Steve Herschbach

The User Profile thing is a definite bug. Trash overlapping with good stuff - not so much. Every shift of target id numbers to fix one perceived area where there is a problem will probably mess up some other area for someone else. You can’t just program away all undesired stuff magically while retaining the good. Equinox really is not the same as other detectors. It may be things like the $2 Euro deal or bottle caps could be improved on somehow or maybe not. The point I am making is anyone holding their breath hoping for an update to fix whatever.... well, good luck with that. I do expect there will be an update one of these days, but I could be wrong. My only expectation is that a true bug like the User Profile glitch will be addressed eventually. The rest... doubtful. Again though, just an opinion based on no insider info. I don’t want to encourage people thinking anything is going to be any much different based on hopes of an update that may or may not occur. If I found Equinox to not suit me for one reason or another I would ditch it and move on, but that’s just me.

It would be interesting to get your take on what features that the Equinox 600 lacks prove to be the most valuable for you on the 800. Once you have time to get used to the new machine

I will keep you updated but I made this coil primarily for nugget detecting. I have to have something that will not catch on jagged rocks and short upright sticks, etc. Works better for mowing down grass and weeds also. Found a little nugget with it on its maiden run! That being the case it won’t see much if any moisture, unless I get caught in the rain.

He who waits on Minelab generally............ waits. I doubt you will ever see full bottom covers for the coils from Minelab.

Hi Tom, I did not do this for water use so no need to try it. I would never use a full bottom cover in the water for the reasons you note. I will use either the stock cover or no cover at all when water detecting.

If they are private communications I do not want to see them. If they are not private, it's up to you to relay the contents of the emails via the forum or not. I agree - betting on what Minelab might ever do about anything or when they might do it is generally a waste of time. The update facility is just there so that if anyone buys an Equinox, and an update is created, then everyone does not have to mail their detectors in to get the update. That's it. There is no actual promise of an update ever happening. Just that if one does, everyone can get it. A number of the "bugs" that people think are errors of some sort that can be easily fixed via an update - just are not. The "depth meter" thing is one of those. There is no bug to fix - the depth meter acts the way it does due to the operating characteristics of the machine. Not every aspect that somebody dislikes or complains about is a bug that is going to get a fix. For my part I consider the machine to be what it is and if no update ever happens, so be it.

To save weight. The stock coil with standard scuff cover installed weighs 524 grams My coil with my homemade cover by itself installed weighs 528 grams - 4 grams heavier. The Minelab 11" scuff cover by itself weighs 5.8 grams, so if I had glued to the original cover instead I would be closer to 534 grams.

A consolidated version of my posts on this thread have been picked up as a Treasure Talk blog post.

I got a second Equinox and that gave me a coil I could mess with since I now have a backup. I have not done this before and so can't vouch for this per se until I use it some more to see about longer term durability. I started with Lexan Sheet - Polycarbonate - .030" - 1/32" Thick, Clear, 12" x 12" Nominal from Amazon $6.89 delivered. I was quite tempted to use 1/16" instead but Lexan is tough so on this first go I went with the thinner 1/32" to keep the weight down. Outline with marker to create bottom cover slightly larger than coil itself - side protection for coil. Cut out with fine tooth jig saw.... I chose E6000 as a sealant / glue because I have used this in the past for bonding plastics other glues won't bond. Still, I am not sure this is the best choice, but there you go. Scuff up the smooth plastic surface (after removing protective film) then run a bead over all the coil bottom contact areas. I ran an additional bead around the little shelf created by the skip plate being about 1/8" larger around the exterior than the coil. Extra bonding plus a "bump cushion" against side blows from rocks. Here is is after a little use. Smooth running, light - but does collect debris topside. Happy I did it so far.

Does appear to be an error.

Wishful thinking

You need more than the receiver module. The Garrett Z-Lynk system is proprietary. It will work fine with Equinox but you need both the transmitter and receiver module. It would also of course need the correct 1/8” to 1/4” adapter. I actually have the Z-Lynk system but have been meaning to get it advertised for sale. Now that I have an Equinox it’s redundant.

Target id 1 and 2 will normally be light foil or tiny jewelry. Rings will normally read higher. Target ID Normalization Some Minelab Equinox VDI Numbers Another Equinox Target ID Chart Target ID Numbers Can Vary With Search Profile & Frequency

That is such a great concise start up tip I had to add it to the Minelab Equinox Essential Information thread. Thank you!

I have older hearing aids that have a proprietary wireless connection box like that and could probably do the same. I am overdue for a new set and was going to get some this year, one big reason being to get the latest with standard Bluetooth. But now I need to find out if low latency aptX is a possibility soon in hearing aids, in which case I am going to hold off. Thanks for the great idea!!

Thanks for the heads up Dan. Mine has been up into the 90s with no problem but not seen over 100 yet - will soon however. Operating Temperature Range.... -10°C to +50°C (+14°F to +122°F) Storage Temperature Range....... -20°C to +50°C (-4°F to +122°F) Charging Temperature Range..... 0°C to +40°C (+32°F to +104°F) With cover on and at 100 degrees plus direct sunlight I can see it easily getting over the rated 122F max operating temperature.

Seems as of late there is as much focus on problems as benefits. I know it’s not true but I feel like I am on my own little planet because every time I take my Equinox out it just keeps getting better and better. So far there is nothing I have not been able to get this detector to do and do well. For a person like me who will this year be coin detecting, jewelry detecting, relic detecting, gold nugget detecting, and saltwater detecting.... I am still going with my opinion that no other detector will do ALL these things as well as an Equinox. You might beat it in any given category with a specialty machine that usually costs far more, but when it comes to running triathlons nothing beats an Equinox. But what else would you expect from Fanboy #1

The super short story is Park 2 “sees” smaller stuff better than Park 1. That includes coins on edge, which detectors generally perceive as a small item. My personal belief is that Park 2 is the higher performance option but also the noisier option. I therefore tend to use Park 1 myself. Others prefer Park 2. I think the case can be made for either but like all things detecting it just depends on the person and the location.

Just double checking Tom - you are happy with these headphones overall? The Minelab units are getting multiple reports of being too quiet and they are trying to fix the same problem with the soon to be released Gray Ghosts - so the Hungarian headphones may be “it” right now.

If shallow dimes and pennies are reading 12 or 14 along with everything else you are describing, you may have a defective detector or coil. Other than that, when in doubt, lower your sensitivity. When learning a machine you sometimes need to walk before you run. The default of 20 is too high for many urban locations. I use 18 a lot and have had to go as low as 16 at one park. The sensitivity control has more direct impact on electrical interference on the Equinox than any detector I have noticed in the past. My old F75 was noisy no matter what. Equinox can be very noisy at 20, but totally quiet at 18. A couple point drop in gain can make a huge difference. I am hoping it’s obvious you should do a frequency scan first before going to the next step of reducing the sensitivity when dealing with EMI.

Is Park 2 The Magic Mode?? Park 2 Compared To Field 1 Or Field 2? Park 1 & Field 1 versus Park 2 & Field 2 Multi-IQ Frequency Weighting Differences Between Park & Field Modes

Conventional wisdom on metal detectors is wait at least six months to a year before buying one, just to give early buyers time to find the glitches. Which the manufacturer will presumably improve on. Sad to say this seems to apply to pinpointers also. I'm sorry you got stuck with a bum one.

Unfortunately Dale has not visited here in a couple months. He did however pretty much answer this question on a previous thread.

Botryoidal Chalcedony