The allure of a deep buried treasure is fundamental to mankind. History is witness to events like California Gold Rush of the 19th century. Even in our current times, there are instances of gold rush in a Western African country called Mauritania. But, we tend to over-look that such treasure hunts are often not for the sake of treasure alone, for there is a deep craving for adventure as well in our hearts.
It is this basic fact, which an Australian company called Minelab has understood, as it has developed equipments and products for gold detection and treasure hunts, which can be used both my families and even by professionals.
Minelab is a leading supplier of metal detectors in the world. Metal detectors have multiple applications; but in Goa, Minelab has launched products, which are aimed at combining metal detection with fun, recreation and adventure.
These products will be available through Champs in Panaji and Delfino’s HyMart in Porvorim and Candolim. Explaining the idea behind such equipments, Jim Kwo, business development manager (Asia Pacific) of Minelab, said, “These products are especially great, when you have a family and kids. You can go out to a beach, find out precious metal and it will be an outdoor activity too. So, it combines recreation with hunting for treasure.”
In India, Minelab’s products are distributed through a Delhi based company called Adventure Gear India LLP. Tarun Sachdev, who is partner in Adventure Gear India LLP, too was present at the launch. Sachdev said, “Today, kids have become addicted to video-games, which keep them indoors. Minelab products will take them outdoors, as they will go for hiking and camping on their treasure hunt.”
Minelab has ensured that the products are available at affordable price. The entry level product called ‘Go Find’ is available at Rs 17,000 price in Goa. Then, there is an entire range with better features and superior detection ability with the topmost product called ‘CTX 3030’, which is priced at Rs 2.5 lakhs in Goa.
At such a price-range, these products will be affordable to many. Kwo said, “Go Find can be used on any surface including sand and mud. It has different variants with the entry-level priced at Rs 17,000 and top-end priced at Rs 22,000. Supposing, you are using Go Find on a beach, it will give you a beep the moment it detects something of value like a coin or jewellery etc. Go Find also has a variant, which can be connected to an app on your mobile using Bluetooth.”
Go Find is predominantly aimed at families, who want to do some activities with their kids on a vacation or an outing. Simon Gomes of Champs said, “These equipments are perfect for children, as they can use them to go outdoors and play. We are confident that Goans will make good use of these products, as they are reasonably priced too.”
Over and above this, Minelab also has superior products, which even tell you whether the treasure you have found is gold, silver or any other metal on a screen.
Kwo continued, “Our product called CTX 3030 is best in the world for professional treasure seekers, as it can go a lot deeper into any surface. It also helps you in knowing whether what you have found is gold, bronze, silver or just some trash.”
Between Go Find and CTX 3030, there are other products as well with varying metal detection ability. These products are in demand as Sachdev explained, “In India, this trend has caught up, wherein people are using Minelab’s products for treasure hunt and adventure and have actually found valuable stuff.”
Kwo also gave an example of some people, who have found precious coins dating back to Mughal era on a safari in Rajasthan using Minelab’s metal detection products. It is extremely important for people to know state government laws and central government laws if they end up finding something, which may be of archaeological value.
Apart from treasure-hunt, there are other applications of these products as well. Sachdev said, “Suppose, you are on a vacation and happen to lose your gold-ring or you know that there is something valuable in your ancestral house, but you don’t know where it is. In such situations, Minelab’s products can come in handy.”
One thing is for sure that Minelab’s products can be of different use to different people. You may or may not end up finding a treasure, but it is clear that it will be an exciting adventure with products like these.
