Now and then my mind keeps coming back to the perfect machine and concepts that would prove to be satisfying to any hunter. We all want more control, more target feedback, and a lighter machine. The more that I dwell on this machine the more I understand it.
To me the best target feedback is an enhanced version of tone ID. Some detectors have a few tones and some play the bagpipes but both types miss the target widely. A human factors study should prove that a person (even a hearing impaired person like me) should be able to discern over a dozen frequencies. Now if anyone has problems with that I didn't necessarily mean that the tones should just be the common type. Now it is possible to can sounds in a ROM that have complex tonal variations from the sounds of a horn honking to a doorbell. Simply put, it should be easily discernable first! Perhaps the sounds full of harmonics could best offer variations that would be easily discerned. To resolve this a manufacturer should hire a small team of human factors folks who specialize in analyzing these things.
What we need is more than a dozen sounds that can be used. Some might ask, why do you need so many? The answer is simple. You need iron, foil(ladies gold rings), at least two different tones in the pulltab range, a midrange up to Indian head pennies and then DIFFERENT sounds for each coin type. This is almost the turn of the century and the technology is here to provide this.
We should have a machine that we can use in the dark if we wish. One that gives feedback good enough to identify targets as the hunters need. Also it should have the option for a small digital display of three digit numbers. This will provide the fine feedback for hunting difficult sites.
In addition to the tone ID it should offer preset adjustments to fine tune the range for the targets that the individual hunter seeks. We all hunt different things in different soil mineralization, and under many varying conditions. There could be small screwdriver adjustments set inside a small panel in the side of the detector. Sealed with a neoprene "O" ring for leak insurance.
Some hunters hunt the very old coins that show up in different ranges and the ability to set the tone range for the coins that you are seeking will give that hunter a great edge. Would he ever want to trade machines if he has what he needs? It might be possible to use different colored LED's to display target ID instead of the digital readout and surely cheaper.
Some of us, like myself, hunt gold rings and I could set a range up that might aid me in separating out pulltabs or other trash from the gold rings. At least it would supply more exacting feedback to aid my quest.
It would be hard to improve the trusty no motion pinpoint but it would be important to include in the instructions for new users that a pinpoint that jumps around is only iron! All newbies are stumped on that one. The coil construction must be durable and stable enough so as not to false and be waterproof, however at least one extra light version should be available for people who walk for many miles like the relic hunters, nugget hunters, or beach hunters who tire easily dragging that old heavy outdated beeper.
Special consideration should be given to the elderly and disabled persons that wish to hunt. Many do not have the strength to carry a large or heavy detector for long and some detectors are simply too faint to hear. My problem is that I cannot see the numbers or anything in fact when I can't wear glasses. I hate to wear them while hunting because they sweat and interfere with my enjoyment. Larger print or different colored numbers would help a lot! It seems to me from my background at NASA that the detector industry fails in that they do not employ human factors people. They are blind to what people really want or need. They listen to the wrong people.
One thing that might help when a hunter moves the coil over a large target whether it is a tin can or cannonball it might be good to suppress the tone ID which will probably only be incorrect! Just inform the user that the target is large. That should be enough. The user should then perform a target profile to discern the nature of the target and decide if he wants to dig it or not. Pinpoint should not be toggle switches or hard to press buttons. It should be a wide soft button that activates a microswitch. One that can not be ruined by pressing too hard.
All on/off controls that utilize a switch on a discriminate or volume control should be done away with. They will invariably fail in time. Perhaps a toggling pushbutton would work better with a LED light to indicate ON.
Manufacturers should inform buyers if their detector will work only in fresh water, salt, or both. Too many lies have led people to buy the wrong detectors.
To prioritize the desired options I would place lightweight (2 1/2 pounds tops) as number one. A good tone ID would be number two. Adjustable tone ranges should be three. Improved coils should be four. No machine should be made that is not hip mountable! Battery consumption and battery COST should be next. It is no big deal to put a dozen batteries in a detector that cost more and weigh more and burden the hunter. Some detectors get by with one nine volt and that seems to be enough. If there is need for more current then the AA types are probably the most cost effective. Actually it might be a better choice to use four of these unless the higher voltage is necessary. I don't think that it is.
I find that there is much to find unsatisfactory in the different handles and shafts that we have. I find many times that I get hand cramps or that the cup doesn't fit my arm. Many hunters are elderly and have arthritis and have severe problems with this. The handle types with grips seem to fit a large mans hand but often not a woman's. It seems that a rubber type handle that is slightly shaped like a pistol grip but smaller might be better.
All machines should be at least waterproof because I have seen all too many hunters out in a shower and the loose the detector due to this. The headphone plug could be on the bottom of the detector to avoid water creeping into it.People have always wanted deeper detectors but the truth be known most finds are nine inches or less and every detector should be able to go that deep. The exception of course, is the beach machine for deep sanded up beaches. People these days are growing smarter on the electronic toys. They want and require more fine tuning and options that provide them with more control.
I can just see the team of people who checkout the new detectors. Mostly older guys that have shops and many who do not even hunt anymore. This group of test people should include people from the entire spectrum. Sure, you want someone who is experienced with all kinds of detectors but all too often you fail to see how a young boy or girl uses the machine or an elderly person. You need feedback from all of these and the experienced people should question and observe the others and question them before they assume the answer. This is one of the main problems for bad products and poor customer feedback. The companies could hold a national hunt and offer these people the opportunity to test their new machines. They can forget about other companies learning about the new features anyway because they have their spies working on the assembly line as it is!
Some companies will move ahead in the new century and some will fail. It will require some new thinking to satisfy the user of the future. A good time to start now!
