As I have stated, virtually forever since I've been involved in this great outdoor recreation, I use what works, and I often own more than one detector and coil because ...
"There is no such thing as a 'perfect' metal detector."
I have owned and used hundreds of detectors, worked with prototypes for several manufacturers, and compare them in actual in-the-field applications, and put them against some of the better available detectors for my types of hunting. I know those models are some of the best because, logically, I have one or more in my personal detector arsenal.
When I find any detector that,
for me, seems to be a better fit [size=small](physically so far as weight and balance)[/size] and provides as much or more versatile/functional performance that I get from one or more detectors in my personal tag-along arsenal [size=small](the models I generally keep in my vehicle for more frequent use)[/size], then I make an adjustment and move detectors into more of a 'collection' status for occasional use or loaners for fiends, or I might just sell or trade them off. The new detector has features and performance I want to use.
For decades we have seen a lot of changes in detector designs, especially in the more recent years as manufacturers have worked to bring us smaller control housings, and overall lighter and handier detectors in a comfortable package. I haven't found any detector maker who gets everything right because there's no way they can please us all. They do, however, generally make an effort to package a detector and features into something that is fitting for the bulk of the metal detecting hobbyists, and I have seen that with the Makro Racer design [size=small](all the posted photos and specs)[/size], and even appreciate what I enjoy in-hand with the Nokta FORS CoRe.
Detector 'design' needs to be something that will be attractive in looks, functional in performance, and have a feature layout that makes good sense. Some do, and some don't. The 'mass market' are the average or typical Coin Hunters who are really more likely to be 'fair weather' detecting enthusiasts so that eliminates a lot of concern about rain and snow, water and mud. Some detector models have a built-in stand for the detector, often associated with an arm-cup, and some just have little rubber 'feet' you stick on the bottom. In the past they sold the snap-on plastic detector stands.
Detector 'handling' is something I have always been alert to, to make sure I am not abusive to any detector I own. Most of mine look as if they are a showroom display or demo model. I use my right hand to hold and operate the detector or a pinpointer, and it stays clean. My left hand has the target recovery assignment and it uses the rounded-off screwdriver or Lesche Digger or pick as needed, and does the grubbing around to recover what the detector and & have found. My left hand gets dirty, not my detector arm-cup, control housing, display, knobs, switches, pushbuttons, etc., etc.
Out of habit I have been pampering my detectors and hunting that way since at least 1971. MY detector 'handling' is part of how I 'care' for my detectors. There are other things I do like not hunt in the rain, or hunt under dense tress to avoid the rain. I usually pinpoint and kneel down to recover a target and keep my detector either in my right hand, or I might set it down carefully .... on dry or damp ground but not in mud, on rocks, in water, etc.
In the case of the Makro Racer we see the headphone jack at the rear. I applaud them for that heads-up thinking, just like having a rear-positioned jack on the Nokta FORS CoRe instead of on the side. That's been one of my favorite design decisions that was used with most of the White's models I enjoy as well as the Teknetics T2 and Fisher F75. Models that have them on the front [size=small](facing)[/size] or side or back of a control housing, such as the Tesoro's, Teknetics Omega, Fisher F19 or White's MX5 and so many others, has been one of the more annoying detector designs I have seen. If the detector works satisfactorily for me, then I live with it, but it is a design move that irritates me. Seeing the Makro Racer design was especially satisfying.
As Steve stated earlier, I have used many, many detectors with a rear-located headphone jack and I have NEVER had any issue with water, snow, dirt, sand, grime or anything getting into the unit. Just use headphones or put in the plug to protect it. The Racer does have the internal speaker grill and battery access door in the bottom of the Racer and, to me, that would be of much more concern than the headphone jack location. For most detecting hobbyists, I am sure the detector will be used on grass the bulk of the time and gently set down on grass so there isn't much of a problem.
I live up here in the NorthWest USA, kind of, since I moved to much drier Eastern Oregon about 1½ years ago, but I still travel over to the much drearier and wetter Western Oregon where I have lived for most of the time since I moved to Portland in 1959. It doesn't rain all the time, and if it is raining, I do other things and wait for a break in the wet stuff. The Makro Racer does have a couple of environmental covers available, however, and while I usually do not use them, I have the covers on my Nokta due to the dense fog and freezing fog we have had, and I plan to use environmental covers on a Racer IF I should be hunting in any wet conditions or where I think I might need them.
If we do our part to 'handle' and 'care' for our detectors, we only have to be concerned about the 'design' quality, fit & finish, and durability. From what I've seen, the Nokta/Makro folks have it right, so I feel the Racer w/environmental cover is all anyone would need, if they are concerned about the design and headphone jack location.
My Tesoro's and Omega have the plastic stands on the arm-cups, and my White's have the little rubber feet. I think a Racer cover will be fine with me, especially since I very seldom set a detector down, but it will be worn during inclement weather.
Monte