Divining rod reborn as explosive-detection device

We've all seen how fashion frequently goes full circle and brings back designs our grandparents wore, but we would never have guessed the same for dowsing. Popular during ancient times, it was believed that a pair of simple divining rods could magically detect water underground.

(Credit: ATSC (UK))

Seems dowsing is coming back, albeit with an unexpected angle. British company ATSC (UK) is selling a portable explosive detection device called the ADE 651, which brings bomb detection technology to another (magical) level with claims it can detect guns, ammunition, explosives, and even contraband items from more than half a mile through obstacles and even planes flying 3 miles overhead.

Amazingly, it uses no power source and all the operator needs to do is hold a pair of metal rods that will point to dangerous items via "electrostatic magnetic ion attraction." ATSC (UK) is selling the ADE 651 for between $16,500 and $60,000 each (depending on the source).

Despite the fact that the ADE 651 has been debunked by journalists and authorities (including Dale Murray, head of the National Explosive Engineering Sciences Security Center at Sandia Labs), the Iraqi government has purchased more than 1,500 units and swears by them. We all know a sucker is born every minute, but are the hoodwinked Iraqi soldiers depending on the ADE 651 to save lives, or the public to pay for these with their tax dollars?

(Source: Crave Asia via The New York Times)

[heulenwolf]

This sounds like a "We had money left over and needed to spend it on something related to bomb detection," story. If the US gov't had anything to do with the money, that's almost certainly true.

[hawkeyeaz1]

Well, in a country where guns and/or explosives are everywhere, a 3 miles range is guaranteed to have a hit... Of course, my perceptions about Iraq could be dead wrong.

Regardless, the scammers have to eat too...

[alegr]

To work best, that gizmo needs periodical snake oil refill.

[tvelocity]

These guys need to be exposed for the frauds that they are. The Iraqis are forgoing proven bomb-detecting systems in favor of this piece of junk. This isn't a game - people are getting killed over there!
I have an idea: let the CEO of ATSC use his device on three boxes, two of which are booby-trapped with explosives, and have him find and open the safe box. See how much confidence he has in his product then!

http://gizmodo.com/5396888/the-bomb+sniffing-gadget-thats-definitely-not-saving-iraq

[loxsom]

The use of this phoney device is further indication of the universal corruption at every level of the Iraqi government. The ADE 651 provides the excuse to search anyone at any time on the allegation that some sort of contraband is detected. Then, actual contraband is found or not. Or contraband is planted or not. Or the friends and/or confederates of the persons at this particular checkpoint are allowed to pass the checkpoint with a truckload of actual contraband that will profit the persons runnig the checkpoint. I look back on the days of Saddam Hussein with wistful ennui.