Designing and marketing new metal detectors.

[ivconic]

I like this, because it is very true! And i pointed on that "phenomena" earlier!
Same case with spending huge and hard earned money on hot priced md equipment too!

"...I thought that there could be no market for electronic gadgets in the third world. I was very wrong. I see my illiterate workers with cell phones, I don't understand how they use them, but they spend half a month salary on them, just to see them be ruined by the high humidity in a short time...."

[Midas]

Well, mosquitoes are not dangerous, but what about this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latrodectus_mactans

LOL. Tell that to one of the estimated 655,000 that die from mosquito borne malaria every year. It is in fact by some very, very, large margin THE most dangerous creature in the world. Unfortunately however the efficacy of ultrasonic repellers is highly questionable.

On your third world budget MD Tinkerer. Some way of charging it up with a hand\foot crank would perhaps be helpful. Since access to mains is probably very difficult for charging, and having to replace batteries constantly may erode an already borderline profit.

Midas

[Carl-NC]

Well, mosquitoes are not dangerous, but what about this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latrodectus_mactans

We had gobs of Black Widow spiders back in North Carolina, I was always careful where I stuck my hands. Brown Recluse spiders are even worse. However, neither of these spiders will hunt you down and bite you, but mosquitoes will, and can carry diseases more nasty than spider venom.

[Carl-NC]

Carl,

what is the reasoning behind a consumer grade mine detector? You got me baffled!!!

Tinkerer

I've had a few people call me who are involved with humanitarian demining efforts, and are using the XLT and MXT for mine detection. What they want is a cheap detector, ultra-easy to use, and reasonably sensitive. Many cold-war era mines are not minimum-metal types so they don't have to have the latest PI technology. They want to buy gobs of these units to give to the locals.

[Carl-NC]

Of course, hobby detectorists don't go detecting in such weather.

In the US, East Coast relic hunters do. When you get permission to hunt a Civil War camp site next Saturday, you'll go even if it's pouring down rain. There is high demand for waterproof hobby detectors, as Garrett has shown.

[Midas]

I've always thought a sub-$1000 consumer-grade (non-military) mine detector would also do well, assuming you can deal with the liability issue.

- Carl

Just put a sticker on it. Something along the lines of:
"This mine detector should only be used as a rough guide. All ground 'cleared' with it may or may not still contain mines. The operators subsequent footsteps may be more effective in mine clearing than the actual device."

Apart from the liability issue I also believe that its actually a very challenging thing for a MD to detect modern mines. They are essentially all plastic with just a tiny metallic firing pin. Probably made from SS or some other even harder to detect alloy.
However perhaps in areas known to have older mine technology there maybe a market, and its probably true that more cheap lower quality devices could end up saving more lives than a handful of high quality devices.

Midas

Edit: Now I see you've essentially made all those points.. Too slow.

[bklein]

What are the design difficulties involved for a "sub=$1000" mine detector?
I'd imagine they are near the surface but what types of trigger sensors are used? Are there designs where a particular type of detector would actually set the thing off?

[Rivers rat]

Excellent discussion thats why i joined geotk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


RR

[ivconic]

I was thinking about all what is written here.
Say, aren't forums like Geotech having great influence on forming public opinion in our md world?
Huge number of people will read forums like this one. Before and after buying some model.
So there is a chance that we do affect those buyers decision with our writings!
Actually we can do certain indirect "targeting" on both groups: customers and manufacturers!
If those from manufacturers are smart enough; those will read and follow this forum with great interest.
Are here any "insiders" among us!?? (except the owner)

[Tinkerer]

LOL. Tell that to one of the estimated 655,000 that die from mosquito borne malaria every year. It is in fact by some very, very, large margin THE most dangerous creature in the world. Unfortunately however the efficacy of ultrasonic repellers is highly questionable.

On your third world budget MD Tinkerer. Some way of charging it up with a hand\foot crank would perhaps be helpful. Since access to mains is probably very difficult for charging, and having to replace batteries constantly may erode an already borderline profit.

Midas

A way to recharge the batteries is a very good idea for a gold digger detector.
Maybe a solar panel? 2 battery packs. One in use, the other one on a solar charger.
Or at least a plugin to a car battery?

Mains power, if any, in the gold digger camps is usually restricted to a few hours per day.

Tinkerer

[Tinkerer]

I've had a few people call me who are involved with humanitarian demining efforts, and are using the XLT and MXT for mine detection. What they want is a cheap detector, ultra-easy to use, and reasonably sensitive. Many cold-war era mines are not minimum-metal types so they don't have to have the latest PI technology. They want to buy gobs of these units to give to the locals.

This might just be the clincher. Such a mine detector would also be good for virgin territory gold nugget detecting.
This might just be the great business opportunity that some in the detector industry are looking for.

Very, very interesting.

Tinkerer

[Tinkerer]

What are the design difficulties involved for a "sub=$1000" mine detector?
I'd imagine they are near the surface but what types of trigger sensors are used? Are there designs where a particular type of detector would actually set the thing off?

I don't think there are technical problems. The problems that must be solved, are in the interface for the low skill users and the extra ruggedness for professional continuous use.

And of course high reliability, long life, at low cost.

It needs high volume manufacturing to bring the cost down.

Tinkerer

[Tinkerer]

I was thinking about all what is written here.
Say, aren't forums like Geotech having great influence on forming public opinion in our md world?
Huge number of people will read forums like this one. Before and after buying some model.
So there is a chance that we do affect those buyers decision with our writings!
Actually we can do certain indirect "targeting" on both groups: customers and manufacturers!
If those from manufacturers are smart enough; those will read and follow this forum with great interest.
Are here any "insiders" among us!?? (except the owner)

Are you trying to manipulate?
Beware!!!!!! The law of the universe says that who, who manipulates is responsible for the results.

Tinkerer

[Tinkerer]

I see.
Making waterproof detector is not a big deal.
But making indeed accurate nugget hunter - is a big deal!
Now i understand your interests and work from other thread.
I think you choose wisely than.
There is a future for investing in such work, considering the infos you gave here.
Reasonable low price with reasonable good performances, that's the answer.

Water proofing adds a lot to the cost.

Tinkerer

[ivconic]

Are you trying to manipulate?
Beware!!!!!! The law of the universe says that who, who manipulates is responsible for the results.

Tinkerer