More news on V3

[Picsous]

News from french web.

Write here... Hello to all, For information I was anxious to inform you that Casinor ( our moderator) and myself had since January 10th the luck(chance) to have V 3 in bretta version on our Deus. Indeed being in regular contact with the director(manager) of the company XP (Alain Loubet) we were able to have a trial version to study the main novelties. I made tests but our dear moderator made tries(essays) and very pushed tests, it will allow us to guide you and to help you once this on-line update. Until now we had said nothing on the forum, we were bound to secrecy for all this, even today we cannot say it to you any more, but know that interesting things are going to arrive: some more of patience! While waiting for us.

 

[Andy Sabisch]

The pending release of V3.0 has been on the mids of every Deus owner and would-be owner since the first whisps of its release came out . . . and then the grumblings started when the expected release dates came and went without the software being released. XP has never said the software would be released on a certain date and in fact, the feedback from the V3.0 release will likely cause them to hold back new product details until the final release is upon us.

It has been interesting to see the posts of what information people have culled from the Internet thinking that they have found a piece of secret insight into what V3.0 will hold . . . the test screens were the most recent example of this.

The Gold Program which has been discussed over the past few months actually is based on a stripped version that XP made for the African gold fields - simple and only designed to find gold yet people have seen that as the new V3.0 . . . . .

When any manufacturer conducts beta testing of a new detector or software modification, there are agreements which are signed restricting the release of any information until authorized by the company. Over the years I have worked on a number of prototype units and it was a challenge to keep the unit under wraps when I was in the field and friends stopped to see if I had found anything.

I think by now everyone knows that V3.0 is being tested around the world. Until all the facets included in the upgrade are tested and verified to perform as expected, XP is not releasing a program that might require multiple patches to address issues . . . . not that a recent high-end detector had to deal with that did it?

Personally I woudl rather be out hunting with my Deus than spending hours searching through forums and other Internet sites from around the world trying to find reference to what MIGHT be coming. For you Minelab guys, remember how many false starts were posted about what was in the works that never materialized . . . everything from supposed features to patents obtained by Bruce Candy that never moved into production.

The product will be worth the wait . . . . since XP was founded, they have not released any product that was "half baked" or ready to stand the test of detectorists worldwide . . . . . V3.0 and other items in the XP pipeline will be no different.

In the meantime, I thought this guy sort of summed up how one feels with all of the speculations that have swirled about the V3.0 contents and release date.

Andy

 

[Picsous]

Rumor from french site.
It seems that the effects of soil will be improved in accuracy and that this will allow better penetration of the soil, the first test confirm? Also, it seems that there are many new ways with lots of expert settings and more.

 

[Andy Sabisch]

XP has made it very clear what can and can't be disclosed regarding V3.0 . . . . . so whatever posts are seen on the various forums are based on what someone heard from someone who knew someone that was invloved in the testing twice removed . . . . or something to that effect

If people are expecting an entirely new detector when V3.0 comes out then they must feel that V2.0 simply is not getting the job done. How many out there feel that the Deus in its current form is inadequate or that it can't hold its own?

The V3.0 is a SOFTWARE change so the coil will not be different, it will not be lighter or the screen a different size when the new version is released. There are areas where feedback from users - which increased as the user base has grown expotentially - that can be easily addressed through software and this is what Alain and his team have worked to accomplish.

The last thing anyone wants is to have a detector that becomes so complicated that you need to carry the manual in the field in order to make adjustments. XP has worked to retain a streamlined, easy to navigate menu system and V3.0 will continue that direction.

Postulating what is coming is a good way to pass the winter weather when hunting is not an option and when it is released, there will be plenty of discussions of how the changes enhanced what is already a tough unit to beat.

Andy

 

[goodmore]

The Deus is a great detector. But version 2 is far from perfect. Waiting for version 3 has been a test on my patience. Right now the weather dictates how much I hunt. I was out Friday and found 1 indian.

I work in manufacturing and have done so for 30 years. There are deadlines and customer satisfaction issues to deal with all the time. What XP has shown me lately is not very impressive. The WS5 headphone launch is delayed. The much hyped 11 inch coil has yet to be seen. And this version 3 update keeps getting kicked down the road. The little WS4 clip can't even seem to find it's way to American dealers.

I am all about quality and I want the best for my money. But XP needs to keep it's customers happy. Ask Minelab how long they have put up with a bad repair center rap. My loyalty is earned. To be honest we Deus owners are detectorists with money. With the accessories I'm in for 2 grand. We deserve better.

 

[Deusdigger]

The Deus is a great detector. But version 2 is far from perfect. Waiting for version 3 has been a test on my patience. Right now the weather dictates how much I hunt. I was out Friday and found 1 indian.

I work in manufacturing and have done so for 30 years. There are deadlines and customer satisfaction issues to deal with all the time. What XP has shown me lately is not very impressive. The WS5 headphone launch is delayed. The much hyped 11 inch coil has yet to be seen. And this version 3 update keeps getting kicked down the road. The little WS4 clip can't even seem to find it's way to American dealers.

I am all about quality and I want the best for my money. But XP needs to keep it's customers happy. Ask Minelab how long they have put up with a bad repair center rap. My loyalty is earned.

If what you say is the way you feel, sell the Deus and you won't have to worry about waiting for the update. I am sure ther are plenty oy Minelabs out there to buy.

 

[goodmore]

I am on my second Deus. I traded the first for a CTX. I missed the Deus and purchased another. But since that time I have learned the CTX much more. I am waiting to see if this version 3 is indeed going to improve the Deus. If it fails to impress me I will sell the Deus. That is for certain. There are other models out there that have my eye and I am loyal to no brand. I use what works the best for me. I appreciate your advice, but I think I can manage on my own. It is clear we are on opposite sides on this issue and that is fine with me.

 

[don in mass]

ditto well said andy thanks don oh by the way is that your high school picture lol

 

[Terry(Mi)]

Any and everything can be improved upon, time will tell if V3 is worth its salt. Personally, I dont imagine seeing any earth shattering performance improvements. Its just a software upgrade. If it can help with iron wrap around, jumpy VDi @ depth and /or whatever you feel is "far from perfect" about it, then thats great. To me it isnt necessary. Im patient, I can wait. I'd rather have XP at least TRY to get it right the first time through, as compared to prematurely releasing inferior product. Any programming errors would only end up hurting their bottom-line down the road.

I never bought my Deus with the anticipation of it becoming a V3. If I had then perhaps my patience would be tested too.

 

[Andy Sabisch]

But you seem to be one ticked off hombre in your posts.

You complain about the delay in getting V3.0 released but last time I checked, XP never officially stated when it would be coming out but rather the rumor mills have been doing that for months. They have worked in feedback from users with a good deal of it from US hunters who have different issues to deal with than the hunters in Europe and the UK.

I think anyone that expects V3.0 to be revolutionary rather than evolutionary is simply kidding themselves - it addresses somce issues that were identified from in-field use and adds some new / enhanced capabilities . . . . at least XP is not doing what many other companies have done by calling it the Deus II and expecting customers to buy one or fall behind. Models such as the X-Terra 70 --> 705, Explorer SE --> SE Pro and others seem to come to mind.

If you are so comfortable with the CTX 3030, then as you say, use what works. Personally 5.3 pounds still weighs 5.3 pounds regardless of the balance and bells and whistles do little to find more in pounded areas . . . but as you do, I am not brand loyal and use what works for the various types of detecting I do which explains the pile of detectors I have for travelling as much as I do.

If your patience runs out before V3.0 is released I am certain that there will be several people looking to take the Deus off your hands

Andy

 

[beau61]

is there anything perfect?, for a detector the Deus is far more closer to that achievement than any other. Its been out a few years ,any other totally wireless detector out there? The Deus with the V2 is far superior to any of the 35+ detectors I have hands down.

 

[Andy Sabisch]

Too much hair . . . .

 

[Jason in TN]

I am really looking foward to what V3 has to offer. Think the problems that the word of it comming was let out way to soon and now folks me included are starting to wonder what has happened. It should have been kept quite and there would not have been as many folks upset about the seeming loooong delays. Also the coil and headphones thing is kind of frustrating too. Why even say or leak the info out if they are not ready or near ready to go. Made my on set of phones as the ones it came with just hurt my ears and are terrible when the wind is blowing. Then several post saying end of year then Jan then Feb at some point you just quit looking and posting. I too have bought a CTX and am far from a minelab fan use to cuss them a lot. Now I have really started to warm up to my CTX. The Deus gets less and less use. Hope the V3 is out soon will give me a reason to play with the Deus again.

Jason

 

[DirtAngler]

I too am really looking forward to the upgrades. I did get the chefphones and thanks to a forum friend got the headphone adapter plate so I'm set as far as the headphone issue. I'm looking forward to the 11" coil release to see what those reviews will be but am quite impressed with the stock coil so it's no big deal. I did try the available larger coil and wasn't that impressed with what it offered over the stock coil especially since most of my hunts are in target laden areas. As far as Version 3, I will get it when it's available but given the fact that the Deus hasn't been available for that long of a time over here in the States, I feel that there is still plenty of learning to do with Version 2 and it's adjustment capabilities. I doubt if there are more than a few who have worked over the setting adjustments in different scenarios to see what they can really do in comparison to each other.

 

[goodmore]

Ticked off? Maybe a little. Disappointed probably fits better. As I tried to convey in my post it is not just the Version 3. It seems everything XP has tried to do lately has been met with delays. But hey it is their business not mine. Andy we both know the story of an upgrade was discussed by Nigel months ago. It became more than a rumor at that point. I'll wait just like everyone else. I look forward to it. But as Jason said I hope the new version gives me reason to use the Deus again. If not I will have a great deal on the classifieds.

 

[lomoch]

...and no matter when XP decides to release 3, there will be patches...nature of the software development life cycle.
...and I seem to get the feeling of frustration/annoyance from certain responses to posts lookin for 3 information. I don't understand this. It's a simple human emotion...anticipation/excitement.

...Dad, is Christmas close...is it?
...Son, Santa's not coming until he's ready, he wants to make sure his visit doesn't require follow up visits. And, what's wrong with last Christmas...last Christmas was/is perfectly fine.

XP should be excited that requests about 3 are being made...

 

[rarysgaard]

I think everyone needs to take a deep breath. The V3 according to the posts on the forum stated that it would be out at the end of 2012. I assumed that meant December. But I based my assumptions on the forum postings, not on any official announcement by XP. I think this unfortunately started the domino effect and many of us became very impatient waiting for it's release. I bought my Deus in July and have a lot yet to learn, in fact I haven't even scratched the surface with the V2 yet. I am very happy with the Deus I bought and have no regrets. I like many of you look forward with anticipation for the release of V3, but give XP the time it needs to get it right the first time. Remind yourselves of all the hype and hoopla for the release of the CTX 3030 and the delays and the secrecy, and yet they still had issues after its release. So be patient and I am quite confident that it will be worth the wait.

 

[Schultzie]

From what I see and read, Alain seems to make sure when XP releases a product... it works. No glitches, patches, or recalls involved. I believe V3 will be an improvement but not set the world on fire like all are anticipating. Andy already said it too. The unit is outstanding as it is, why change anything?!! I am still learnig V2 and having a blast doing it so when V3 comes out it come out. I am not going to sweat it... it's a benchmark unit as is.

Andy,

Thanks for your PM's and answering my questions about the unit and for being as honest as you could be with me. I am glad we talked and I decided to buy the Deus.

 

[gteague]

i'm hoping they add some user program slots so you don't have to modify an existing program. i'd like to see the ability to hide programs (not much call for those beach modes in the middle of texas), but i haven't seen any rumors of that latter ability.

/guy