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@Jeff McClendon or @abenson can probably do a deeper dive, but from a purely technical standpoint I think it breaks down like this...it depends. Not trying to be snarky, it's just that the question as you presented it is a little open ended since you didn't specify whether you were primarily interested in just general nuggets or also being able to Sniff out micro, subgram gold. Furthermore, ground conditions matter for this comparison. I'll give you my thoughts from a purely technical basis from a detector standpoint (I own both and have done some air tests), but avid gold hunters like Steve H., Jeff, Andrew, phrunt and others who have used both can weigh in with their practical field experience. I think overall, it's a close call based on test and real world results I've seen posted here and elsewhere. Probably a slight performance edge goes to the Nox because of the overall versatility that Simultaneous Multifrequency brings to the table in terms of hot ground handling. Maybe Orx handles itself slightly better in ferrous trash situations. I know Deus 2 does much better than the Nox 900 in that regard and also in regards to Target ID accuracy/stability. The D2 is held back slightly, however, because the smallest available coil is the 9" round. If you ignore ground handling, the Orx may have a slight edge in subgram gold sensitivity solely based on the higher frequency (80+ khz) it can achieve with the 10x5 HF coil. I don't think the Nox 900 is far behind though, if at all, especially with the 6" coil (vs. the 10x5). On larger nuggets I would probably give the edge to the Nox as that Coiltek coil has great depth for its footprint on larger gold targets vs. the Orx. It's still close. For hot ground handling, the Nox in Simultaneous Frequency Mode is better than the SF Orx and also has ground tracking unlike the Orx. But the Orx still performs ok in hot ground and is easy to rebalance with single button ground grab. Finally, the Nox 900 is an overall more versatile detector vs the Orx for detecting in general. So overall edge to the Nox. Orx will cost you a lot less however ($550) vs. $1000 for the Nox (includes the 11" and 6" coil) + $235 for that Coiltek 10×5. TBH however, based on the recent $500 price drop on Manticore down to $1200, I would also strongly consider getting Manticore over the 900 and pick up the $250 M8 5x8 coil which should give you everything you need (it effectively combines the best of the 6 inch round coil and the 10x5 coil with perhaps a incremental hit on depth and coverage). The cost Delta is only about $200 even if you factor in the cost of the 10x5 Nox coil vs. M8 Manticore coil But you do end up with one less coil overall because the Nox package includes the 11" and 6" coils. Also, the Manticore is just a better all around detector than the 900. There is nothing the 900 can do that the Manticore can't. FWIW. My recommendation: For pure nugget hunting value, consider the Orx. For overall performance Manticore + the M8 coil. Splitting the cost difference (slightly, by $200) Nox 900 + Coiltek 10x5.

I want to thank my friend Van for a wonderful time of detecting and sharing knowledge over the years! Finally had the chance to work some VERY old ground in Mexico. I had challenges switching from the beach to land because of all the trash. It was tough going in many places. Like most copper coins they all come out bad here. Even though a lot of this is dry land the soil must be tough. Pulled many colonial coins buttons and other items. The scenery and beauty of a few of these locations were off the map. Most of these locations we hunted were in conjunction with the Camino Real. It is amazing how much of this is pretty hunted out. It takes lots of research and permissions to find good places in this day and age. Below is a picture where the cob and silver earring were located. A dry lakebed. Notice in the background the ruins of an old Hacienda.  A view of where we hunted in the Mountains on the Camino Real, where the silver 1851 1/4 real was found.

Any time you place ferrite near a pancake coil it causes the flux lines to bend more. This is why mineralized ground reduces depth, it increases the flux curvature and reduces flux density at depth. Placing a ferrite shell on top of the coil certainly does what you envision (reduces the top-side field); at the same time it increases the bottom-side flux density very close to the coil but this advantage is quickly lost and at depth the flux density is reduced. Here is an FEM plot: Here is the same coil with the ferrite set to air: It's possible the ferrite-shelled coil would be good for shallow tiny nugget detection. Another (lighter) possibility is to design an anti-Helmholtz coil, where an anti-phased bucking coil placed just above the TX coil to "focus" the field downward: Unfortunately it tends to also reduce flux density at depth compared to just a single TX coil. .

I know many of you have my small Nugget Stash that you carry your gold nuggets in. People love the convenience of a container that can be opened with one hand. On the other hand many prefer an old amber prescription bottle because it's just bigger and easily found in your pocket. So what about combining the convenience of one hand opening and the size and shape of a RX bottle? Introducing the new Nugget Stalker® Nugget Stash. I carry one to put my gold in and another to carry my Tylenol and Blood Pressure pills in. -Doc Available at docsdetecting.com or Ebay https://www.ebay.com/itm/326106239673 (Nugget Stalker® is a Federally Registered Trademark in the U.S. and Australia. Gold Stalker® is a Federally Registered Trademark in the U.S. both registered to G.M. Lousignont "Doc") -Doc

Doc, I’ve used your older smaller model for years and have handed out dozens to other gold seekers through out the Southwest Placers. There’s been a couple times I wished for a larger Nugget Stash and somehow, you answered! Here’s to fresh patches to fill your dream's LuckyLundy

Good to see you out doing something different...metal detecting is a great hobby there are so many different opportunities.. strick

We had a couple corrupt index tables that have now been cleared. Should be fixed now though some items like Activity Streams or notification lists may need to rebuild. I'll be honest with you guys sometimes I feel like I'm just keeping it running with duct tape and bailing wire and hope the whole thing does not blow up at some point.

Thanks gentlemen.-----I am now considering the Manticore (with extra M8 coil)---especially with Minelabs discounted price on the detector.-----However--I don't understand their "reasoning" for increasing price on it in Jan. & then doing a steep discount on it in April.----Buyers shouldn't complain about that though. 🙂

Well isn't that weird as heck...all of my thumbs up and etc. has vanished as well.

I'm preparing to leave Queenstown this morning. I wish that I could report finding my own nugget but I do have some NZ gold courtesy of JW. Simon and I went out on just a perfect day to a spot just like many others I saw here in the south that once held lots of gold. Once again we gave it out best effort but came away without a nugget. We had a great time which could have only been made better by finding a piece. My big relic of the trip was an unfired 22 long. We both found dozens of tiny bird shot. Simon was using his 6000 and I was using my Algo. While I just started using it this trip I'm finding it to be a very capable detector with the Sadie on it. More on that later when I get back and meet up with some of you. This was near where we detected. It was one example of many that I saw of gold mining activity that took place over the area. The specific area we detected reminded me of the climate and growth at Rye Patch. There is just much, much more exposed bedrock and no crystals. On my return trip to the north along the West Coast of the South Island I'm told this is where the largest nuggets were found. I did stop by a shop and meet someone who had a 500 gram nugget! Lots and lots of gold was found and taken but I'm only taking back a little gift. Thank you Simon and thank you JW. I'll try to keep some of your secrets safe. haha

My Self-Contained Obscure Object Processor has settings for discriminating any type of metal from gold, including those also. It works really well! 😉

Well, if you can show me how to find gold amongst the can slaw and nails, let me know when you're in the area. Lol

I would say on average around 1/3 of the days I spend out detecting are skunk days

Either will get the job done, personal preference thing more than either being an absolute provable "best." I lean Equinox myself due to larger available coil selection and versatility, but would not argue with anyone who'd rather use the ORX for nugget detecting.

I've gone 30 days without gold when patch hunting in the Golden Triangle. This isn't unusual these days. 21 days was my second worst skunk. You've just got to keep slogging on, knowing that you'll eventually walk over one. If you're a negative/ pessimistic person you won't last long in this game. The patches I've found over the years doing this sure helps me stay positive.

But we have water licenses for two creeks and can pump water from those creeks to processing plants outside of the 300 ft buffer zone. These licenses are from the state of California. They first send out a hydrologist to look at the plan. It is not a violation if approved.

Something odd here - all my old notifications have vanished on the journal except for the new ones from Mike Furness just now. It says I have no notifications.