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New And Need Equipment Advice


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18 hours ago, ziessen said:

I search mostly on Iowa farmland that I own where old homesteads were. Sold detector several years ago but want to get back into the hobby. I would like to find coins, jewelry (not really any gold laying around here except corn!!) and such. Looking to spend around $1000 for equipment.

There are only two options I’d personally consider in that situation. The Equinox 600/800, or XP Deus/Orx.

My Short List:

  1. Minelab Vanquish 340 $199
  2. Nokta/Makro Simplex* $254
  3. Minelab Vanquish 440 $279
  4. Minelab Vanquish 540 $369
  5. Garrett Apex $424
  6. Minelab Equinox 600* $649
  7. XP Orx $748
  8. Minelab Equinox 800* $899
  9. XP Deus $1259
  10. Minelab CTX 3030* $2499

*waterproof

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Big XP fan here as you know, but only drawback to the Orx/Deus is cost of the latter vs. the OP's budget and both are not really suited to water use without all the additional claptrap due to the wireless coil and not really a stable/deep salt beach machine due to its lack of multi-frequency (for those Hilton Head trips you mentioned).  But best in class performance in iron and the grab'n'go and ultra light weight make Deus my #1 relic machine and a decent coin machine.  Orx lacks some Deus tone cutomizations but is a decent performer nevertheless.  Arguably, Deus/Orx still less versatle overall then the Equinox when its all said and done but a great complimentary machine to Equinox as a light weight arm saver and thick iron relic/coin specialist.

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33 minutes ago, Steve Herschbach said:

There are only two options I’d personally consider in that situation. The Equinox 600/800, or XP Deus/Orx.

My Short List:

  1. Minelab Vanquish 340 $199
  2. Nokta/Makro Simplex* $254
  3. Minelab Vanquish 440 $279
  4. Minelab Vanquish 540 $369
  5. Garrett Apex $424
  6. Minelab Equinox 600* $649
  7. XP Orx $748
  8. Minelab Equinox 800* $899
  9. XP Deus $1259
  10. Minelab CTX 3030* $2499

*waterproof

I agree with your list.  My list might have snuck the Tarsacci in there at #9.5.  I know the Tarsacci is a pretty penny at about $1.5K, but compared to the Deus (which is now probably significantly overpiced compared to its more recent competition (e.g., Equinox)) it does factor into the conversation.

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I am going to add the Nokta Makro Multi Kruzer or Anfibio to the list of great and very good detectors that everyone has mentioned and that Steve has listed. Even though their audio and quirks drive me crazy, (just like the Deus and Orx) where in moderate to high mineralization they severely up average IDs for low and mid conductors, in the right soil conditions they are great metal detectors and in some ways are a nice compromise between the Equinox and the Deus/ORX. They will hit deep targets, are fully waterproof, have wireless audio, and are rugged. They far outperform the Simplex in my opinion.

If the areas you hunt are not filled with shallow aluminum trash, the Deus/Orx and Multi Kruzer/Anfibio are excellent options.

 

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22 hours ago, Chase Goldman said:

I agree with your list.  My list might have snuck the Tarsacci in there at #9.5.  I know the Tarsacci is a pretty penny at about $1.5K, but compared to the Deus (which is now probably significantly overpiced compared to its more recent competition (e.g., Equinox)) it does factor into the conversation.

The Tarsacci strikes me as too much of a niche machine that requires a specific type of operator and situation. It’s not a machine I’d recommend to the average detectorist, as a generic recommendation, unlike other machines on the list.

Instead of adding items I want a simpler list. So here is the hard core....

Super Short List:

  1. Nokta/Makro Simplex* $254
  2. Garrett Apex $424
  3. Minelab Equinox 600* $649
  4. XP Orx $748
  5. Minelab Equinox 800* $899
  6. XP Deus $1259

*waterproof

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I tried the Vanquish 540 and wasn't thrilled. I think the Simplex+ offers a lot for the money but was another that had a few Idiosyncrasies I didn't care for. 

Yes, the Equinox and the Deus/ORX detectors are more expensive but well worth the extra. I think the Nox 800 is actually the better deal over the 600. Wireless headphones, Wireless module, and the added features are worth the extra bucks IMHO and you'll recoup the added expense when it comes time to sell it. 

Speaking from experience, the only issue with the ORX is that I liked it so well, I just had to get the Deus also. 

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Update: 

   Correction from my first post!

did find an Equinox 800 Package Deal on the SeriousDetecting site for under $1000.00!!👍👍

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I have both the Equinox 600 and XP Deus with the 9" high frequency coil, still preferring the Deus due to more providing more detailed audio info.  I'd say if you prefer going off target ID's, especially at depth you might prefer the Equinox.  The Deus ticks the box if you like to  detect mainly via the audio - more of a specialist machine for sieving through older sites with plenty of iron.  Personally I'm not a fan of straight shafts (Equinox), and the lack of weight makes the two XP detectors more suitable for long sessions in the field.

Would be good if you could experience the audio on both detectors as it can be a deciding factor for many, and whether you can live with them from day to day - can be a very personal thing despite both detectors having a plethora of settings and features available.

XP also offer a longer warranty than Minelab, a price you pay for the Equinox being waterproof.

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55 minutes ago, Goldpick said:

I have both the Equinox 600 and XP Deus with the 9" high frequency coil, still preferring the Deus due to more providing more detailed audio info.  I'd say if you prefer going off target ID's, especially at depth you might prefer the Equinox.  The Deus ticks the box if you like to  detect mainly via the audio - more of a specialist machine for sieving through older sites with plenty of iron.  Personally I'm not a fan of straight shafts (Equinox), and the lack of weight makes the two XP detectors more suitable for long sessions in the field.

Would be good if you could experience the audio on both detectors as it can be a deciding factor for many, and whether you can live with them from day to day - can be a very personal thing despite both detectors having a plethora of settings and features available.

XP also offer a longer warranty than Minelab, a price you pay for the Equinox being waterproof.

I agree with you , the Deus / Orx has more audio info than the ML multifreqs . With a Deus/Orx you can for example recognize targets made of thin metal like coins or cartridges because of a slight reverberation in the audio signal that does not exist with compact targets like bullets . However it takes time to learn this , I would say at least several months ...

I cannot do this ( differentiate targets made of thin metal from others ) with the Equinox/Vanquish. They always give the same "straight" audio answer whatever the target .  More signal processing probably ... 

Yes the best thing would be to try the 2 detectors ( Equinox and Deus/Orx ) to have a better idea of their behaviour on the field because they are very different detectors .

 

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I'm a Fisher F75 LTD fan myself.    I can recommend one of those with out any hesitation....unless you are going to snorkel with it.

HH

Mike

 

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