Steve Herschbach

MSRP $149.00 MAP: $129.00 Dealers are accepting pre-orders for the F-Pulse as of Monday, Nov. 13th with a late November early December ship date. The Tek-Point is completely waterproof to 10 feet and capable of operating in fresh and saltwater. Features: • Pulse Induction • Beep, vibrate or both • Lost mode alarm • Single button operation • 3 sensitivity levels • Proportional response • Retune • Adjustable LED light • Auto shutdown • 2-AA batteries (not included) • Belt holster included • 2-year warranty • Constructed from special abrasion-resistant materials (won’t wear through like other pinpointers)

MSRP: $149.00 MAP: $129.00 Dealers are accepting pre-orders for the F-Pulse as of Monday, Nov. 13th with a late November early December ship date. The F-Pulse is completely waterproof to 10 feet and capable of operating in fresh and saltwater. Features: • Pulse Induction • Beep, vibrate or both • Lost mode alarm • Single button operation • 3 sensitivity levels • Proportional response • Retune • Adjustable LED light • Auto shutdown • 2-AA batteries (not included) • Belt holster included • 2-year warranty • Constructed from special abrasion-resistant materials (won’t wear through like other pinpointers)

I use a Pulse Load Battery Tester "The ZTS Mini Multi-Battery Tester (Mini-MBT) provides a comprehensive means of testing more than 15 battery types. The Mini-MBT's microprocessor-based design makes battery testing simple - using a patented, high accuracy pulse load test. After a fully automatic test cycle, percentage of remaining battery capacity is indicated on the LED bar display. Battery types are clearly labeled next to appropriate contacts. There are no settings, and test results are easy to understand. Its small size makes it ideal for the gadget bag, toolbox, or home utility drawer. Negative test lead/probe conveniently stores in seam at side. Tests 1.5v alkaline (AA, AAA, C, D, N), 1.2v NiMH/NiCd, 3v photo lithium, and 9v alkaline. Uses 4 AAA batteries (not included). Advantage of Pulse Load Technology. Battery performance is very important in today's electronic devices. The Mini-MBT computes the battery's actual remaining power capacity using a 2-second pulse load test. This pulse load simulates the real power demand that batteries experience in a high drain electronic device. So battery performance is measured, not just voltage. The load is automatically disconnected, so testing will not harm or drain the battery. Made in U.S.A. Patents 6,823,274 and D515444."

The batteries link together and feed the same circuit (the entire detector). I know this for sure having rebuilt one, and if fact I replaced both packs with a single one. My guess is you had one battery go bad. I check mine regularly with a load tester and discard weak performers.

Response from Minelab on batteries: ”We'll have more info on battery care and maintenance in the EQUINOX Instruction Manual. Rest assured, this has been tested extensively and is expected to exceed the detector warranty period for typical use. Yes, the battery can be easily replaced. Also, you can plug in a standard USB power bank and run the detector from that while the internal battery is charging. Regards, Minelab.” The full manual has not been released yet. The Equinox is warrantied for three years.

From the Nokta Impact Software Update page... Software Update (03.11.2017) Download : R2_V1.16_V1.14 (System Software V1.16 / LCD Software V1.14) Updates Made : With this software version, the number of WiFi channels on your detector has been increased and an ''off'’ position has been added (shown with ‘’oF’’ on the screen). The “off” position is to turn the wireless connection off completely when the wireless headphones are not in use. This saves on battery power and avoids other wireless headphones accidently connecting to the detector. The new RED EDITION of the 2.4GHz wireless headphones will ONLY work with IMPACT Software version R2_V1.16_V1.14 or later versions. When you are not using the wireless headphones, keeping the WiFi connection of your detector off is recommended. IMPORTANT! If you do not have the RED EDITION of the 2.4GHz wireless headphones but an older version and would like to upgrade your detector with this software version, please check the WiFi channel of your detector first and make sure that it is NOT set to channel 4 or 5 but to one of the channels between 0-3 before uploading the software to your detector!

The subject of an off topic forum is closed - it’s just not happening. The feedback for “leave it be” is overwhelming. I am locking the thread so as to not allow any more responses since the decision has been made. Thanks again everyone!

I started with my old Minelab three piece rod. Then I went to the Golden Mask rod as a "project" and because it collapsed down shorter. The bottom line is I prefer the Minelab telescoping rod for most use. It is easily adjustable for length and collapses quickly down short enough to toss in my truck. I still have the Golden Mask rod also, and one really nice thing about the Gold Monster is I can make the rod swap in minutes. The Golden Mask "twist lock only" is not quite as secure as the Minelab "twist lock with locking pins" arrangement and the Golden Mask lowermost rod section has a slight amount of flex. I decided to use the Minelab rod for all but backpack type situations where I may want to be getting the GM1000 in and out of a rucksack a lot. Other than that the Minelab adjustable rod suits me a little better for normal use.

I 100% agree Redneck - well said!

I would think that the history of electronic technology including metal detectors makes that obviously untrue. Sure, they did the best they could with what they had at the time. But to think the technology can never be improved on at all? No, I have never believed that and never will. I do know one thing. If people don't make their voice heard about what they want in future products then it won't happen. Half the time it does not anyway.

You are missing the whole point. Minelab can do it. We are lobbying Minelab to do it. You say you don't care, fine. We get that, but please do not stand in the way of trying to get better products. Minelab does read this stuff and they are in a very responsive mood right now.

Frankly, the one I would really like to undertake as a rebuild project is the SDC 2300. The GPZ I am fine with as it is not as easy as one might think due to that DOD coil, and the coil is half the magic of the GPZ. The SDC though... for starters you have four "C" cells! At 5.1 lbs I would say a worthy goal would be for under 4 lbs in a dry land configuration. Something ideal for working in very steep, vegetation covered, mountainous terrain.

Minelab has an Official Facebook page. MontAmmie mentioned an Official Equinox Facebook page on this thread and the question arose of whether it really was "Official" or not. I got ahead of myself in my response so went straight to the source. This is the page in questions DUG THAT OFFICIAL MINELAB EQUINOX 800-600 GROUP Here is the response I got direct from Minelab: “Minelab generally supports and positively encourages Derek, Sharon and Neil in their endeavours to promote EQUINOX to the detecting market through their EQUINOX Facebook page, and other means. As ‘endorsed’ Minelab brand ambassadors, they do have demo EQUINOX detectors and therefore are now in a position to answer some level of questions before the product is released to the market. However their Facebook page is not officially run or owned by Minelab. There is only one ‘formal’ MINELAB Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MinelabMetalDetectors/. If questions asked on the EQUINOX Facebook page are not being answered, this may be because the relevant information has not yet been released to them by Minelab. While Minelab works closely with Derek, Sharon and Neil, they should not be considered as agents of Minelab. Where there is any doubt regarding information about Minelab products, people are more than welcome to contact Minelab directly.”

Quite a few people on this forum have found over 6 ounces in a single lump. That's kind of beside the point. When you buy gold you have the gold you bought. If you buy a detector and find the same gold, now you have the gold and you have the detector, which does have value also. You can keep the gold and sell the detector used - the real cost of the use of a detector is the difference between what you pay for it and sell it for used, not the full retail. Or you can keep it and just keep adding to the gold.

Mr. Beatty started this thread. All Reg said was if Minelab sent them a GPZ they could probably strip it to components and reassemble into a lighter package, not design a competing unit from the ground up. I could do the same and have done it before with other detectors. The GPZ it would be harder than I think people imagine but it could be done. You would probably end up with something that looks like a GPX.

Because that is the number the marketing folks stuck in there when they did the studio photo. Somebody was probably told a 50 target id number range meant a high end of 50, when you in actual fact only go to 40 due to 0 to negative 9 occupying the ferrous part of the range. This stuff happens all the time. Almost every screen shot of a White's MX7 on the internet now is wrong except for the couple I posted. A early production mockup photo got passed along and now every sales site out there has it, even though it is wildly different than what a person will get if they order one.

VLF is maxed out tech and so you can take your pick from dozens of detectors that all will do about as well on 2 gram and larger nuggets. "Best" is in the eyes of the beholder. http://www.detectorprospector.com/gold-prospecting-guides/steve-guide-gold-nugget-detectors.htm

Equinox 600 is $649 and Equinox 800 is $899

Pretty picture - more details coming this week....

That has always been allowed - check the forum rules up top “Politics is not strictly prohibited but limit it to items of concern such as public meeting notices, comment periods, etc” In other words, just the facts without the rant. The subject of an off topic forum is closed however - it’s just not happening. The feedback for “leave it be” is overwhelming Thanks again everyone!

Excellent! I always appreciate info that people find that makes their using the forum easier. Some phones take huge images these days, and uploading over a poor cell connection or other factors can cause timeout errors. Reduced image size is a real help that I use myself. The last iOS update broke my Simple Resize app on my phone but Image Size also works well, just not as intuitive.

Like I said, great question about battery replacement, deserving of more answers. From the DUG THAT OFFICIAL MINELAB EQUINOX 800-600 GROUP “Welcome to the Dug That Equinox Group, run by Minelab's official Brand Ambassadors and testers of the Equinox 800 & 600 prototypes. We hope to be able to keep you up to date with our testing progress and eventually be the first group to bring you all the latest information on the machines and the Multi-IQ technology which powers them. We are also confident we can provide you with support, hints and tips after the machine is released. This group was formed because Neil, Derek and I were blocked from another Equinox user group for no reason. We look forward to sharing our experiences with you and getting to know you all.” I will check with Minelab on how “official” the page is. It is run by some well known respected individuals. Minelab Response Here

Wow, what great responses. We were out walking the dogs and was happy to see the feedback on returning. I started this forum because of conflict on other forums that I wished to avoid. Starting an Off Topic forum for me is kind of like trying to have a fire in one room of the house, and hoping it does not spread. I wanted to make sure I was still on the right path as regards forum members, because this place runs so well that I get minimal feedback. That is how it should be but it leaves me wondering sometimes if I am not off track in my bubble world. You are all confirming how I feel so I can rest easy that the majority are happy with current management. Thank you all for that, and no Off Topic Subjects!

A member recently posted an off topic thread despite the rules saying up front "Please keep threads and posts on topic. Off topic posts may be moved or deleted without warning." Well, I did just that and the person got upset and requested their account be deleted, which I promptly did. So I got to wondering, am I being to draconian with the whole thing? I have no interest in changing the policy, but I could create an "Off Topic" forum where off topic things can be moved to or posted because they would no longer be violating the policy! Then people could have a go at whatever things they wish. The catch is it would be unmoderated unless I received specific serious complaints, as I have no desire to get involved in or even read lots of what people seem to love to argue about on the internet. That being the case it would be "Enter At Your Own Risk". Anyway, it might be a solution for those who think I am too strict. Thoughts, advice, and opinions are not only welcome but extremely important to me on this issue.

From the Fisher Facebook page: "We will be accepting pre-orders for the F-Pulse Monday, Nov. 13th. Pricing will be released then as well. We are anticipating a late November early December ship date on these new and exciting units."