Fisher and teknetics double act - why ??

[targets]

cant figure out why these 2 companies are producing the same models with different packaging ,whats the reason for this ?
very strange setup.
cant think of any other products that copy each other .
it halves their sales

 

[downeaster]

Automobile makers have been doing it for decades. Same car, different grill, higher price. Look at the difference in price between Chevy and GMC pickups.

 

[Elton]

Tek T2 started this great series ..and the F75 was a different version introduced. Tones & hunting options were isolated for adjusting etc etc. If you read the specs there is a small difference in the units performance.

Different Bells and Whistles too.

 

[Allan]

I have a F5, and after reading about the Omega 8000, they pretty much seem identical?

Both manuals are all most identical and worded the same, same Freq, and both from the same Co. First Texas, same address?

Many claim the performance of the Omega is better/deeper than the F5, Any opinions? thanks

 

[pulltab]

some are also brand loyalists.

 

[TerraDigger]

Actually, the detectors are different. Mostly having to do with differences in software. First Texas is constantly re-writing (improving) the software platform on its detectors. The end user is never going to see this. Like any other mfg, the machines are built to a specific function(s) and/or a price range. First Texas is no different in this respect than any of the other major mfg's. I could say the same as far as what appears to be duplication, about White's, Garrett, Minelab, Tesoro etc.....

 

[Southwind]

The 1995 Camaro and the 1995 Firebird are essentially the same car with a few minor body changes. You can have the Firebird out run the Camaro in one case, and the Camaro outrun the Firebird in another. Still basically the same car.

There will be those that will claim the Firebird is the faster of the two even though they are essentially the same. Like was said, branloyaltyty.

 

[Monte]

I have a F5, and after reading about the Omega 8000, they pretty much seem identical?

You can't be "pretty much" and "identical" at the same time. The Fisher F5 provides more manual control over several functions than does the Omega. The Fisher uses more batteries than the Omega, and the Fisher F5 is more top-heavy than the Omega.

I liked the performance I got when I checked out a Fisher F5, and since I admire more manual control of Ground balance and Threshold and such, the F5 seemed to be a versatile detector. Personally, I preferred a different balance, and there I times I like versatile adjustments, but in a simpler form. Then I was tempted by three different dealers to give the Teknetics Omega a try. It was somewhat similar to the F5, a little less adjustable, but I preferred the weight/balance, and I liked the easier one-handed control adjustment. The Omega is the model I invested in.

Both manuals are all most identical and worded the same, same Freq, and both from the same Co. First Texas, same address?

Same location isn't a big deal, nor is the same operating frequency. It used to be that several manufacturers had more than one brand over their roof. Compass Electronics also marketed the plastic-housed Cue Detector line which worked very similarly, but were bargain packaged.

Before the original Teknetics went out of business they bought Bounty Hunter and both were made back in Oregon (where Bounty hunter (PNI) used to be made. Then First Texas bought them out and marketed Bounty Hunter. Later, Dave Johnson resurrected the Teknetics name and line-up when he created the T2.

Then more recently, when they were going under and sold out, First Texas Products acquired Fisher Research Labs.

Many claim the performance of the Omega is better/deeper than the F5, Any opinions?

I haven't compared the two side-by-side, and I honestly question is one is much 'deeper or better" than the other. I know several people who are especially fond of the F5's performance, just as I am, and others are, of the Omega's in-the-field results.

I don't consider it a double act, just wise marketing of some good, functional technology with differences in design shape and adjustment features.

Monte

 

[NEBeachcomber]

One conglomerate owning several related companies has one of its companies introduce a new product line to the public. If the new product is accepted the conglomerate has another one of its company builds a similar along the same guidelines and adds more features/options to it and sells it for a greater price. (Kind of like Ford & Lincoln - Mercury)

 

[gmanlight]

I see it as a good thing ,with small changes between there line up of machines that consumers
can choose the unit that best fits there needs and budget.
The F75 has a back light and more tones than the T2 but the T2 cost less.


Whites just put out another machine , a tame version of there hi end machine that cost less.
A GMC van or Chevy van all the same to me.

 

[Furious T]

If it gives us, the users of the machines, more choice in versatility with the different machines, why should we complain?

 

[TabWhisperer]

Maybe merge them under FishNetics?