Digital MD's ( ALL )

[mcgov51]

I find it hard to believe that any manufacturer of these units would crack the control box seal ( especially a waterproof model ) when it comes in for repair and/or a tune up. Then actually adjust various internal components with a screw driver ??? I don't think so . . . highly unlikely . . . ??? I could be wrong but ?

It almost has to be that ? . . . everything is adjusted my putting the display in adjust mode then cycling through an adjust menu simply by using the display buttons and changing the current setting of various individual components that control performance. Just like any cheap $10 digital watch.

I think it would be a rare event for an internal component to go bad and if it does happen it can be identified via the display.

Wouldn't it be nice to make adjustments on the fly for peak performance as you encounter certain difficult or favorable conditions. But . . .
Getting into this menu ? And . . .
Navigating/mapping the complete program? And . . .
Understanding the function / limitations of the various component settings.

Just pondering . . . why do some identical units perform better than others ? why do some units perform worse after being serviced ?
I would like to verify and know that I am running at peak performance.

A shared team effort to explore this probability would be of benefit to all ?
Who knows what might be learned or gained ? Certainly has potential . . .

If this is the case? Then this is the forum to find out.

[TH Jim]

Agreed. I recently serviced a TV, and was amazed to find out how many changeable settings were in "The service menu"! Had to hold down a specific combination of buttons to enter "service mode". My smart phone is the same. So, anyone know what buttons to press to get into a minelab???????????????????

Regards Jim.

[mcgov51]

TH Jim - I imagine each manufacturer has a slightly different protocol in regards to the buttons to be pushed.

Just going to have to experiment and try all the possible combinations in every possible mode until access is gained ?

Any tech's out there ??? C'mon this is the best of the best on this forum. You guys dream this stuff. You never wondered too ???

[mcgov51]

I bet there are a lot of 10 yr. olds who could crack this safe ?

[Carl-NC]

Even most of the digital detectors still have 1 or more on-board hardware adjustments for cal. Most do not have a Magic Menu for adjustments. And a detector cannot troubleshoot itself and identify bad components. Yes, practically all detectors returned for service are popped open.

[Pennypacker]

This is not really a specific answer, just my ponderings.

I remember my first iPod would sync and transfer information and accessed through the stereo headphone jack, which I thought was clever.

Nowadays they could easily access the workings through, RF, Bluetooth etc, but as Carl says, lot's will still have on-board potentiometers. Additional trouble shooting infrastructure would just add complexity and cost to a device you claim is expensive.

Also you say "Just like any cheap $10 digital watch. " Actually you may not be far off, although let's put this in perspective, digital watches are cheap due to the volume that is produced. They are also low-powered devices compared to and MD which may still need discrete MOSfet switches etc, to handle the current.

Now take the X-Terra for example, while not water-proof, all of the electronics are on one board in one enclosure.
If I was the president of a MD company producing devices like this, I might actually find it cheaper to just replace the whole electronics board then to actually diagnose and fix it, and actually factor that into the retail price.
Legacy MDs with through hole and discrete devices are more conducive to manual repairs.

As far as why one detector works and the other doesn't, you need to give examples. Keep in mind operator error is a factor if these are just general in the field type observations.

[mcgov51]

Interesting points.