Hey Mr. Metal detector industry. Can we get with the program?

[JASONSPAZ1]

Today, My Nephew got a toy Teddy Bear with USB ports on it. This Teddy bear which costs 39.99 can be hooked up to a PC, and the parents can go online and program it to talk to the child about the child's life. I asked myself, why do no Current detectors have USB ports, so I can edit programs and trade programs on line? Why do none of the detectors have higher resolution LCD screens like an iPOD or a Nintendo DS? The old argument of "A detector with those features would cost to much" is old.
HELLO! Have you seen the cost of todays High end machines. They cost as much or more than PC's and Laptops.
The technologies I just mentioned have been around for over 10 years. And all the detector industry has done is Re-hash and Re-introduce old models with new stickers. All of the current major detector manufactures are guilty of lagging in the R&D department. I hear through the forums that White's has a "long term R&D project' rolling out soon. I hope it is not just research and application of new adhesive sticker technologies. another example is Minelab. yes, the Explores SE, is nice and all. But why such a low system clock speed with an LCD as slow as spit dripping from a bully's lip. And where are the tiny battery packs that Mini DVR camcorders use?
I am not attacking any particular brand here. They all need to get with the program(pun intended).
Tesoro, maybe they are working on a DNA reading program that wont allow the detector turn on until the toggle knob scans your thumb and correctly id's you, and if it determines that you stole the detector your thumb will get "HoT". And maybe Garrett will come out with a fiber optic technology that will allow the machine to turn different shades of Green.
OK, I am getting silly and out of hand. I truly don't mean to offend any of the brand loyalists. I love my Garrett GTA-x 1250, and my Minelab Sovereign GT. But I love my USB ports as well as My Nintendo DS, iPOD and Teddy bear. And I would like to have a detector that is even mid range in performance with the user ease and application of todays mainstream technologies. What Happens if the Japanese enter the detector market? I'll tell you what will happen the detector industry will get Pearl Harbored and only a couple will survive. Please Mr. Metal Detector industry. Get with the latest technologies and merge it with your current detector in field performance. That merger would equal a new and great revolution. Imagine being able to plug your detector into the PC and get a readout of all the targets your machine sounded off on. Being able to show off and share on line that great program you created would be awesome.
Once again I do not mean to personally offend anyone, I am just trying to start and good healthy debate.

Thanks
JASONSPAZ1

 

[Weasel_Loader]

You bring up really good points. My guess is that these companies are not dumb to the fact either or we'd have these nice things on MDs today. I bet most of these companies only have but a few R&D engineers on staff with very small budgets. The MD community is VERY, VERY small compared to the audience Apple has for the iPod. I too can think of so many improvements that can be made to MDs today that would necessarily improve detecting performance, but ease of use and upgradability over the net with things like USB.

Great post!

 

[BlackX]

Yeah, good post. The lack of a USB port was one of the first things I thought about after I bought the SE. (And a few of the other things.) A machine that expensive should be more user programmable as well as other aspects.

 

[urb2165]

I agree with you 110%. I am considering buying an SE and yes Minelab is proud of the SE as it is reflected in the price. However, now you have me thinking should I just wait for the Technology to be implemented in to the MD Industry and buy one then?? Then again the SE is programed to recognize 1000 different targets. Isn't it??

 

[minelab locust]

[quote JASONSPAZ1]Today, My Nephew got a toy Teddy Bear with USB ports on it. This Teddy bear which costs 39.99 can be hooked up to a PC, and the parents can go online and program it to talk to the child about the child's life. I asked myself, why do no Current detectors have USB ports, so I can edit programs and trade programs on line? Why do none of the detectors have higher resolution LCD screens like an iPOD or a Nintendo DS? The old argument of "A detector with those features would cost to much" is old.
HELLO! Have you seen the cost of todays High end machines. They cost as much or more than PC's and Laptops.
The technologies I just mentioned have been around for over 10 years. And all the detector industry has done is Re-hash and Re-introduce old models with new stickers. All of the current major detector manufactures are guilty of lagging in the R&D department. I hear through the forums that White's has a "long term R&D project' rolling out soon. I hope it is not just research and application of new adhesive sticker technologies. another example is Minelab. yes, the Explores SE, is nice and all. But why such a low system clock speed with an LCD as slow as spit dripping from a bully's lip. And where are the tiny battery packs that Mini DVR camcorders use?
I am not attacking any particular brand here. They all need to get with the program(pun intended).
Tesoro, maybe they are working on a DNA reading program that wont allow the detector turn on until the toggle knob scans your thumb and correctly id's you, and if it determines that you stole the detector your thumb will get "HoT". And maybe Garrett will come out with a fiber optic technology that will allow the machine to turn different shades of Green.
OK, I am getting silly and out of hand. I truly don't mean to offend any of the brand loyalists. I love my Garrett GTA-x 1250, and my Minelab Sovereign GT. But I love my USB ports as well as My Nintendo DS, iPOD and Teddy bear. And I would like to have a detector that is even mid range in performance with the user ease and application of todays mainstream technologies. What Happens if the Japanese enter the detector market? I'll tell you what will happen the detector industry will get Pearl Harbored and only a couple will survive. Please Mr. Metal Detector industry. Get with the latest technologies and merge it with your current detector in field performance. That merger would equal a new and great revolution. Imagine being able to plug your detector into the PC and get a readout of all the targets your machine sounded off on. Being able to show off and share on line that great program you created would be awesome.
Once again I do not mean to personally offend anyone, I am just trying to start and good healthy debate.

Thanks
JASONSPAZ1[/quote] well you and the rest of the guys complaining just keep on.....in the mean time i will take my SUPPOSEDLY raggedy ole SE and put my efforts into making great finds.......my point is you should put your effort into LEARNING whats available and take the effort that you are putting into complaining towards HUNTING and maybe you would have LESS to complain about......just a thought

 

[BlackX]

[quote minelab locust]well you and the rest of the guys complaining just keep on.....in the mean time i will take my SUPPOSEDLY raggedy ole SE and put my efforts into making great finds.......my point is you should put your effort into LEARNING whats available and take the effort that you are putting into complaining towards HUNTING and maybe you would have LESS to complain about......just a thought [/quote]

Then again. We can do both.

If people don't ask for things, it's unlikely they'll get it. I've heard Minelab keeps track of the boards, at least to some degree. So putting forth ideas and requests don't hurt anything that I can see.

 

[jeff & Maria]

Advancements in technology are the reason why we have what we have today. Many advancements in electronics/computing have found their way into the most simple everyday things we use. I'll bet that detectorists who used basic machines back in the eighties were glad that they didn't have to settle for what was available. Their "complaints" probably helped advance detectors to what they are today. There are definately people out there who are content with whatever is available, but those who make suggestions ultimately change things. That is why you are finding what you are with your SE in places that have been hunted out back then.

 

[Yeasty]

I totally agree. With the technology today it seems that so many more useful features could be added. How about an embedded GPS? You could store the location of every find not to mention the depth and the FER/COND numbers of a target. This would be especially valuable when gridding out a site. Being able to download programs to a MD would be especially helpful in changing conditions. There are so many things out there that could be done it is amazing that the manufactures haven't picked up on them. I agree with JASONSPAZ1. Somebody smart is gonna incorporate the current available technologies and blow the competition out of the water.

 

[mailman14]

This would be great to get usage of my mds back from my neices, I could get them toy detectors with USB
connectors, them add one to my CZ and send audio to the toys and leave me to detect w/o interference.
Yesterday my youngest was using ny CZ next to the back deck while I was telling her to move away from
those pipes. Naturally she ignored me and soon handed me what appeared to my old eyes to be a 2.5 carat
diamond ring. After regaining conciousness I found it to be a cheepo but I was amazed at what kids can do.

 

[KCK]

n/t

 

[KCK]

n/t

 

[mailman14]

Next time I go over to detect it's going to be a school day as I am dying to try out a different program on
the Explorer, one I copied off the Forum. Best to all. Percy.
This house was built in 1956 so it has had time to grow some keepers.

 

[GaryL]

Whites tried that with the EAGLE, no USB port to upgrade programs, however was supposed to be able to self upgrade the processor to the next level when it was ready.....Sure ya could with a new detector

The tech., is out their, however would stop sell's of newer models ....

Just my

Good Hunting!!

GaryL ....

 

[rmptr]

OK, while you're porting out, why not put in a memory chip that will log targets seen by the machine.
D/L at the end of the day and compare to retrievals... Oops! Looks like a couple good ones were passed over???
HH

 

[balenim]

Just read your post and I've wondered the same thing; especially about the USB port. Whether they would download upgrades to programs or not is immaterial, no one would expect the MD mfrs to give away new technology. However, just think of the diagnostics and the savings on time and costs for machines that may have a problem. I can call about any of my 4 computers and the mfr. can log into my machine and run a diagnostics check and tell me what and where most problems are located and in most instances, run a fix of the problem while we're on the phone. Corrupted programs could be reset and rebooted through the USB link. And hey, if they wanted to upgrade the software, well that would be OK too.

baleniM

 

[loki]

Well now that Minelab has been bought out by Codan maybe we'll see a different approach to MD design. A MD with USB and associated software tools in my view will be a 'killer app'. The first company to do so will rake it in - companies are you listening?

In case you didn't know Minelab was sold in Feb. to Codan. Here is a short news item about it:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/15/2163624.htm?section=australia

Codan in $70m takeover of Minelab

Posted Fri Feb 15, 2008 11:00am AEDT
Updated Fri Feb 15, 2008 11:38am AEDT
Communications company Codan is taking over another SA company Minelab (file photo).

Communications company Codan is taking over another SA company Minelab (file photo).

* Map: Adelaide 5000

Communications company Codan has announced a $70 million takeover of another South Australian business Minelab, which makes metal and landmine detection devices.

Codan will acquire all the shares in Minelab, which has 130 workers at Torrensville in Adelaide and another 60 overseas.

Codan says the takeover is expected to greatly boost its earnings and give it major technology, market and product diversification.