CTX3030 - combined VLF / PI technology ?

[Eddy Current]

What if the CTX3030 combines VLF with PI technology?

Never mind the colour screen, wireless audio, GPS or the mapping,
these are all features which easily fit in that slime control box...

Like everyone noted what stands out is the large battery case and
large battery = large power supply = large power consumption = PI

• quote from Bruce Candys US Patent 8063777 of November 22, 2011
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  [...] where the operator is able to [...] select different waveforms
  [...] examples [...] being time-domain, square-wave, sine wave [...]

if I'm not mistaken, then...

• time-domain .....means PI technology
  square-wave ....means multi-frequency technology
  sine wave ........means VLF technology

I don't know if above mentioned patent is the one for the CTX3030, but
it would explain the large battery, and as waterproofing would allow salt
water detecting a machine which can be switched to PI if needed would
be better suited...

Back on land you could switch it back to Multi-frequency for
relic hunting, or single VLF, and/or, PI for Gold Prospecting...

Just a thought


--Eddy C.

 

[Andy Sabisch]

Serioulsy . . . . . it woudl not make a lot of sense to come up with a detector that would impact the GPX, Excalibur and Explorer / E-Trac sales in a negative way and expect it to be priced where many could afford it . . . .

 

[brother steve]

I suppose a two in one or three in one detector would include a three in one price. Add another machine to the dream list.

 

[Eddy Current]

Serioulsy . . . . . it woudl not make a lot of sense to come up with a detector that would impact the GPX, Excalibur and Explorer / E-Trac sales in a negative way and expect it to be priced where many could afford it . . . .

Good point Andy,

I agree that it wouldn't make much sense to produce a competing machine, but I have a feeling that the CTX3030 will supplement the present line rather than impact it, because I think Minelab is targeting a whole different customer with it.

I try looking at it from the perspective of the manufacturer,
their potential costumers, and their current competitors...

The GPX, Excalibur, and E-TRAC are specialized machines, for the experienced (professional) detectorists who pursue specific detecting activities. These machines are sometimes too specialised or expensive for metal detecting all-rounders or beginners.

To outdo the competition, Minelab is currently missing a superior All-rounder Machine, and from a manufacturers point of view it doesn't really matter if a colour display is useful, but whether customers who want one will go to the competitor offering it.

There are millions of potential new detectorists out there who are willing to pay for the very best which - in their view - is the machine that has everything and can do everything, all-in-one and all-at-once, and as long as it is not more expensive than Minelab's specialized machines, they will buy it.

Where as the serious (Minelab loyal) prospector will stick to the GPX, because that's what the GPX is made for... while earnest offshore treasure hunters will get the Excalibur, because that's what the Excalibur is best suited for... and the avid Relic Hunter will get an E-TRAC, because that's what the E-TRAC excels in...

this may or may not be right


--Eddy C.

 

[markg]

But if the sales have dropped enough on these units, it would make perfect business sense. Competition will drive the market to new places and tactics.

 

[Eddy Current]

But if the sales have dropped enough on these units, it would make perfect business sense. Competition will drive the market to new places and tactics.

good point as well markg...


--Eddy C.

 

[Bell-Two]

But if the sales have dropped enough on these units, it would make perfect business sense. Competition will drive the market to new places and tactics.

good point as well markg...


--Eddy C.

This makes perfect sense. I was in the bicycle industry for over 35 years, when I started Schwinn was a major player in the field and sold more "Bike Shop Quality" bikes than any other competitor. But they resisted change and when the Mountain Bikes started to draw interest they decided not to get involved in research and development in this market, and look what happened, that market boomed and they were left behind and they never caught up. Eventually the Schwinn name was the only valuabe asset that they had and now you can find "Schwinn" branded bikes in the discount stores. Trek on the other hand involved itself in R & D with new techonologies and materials, ie; super light aluminum tubing, carbon fiber etc and look at where they stand, Tour de France winning bikes and a loyal customer base. Now only time will tell about how Minelab's decision on this machine will affect the sales of their other products but history tells us innovation may not always bring success but failure to innovate always brings disaster.

 

[Blank Planet]

like i said when i 1st sore the patient its a PI technology patient, Andy just trying to throw you off the sent .

BP

 

[Eddy Current]

[...] history tells us innovation may not always bring success but failure to innovate always brings disaster.

I like that, Bell-Two
[size=small]mental note to self: innovate[/size]


--Eddy C.

 

[goldman55]

I agree. A new way to find Treasure. It has PI has to have, for them to say New way to find Treasure. read between the lines not the gps. Think price $2495.00 retail buy one for around $2200. sets it right in the middle of everything.

 

[Andy Sabisch]

There is nothing wrong with the sales the current units and in fact virtually every model is currently on backorder so Minelab is not worried about not sellnig detectors.

The pricing of the current models along with features fill distinct niches . . . . and short of discontinuing a model that is already selling more than their production can fill orders for, the pricing of the new unit woudl have to be such that it does not inadvertantly render another model obselete based on features and cost.

FBS MODELS
- Safari: $1295 list
- Explorer SE Pro: $1495 list
- E-Trac: $1895 list

BBS MODELS
- Sovereign GT: $1250 list
- Excalibur II: $1475 list

MPS MODELS
- GPX 4800: $6295 list
- GPX 5000: $6995 list

The CTX 3030 will be designed to target a niche which their marketing staff belives is not being addressed but in the end, it will be the consumer that defines the niche and makes the determination if the features / cost can be justified.

The literature relased to-date indicate that the CTX 3030 operates on a derivative of the FBS circuit which is the one initially released more than a decade ago on the Explorer S & XS. There were tweaks made over the years as the Quattro, Explorer II, Explorer SE and Safari were released and the first true change was reflected in the E-Trac released a few years back. The FBS circuit has provien itself over the last 12 years to be a circuit that unlocks treasures in a wide range of soil conditons and the finds reflect the capabilities it provides.

The questions that will be answered on the 11th (hopefully) that all are waiting to hear are

1) what will the price be . . . . if you can buy an E-Trac and an Excalibur for about the same price, that may be a hurdle

2) what does "FBS 2" offer that FBS currently does not

3) are the coils interchangeable and if so, will there be an adapter that will allow current FBS coils to be used or will all new coils needs to be purchased (another possible $$$ hurdle)

4) is the weight that has been posted accurate; i.e., 5+ pounds (if so, that is a definite hurdle for some regardless of how well balanced it is since as someone has already stated, 5 lbs is 5 lbs).

Combining PI technology with FBS technology does not seem to be an option based on each requiring a unique coil design . . . . operating both circuits with one coil would be an amzing feat to have pulled off.

Minelab has obtained numerous patents over the years and most have never left the patent office . . . . . Bruce Candy is a prolific inventor and extremely talented but not all of what he designs is ever put into production. Pulling down Minelab patents and trying to figure out what they mean and postulate how a detector that no technical details have been released for operates may make for some interesting late night conversations but a few weeks will give eneryone the real information with which to make an informed decision as to if the CTX 3030 meets their needs and if the cost can be justified . . . . . there's a reason there are $12,000 economy cars as well as $300,000 luxury cars for sale . . . everyone's needs are different.

Let's see what May 11th brings in terms of more information from the source

Andy Sabisch

 

[etracjoe]

Well said Andy......lets hope there is a good reason why this production detector did not stay "prototype"!!

 

[Eddy Current]

-- moved topic --

 

[ScottTX]

With what Andy said and it makes perfect sense. My first impression was it was a water proof eTrac replacement.

In order to make me sell several detectors and fork over more money this detector will have to make some giant stride in technology advancement. With my current stable of detectors I have PI, FBS, BBS and VLF covered. Now if the 3030 Would alleviate 2 or 3 of those detectors I might get real interested.

The tracking thing is interesting if you are relic hunter or if you want to not keep hunting over the same ground. I'm not so sure it the cats meow for coin hunting.

I guess we'll know everything on the 11th.

 

[Ken in Georgia]

This is not a PI / VLF detector but an FBS2 .... should be quicker on everything !!!!

 

[mcb613]

Andy, have you started a book yet? If not, when a re youn starting, as I will surely like/ will get one.

 

[Jason in TN]

Don't think Andy is doing minlab stuff any more. I may be wrong though.

Jason

 

[Prep1957]

Maybe they have finally figured out how to use all 28 freq at same time like they have been advertising for last couple years.

 

[Ken in Georgia]

Just to give everyone a heads up.... FBS2 or FBS is not a combo of PI / VLF .... Nor will it ever be..... FBS2 is different than FBS has something to do with the new programing....

 

[triplehooked]

I recently read on a Minelab forum (supposedly by someone who has tried one) that the coil is neither interchangeable nor compatible with the Etrac. Just hearsay but there it is...This would be a good explanation of needing a different coil that appears to be the same as the 11" pro coil. Also, the patents do hint towards an intertwined PI/FBS style of detector....Just food for thought. I will say that Minelab has done a wonderful job in gaining press for this machine.