Steve Herschbach

Alexander, at this extreme late date in the process I do not expect to see any major changes or addition to Equinox functionality but your suggestion may go in the hat for the next generation of Multi-IQ products.

In my opinion the Equinox 600 once it hits the streets will be one of the best values available in a general purpose metal detector. The Equinox 800 has various options I desire, but the fact is there is very little an Equinox 800 will detect that an Equinox 600 would miss. Most people are going to go straight to the Equinox 800 but it is the Equinox 600 that is the real sleeper unit in my opinion. Just one year ago if I told people they would be able to buy a detector soon that is waterproof to 10 feet, that runs in both multifrequency or single frequency options, that weighs less than 3 pounds and which has built in wireless headphone capability, all for $649 people would have said I was completely nuts. The other Equinox 600 Versus Equinox 800 thread

I got this question via email: "Is it worth buying a Garrett LS Infinium?? I have a White's GM3 and a Gold Bug Pro. What say you at $550.00? My reply: The Garrett Infinium is not a bad detector, but I have to say I had more hardware failures with it than any other detector I have used. About half coil failures, and half control box failures. Since the Infinium is no longer made and all existing units are out of warranty, be careful to go with something in “like new” condition. I would not buy one that has seen much if any underwater use. $550 is ok for a spotless unit but given my previous comments seems a little high for run of the mill used units. My best advice is shop for a White's TDI SL unless you have to have waterproof. The TDI SL has similar if not better performance and is an overall better choice since they are still made. You can probably pick one up with remaining warranty at a decent price used. Given that you seem geared to prospecting with your other detectors a TDI SL would serve better for that purpose due to the large array of inexpensive coil options. If you have to have a waterproof ground balancing detector on the cheap however, the Infinium is about the only option.

One of the weird things for me was spending most of my coin detecting career in Anchorage, Alaska. This placed a limit on my older finds since Anchorage was founded in 1915 and most of it is far newer. Nearly all my coin finds are 30s and newer, with rare older finds. And no Indian Head pennies. Knowing what I do about them I would expect them to spread between zinc penny and copper penny.

The Gold Kruzer does not share all the features of the Kruzer and Multi Kruzer models and it is unclear at the moment whether the Gold Kruzer includes the vibrate function. The Multi Kruzer vibration mechanism built into the handle would preclude easy mounting on other rods if the owner desired to do so. Personally I am fine with S rods but that may be an issue for some. As I noted it is unclear what the Gold Kruzer is doing in that regard.

The thread was probably aimed a little more at the anger on display on other forums than what is seen here. The OP even states it is a copy of a response posted elsewhere. Most of the anger is not real but created by trolls who are trying to stir the pot and make other people angry. The more normal frustration comes from people actually caring. There are other recent “new” detector releases right this moment that are also undergoing delays, but sadly for those manufacturers nobody seems very upset about it. The lack of accessory prices at this point? I agree, this is quite annoying and something I would hope Minelab addresses ASAP.

Thanks phrunt, I am glad the information is helping people. Sorry, I missed this bit earlier. No, Equinox changes nothing. The issues appear to be inherent in the basic technology itself. There are clearly good targets, clearly bad targets... and then the mess in the middle where everything overlaps. No matter how you slice it, discrimination is unreliable at best, and robs machines of significant depth. Yet I use discrimination quite often! The trick is understanding the trades that are made when doing so.

The two upper rod sections are aluminum; the lower rod is non-metallic. http://www.detectorprospector.com/forum/topic/4899-what-is-length-of-equinox-fully-collapsed/?do=findComment&comment=51607

These are the coils for the Makro Kruzer and Multi Kruzer. Makro Gold Kruzer coils are not compatible and the exact coils available for the Gold Kruzer may differ. The Makro Kruzer and Multi Kruzer come stock with the KR28 7" x 11" DD coil. The Gold Kruzer comes with a 5.5" x 10" DD coil plus the 4" x 7.5" DD coil (yes, the Gold Kruzer includes two coils). Kruzer & Multi Kruzer optional coils (not compatible with Gold Kruzer): KR13 13cm (5'') DD KR18C 18cm (7'') Concentric KR19 19x10cm (7.5''X4'') DD KR24 24x13cm (9.5''X5'') DD KR40 40x35cm (15.5''x14'') DD

30 minutes with English Subtitles

That’s a ridiculously good deal - hard not to pull the trigger on something like that!

You are welcome Alexander. I will add more information to this soon but it may be tomorrow - I have a busy day from here on out. We are lucky in the U.S. in that not too much trash falls in the same target id numbers as the coins. If I just go after solid targets I can dig coins and very little trash. Most other countries are not so lucky in that regard. Gold jewelry though is another story - just the opposite really. I dig trash aluminum all day long hoping for a gold item.

No, I think it will show up today.

According to Minelab both the Equinox 600 and Equinox 800 employ the full frequency range. Your guess is as good as mine as to whether the differences are implemented in software or hardware. My guess is software. From http://www.detectorprospector.com/metal-detecting/minelab-multi-iq-technology-details-explained.htm (emphasis added) “* 20 kHz and 40 kHz are not available as single operating frequencies in EQUINOX 600. The Multi-IQ frequency range shown applies to both EQUINOX 600 and 800. This diagram is representative only. Actual sensitivity levels will depend upon target types and sizes, ground conditions and detector settings.“ The other Equinox 600 Versus Equinox 800 thread

What gets me is how FAST Nokta/Makro is moving. In just a couple years they went from oddball FORS type units to the Racers, then Impact, and now Kruzer series. They have done more in three years than everyone else in the last ten years. The U.S. manufacturers in particular need to pick up the pace. If this is where Nok/Mak can get in a few years then think what the next couple years will bring. If Nokta and Makro had the marketing muscle of Garrett, for instance, they would be crushing it. Outside the forums however I am not convinced many people have heard of the company. That will change however as they are laying quite a foundation for future success.

To the best of my knowledge the Equinox 600 and Equinox 800 are identical regarding the features they share. The Equinox 800 simply adds access to additional functionality.

Unless it is wrong I suppose. The numbers shifted downward slightly since my Jan 1 silver coin post, already making that article a source of misleading information. Not much chance of change at this point but I always have to throw in a disclaimer and so I did. Sorry, no gold coin! Equinox Number Of Notches / Target ID Range

A Hawaii beach report from the DUG THAT OFFICIAL MINELAB EQUINOX 800-600 GROUP If you are not on Facebook you may not be able to see this video...

I don’t. Lots of people shooting lots of video out there so I can’t imagine anything detecting has not been done at least a dozen times. I don’t watch YouTube myself though so I have nothing more than the vaguest idea of who is doing what in that regard. Hopefully others can be more helpful.

Report from Keith Southern

Those are just dry land wireless phones. Presumably Makro is hard at work on a set of underwater headphones. This is not going to be a detector for use in saltwater but it could be fun for those hunting micro jewelry in freshwater.

It is looking like the Gold Kruzer ships with two coils, the 5.5" x 10" DD plus the 4" x 7.5" DD elliptical. For $749, 61 kHz, waterproof to 15 feet, 3.0 lbs, built in wireless (headphones included) and rechargeable battery system, this is looking like a real great value.

Gold Kruzer photos, click for larger versions...

And finally, full Gold Kruzer photos. Click for larger versions....

And finally, full Gold Kruzer photos. Click for larger versions....