Jimbog said:
I know several months ago a thread was started along these lines. I got to thinking about this stuff after reading posts about the G2 and the GB Pro with the different handle configurations. While this idea could be looked at by any manufacturer, it seems like the FTP lineup is best suited since they are pretty close to it now. This is a viewpoint from a customer ergonomic perspective and not necessarily from a corporate profit minded perspective. Hopefully they could both be met. What if the detectors were produced in more of a modular customizable design? One where a customer could order a T2 and mount it on to a GB Pro style handle? Mix and match different amounts of curves in the rods or straight ones to help balance light or heavy coils. Maybe have different cuff designs that may better accommodate different body shapes and sizes. Maybe upgraded/optional handles that contain some of the switch functions from the control panel.
On the downside I wonder what additional cost would have to be accounted for as well as additional failure points.
Interesting idea, Jimbog. Thank you. I'll pass it on to several other people in the company who are key players in the area of mechanical design. It runs a bit contrary to the direction we seem to be headed right now, but it's not impossible that we could head in more than one direction. In fact, I'm thinking........ hmmmm, sorry, I can't say it here!
Customizable design generally means no such thing as dealer stock, every unit is special order. From a marketing point of view this can be pretty awkward, but that doesn't mean it's not possible. After all, a couple years ago I ordered a new car from the factory because I didn't see the combination of features that I wanted on the lot.
Gotta be honest, what you propose
probably won't happen. There's a lot of engineering needed to create a mix-and-match product where most of the possible combinations actually work, and a lot of marketing and logistics creativity needed to figure out how to manufacture and sell a semicustom product of that sort and have it be competitive with standard product. But despite the obstacles, the idea has merit and will get serious consideration.
A few years ago I proposed something somewhat like this, it was considered, and it quickly got shot down. Not because the other people in the company were narrowminded, but because it was the wrong thing for us at that time. We're a different company now and the idea of a semicustom product deserves to be looked at again. Thank you.
--Dave J.
