The Chinese manufacturer Tianxun has released a new metal detector, the S63 Skycruiser, which mimics the Nokta The Legend, the most famous and best-selling model from the Turkish brand Nokta.
Specifications and Parameters
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Type | Metal Detector |
| Place of Origin | Shanghai, China |
| Custom Support | OEM, ODM |
| Brand | Tianxun |
| Model Number | S63 |
| Warranty | 12 months |
| Custom Support | OEM, ODM |
| Power Supply | 2*9V battery |
| Detection Indication | LCD and audio |
| Sensitivity | > 35 cm (US quarter coin) |
| Certification | CE/ROHS/ISO9001 |
| Application | Underground Gold Detector |
| Search Coil | 11” Waterproof Coil |
| Feature | Ground Balance Function |
| Packaging and Delivery | |
| Sales Units | Single item |
| Single Package Size | 43X28X14 cm |
| Single Gross Weight | 3.000 kg |
Photos
Price
The price of the new metal detector starts at $250 USD, which is approximately a quarter of the cost of the original detector.
The new Chinese metal detector looks clumsy, much like most detectors made in this country. The only thing that will attract the attention of unsuspecting buyers is the low price. Unfortunately, the market has shown that this approach works (there will be buyers, and there will be plenty of them).
Oy Vey! Poor Nokta. They even stole the flashlight. Nokta has nothing else in her backyard.
It does not specify if the control unit is waterproof. It also operates on 2 9V batteries.
It seems similar to the Frogman T90.
The price is cheaper but I would spend a little more to get a Legend or an Equinox.
Would be interesting to see results from the field.
When I started to ponder this new detector I wasn’t sure how I felt so I broke it down a bit. I’m still not sure I’ve reached any real conclusion but let’s start. Most modern detectors at least those generally available to us in the majority of UK dealers are products of broad similarity, certainly in a physical sense. Many if not all consist of an adjustable plastic arm cough and strap attached to one end of an aluminium or if you have the beans at your disposal, a carbon fibre shaft. Once of the curvy ‘S’ shape design that would seem largely considered old hat these days, we are instead offered a straight shaft with cam or twist locks, an angled handle atop of which sits the control console, screen and an array of buttons. At the end of said shaft rests the thing that conjures as much debate as the detector itself, the coil brought to life either wirelessly or with the now familiar and trustworthy carefully fastened spiral umbilical. This is an accepted and largely successful format the likeness of which is produced by just about every manufacturer, so is it any wonder that a new machine from a less well known manufacturer does not stray far from this formulae? Of course not and while the S63 could possibly stand comparison to the Nokta machine, it also stands comparison to many other makes and models as it could be said, most do to each other. This is the nature of a competitive market where straying too far from the expected norms risks rejection or scepticism. Also, such competition is the driver of innovation and development without which none of us would have benefited from the advancement in metal detecting equipment whoever happens to make it. I also note that there are not inconsiderable differences from the Noktar in terms of its display layout, console and screen shape, button design, handle and a plethora of other small nuances that appear at least to me to differ from the Legend. I assume the question still remains as to how similarly it is internally assembled on its main board and how it’s functions and no doubt this will come to light in time. As to assumptions of its performance in comparison, this will only be revealed through truly honest and unbiased testing by impartial and experienced detectorist, so good luck getting to the true bottom of that one. It’s easy to understand why many choose the comfort and conformity of main stream well established products. There’s the R&D, dealer support for both faults and accessories, coil choices, the perceived reputation of your chosen brand and let’s not forget the true marketing motivator, the ‘perception’ of this machine in your mates minds, unacquainted dectorists and your club members alike. Many seek this attention and at the very least acceptance if not reverence from their peers and this is difficult to achieve with a lesser known or accepted brand and model such is the power of marketing in particular on the male psyche. What seems to be the real stumbling block to acceptance here is that such technology wether it proves to be substantially similar to other well established brands or not and that’s not for me to decide, can be produced and sold to the customer at considerably lower prices than we have all been made to accept, so no surprise there then. There are the questions of where you stand ethically on this too, but that’s a whole lot more worms in a can and far too deep to ponder here. There is also the argument that while some are and able to spare or to justify great expense on such equipment, others who will also enjoy this hobby cannot or will not in favour of taking their kids camping or maintaining their transport instead. This machine offers access to this type of technology for a less wallet lightening price but it comes with some risks I suppose perceived or otherwise. The choice is ours to make.
WOW! That just about wraps it up in a (albeit very large)nutshell.Nothing can be added to that.Very clear and thorough my friend.Would like to meet you and go detecting with you,you are clearly a man of great intellect and wisdom
Good evening Digger Dave and everyone else too. Thank you for your very generous comments, far too generous I’d wager. I just write how I perceive and process things and don’t post anything very often but when I do, I try to avoid ambiguity or provocation other than that of thought. I do apologise to everyone who’s been kind enough to read it, I can be a tad less than succinct at times. It’s always great to meet and converse with like minded folk, life affirmation is good for the soul. So yes it would be good to cross the ‘coils to the soil’ wandering path with you some time? I enjoy reading the articles and posted comments here, very interesting reading. Most Detectorists I’ve met have been thoughtful, kindly and intelligent people who are passionate about what they do. One could not want to be part of a better collective.
Definitely would love to meet you,you sound very erudite and a day with someone like you in a pasture or indeed a ploughed field would be very educational and an experience nor to be missed!Where did you learn to write with such fluidity and passio for the subject,?A breath of fresh air indeed.
Thank you kindly but I really don’t deserve such praise, I’m just your average joe with a renewed passion for detecting among other things that have rumbled along a long time now. I feel I may disappoint in person but perhaps we shall see. Detecting all started in the 70’ and 80’s as a growing lad, I accompanied my occasional detectorist brother and as the younger sibling, I did most of the digging as is the way of things. His detector though the make escapes otherwise left me with a lasting impression. To a ten-ish year old, it was an enormously heavy black crinkle coated box of tricks with a ‘scaffold tube’ shaft and dirty off white coil so over engineered it would have been quite capable of de-tracking a tank should misfortune conspire for it to run over one. The headphones constructed of oddly odourous thick plastic and leatherette were heavy and comically akin to the Princes Liea’s double bun affair and scratchy sounding with age and ingress of dust. Attached was a cable so stiffly coiled that they would mercilessly snatch at the neck whenever the detector was gracelessly dropped on the ground in anticipation of an excited and frenzied dig. We didn’t have a clue but it was just about the only thing that we agreed on back then, probably now too. As I grew I found other interests, detecting committed to comforting reminiscence until about eighteen months ago when a colleague and good friend pricked my interest once more. One very hot day in a freshly turned field in Surrey with a borrowed Garret 200i and flimsy but thankfully light headphones, I was irretrievably hooked. At that moment I felt overwhelmingly compelled to purchase an NCMD membership leaning on my hastily purchased border spade watching the headphone’d club members quietly beeping their way across the tilth totally engrossed in this lovely addiction. Many hours of research followed and a Used but very tidy Golden Mask 6 and Spider coil where purchased and winged their way from Italy. I still have a great deal to relearn if my middle age brain lets me but im in good company. As for writing I have been reading and occasionally contributing in a small way to all kinds of tech magazines for many years. I have interests photography, hifi and music, I am a motorcyclist and for a while a sport diver among many other things. It is said for one to write well, one must write about a passion. I was once offered the opportunity to foolishly turn down a writer/reviewers job with a well known photography magazine, but that’s another story and so long as we live we are learning or ought to be right? My fathers voice uttering in my head that ‘one learns from every experience and soul we meet’. Anyway, I’ve prattled on boringly and will leave it there Digger Dave. Perhaps we can meet up at an detecting event of some kind or let me know how to get in touch? Good evening one and all and may good fortune be your shadow.
What about you, what brings you to the fold?
Love to meet you,silverback.I have some choice permissions I would willingly share with you.As for how I started,well,it’s a bit boring but bear with me,I went into a local DIY store and noticed a guy wearing a tee shirt with initials on it.On enquiring what they stood for he said it was a local detecting club,after talking with him for a while he invited me along to one of the digs and he lent me a machine,well,after finding the usual lead and ring pulls I found a Georgian dandy button with a sunburst pattern on it.Understanding how Carter felt when he unearthed Tutankhamans(excuse spelling) tomb I was hooked.Joined that club,but it folded after about 2 years so I went freelance.Once you pick up a detector it becomes very addictive,you look on fields in a new light,each one being a potential treasure trove.
Let me know when you are free and we can meet up.If you like we could meet in a Cafe near one of my permissions and we can go from there.Would you like me to bring along some finds for you to look at?
hello Mr Hunter,
I’m Tonya from Tianxun.
That is our S63 you posted, can get your contact to discuss more?
Best regards,
Tonya
Hello,
mdhunterblog@gmail.com
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Best regards,
Ilya