof and/or foldable?'  I bet my left nut (dont need it anyway) that 99% said no. I found the fold-ability to be an absolute damn nuisance and the design (being a leftover from the Military mine detector) was a total clunker. Only 4 design benefits were evident in the SDC that made 99% of ppl buy one: Sensitivity, superb ease of use, superb ground tracking and EMI suppression. It being waterproof and fold-able don't even come close to being a reason to purchase for the majority of buyers I bet <left nut shrinking>

Sure, there is room for an ergonomic $2K prospecting PI based on the SDC to combat the marketplace segment that is 'owned' by the E1500 and Axiom....but this will not be a huge seller and is definitely not 'Leapfrog' tech as promised. 

@VicR the suggested AU$3K price tag is not a rumour. I have been quoted this price via 2 dealers. This is the ACTUAL price I am forced to pay to play 'Leapfrog' 

[phrunt]

I don't know why anyone would think the GM2000 would be capable of being competition to a PI, let's take the Manticore as an example, similar price to the rumoured GM2000 price, it sucks in hot rocks, can't handle bad ground near as well as a PI, The Algoforce can handle any ground or hot rock you throw at it, the Axiom again handles ground and hot rocks well, as does the SDC.   I think it's unrealistic to expect the GM2000 to handle these situations like a PI while maintaining the depth, yes, they're saying it handles ground better but there is better (for a VLF) and there is as well.

The Manticore is pretty bad on a black sand beach, not much depth at all, the Algo, no problems.

I think it will likely be the best VLF for prospecting but not compete with the PI's in their favoured environments and they'll want us Manticore owners to fork out some more cash to upgrade to the GM2000 but expecting it to be competitive to PI's is a stretch.  The Egyption dealer that first did the leaked videos of it pointed that out, it's not competitive with a PI in those situations so people wanting PI performance will want a PI, if the SDC is gone they will deviate to the Algo or Axiom for that price range, and likely already were, Minelab need a lower priced PI, you can bet Nokta will do one in the near future, these higher end ones they are aiming for won't be the last.

[Mountaineer Matt]

34 minutes ago, Aureous said:

It being waterproof and fold-able don't even come close to being a reason to purchase for the majority of buyers I bet <left nut shrinking>

I think you are absolutely right for buyers in Australia or any other areas where there aren't long hikes through wooded areas or detecting in rivers. I can really only speak on the U.S. where having hands free hiking through thick brush and wading through rivers is fairly common. I know some old timers who have found more than enough gold to pay for a high end detector several times over but won't give up their SDC 2300 specifically because it folds up into their backpack. Always nice to hear perspectives from around the world.

[Aureous]

I get what you're saying there @phrunt, there will be limitations on what the GM2K will handle and the overall depth capabilities will be less than ANY PI, but both the price bracket and beginner friendly-ness of the GM2K  places it in that market segment. Ideal beginners machine and it WILL provide results, just like the SDC and 6000 did. I wont mention the original Gold Monster in that sentence coz although it was super easy for beginners to use by design, it was a total dog to use in anything but mild ground conditions. The vast majority of them here in Oz were thrown into cupboards in disgust or straight back on FB marketplace.  

Muhamed AlBayati is a Dubai based ML dealer and to this day, has never used a GM2K in-field. He just handled the promo detector at the dealer conference. The 3 ppl I know who have handled the GM2K and found gold all rave about it. So I suspect (hope) that its way better than we all anticipate.