Steve Herschbach

I reset my “finds pile” when I got the Equinox. There is the “before Equinox” stuff and now there is the “Equinox stuff”. So count me in.

In my opinion Minelab has been learning some important lessons. The Equinox is designed for near instant service. Repairs will boil down to replacing a circuit board or replacing the entire pod. There is almost nothing to “fix” or tune per se, just rapid replacement and return. There is also shipping. I just sent my GPZ 7000 in for a complete checkout before selling used (I got a new one). Even without lower rod the shipping to the east from Reno ran $60.00. With Equinox often all that will be needed for repair is the handle/pod and maybe coil. Much smaller and lighter box = less shipping costs.

For such a simple inexpensive machine the Compadre has a loyal following because it does get the job done.

Personally I like the 50 tone mode stock setting which is the same on both the Equinox 600 and Equinox 800. It has been years since I ran an Excalibur so I can’t make a clean comparison, but it “sounds like a Minelab” to me. The main thing is Excalibur responses are much slower and tones drag out. Because Equinox is much faster you have to expect shorter tone responses, but this can be modified with the Detect Speed setting. Lower settings produce longer tones. Five tone is very nice but the tone breaks for use worldwide are equally apportioned and being able to move the breaks around is preferable. However, out of sheer laziness I have used it as is most of the time and like anything detecting I adjust quickly to it. Detectors talk and all you have to do is learn the language. Full tones takes more time to learn, but in the long run I think it conveys more information about the target, and that is what I want. So call me a fan of the 50 tone setting. You can modify it on the 800 a little, but the 600 would work just as well for me at least in that regard since the stock setting is just fine.

I for one appreciate any effort people like you make because it does take work, and critics seem to be a dime a dozen these days. Thank you very much

I have no idea why Minelab does what they do or don’t do. These are not huge companies and budgets can be very tight. There are many theories these days about what constitutes great marketing. I think most people prefer a very clean, managed release. However, there is also something to be said for the product speaking for itself if a company really has faith in it, and I think that is the case here. Some of the initial unfiltered responses could be very valuable for the second generation Equinox. I do not know but I think you may see some of what you are hoping for later? It may be Minelab or third parties, but somebody is going to attempt to fill the gap soon. The problem with video these days truly is that everyone expects it to be YouTube and for free. The days of a JP making a great video to sell may be over because of that.

Great info and I love happy endings - thanks for letting us know your solution!

You just did it Carl. I know it is marketing’s job, not yours, but the fact is an interaction like you just initiated is in my opinion the number one thing FT or any manufacturer can do to break the bubble. One company that came out of nowhere is still probably being ignored by U.S. manufacturers because of their current small market share. However they are steadily stealing away customers and building a reputation for caring about and directly engaging their customers. It is the closest thing to interactive detector design I have seen. A certain Australian company was similarly ignored once. I digress however. The main point being, just seeing you here this morning makes an impression. Even if you relay little genuine information, it does show you care. You took your time to engage. Except as much as you are a really great guy, and I love discussing things directly with engineers... you should be locked in the lab. I would suggest what you just did is the job marketing is not doing very well if at all. Thanks for taking the time Carl. It really does make an impression. I for one am waiting patiently on the PI. If it matches or exceeds the ATX for performance but weighs less, I would be quite pleased. Right now ergonomics is starting to matter to me more than anything else.

“Now that EQUINOX pre-orders are starting to get to their owners, here are a few beach and water hunting tips to help you hit the sand running! The basics are covered by the Getting Started Guide and the online Instruction Manual, so I’ll just cut to the chase by sharing a few of my experiences using the EQUINOX 800 on the beach and in the water. I will start by saying this detector has a little of everything that I like about my favorite Minelab metal detectors. It’s waterproof, lightweight, easy-to-use, and most importantly, the Beach Mode and Multi-IQ technology works exceptionally well at salt-water beaches.“ Read the full story at Treasure Talk... https://www.minelab.com/anz/go-minelabbing/treasure-talk/equinox-for-beach-and-water-hunting

Well, whatever else, I will always consider the F75 to have been one of the best detectors I ever used. I love the ergonomics and overall performance plus coil selection. My only real gripe is the inability to change the ferrous break in two tone, which for my purposes made the two tone setting useless since the preset break is too aggressive for gold. I usually ran full metal or single tone. http://www.fisherlab.com/hobby/finds-Steve-Herschbach.htm

Good article and photos.... https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/02/12/how-one-african-mine-produced-nearly-1-000-carat-diamond-stunner/319678002/

Pick any preset program that is close to what you want. Go to Expert Menu > Programs, and Copy the program. Rename the copy with a new name i.e. “Magic”. Now modify the copy any way you want, and save the changes when done.

As far as anyone knows it’s the same detector as has been sold by First Texas for the last couple years, so technically speaking lots of people have bought them. Just not packaged this way at this price. Fisher F75+ Introductory Special

Two different ways to get the same thing done. The E-Trac by comparison is much simpler and easier for beginners to get good results with. I have a V3i precisely because it has more adjustments than any detector I have ever experienced, but that complexity can turn into a rabbit hole for some people. However, it need not be difficult to use - just stick with the numerous preset programs. I recommend you review the owners manuals for each on the company websites. That will probably sort it out for you. Minelab E-TRAC Instruction Manual White’s V3i Owner’s Guide

Lots of prior threads here My Garrett Pro-Pointer AT (Garrett Carrot) below... and my older Garrett Pro-Pointer before that...

I buy headphones based on how well they fit and sound, regardless of the detector they will go on. I have used Sun Ray Pro Gold headphones on numerous brands and been quite happy with them.

Anything saved when running the newer firmware can't be accessed when downgrading to the older firmware. The data files are not compatible. The only way right now to have a functional GPZ interface with XChange is stay with the older firmware.

I agree. It seems the Equinox release has all hands on deck and everything else stalled in the meantime? Still, for those who paid the big bucks it is a situation of having to choose to run the older firmware to have XChange functional, or newer firmware to get the new Patch Mode etc. My solution with the season near upon me is to go back to the old firmware. I really should not have to do that, but right now it seems the only option.

And here he is on this forum with a great photo!

Congratulations! Now as my wife would say - go find a penny!

This guy on Findmall is the first one I have seen posted.

The detector is a minor detail though I am sorry yours was not one of the early deliveries. More to the point Brian, congratulations to you and your wife on your new addition to the family!! Minelab will have missed out what with your hunting and video skills.

I was referring to the mineral which has a distinct resinous luster.... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amber

If the dealer ordered 27 and the product of the square of the cosine is no more than two thirds of a secret undisclosed “divisor” then a roll of the dice determines how many detectors a dealer gets subject to misinterpretation of words and phrases by third parties.

Well seriously, nobody believes them anyway, right? What this has done however is keep a certain air of mystery going, and for all intents and purposes the only videos you are going to see the next couple weeks are from people who got in line and purchased an Equinox. It leaves the field wide open for genuine reactions unsullied by what could have been a video blitz the last month on Minelab’s part. Part of the fun of metal detecting is discovering hidden treasure, and I think this aspect of the Equinox release right now is largely intact. I am currently occupied with other business and so I am every bit as anxious as anyone to see detectors get into peoples hands and the reports to roll in. There will be a few YouTube channels getting massive interest soon, no doubt about that!