Champ Ferguson

Speaking with a Minelab sales rep last summer when she was demo'ing and promoting the Manticore, I asked her about comparisons with the CTX and she stated that Minelab considered CTX tech to still be the best. Very emphatic about it. This was in response to my question about how Multi-IQ compared to CTX/FBS, she said something like 'we still havent reached the level of the CTX'. I took that to mean that improvement to Multi-IQ are probably in the works. I suppose she could be pushing the more expensive machine in her statements, but she knew I had a CTX + was considering a Manticore and there really wasnt anyone listening to us at that moment.

Sadly, i have quit selling anything anywhere except locally. For smaller items (not trucks, etc), i always require that the buyer meet me with cash (no hundreds) in front of the local police station. Amazing how some folks will never bother you again after that. DD, I'd be a bit wary of telling a possible criminal where your home is.

from what i can see, i agree with obsidian.

i agree with jasong. hey jasong; are you a geologist/rockhound?

I agree with jasong and am also interested in hearing more about the interior.

ID is dang near impossible over the internet. Best someone can do is give you some ideas what it could be (its not lead/galena or silver if a magnet attracts). What i always advise people is to take it to a local college that has a geology department and ask there. Thats pretty much a sure ID. Or find a local rockhound club and visit one of their meetings or shows.

George in SC expressed those same thoughts to me last week. He worked not only in retail, but in overseas shipping and is well versed in how the shipping container deliveries work/cost/etc. I think you guys may be onto something.

Steve, Thanks for posting your thoughts on 50 tone. I have long struggled to understand why seemingly everyone 'dumbs down' their machines to 4 or 5 tone mode and deprived themselves of information. You are the first of the elite level detectorists (don't be modest) I have seen state what I thought was obvious. I've even asked on forums for someone to tell me why a few tones would be the preferred hunting setting (I understand why you would use it in some specific cases). Seriously, I've had myself wondering if I didn't misunderstand something important by preferring 50 tones.

Hey John! I grew up nearby to JC. Still lots of family in the area. Best advice I can give you is to eat at Pals.

Well, I knew it had to be a big target.

If any of you found a 1/4-20 washer with your old Radio Shack detector, you did WAY better than I ever did with mine. That thing put me off the hobby for a decade.

Holy Crap! A CTX locally for $800?!!??? Please tell me it followed you home. I'd be all over that as a spare if I could test it before buying. And congratulations on the way you've made the hobby work for you!

What was it SH said a bit back? Something like 'If you didn't hear it from Minelab, don't treat it as a Fact'.......

I was very pleasantly surprised at the Eq manual. Its well beyond what I have come to expect in a ML manual. I think they may be listening to their customers. And I absolutely agree with Tiftaat in that the information at this site is better than any book that will hit the market.

I'd bet even grade schoolers have a pile of those laying around. I think some people spend their lives looking for something to complain about.

I don't think there's going to be many beginners buying in the first wave, or even second wave for that matter. Too many experienced detectorists wanting one. This IS going to be an interesting rollout, for sure.

Will you adopt me? I can bring my own detectors.

I've seen common date counterfeit US silver dimes for sale on Chinese websites. They'll ripoff anything.

- Lightweight (shoulder isn't improving with age- go figure. also wife can use more easily) - Waterproof to my required depths - Can force a single high freq

Steve, you really ought to put out a manual on the Equinox after it comes out. Even if it was just a compilation of your posts here, it would be a best seller. I feel like I already know almost as much about the workings of a detector that I haven't even seen yet as I do about the ones I have used for years.

Remember too that the hardware can start production while tweaks can still be made to the software. I'm not a pre-order kind of guy, but I do intend to buy one after the first wave proves to be all Steve and others have said it is. Not that I don't believe them, but I try to never underestimate the ability of the general public to screw something up in a way never before imagined. Take the time to get it Right, Minelab. I'll still be here when you're done.

Sorry for the late reply, but if you want a serious tumbler, let me recommend Thumler's Tumbler Model B, the 15# capacity one. I use it for rocks, coins that will re enter circulation, cleaning brass for handloading, small ball mill for turning clumps into powder, and about anything else I am too lazy to do. I've had mine 20+ years and only had to replace the drive belt once. Buy once, cry once.