Steve Herschbach

Man, you guys are all over this stuff! I have been watching for it and you still beat me to it! Here is the main portion of the latest version of the Quick Guide, click for larger version. Just to clarify - Gold Mode still has 20 kHz and 40 kHz options just like before, but the MF multifrequency mode has been added. The truth is that it is very hard to find anything a single frequency does better than Multi-IQ, and leaving it out of the Gold Mode would have hobbled its capabilities.

Once again, if it is not direct from Minelab it is rumor, nothing more. Dealers are trying to put these on websites for sale and they are making mistakes in the process.

Soon I would think.

The B&Z does nothing to make the detector more sensitive. In fact it has nothing really to do with the detector. It just takes whatever comes out of the headphone jack and amplifies it.

Welcome to the forum Cipher, great post!

Welcome to the forum! We are getting closer to the day when most people here have an Equinox and then things should really get lively!

Good point Dave. From https://www.minelab.com/usa/customer-care/product-warranty 3 Years - GPZ 7000, GPX Series detectors, SDC 2300, X-TERRA Series detectors, E-TRAC, Safari, CTX 3030, EQUINOX Series detectors, Minelab branded search coils, handles, shafts, headphones, bags and battery chargers are under warranty for a period of 3 years (36 months) from the Date of Purchase. 2 Years - GO-FIND Series detectors, GOLD MONSTER 1000, and PRO-FIND Series pinpointers are covered for 2 years (24 months) from the Date of Purchase. 1 Year - Excalibur II and PRO-SONIC are warranted for a period of 1 year (12 months) from the Date of Purchase. 6 Months - Minelab batteries, PRO-SWING 45, PRO-ALLOY, and some accessories are under warranty for a period of 6 months from the Date of Purchase.

The two MXT models have the exact same performance. The only difference is some shuffling of control functions. Any actual performance difference would be related to different stock coil options, but the guts are the same. I like that ground grab button though. The older MXT you had to flip to tracking, then flip back to lock to get a new ground balance.

The WM12 is easy to disassemble - four TT10 Torx screws. You can then test the battery or have it tested (I don't know about that part)? Click for larger views... From http://parts.minelab.com/category-s/146.htm

The difference between the modes will be explained VERY soon. I can confirm people will be getting more in an Equinox than has been revealed so far, that's for sure.

Many companies dress up their "treasure detectors" as "utility detectors". The only difference between the Gemini III and TW-6 is packaged accessory items and the Gemini has a simplified control set. Two box detectors are basically large coils. One box is the transmitter coil, and one the receiver coil. The distance between the two boxes set the size of the "coil". A Gemini III mounted on the connecting rod is basically an induction balance metal detector with a 4 foot coil. Better yet, you can separate the boxes and use in tandem with another person to create what are in effect super large coils. Not sensitive to items much smaller than a softball but lots of depth on large items like fuel tanks, etc. Certainly not obsolete, still standard gear in some surveyor and utility trucks. Gemini III Owner's Manual TW-6 Owner's Manual For Treasure Hunting

Once again, if it is not direct from Minelab it is rumor, nothing more.

Great links David - thanks! Jeff's table of differences covers it - there are really only two MXTs. The others were coil and paint job variants. If the unit has no Ground Grab button it is the newer MXT Pro. Anything without the Ground Grab button is the older MXT.

The CTX 3030 has both automatic and manual Noise Cancel, and so does the Equinox 800. The Equinox 600 only has automatic. From the CTX Owner's Manual page 20: Here are my first videos - sorry about the quality but it's a start... herschbach-eqx800-noise-cancel-automatic.mp4 (4 MB) herschbach-eqx800-noise-cancel-manual.mp4 (6.5 MB)

Sounds like you are set for nugget detecting already Rod. The 19 kHz Gold Bug Pro and 705 with 18.75 kHz coil plus the 19 kHz Nokta FORS Gold+ are roughly comparable in performance on nuggets. The earlier 15 kHz Nokta FORS Gold has been discontinued but is still available new from some dealers. If you just want something new to play with, $250 is a smoking deal on a 705 in good condition. It is certainly a more feature rich detector than either the Gold Bug Pro or Nokta Gold. Be aware X-Terra 705 counterfeits exist. https://www.minelab.com/customer-care/stop-counterfeits

F75 is one of my all time favorite detectors. I wish the could add the ability to adjust the ferrous tone break, but apparently there is something in the basic programming of the machine that prevents that. Great machine, great ergonomics, great coil selection. http://www.fisherlab.com/hobby/finds-Steve-Herschbach.htm

I did not notice that - very slick!

JP manufactures and sells the B&Z Booster. Originally designed for Minelab nugget detectors, it is an audio booster that works on most any detector that has a weak audio. Or people that have poor hearing. More information on this thread

I agree Mike - nothing like a great coil selection to back a great lineup of detectors.

I am sorry - I don’t know. I am not a detector designer or engineer. My function with Minelab is to try different things and to report on what works or not. I don’t ask how they program the detector and would not expect an explanation most of the time even if I did ask. Minelab is very tight-lipped about how they do what they do, and even signing an NDA does not mean they are going to give me proprietary information. Everything is very much on a need to know basis, and my role does not include much need to know these things. It is very likely that you are far more intelligent on these things than I am. The only part I am good at is using a detector and getting it to do what I want it to do. If I can’t get it to do what I want, I tell them. Sometimes my concerns are addressed - sometimes other concerns are more important than mine. I am not ignoring most of your posts and suggestions out of any desire to do that. It is simply that dealing into the internal workings of a detector is something you know far more about than I. My apologies if it appears to be anything other than that. So while I can tell you that the Noise Cancel function works well, I can’t tell you specifically why or how it works well because I just don’t know. If there was enough interest I could set up a technical discussion forum, but I would need somebody smarter than I to moderate it.

Good job, looks like you crafted a nice setup. I may try and mate the Equinox up to mine next. The reality for me is most of the time stock rods are just fine, but for exploring around it is nice to be able to collapse a detector to fit into a backpack with having to disassemble and reassemble it each time.

Welcome to the forum Paul! It is far too early to know how the Equinox will sort out as a nugget detector. Any good detector can find gold nuggets, but machines made specifically for that task have had an edge historically. However, be aware that many hot prospecting detectors do not get along well with saltwater. This is a very generic recommendation but if prospecting really is the primary use, then look for a prospecting detector. If you want a general purpose detector, Equinox is obviously a contender. The Gold Monster has proven to be quite popular and successful in the U.S. where ground conditions tend to be milder than in Oz. The story there appears to be mixed - some people quite happy with the Gold Monster, but quite a few people down under seem to be hating it also. No doubt related to ground conditions. Even though Oz has a reputation for the worst mineralization in the world there are actually large areas of milder mineralization also, so where you are intending to hunt specifically does matter. And as I noted the Monster will detect saltwater and wet saltwater sand so it is not a good beach detector unless the sand is bone dry or a freshwater beach. The main forum has quite a few Aussies hanging out so they may be able to provide insight on that for you. Anyway, back to Equinox. I am sure gold nuggets can be found with it, and if you are in no hurry there will probably be reports on how it performs in Australia coming from Jonathan Porter once the lid comes off. The reason I am hedging is nugget detecting is one of the most technically difficult types of detecting (worst ground, smallest targets) and until people are able to use the final version at locations around the world and report, then it is a bit of an open question. Some of it is coil related because none of the coils projected for intital release are what I would call “nugget coils”. I would very much like to see a 10” elliptical for the Equinox eventually. I will be reporting more on how the Equinox does on gold nuggets in the U.S. later but I am still collecting data myself and waiting for Minelab to give me more leeway to get into details.

I see the Fisher Facebook page has the pinpointers now shipping the week of Jan 22nd so maybe the detectors will ship to dealers then also? I would guess the delays revolve around the move to the new First Texas facility.

Wow Randy, that’s just amazing from my perspective - good for you!

Congrats on the ring - you are officially ahead of me on jewelry finds for the year