one I made long ago, just as I had for both Tesoro and White's. There is a lot more to FTP than simply making metal detectors for a declining number of hobbyists.
Kind of sad that we, the USA, are the ones who got more of the hobby detector interest going early-on, and also contributed a lot of the circuitry and feature designs and advances right through about 2000, and a few models later on. Since that time we have seen a growing number of manufacturers, foreign to the USA, who have been growing more than the USA detector makers who are gone or going. Naturally those include Minelab, Nokta / Makro and XP. Models from those three and from Garrett are still observed in use more globally, and that's where the market is.
In the latter '60swe noted a major growth in 'local dealers' as well as in metal detecting clubs, reaching a number of ± 300 clubs across the USA that had a lot of members, and many of them had good scheduled Outings and also hosted annual Competition Hunts. No more. Due to major discounting the 'local dealers' closed up shop, and clubs dwindled as many members got older and passed away or just got out of the hobby. And one other this is that there are fewer newcomers to this great sport. The local clubs did help inspire some young folks to be active, but we just don't have an attraction to them like we once did.
Nope, this just aren't the same anymore and we are part of a dwindling number of avid enthusiasts when it comes to metal detecting.
Sorry to see it is "Off season" for you now, and from what I heard there's a storm that should have arrived and will continue for a day or two dumping a lot of wintry snow in your yard. It's 7"05 AM here and the temp is 63° but it is a windy day and headed to 80° today, but we have a cold snap coming tomorrow with a high of about 57° and low of 33° .... then it warms into the 60's and 70's on thru December 24th. No snow for us for Christmas. Enjoy the memories of hunts you made this year and plans for 2022.
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 chosen makes and models, with the best coils mounted for the tasks I'll take on.F-19 .. Racer .. Vanquish 540 .. FORS Relic .. Silver Sabre µMAX .. Bandido II µMAX .. XLTPinpointers: Garrett AT Pro-Pointers .. Headphones: 'Hornet' .. MS-3 Z-Lynk .. ML-80 *** All working well today to make memories for tomorrow. ***