Tom, you must have been tired, yet lively in your enthusiastic post.
Phillip_in_NM said:
After reading several reviews on it, I purchased the Makro Racer Pro Pack almost two years ago.
And you purchased an excellent, multi-purpose detector when you did.
Phillip_in_NM said:
Although I have not put in enough hours on it to become an expert, I feel very comfortable with the machine and like what it has found for me. While I initially hated that it didn't save settings like my other machines, I gradually came around to the realization that having to start from scratch every time actually forced me to consider why I was choosing each setting.
I'm curious what the "other machines" are that you have? The Racer isn't difficult to turn On and get started with only a few quick adjustment settings for the site you're hunting. January of last year I started my transition away from several makes and model that are still very good detectors, but they just fall a little short of the performance I got from my Nokta FORS CoRe and Makro Racer
As with
any detector, we need to put in ample time afield and really learn and master the detectors we use, if we want to get the best performance put of them. Get 'comfortable' with a detector, then continue to learn and know each make and model and coil choice well.
Phillip_in_NM said:
Then the Racer2 came out, causing quite a stir on this and other forums. It effectively reduced the resale value of my red Racer to about half of what I paid. Being retired now and on a much more limited budget, I am trying to figure out exactly what I would gain by selling detectors/blood/plasma to purchase the Racer2. If saving my settings is all I would gain, I will just muddle along with the red Racer!
Yes, the Racer 2 grabbed a lot of attention, and yes, Makro Detectors did reduce the MSRP of the Racer model and that had an effect on the resale value .... IF a person wanted to sell the proven and trusted Racer.
Kind of like saying the Nokta Detector's release of the FORS Relic would have effected the resale value of the FORS CoRe or Gold +. However, I had to change my ways long ago about narrowing my detector battery too small. Oh yes, I can guarantee that I have often gone through a 'thinning-out' process to part with some detector models in order to acquire another, but at the same time I made sure I maintained a detector arsenal such that all of them provided me a sufficient level of performance and I only got rid of the excess units that fell short of what I wanted and needed for the types of sites I enjoy hunting.
I have been on a 'limited budget' of a piddly amount of Social Security since early 2012 after my workers comp claim settled, and retirement does have its budget limitations, but all we can do is figure out what works for us and replace it, or add to what we have, only after considering any value or benefits that might come our way with a new detector acquisition.
Phillip_in_NM said:
So is there some other amazing feature I'm missing?
'Amazing' is all a matter of personal preference. The Racer is very quick to turn on, select a preferred search mode, make a quick adjustment as desired to the Sensitivity
[size=small](Gain)[/size] and ID Filter
[size=small](Discrimination)[/size] and start hunting, but since I like to use different search models based on the coil I have mounted and the types of sites I employ them, I do appreciate the Racer 2's ability to 'save' the program and start-up mode settings.
As for some Racer 2 features being 'amazing,' compared with the original Racer, I will say Yes, to some folks they are, and for others not so much. It really depends on how often a person gets out detecting and how dedicated they are at learning the features, as well as knowing what the newer adjustment features are, and if they work for them. For example, the Racer 2 has the Iron Audio Volume control which I really appreciate. Most of the sites I hunt are loaded with iron nails as well as cut wire fence pieces, rusty tin and other annoying iron. I like to keep my Discrimination low so that I hear the presence of iron to know it is there and can cause good-target masking, and I can then work the coil around the iron to try and pick out keepers.
But I know many 'hobbyists' are not as avidly interested in hearing everything and they use a lot of Discrimination, even to knock out all probable iron trash, or even some lower-conductive foil, so for them Iron Audio Volume is useless because all iron is rejected. I like to hear it, but reduce the loudness of iron so as not to be overly annoying.
There are other adjustment features on the Racer 2 that also are a use/no-use feature based on each individual's preference. I know many 'typical hobbyists' who don't know what Tone Break is or have a desire for it as it is an extra adjustment and, if not used in a practical fashion, can confuse them. I also know those who don't use, or understand the value, of the Audio Tone adjustment, or make use of Notch or even understand the use of the MMI [size=small]
(Magnetic Mineralization Indicator)[/size] read-out.
Those features are there [size=small]
(and there is an MMI indicator on your original Racer)[/size], and more, but it is really an individual decision of what you want, what you will use, and how often you plan to get out detecting to really take advantage of any added benefits they provide. One other improvement t on the Racer 2, in my opinion, is the enhanced Target ID numeric read-out where the Iron/Non-Iron breakpoint is now '10' rather than the '40' on the original Racer which therefore broadens the TID range for all the non-ferrous targets which can allow a little more 'cherry picking' potential for those times when modern trash is too annoying and you want to use the visual TID read-out to be more selective in your recovery efforts.
Phillip_in_NM said:
And, should I do what it takes to get the Racer2? Or just wait until the Impact comes out?
Thanks for your input!
Until the Nokta Impact gets in the hands of field evaluators and they make any final production determination to release the Impact, all we can do is hope for the best and await the final product. I am certain the Impact is going to be a rather impressive detector as they are taking ample time and effort to get it right, but I also believe the Impact is going to be a model that will appeal to more of the 'Avid Detectorists' who will learn and understand all the features it will offer. It possibly could be too much for the average 'Hobbyist' to fully appreciate as they might not understand some of the features, and also might not get out detecting often enough to really learn what it will offer.
I will boldly state that the 'original' Racer is a very well received and very versatile detector as it is. The Racer 2 is just an enhanced Racer with some extra features and a change in the ferrous/non-ferrous break-point and Target ID scale. It is a lot of detector with a lot of performance. Matter of fact, I am headed out now on the 4th of July morning for a little detecting time, while it is still cooler, with my Racer 2's, and I can go Coin & jewelry Hunting with any of the series, including the 'original' Racer and have very good results.
Only you can determine how often you get out detecting and what features you feel you want or would like to have, then make a decision on acquiring a newer detector. Maybe thin out some of your other detectors, keeping the Racer, and just get a Racer 2 that shares the same search coils and will complement your Racer? Just a thought.
Happy 4th of July!
Monte
--------The Racer 2----well, as I see it--here is a list of the features that makes it a "step up" from the original Racer.-----(1) iron audio volume control (2) tone break (3) save/memory (4) notch filter (5) deep mode (6) I SAT.------Of those six listed--(IMO) the first three would be the most useful/helpful (over the Red Racer).----That loud (unadjustable) iron volume on the Red Racer can get to be a PITA---it's almost worth the price of admission to go to #1 on the Racer 2 for that feature alone (again, IMO).-----------Del
