Shifting gears just a tad...
I've read several claims that XP is working on a SMF machine. No word from XP, but the claim doesn't seem to be unreasonable. At the very least I would expect XP to be working on some sort of new machine/technology (based on the assumption that XP would like to maintain/grow market share).
IMO XP has taken somewhat of a band-aid approach to water hunting; although I have to admit that the ORX did very well in the wet salt sand when I've tried it. (I have not tried my Deus in the wet salt sand - but have no doubt that it would do as well).
If my take is somewhat accurate - and water hunting isn't a major target as far as XP is concerned, does SMF really benefit XP performance-wise (in the market that XP seems to target)?
If SMF does offer a marketable benefit to XP (other than water hunting, that is) is it possible that XP could offer new coils that can operate SMF - without creating a whole new machine?
If so, it seems that XP could throw a monkey wrench into the whole SMF market by offering a SMF coil (even at $400) that can be paired with the current remote/headphones. Buy the new coil and do the free update - voila, you've got a flagship SMF machine for $400 (assuming XP can do such a thing).
Personally, I would find such an option to be irresistible.
Some good questions.
Wonder if internals have the capacity needed to operate SMF.
And keep the single freq ops as well?
If Xp thought that far ahead with platform. They would be definitely crystal ball readers.
One would wonder though if just a coil could pull the above off, why haven’t we already seen it.
Xp seems has been playing around with accessories for Deus/ORX.
If Makro Nokta can have a worthy SMF hatched say by end of the year.
Again why has Xp not already done?
Just maybe the X35 coil was a result of them doing their SMF detector or coil - a by product so to speak.
One thing Xp imo runs the tightest ship in metal detecting land on keeping their new releases ultra secret. I can’t think of a single leak. Where future release a pic materialized or loose talk.
They may make another platform (with new Control) where say a new SMF and all the older LF and HF coils would work.
Or keep the grand in iron single freq intact along with SMF in one coil. Have different sizes though.
They almost have to go waterproof route, yet wireless looks like won’t work submerged.
Xp has brought a lot to the table for the industry as a whole.
They need something new though.
Their menu layout now on control is second rate. Use to be first rate.
Should be interesting to see which route they take.
They are not fools by any stretch.
One thing too, they haven’t made a detector that gives good ID at depth.
So this is something else to watch for.
I own stock in Xp.
Bought 3 complete Deus units.
Wireless pinpointer.
3 extra coils.
Don’t think I ever got a hat.
They should send me one for the roughly $6k I spent on their equipment.