Equinox Caught Fire & U Started It

[Gerry in Idaho]

Folks,  I have read some of the posts on here and am disappointed about what some of you think you know or what some of you might have been told by a  dealer.  No I’m not even going to other forums, as I heard they want to hang each other blaming the manufacture Minelab, their dealers and or non Minelab users causing their usual ruckus.

I will not call out anyone in particular except Minelab, as I feel they did leave us in the dark recently with lack of communication.

Here is what I want you to try and understand please. This new and exciting detector technology was introduced in the UK at one of the larger detecting events in the world.  I personally had customers there who were pretty excited about it and why would you not be?   After all, Minelab of old and their high dollar prices, for the most part…I think is behind us now.  1st Go-Finds (which I personally don't care for), is an introductory detector to get in a new kids hands for under $199 (and it sells well, better than I had imagined). Until the last few years the cheapest thing Minelab had was minimum of $500.  Then the Gold Monster 1000 package with 2 coils and accessories priced at $799.  It has really hit the US market hard and I can barely sell any of my other VLF gold detector brands.  The GM-1000 is the hottest selling VLF gold machine out there and actually fun to use too.  They already had the high end Gold Detector market share.  So what is left to go and gobble up and try to put their product brand in to your hands.  The Equinox with 2 different models and price points of course.

Minelab decided to go with a detector the majority of you can afford and most importantly, you want one.  Their advertising & intro outside of the US was genius.  The price point along with this detectors technology is stunning.  The majority of detectorists WORLDWIDE are intrigued and wanting it.

Yes we were told to expect a small batch around Christmas…but that was before the upgrades.  With the new upgrades, even more people decided to jump on board and I applaud you.  The new year is here and most major detector manufactures have not introduced much that was totally new and exciting in the last 3 months.  Tax returns are coming, the Spring is around the corner and until this week most of your retirement accounts were fat and happy.  The market was riding the wave and the Equinox Pre-Sales is as well..  In fact, the last 30 days of sales of this product have been more than the previous 3 months (for me anyway).

Minelab History. I have been a Multi Line Dealer of detectors for 20+ years. Minelab (which I feel makes some of the most innovative detector technologies) allows me (a detectorist of 45 years) the edge in my style of detecting most of the time.  I’ve witnessed this company grow from a single weed to a bush in a matter of 3 years in the US in the early 90’s.  I have seen their gold detector sales spread across the US from a bush to a garden in the early 2000’s.  Then Minelab started making well know detectors we enjoyed for Coin/Relic/Jewelry hunting using BBS, FBS and VFLEX technologies, all the time while growing and the garden getting bigger.  My sales of a variety of Minelab detectors just kept getting bigger and before I knew it the garden in the back yard became a City Park of many acres.   Minelab has methodically kept on growing, getting bigger with each new model and improvement. The 2^nd Gold Rush in Africa (about 8 years ago) was a Grand Slam for Minelab and they re-invested some of their profits by hiring more young and bright minded Engineers and yes even physicists.

Now we are at present with this new Multi IQ technology and the Equinox.  The biggest change I see?  Minelab is now so much greater worldwide and the detector is in demand more than even the best of us could have imagined.  Folks,  the walk in the park along the river is no more, it has grown into a full blown Timber Forest.  The Equinox with its new Multi IQ technology, the perfect timing release at a major detector event, the updated info and even the delay to get more features and performance into the detector… has the demand across the different lands and languages of this planet is totally awe inspiring to us old timers that have been around for a long time.

To date - 1^st shipment arrived and has been allocated.  Boy was I pissed off at 1^st as well as most all other dealers.  Then I realized what they just went through and also realized the same thing happened with the other machines in times past and most recently the Pro Find 35 Pointer.  Minelab felt it best to get at least a few machines sent out and that is exactly what came into the US?  Lucky for us as some countries were allocated even less.  My guess only… I expect another shipment (in the next 2 to 3 weeks) and it too will probably be small and then a 3^rd shipment 2 to 3 weeks later and so forth.  I feel things will open up some around the mid/late March and most customers will be happily using their new detector.

All the chatter (good and bad) is literally creating a wave and it just keeps getting bigger and more curious people are watching, wondering and wanting…to get in on the game.  Now I love new customers and have spent most of my adult life promoting this hobby and the many adventures it provides.  But some people seems to think Minelab is taking advantage?

What I ask of everyone who reads this.  Please be respectful of your dealer who is trying to get the product, but we can only hand you what we get.  Some dealers have not been as up front with their customers and a wise customer will shop with someone different next time.  Please understand Minelab USA and their distributors are doing all they can to get them and I know for a FACT they are moving them to the dealers.  Thank Minelab Corporate, the ones who make up the new technologies we so desire.  After all, they could have kept their promise (machines were done) and sent them across the lands.  Then a month later we are all up in arms with new info and possible downloads.  Heck people, they make a wise decision and are offering us even more machine at the same price we already paid.  Why be upset with that?

So please don’t call and threaten your dealer for taking your money.  Please don’t call and harass their distributors and or even Minelab USA.  After all, if you don’t want the product let us know, we have plenty of people in line to take your spot. 

Now for Minelab USA or Corporate.  I feel they did not do a good enough job of updating the consumers of their products. We are inquisitive people who want to know (hence the new EQ) and many of us have put money in your hands, some for a few months now.  We (most of us anyway) are ok with the delay and updates.  But after saying “end of Jan” and that not happening, it allowed the forums to run rampant with rumors…which causes more stories and then sometimes mistrust.  A simple post to FB or on the main Minelab Site explaining the product was delayed an additional 2 weeks for any reason would have been enough for most.  After all we all know BAD news is better than No news.

I would kindly ask of those who want to chime in with opinions on why this or who that and Dealer A not doing something right.  Please refrain.  I’d like to see positive comments and feed backs only.  Once the detectors are in your hands, then there will be discussions started to engage.

Bottom line is this.  Not a person on any forum is going to make the detectors show up any sooner.  It is what it is and we just need to be a little more patient.  Americans being patient?  I don’t think so.. we are spoiled, self serving and sometimes non practical.  Guess what.  We still be waiting.  Thanks for allowing me to help clear up some of the delays and ways of Minelab.  I’ve had plenty of hair pulling events myself in my years with Minelab and it will all work out in the end, I promise.

Oh and have you downloaded the newest version Equinox manual, I don’t understand why some come in White,  Who wants a white one?

https://my.chevrolet.com/content/dam/gmownercenter/gmna/dynamic/manuals/2018/Chevrolet/Equinox/2018-chevrolet-equinox-owners-manual.pdf

[Dan(NM)]

Thanks for the great post and the info Gerry. 

[IdahoAl]

I Don't quit understand the why General Motors manual.  Joke??

[Chase Goldman]

Gerry, if I didn't already have a dealer who also is a good friend and sometime relic detecting buddy, it would be you. What an intelligent and informative post.

The blackballing thing is a little disconcerting.  Is that a dealer level thing or a user level thing (abuse of warranty, return, or just dropping off of preorder lists?). 

Anyway, thanks for doing the job ML USA should be doing regarding customer relations, you should be getting someone's paycheck who supposedly has that job there.

[Chase Goldman]

12 minutes ago, IdahoAl said:

I Don't quit understand the why General Motors manual.  Joke??

Chevy Equinox, does that clear it up?

[InTrouble]

Hey I was wondering where that third manual was lol...  Thanks Gerry, very well laid out.

[Gerry in Idaho]

Chase, It happens in all industries and or walks of life.  But the reality is...most dealers are great people and want to help their customers.

Al,  I was not making fun of Chevy...but trying to laugh a few people who hit the link and seen the new 2018 Chevy Equinox.  Wonder how many started reading it???

InTroube,  Never use REVERSE my friend, lol.

[Cal_Cobra]

4 hours ago, Gerry in Idaho said:

After all, they could have kept their promise (machines were done) and sent them across the lands.  Then a month later we are all up in arms with new info and possible downloads.  Heck people, they make a wise decision and are offering us even more machine at the same price we already paid.  Why be upset with that?

Gerry thanks for taking the time to write that (lengthy) post.  I don't disagree with most of what you said EXCEPT that considering these machines are in fact user upgradable, I fail to see the issue if they'd shipped them earlier, continued working their upgrades, and then provided a software upgrade. 

As a matter of fact, I think they'd been seen in a far better light then the "mum's the word" approach they took because:

1. People would've received their detectors earlier, and that would've placated much of the negativity on the forums.
2. Minelab's track record for detector firmware upgrades is poor at best, providing an upgrade with the features that held up the machines would've been seen as an impressive step in (a) listening to their customers and (b) demonstrating that they actually have their upgrade act together by providing value added software upgrades, thus providing an incrementally better product.   

In this fast moving modern world of advanced software and hardware products, people are used to software upgrades, else we'd all still be running iOS 3, Android Cupcake, oh and lest not forget Windows ME. 

 

[BeachHunter]

I think it’s a very good idea to show patience and respect to our Dealers and everyone else for that matter. After all, they are just like you and me when it comes to doing the thing we love. It’s the sport, not just the equipment. Great write up Gerry. Thanks!

[Chase Goldman]

5 hours ago, Gerry in Idaho said:

Chase, The BB'ing has been to certain people who continually attacked Minelab on social media.  We have had a few dealers of all brands get the ax for other certain unethical businesses.  It happens in all industries and or walks of life.  But the reality is...most dealers are great people and want to help their customers.

Gerry,

Oops, I guess I shouldn't have complimented your customer outreach skills at the expense of ML USA. Hope I don't get BB'd, or worse (e.g., have my EQ shipping rerouted through Antarctica by sled dog team).  

BTW I forgot to mention that seeing the title of your thread triggered my consumer electronics PTSD.  I was a "victim" of not one but two recalls of the Samsung phone model whose battery design flaw was causing phones to spontaneously combust.  Though my phone never caught fire, having to send it back in for replacement twice in one month and then finally being told I needed to buy a different model phone was not fun.  Suffice it to say, the whole "Equinox Caught Fire" expression had a completely different initial connotation to me and I was relieved to see you were only referring to Equinox sales and preorder numbers and not a fatal Equinox battery design flaw.