Reasons To Hold Onto Equinox 800 In Light Of Deus 2

[☠ Cipher]

Reasons to Hold on to Your Equinox 

Proven performance with frequency selection, and frequency weighting solutions proven in the field. 4,5,10,15,20, and 40khz cover the range of detecting scenarios. There are diminishing returns for frequencies over 20khz so that the difference between 40 and 45 is quite a bit more negligible than one would think, and effectiveness will boil down to other factors having to do with proper tuning; gain for example, as we have seen before. Minelab has done for multifrequency what XP has done for (digital) performance in iron infested and commingled sites. When one steps into the wheelhouse of the other we would be right to take a wait and see approach. Equinox came closer to, but did not match or eclipse Deus’ strengths in single frequency modes and I’m sure they tried. We should not assume Deus 2 will eclipse an Equinoxes strengths quite yet. In fact it’s a bit early to even assume Deus 2 will retain all of Deus 1 strengths. There’s a tightrope to be walked and compromises to be made trying to be all things to all people in every detecting scenario. 

Deus 2 underwater solution remains dodgy. The main advance comes in the form of the waterproof remote. Despite the repetition of “no cords” during the underwater promo, use of an antenna is still necessary, and we can debate about whether an antenna of this nature constitutes a “cord.” The lack of forthrightness here knocked my trust down a couple notches as it was perfectly clear the company intentionally created a buzz implying they had made a breakthrough here they actually had not. The fact however remains that a robust and secured cord remains the best solution for submersion underwater. Wireless solutions still do not exist and has not in fact been achieved for underwater metal detecting.

Coil selection. Although Equinox coil selection is not what it could be if opened up to more 3rd party players, the coil selection at present is sufficient to cover a wider range of scenarios with 6” round, 5”x10, 11” round, 9”x14”, 12”x15” and 15” round selections. If the Deus 1 is any indication the wider selection here will always be the case. 
 

Save $650. Not an insignificant amount of money that could be spent on other detecting items (even an ORX).

Honestly, I couldn’t come up with very much and reason 2 is a bit like throwing stones in a glass house. XP Deus 2 looks pretty good, and so it just remains to be seen if it truly is all it claims to be. What reasons can you think of to hold onto your equinox 800?

[strick]

I can see the screen with my sunglasses on 😀 I don't remember if I can do that with my Deus. 

seriously I will need to see how the new Deus works out before buying..I'm sure it's a fine machine but the main advantage of the deus was it's iron separation characteristics for relic hunting...I would never use the old Deus in a park or beach setting because there are other detectors that are much better for those areas... New toys are fun...the Deus 2 must be able to do what the Deus 1 did but better.... THEN the Deus 1 will go but not the Equinox...they will have to pry the Nox from my cold dead hands...as they say 

strick

[abenson]

My Equinox isn't going anywhere even though I plan on getting the Deus. The Equinox is a proven performer.

[☠ Cipher]

For me the Deus 2 has to be all that Deus 1 is plus match equinox performance. If it doesn’t do both then I’ll just snatch up someone’s used Deus or ORX as they attempt to upgrade to Deus 2. One thing is for sure. We are going to see a flurry of Deus 1 sales as early adopters throw caution to the wind.

[palzynski]

For me , the main reason to have a Deus2 vs an Equinox is the weight/detection cumfort. With the CB on the shaft and a 11i coil the Deus2 weights around 950g (800g CB in the pocket) vs 1260g for the Equinox 11 coil .

Which means 24% lighter than the Equinox ( 36% lighter with the CB in the pocket )

[☠ Cipher]

5 minutes ago, palzynski said:

For me , the main reason to have a Deus2 vs an Equinox is the weight/detection cumfort. With the CB on the shaft and a 11i coil the Deus2 weights around 950g (800g CB in the pocket) vs 1260g for the Equinox 11 coil .

Which means 24% lighter than the Equinox ( 36% lighter with the CB in the pocket )

That’s definitely one thing I can say for any of the modern XP models, is they are worthy of the technology they hold. They are well crafted and sleek looking machines. I’m almost disgusted at how the equinox was put together aesthetically and ergonomically. 

[Steve Herschbach]

First, I applaud XP in what they are doing, and think Deus 2 is a great offering for people who tend to like the original Deus.

As for me, well, I already own an Equinox. Let’s say it is proven that XP has managed to match Minelabs third generation multi performance in a single leap. So I’m supposed to buy another detector, for more money, to match what I already have? Could XP beat Equinox for performance in multi? Frankly, I think even Minelab will have a problem with that. I’m to old and jaded to bite on “more depth” claims. Which even XP is not making, in case anyone has not noticed.

Where is the XP alternative to match the 6” round coil, the 6x10 coil, or the 12x15 coil? I think these coils alone give me performance options that XP can’t match. There is little chance of an 11” round coil punching as deep as a 12x15 coil. For the tiny bits, I’ll put my Equinox 6” up against anything XP has to offer. And I can own an Equinox 800 with three coils, for less than the cost of a Deus 2 with one coil.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I have zero need or desire for wireless coils that must be charged up to work.

As far as weight and compactness, I have this:

Custom carbon fiber telescoping rod for Equinox - 2 lbs 10 oz x 20” long

Bottom line, I admit I was tempted. If I was an avid water hunter, I’d make the leap to Deus 2, no doubt about it. But I’m not. I’m primarily a gold prospector, and the Equinox is still the winner there for me, on the basis of coils, if nothing else. And if I was going back to the UK to hunt those huge fields again, this what I’d be swinging, not any XP new or old….

Equinox 12”x15” coil on steveg counterbalanced carbon fiber rod

[palzynski]

46 minutes ago, ☠ Cipher said:

That’s definitely one thing I can say for any of the modern XP models, is they are worthy of the technology they hold. They are well crafted and sleek looking machines. I’m almost disgusted at how the equinox was put together aesthetically and ergonomically. 

Equinox are very good detectors , I like them . XP had no choice to win market shares vs the Equinox than proposing something better . It looks like they are on the right way with the Deus2  despite its high price.  

[kac]

They seem to be pushing the diving aspect of it so are they trying to compete with the Excal? If it came down to it I would lean towards the Excal or if I was into snorkling you not going to dig deep so a hand held would make more sense.

Fresh water hunting is much simpler especially if your shallow hunting as I think majority of people do. Typically look for non iron targets and displays are pretty much useless if there is silt. Weight is also a non issue when wading as the boyancy of  the water takes the edge off of just about any machine including my Seahunter.

With Nokta's coming out and the Nox 1000 on the horizon I would wait not that I'm in the market for a new machine.

[palzynski]

XP will probably release smaller coils for the Deus2 , as they have already done for the Deus1 with the 10X6 elliptical HF.

XP listen their customers , if there is a demand for smaller coils which is logical for a multipurpose detector , they will do them ...