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Date Posted: 23:56:28 06/24/02 Mon
Author: Ralph
Subject: Simply Stated........
In reply to: jim straight 's message, "Re: Why switch? Is newer really "Better" My thoughts---- What is everyones opinion?" on 17:53:27 06/24/02 Mon

There is an old saying that originated in the old west days.......

"Beware the man who owns only one gun"

More accurately stated, the man who owns only one detector, and USES that detector day in and day out, learns it's language, and develops those necessary "external skills" of knowing where to hunt, is a very difficult challenge to those who trade from one machine to the next on a whim or the current "hype" that newer is always better.

I hunt civil war relics with a gent who is still using an old 553 Fisher, and know of very few current machines that will hold a candle to what Bill can do with that old machine. He uses it, and ONLY it, and knows it's abilities, quirks, and language inside and out.

Sure there have been improvements in detectors over the years...... but since about the mid 70s, the vast majority of those improvements have centered around discrimination rather than true raw depth ability. By discrimination, I should also include ground exclusion circuits.

Of course pulse induction is a different animal than VLF type machines, and like Steve had mentioned in another post on the AK Gold Forum, there is just so much you can squeeze out of current technology from either type of machine. VLF has been on the fringes of maximum range for many, many years, with most improvements geared toward discrimination. Still, there is just so much that can be done using relative conductivity as a basis. For pulse machines, raw depth is the primary "holy grail", but again, simple physics are the restricting factor. You can only realisticly use so large a coil or radiate so much power at the coil without a melt down. And contrary to some claims, legitimate, accurate, or consistent "discrimination" with PI machines has not been reached at this stage in the game. There are just too many variables for current PI technology to deal with.

Sure, there may be some advantage in some respects to newer technology. But for the most part, what we are getting (like it or not) is alot of re-packaging of older technology with the addition of "gee-whiz fluff and stuff" attachments that really do little to improve the basic capabilities of the detector.

Alot can still be said for that "original Gold Bug", and those still finding lots of gold with them. Same applies to earlier Goldmasters and other machines, and those who have used them for many years, and know without a doubt what "they" can do with that machine under any given set of hunting conditions.

Pulse induction is far from being "newer" technology, but does have it's place. For some, it may represent an "only" machine, while others remain more comfortable with what they have used for years. I would dare say that either will perform feats that the other might have difficulties with. What is "best" is very subjective, though whatever is left at home in the closet is not likely to find much.

Ralph

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