Detector Electronics
Superphone 2001 and Super Probe
Field Test By Andy Sabisch
Reprinted With Permission From Lost Treasure
Page 14 of the December 1998 issue of Lost Treasure magazine
VISIT
OUR NEW SITE! CLICK
HERE
Detector Electronics Corp. was founded in 1983 by David and Sondra Bernzweig, both avid
treasure hunters, with the goal of producing a line of accessories for the treasure
hunting community that would let everyone get themost out of their detectors. Over the
past 15 years, they have developed thereputation of a companythat delivers what they
promise and their products are in use worldwide.
Recently, Detector Electronics has released two new products -- the Superphone 2001 and
Super Probe. Both of these were developed based on requests from active treasure hunters
and as typical of the way the company operates, were not released until they had
been thoroughly tested and met their strict standards of quality.
Features: Since Detector Electronic's inception, their product line has been built around
a
unique patented electronic circuit developed by their engineering team. This circuit
was originally packaged in a small box which attached to the side of a metal detector and
allowed users to plug a standard set of headphones into it. Simply called the
"DEPTHMASTER", it's name described it's effectiveness in helping treasure
hunters improve both the quantity and quality of their finds.
Before you simply dismiss this as just another set of headphones, you need toread further.
The circuitry in the headphones takes the audio signal from thedetector and through the
magic of electronics, enhances even the weakest signalswhich most treasure hunters would
either miss entirely or simply ignore assumingit to be caused by changes in ground
conditions. Typically these signals indicate atarget just at the edge of the detector's
detection "envelope" or one buried onedge. In addition to enhancing the weak
signals, the circuit built into theSuperphone 11 also reduces the strength of the audio
signal produced by large or shallow targets. This prevents the user's hearing from being
temporarily affectedby a loud signal causing him (or her) to miss a weak signal that might
be nearby.
VISIT
OUR NEW SITE! CLICK
HERE
In 1987, the company incorporated their circuit into a set of high quality headphones that
had been built to their specifications called Superphones. These became extremely popular
due to their proven performance in the field. In 1993,the headphones were redesigned and
released as the Superphone 11. In an effort to further enhance the product, the staff
designed anew case, improved cord connector and tweaked the electronics to give evenbetter
performance in thefield. The result of these efforts is the Superphone 2001.
The new Superphone 2001 has been completely redesigned with the comfort of
the user in mind. Weighing only ounces, it featurespadded oval earcups which fit the ear
snugly thereby blocking out virtually alloutside noise and a unique adjustable headband
which prevents them from slippingoff the users head even when bending over to recover a
target. The quality of construction is readily apparent when you pick up a pair.
An innovative feature introduced with the Superphone 11 and now found on the Superphone
2001 is the removable (and as a result, replaceable) 10 foot long coiled cord which
connects the headphones to the detector itself. On conventional headphones, the
wires inside of the cord frequently break at the point where the cord enters the ear cups.
This in turn renders the headphones inoperable, and most treasure hunters are then forced
to go out and buy a new set. This feature will greatly extend the life of the Superphones
as a replacement cord can be purchased in the event it does become
damaged.
The electronics are powered by a single 1.45 volt button-type battery which fits inside a
holder mounted under the padding of one ear piece. It will provide at least 50 hours of
use and replacements can be obtained from either the factory or local sources such as
Radio Shack. If the battery does go dead while you are out in the field, the electronic
circuitry can be bypassed by pushing the right volume control switch in to the OFF
position and they will then function as a set of high-quality headphones.
The Superphone 2001 is equipped with a standard 'A inch stereo plug. There are three
different plugs available, depending on the specific make and model of your
detector. Since the cords are removable, you can purchase the appropriate cords if you
have more than one detector rather than buying multiple sets of headphones.
My wife and I are both avid Superphone 11 users so we were extremely
interested in seeing how the new model felt and performed in the field. The first
thing that strikes you about the Superphone 2001 is the unit's rugged construction. You
can tell it was designed with the active treasure hunter in mind. We both used the new
headphones on several of our favorite detectors and found them to be extremely comfortable
even after extended periods of use.
The built-in circuitry did what it was designed to do
and deeply buried targets were much easier to detect with the 2001 versus
conventional headphones. Several pre- 1900 coins and numerous Civil War relics
were added to our collection that would otherwise have been missed while testing the Super
Phone 2001 headphones.
Initial Impressions: Accurately pinpointing a target once the detector has
located it has been a longstanding problem for treasure hunters. After all, simply knowing
a target is beneath the coil is only half of the challenge of recovering targets --
pinpointingand recovering the target is as important to your overall success as Your
search
technique. If you are not able to pinpoint the target, it will not only take You longer to
recover it but you have a good chance of damaging the target in the process.
Based on requests and feedback from their customers, Detector Electronics
began work on a selfcontained, electronic pinpointing probe that would help treasure
hunters locate targets in less time and with less chance of damage. While there are
similar probes on the market, the staff at Detector Electronics set a goal of not simply
releasing a copy of what else was available but rather to produce a quality device that
met the high standards their customers had come to expect from them.
After extensive development and testing, the Super Probe was released. It's compact size;
2 1/4 inches by 3 1/4 inches by 1 inch,
makes it ideally suited to tuck in your shirt pocket or find pouch when it is not being
used. Another option, depending on the type of detector you own, is to use double-sided
Velcro tape to attach it to the detector housing. It is powered by a single 9-volt battery
which provides 100 hours of use. The probe itself is 4 inches in length. A single knob
turns the unit on and sets the sensitivity level. An orange light at the base of the
"antenna" lets you know the unit is on as well as illuminates the ground beneath
the probe if you are hunting in low Iight. A green light on the side of the unit will glow
brightly and an internal speaker will buzz when a target has been detected. Even if you
are wearing headphones, the buzzing can be felt through the case so you do not have to
remove your headphones to locate a target.
When I first received the Super Probe, I did not see much use for it after all, I've been
hunting for 35 years and didn't really need any help in pinpointing targets. Well, I can
honestly say that after a few trips with the Super Probe in my pocket, I have come to
depend on it to help me find targets quickly in the red Georgia clay I hunt in. Clad coins
and pennies are often difficult to find yet a quick sweep of the plug and hole with the
Super Probe greatly reduces the recovery time. My 9-year old son Paul has also become
attached to the Super Probe and has asked for one for his birthday. He really enjoys
detecting;
however, he quickly gets discouraged when he can't find the target. The Super Probe
has all but eliminated this problem for him.
Summary: These two accessories live up to the standard of quality associated with
the name Detector Electronics. The Super Phone 2001 will help you get the maximum
performance out of your detector and find targets that you might otherwise have
missed. The Super Probe will enable you to quickly locate these targets and then
recover them without damage.
The Superphone 2001 sells for $139.95 and comes with your
choice of one cord
click here to order now. Additional or replacement cords can be
purchased for $21.95. The Super Probe sells for $119.95
click
here to order now. Both products are covered by a one year
warranty (six months on the cord).
Article ©1999 Lost Treasure, Inc.