Quest

[ivconic]

RX frontend is "LTAFL" = LT6233 , nice one!
60MHz, Rail-to-Rail Output,
1.9nV/√Hz, 1.2mA Op Amp
...
Nizeee!

[Altair]

LT6233 is a nice device but it's in end of life.

[ivconic]

Why do they decide to stop production like that? Generally speaking, I'm not just talking about this case.
Poor sales? How expensive can production be?
If it is a component with good characteristics; I see no reason for its disappearance from the market.
I understand that technology has advanced and that new and better products are emerging.
But the whole world is not moving in step and in parallel.
Some in the world are already living in the next century and some of us are still living in the 19th century!
That's why it makes sense to continue producing quality "older generation" components.

What about servicing existing devices? The world seems to have deliberately given up on the idea of service?
Some new "fashion" from about 20 years ago (maybe even a few years ago) is that the product lasts just as long as the warranty.
I will always remember the case of Apple and their products as a symbol of that new way of thinking. Survival at the expense of a constantly growing consumer society.
I still have an iPhone4S today that works perfectly, even the battery lasts a long time.
I have 3 Macbooks of different generations, they still work perfectly.
But they ended the support. You cannot maintain the system and install applications anymore, because there is no support.
I got a little off topic. But the question remains: what about the service? If we need this op amp for service?
No, there is no service, it is not planned to be serviced further. Such an impression is imposed.

[dbanner]

Alas! Those are 4053!

Thanks! The front end looks like it's all analog.

[dbanner]

I'm assuming that the LT6233 you mentioned is the S6 package(6-lead plastic SOT-23). input offset voltage is only 350uV Max.

Is the Rx coil in series with the cap. Looks that way on the pcb.

[ivconic]

Yes, that's right. The opamp is in that case.
As for the rest; I closed the box and wouldn't want to open it again.
It would be a risk of damaging the threads of the 6 small screws.
I usually don't pay attention to the details that interest you; when it comes to a detector I can't copy.
This detector has a uPC, so it has a code. I guess the code is very well written because the detector works very well.
I would place it in the middle-high detector category, considering the performance I've seen so far.
Since there is no way I can copy it; I didn't even want to pay attention to the details.

[dbanner]

Yes, that's right. The opamp is in that case.
As for the rest; I closed the box and wouldn't want to open it again.
It would be a risk of damaging the threads of the 6 small screws.
I usually don't pay attention to the details that interest you; when it comes to a detector I can't copy.
This detector has a uPC, so it has a code. I guess the code is very well written because the detector works very well.
I would place it in the middle-high detector category, considering the performance I've seen so far.
Since there is no way I can copy it; I didn't even want to pay attention to the details.

Yes, of course.
The front end RX circuitry and the TX circuitry and phase shifters(I think I see an LM393) looks to be all analog.

I like the overall design of the case and stem. It is very simple. Very little can go wrong.

[ivconic]

The "problem" with screws is the fact that the case is waterproof.
So frequent screwing and un-screwing can damage the threads in the plastic.
Because the screws need to be tightened very well so that both halves of the housing adhere well to the rubber edge that is between the halves.
The front of the case with the front panel has already shown some flaws, a tendency to decay.
So I'm afraid I might damage the threads on the back of the case.
Otherwise, these designs are not intended for frequent openings. Maybe once every few years when the battery needs to be replaced.
It seems to me that the detector is a classic "hybrid" between analog and digital, nothing new, we have seen many such projects so far.
But it is important to note that the detector works very well indeed.
Notably above average, I'd say.
I am waiting for the conditions to be created and to take it to the real and "harsh" field these days.
Then I will see the right behavior.
Previous good experiences with the X5 model give me hope that this Q40 will prove to be even better.

[ivconic]

Interestingly enough...
The All Metal mode on the Q40 reminds me irresistibly of the "Gold Field" program on my Deus 1.
Exceptionally sensitive and feels the smallest pieces of metal very well.
It's a shame to admit, I've had a Deus 1 for 12 years and only a month ago I started using the "Gold Field" program on it for the first time.
And I am delighted! Deus 1 showed a new face in that program! Wow!
I set the Disc IAR to "1", which is enough to make a subtle difference in the sound when dealing with irons.
It is almost infallible.
And this again reminds me of Minelab FT17000, Minelab GP3000 and Minelab GPX5000... (I remember those detectors well and I worked with them for a certain time) ie their way of discrimination.
With a small note that Deus 1 and now Q40 have a much more immediate behavior in that mode and things are much clearer when checking targets.

[Daves]

ivconic If you have more pictures, could you please share more detailed PCB pictures?

[ivconic]

That's all I have.

[Daves]

That's all I have.

if one day you make a decision to open the box again take more photos please