Towards the end, when they went to the Low-Noise / High-Gain circuitry with the Bandido II µMAX and Silver Sabre µMAX in October of '97 and other models that took on that circuitry, they did provide some enhanced detection depth and stability to maintain that performance and there was less variance in their circuitry design. Tighter tolerance components, perhaps.

But with their earlier models, to include those like the Inca, Royal Sabre, Golden Sabre, Pantera, etc., etc., that relied on the earlier circuitry, I made it a point to check every detector I got in with an order. On average, I found that of 10 similar models, there might me one or two just a little hotter than the 'average' and one, and sometimes two, that were on the wimpier side. I always kept the hotter specimen for myself, IF it was any better than what I was already using.

I had Pantera I got from Rusty Henry at his home and it was a very decent performer, overall in general, and also in detection depth with the standard 8" or the 7" coil I mainly used. I did buy one Pantera that was a used unit and it wasn't too bad, but it definitely fell short of the detection depth of my choice Pantera by a good 1½"-2" in some side-by-side comparisons using the same search coils.

Matter-of-fact, I compared my Pantera to the Golden µMAX I had, both using similar-size coils, and my Pantera definitely had the edge, as the the Bandido II µMAX I was using at the time .... with the same size coil. No, we aren't talking by major differences, but there was an 'edge' in favor of my Pantera and Bandido II µMAX.

Monte

"Your EYES ... the only 100% accurate form of Discrimination!"
Stinkwater Wells Trading Post
Metal Detector Evaluations and Product ReviewsI'm now 'back home' in Farr West Utah monte@ahrps.org ... or ... monte@stinkwaterwells.com 503-481-8147Detector Outfit: A selection of my favorite makes and models, with the best coils mounted for the tasks I'll take on.Time Ranger Pro .. F75+ .. F19 .. Apex .. Racer 2 .. EQ-800 .. FORS Relic .. Bandido II µMAX .. Silver Sabre µMAX .. XLTPinpointers: Pulse-Dive Pointer and AT Pro-Pointer .. Headphones: 'Hornet' & 'Wasp' .. MS-3 Z-Lynk*** All working well today to make memories for tomorrow. ***