1. Is the new Teknetics a repackaged version of the old Teknetics from the 1980’s?
No, the Teknetics T2 is entirely new design not based on any other product. We called it “Teknetics” because like the old one, it sets the performance standard. We also own the trademark.
2. How deep will it go?
As with any other metal detector, how deep it will go depends on many variables which the manufacturer has no control over. The T2’s sensitivity and depth capability is in the same league as the hottest machines currently available in its price range.
Most “deep” machines miss a lot of relatively shallow good targets because they’re masked by iron or aluminum trash. So although “depth” is important, it’s not the whole story.
3. What does the Teknetics T2 do that other machines won’t do?
For people who already own high-end metal detectors, the T2’s strongest suit is its quick and precise response. The result is phenomenal target separation (also called “unmasking” or “see-through”), allowing it find good targets next to iron in areas supposedly cleaned out by other detectors. And the discriminator is surprisingly quiet in the iron trash. The T2 opens old sites up again and allows difficult sites to be productive.
4. Why isn't it multiple frequency?
There are a number of ways to improve a metal detector design, most of which cost money to engineer and to manufacture. Adding additional frequencies is only one of those ways. The T2 is a great machine because of technological advances in other areas.
5. How easy is it to figure out how to use? Some computerized machines are so complicated that a normal person will never get them figured out.
The T2 user interface is very quick and easy to learn. In prototype field testing we told users, “Do not read the manual first, just start using the machine.” They all reported that the user interface makes it obvious how to use the machine and that there was no need to refer to the manual.
On the other hand, the T2 is a very sensitive machine and will detect many small or deep targets that most other machines would miss. At first you may think you are getting a lot of false signals. If you are not prepared to dig everything that the T2 can detect, you will have to discipline yourself to reduce the sensitivity and/or increase the discrimination.
6. The new Teknetics seems to have come out of nowhere. Why should anyone have confidence in it?
The lead engineer, Dave Johnson, has designed many of the industry’s most popular metal detectors for several different companies, beginning with the Fisher 1260-X in 1982. If you’re an avid detectorist, you probably already swing machines that are Dave Johnson’s designs or adaptations of them.
7. Is the Teknetics T2 made by Bounty Hunter?
First Texas Products, located in El Paso, Texas, manufactures Bounty Hunter and related private label metal detectors, as well as the new Teknetics.
People who ask this question are usually indirectly asking about quality. A few years back, Bounty Hunter quality was poor. Since the company came under new ownership in 1999 it re-engineered the products and adopted modern manufacturing methods. Bounty Hunter and the related private label metal detectors are now quality products which offer excellent value in their price range.
8. Since it’s micro computerized, are you going to offer software upgrades? If so, how will the upgrade be done?
The T2 was released to the general market in January ’06 at software rev. level 5. That rev. level has no known bugs. Software Rev. 6 was released in early April 2006. The main improvement that customers will notice is that we added continuous-tone ID capability to the discrimination mode. Rev. 6 is available to owners of earlier machines for $49.00 plus $5.00 Shipping & Handling. This includes installation of the new software, UPS surface return shipping, and a checkup to see if any warranty repairs or other updates need to be done. In-factory turnaround is usually 1 working day.
No additional software revisions are planned at this time.
9. Where can I find out what people who actually own a T2 say about it?
If you do an Internet search on the keywords “Teknetics T2”, the search engine will pull up posts about the T2 on Internet forums. Look for posts by people who actually own the machine.
10. Are there any published field tests available?
No, not at this time (May 06). We expect one to appear in a national magazine in late spring.
11. Where can I find a dealer?
If you do an Internet search on the keywords “Teknetics T2”, that search will pull up some dealers. Or, you can call our Customer Service Department at 1-800-413-4131 and ask where your nearest dealer is.
12. What accessories are available?
Headphones, carry bag, and a hand-held pin pointer are available now. In 2007 we intend to develop a smaller accessory search coil for even better target separation.
13. Will there be other Teknetics models?
Very likely, the next models we have in mind are different from the T2 and do not replace it. |
