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Garrett is a well known, widely respected, leading developer and manufacturer of high quality metal detecting devices. Inevitably, their high quality metal detector wands are copied and imitated. In our latest blog post and informative 90 second video we look at the highly popular “Garrett Superscanner” metal detector wand and the low quality imitations that are out there.
Imitations, Fakes and Counterfeits
The well known saying: “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” recognises that when a person copies or emulates another person’s actions, ideas or behaviour they are doing so because they admire and respect them and what they do or think. The saying suggests that people imitate others because they want to be like them. But exploiting the reputations of high quality products by creating low quality copies isn’t about flattery, its all about profit.
We are surrounded and exposed to widespread product fakery. The World Health Organisation estimates that around one in ten medical products, used in low income countries, are fake. These include fake antibiotics, fake antimalarial medication, fake painkillers and more. The fake products may contain no active ingredients whatsoever, or even include toxic substances like rat poison or fentanyl.
During the pandemic a number of fake COVID-19 test kits became available. These rapid COVID tests, that were in very high demand, gave false results. There was also an abundance of substandard, fake medical masks available. These low quality masks didn’t meet NHS standards and totally failed to provide effective protection against viruses.
Makeup, cosmetics and skincare products are also popular targets for fakery. Some counterfeit makeup products have been found to contain toxic ingredients including lead, arsenic and mercury. Some counterfeit skin whitening creams have been found to contain high levels of mercury and even steroids, leading to serious medical conditions including kidney damage and skin disorders.
The automotive and industrial arenas are also targeted by counterfeiting criminals with fake vehicle and machinery parts. Counterfeit airbags, for example, have been linked to multiple fatalities in the USA.
Children’s toys and products are also faked. Counterfeit toys, that copy well known brands, are often made from low quality, toxic materials and paints. And poorly made, low strength counterfeit child car seats, for example, increase the risk of injury.
Counterfeit electronic devices and batteries are also putting people at risk. Poorly made rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are known to overheat and can potentially explode or cause fires. And counterfeit telephone chargers, that imitate the appearance of branded chargers, lack the required safety testing and can be extremely dangerous.
Garret Superscanner Metal Detector Wand
The Garrett Superscanner Metal Detector Wand has become an industry-standard tool in security applications. These reliable, hard-working devices are commonly used at airports, transport hubs, prisons, ministry of defence premises along with entertainment venues and events. Subjects are quickly scanned to detect the presence of metallic objects, preventing people from carrying knives, weapons or other prohibited items.
The Garrett Superscanner Wand is sensitive to a wide variety of metals and smaller objects including jewellery, coins and even needles, which can all be detected during a scan. These valuable scanning devices have prevented people from carrying a wide range of prohibited items including knives, razor blades, screwdrivers and other tools including lockpicks, into areas where they are not allowed.
Security personnel, dealing with members of the public, have discovered many weird and peculiar items when using their Garrett Superscanner wands to conduct body scans. In one case, an elderly ladies coat caused the metal detector to beep all over the garment. When examined, 14 safety pins were discovered, holding her outfit together. In another case a handheld metal detector alerted security staff to something hidden in a man’s underwear. When investigated, a tiny harmonica was discovered. The man explained that he ‘liked to be prepared for a musical moment’.
People can often forget about their body piercings, or even metallic medical devices and implants, which they are then reminded of when a sensitive Garrett Superscanner metal detector wand is used to scan their bodies at a security check point.
Fake Metal Detector Wands
The growing need for reliable security screening has fuelled a burgeoning demand for practical, hand held metal detector wands. Inevitably, the success and reputation of Garrett brand metal detectors is exploited by counterfeiters. So what are the characteristics of these fakes and what can shoppers do to avoid them?
The first obvious sign that an alleged Superscanner wand is suspicious is the price. If the price looks almost too good to be true then its likely to be a fake. Genuine Garrett Superscanner devices retail for between around £100 to £200 while there are some fakes sold for around £20 to £60.
Another important difference between the real thing and a low quality counterfeit copy is the overall build quality. Authentic Garrett Superscanner wands are manufactured to extremely high standards using top quality materials and components. The rugged ABS plastic casing on a genuine Garrett wand is rigid, doesn’t twist or bend and is strong enough to enable the device to be potentially used as a defensive weapon. Counterfeit devices tend to be made from flimsy, bendable plastic and can have loose or wobbly parts.
The operational behaviour of counterfeit devices varies. Some don’t have any metal detecting capabilities whatsoever. They simply consist of an LED and buzzer that’s randomly triggered by a simple internal circuit. Others might have some basic metal detecting functionality, but offer very low sensitivity that’s incapable of detecting small items or a variety of metal objects. Dodgy devices might present irregular or distorted audio alerts and LEDs might be dim or flickering. Genuine Garrett devices are extremely sensitive and present a very clear, distinct alarm alert tone coupled with a reliable visual indicator.
Faults and issues often exist with the batteries and electronics in fake devices. The low quality, sub-standard batteries can sometimes leak and will often die very quickly. Poor electronic circuitry and low quality construction can cause counterfeit metal detecting wands to become dangerously hot when used. And these low quality copies will generally fail entirely within just a few weeks or months.
Counterfeits will often have low quality packaging with misspelled and poorly printed brand labels. Look out for “Garet” or “Garett” and mis-spellings like: “superscaner”,
Another notable absence on some copy devices is the serial number. Authentic Garrett devices all have a unique serial number that can be directly verified via the Garrett website. Counterfeit devices may have no serial number or are all allocated the same, fake serial number.
Low quality copies are also unlikely to have the correct user manual and will definitely not have the valued Garrett warranty. Garrett wands are supplied with a genuine user manual and are covered by a reliable Garrett warranty.
Risks of Using Counterfeit Metal Detecting Wands
Using fake, low quality metal detecting wands presents some very serious risks in security and safety applications.
At the top of the risk list is the ineffective detection of dangerous items. Low sensitivity, fake metal detector wands can simply fail to detect dangerous items such as knives, blades, guns or other metal devices. This obviously puts people at risk.
Relying on low quality, counterfeit metal detector wands for security screening operations can also lead to a false sense of security. Security personnel may believe they are effectively preventing people from carrying prohibited items or concealed weapons when, misleadingly, the counterfeit metal detecting wands they are using are not detecting anything.
The erratic functionality of some low quality counterfeit wands, with unreliable alarms and alerts, can result in false negatives and positives. These false and inaccurate alarms can confuse and frustrate security operatives and undermine the reliability of their security screening work.
Low quality counterfeit devices also present a number fo safety issues. These low quality copies can be made from materials that include toxic or harmful chemicals. Prolonged use or contact can potentially cause skin irritation or other negative health issues. And low quality electronics can present electrical hazards due to faulty wiring and poor manufacture. The substandard electronics and dubious batteries can cause overheating resulting in device malfunction and even potentially causing a fire.
There are also important legal and liability concerns associated with using low quality fake devices. Genuine Garrett Superscanner wands are built to meet very stringent safety and performance standards. Counterfeit products don’t meet these standards which can put organisations at risk of legal action due to device malfunction or a security breach. If, for example, a weapon is successfully brought into a secure area, due to the use of a counterfeit metal detector for security screening, the organisation responsible could be held liable for negligence.
Another important risk that mustn’t be overlooked is the impact on insurance cover when using fake, counterfeit devices. Many of the insurance policies, held by organisations, will only provide cover for incidents involving the use of approved and certified equipment. Using counterfeit superscanner metal detecting wands could make insurance coverage void in the even of an incident and claim.
How to Make Certain Your Garrett Superscanner is Genuine
By far the best way to avoid buying a fake Garrett Superscanner metal detecting wand is to only buy from an approved, authorised supplier. Insight Security buys direct from Garrett and has been supplying genuine devices from them for many years.
Another important check to carry out is the reputation of the supplier. Read their reviews, especially reviews left by previous Garret Superscanner customers.
When you get your Garrett Superscanner wand, inspect the packaging. Genuine Garrett products are supplied in high quality, professional, robust packaging. Another important verification check is to look at the product serial number and take advantage of the Garrett verification service by sending the serial number to them for authentication. And make certain your Garrett Superscanner has been provided with the manufacturers warranty information.
Then inspect and test your new metal detecting wand. A genuine Garrett Superscanner wand is rigid, robust and not easily twisted or distorted. The scanner is highly sensitive which can be verified by carrying out some basic sensitivity tests with small metal objects.
Buy Security Metal Detectors with Confidence
As noted, Insight Security is an authorised Garrett metal detector vendor. Follow these links to find both handheld and walkthrough security metal detectors in our store.
For more information on Beware of Fake Garrett Superscanner Metal Detector Wands talk to Insight Security