What Ever Happened To The Quest G80?
I first saw the Quest G80 back at the end of 2019. Or rather I saw a photo of it. The actual machine was not going to be released into the UK market so a photo was as close as I would get to it. The G80, along with its siblings the G40 and G20 were very firmly aimed at the gold prospector market. Not something there is a great demand for here.
What Is the G80
It is a machine designed to have a high sensitivity to detect small-size gold nuggets. Easy to collapse for carrying or detecting in a compact space. And can run on the included Li-Po battery pack or 8x AA batteries.
Let’s take a look at the spec
- WORKING METHOD: 60kHz VLF Optimized for Gold Detection TELESCOPIC RODS: Fast Release Cam-lock 4 Sections True Telescopic From 55CM(extension rod detached) to 137CM
- WATERPROOF: Fully waterproof to a depth of 3M/10 feet
- ALTERNATIVE ROD: Compatible with 26~28mm Round Rods PROTECTION: 3Meters/10Ft Waterproof
- DETECTION COILS: 5“×10” Dual Ellipse & 4“x 7″ Double D GAUGE: Depth Reader, Target ID Indication, Battery Status. etc
- TARGET ID PORTIONS: 12 Segments from 0 to 99
- AUDIO OUTPUT: Built-in Buzzer, or by Wire Headphones LCD DISPLAY: LCD w/ Backlight For Low Light Condition
- SEARCH MODES: Micro Gold, Gold, Discrimination modes WEIGHT: 3LB /1.4KG (w/ Blanc Mini Coil)
- BATTERY: 3800mAh Li-Po USB Rechargeable Battery Pack (included) Or 8x AA Alkaline Batteries (batteries not included)
18 Hrs Battery Life by Speaker, 25Hrs by headphones - OPERATION TEMP RANGE: 32° to 95° F (0° to 35° C)
- NON-OPERATION TEMP: -4° to 113° F (-20° to 45° C)
- HANDLE: Textured Surface Increase Gripping Stability,
- ARMREST CUP: Robust material, ergonomic design adjustable without tools GROUND BALANCE: Automatic tracking or by manual(pump)
- METAL ID:99 Metal I.D. Level for Target Identification
- SHORTCUT FUNCTIONS: Modes, Back Light, Ground Balance, Pinpoint, Volume
There was also a G20 and a G40. The main difference to the G80 being the operating frequency is dropped to 48 kHz, there is no numerical target ID and both come with just the 10″ coil. As far as I can tell neither come with a rechargeable battery pack.
The Quest G80 was, as far as I am aware, supposed to have been released in 2020 along with the G40 and G20 but of course, the pandemic hit and everything stopped.
There was mention of it being released in 2021 but so far nothing has been seen of it. This is a shame because just looking at the images it appears to be a nicely designed machine. Comparisons will, of course, be drawn against Garrett and Minelab’s prospecting machines but as they all seem to follow a similar design perhaps that is inevitable.
Will we ever see the Quest G80 released to the public? Who knows? Much has happened over the past couple of years. New machines have been released from Garrett, XP, Nokta Makro and Minelab. Perhaps the window of opportunity has passed and Quest is working on something new. Only time will tell.
Links
https://www.questmetaldetectors.com/
Quest Metal Detectors Facebook Group
Treasure Hunting World Facebook Group
If these two units could operate on one frequency at a time and not All frequencies simultaneously it could not violate minelabs stupid legal argument with quest which is transmitting all frequencies simultaneously quest could make these detectors if a person that has been in this hobby for 10 years or more they would know that one frequency at a time is more effective especially in identification of a required Target which is more effective than sorting many frequencies and deciding which one is right manufactured the unit to do one at a time and you would not be in violation of a stupid argument that minelab wants to hang on to if there are frequency units already made that can’t be sold in the states per se what would they be worth hell of a lot when I saw what the v80 could do and it’s features I wanted to have one but my lab in their infinite wisdom didn’t make that possible what a shame
What the user choose what frequency you want to use one at a time instead of running all at once the problem would be solved
Hi Jeff. Quest already has a machine with selectable single frequencies, the Q35. This is available in the USA. SMF is certainly not the answer in all scenarios but it does have advantages in highly mineralised ground. The problem for Quest is that all of their competitors now have one or more SMF machines in their lineups. Quest needs to compete and they cannot do that if they do not also provide the option of an SMF machine. The only reason Quest are not fighting any potential lawsuit in the USA is simply because they are a small company and cannot afford lengthy litigation. It does not mean they are infringing any of Minelab’s patents. Minelab has deeper pockets, they could bankrupt Quest even before any legal decision was made. So this was purely a reluctant but necessary business decision. The V60/V80 are on sale in parts of Europe. Although still not available in the UK. We do start to wonder if these machines will ever go on sale in the UK. Perhaps Minelab has threatened litigation here too.