Mark Gillespie

I don't normally ask questions but one has me very curious. Concerning the Equinox: Does the machine loose depth if sweep speed is reduced or is there a sweet spot speed? Most all VLF machines I've had looses quite a bit of depth as sweep speed is slowed.

Steve you are very good at posting pictures with great detail. Thanks for all you do.

I really like the external speaker in the very hot summer months.

You're lucky with a break in the cold, it has settled in where I live, no warmth in site for at least 8 days. With temps in the single digits and several day not reaching 32 will delay my hunting. Keep us posted on your outings.

I'd like to add to my comment. It is a wonderful eye opener when a new machine suddenly opens up hunted out sites with so many good finds. I had the same thing happen to me several years ago when the Fisher F75 first came out. Actually the complete story is posted on the Fisher lab website under F75 field test report #2, http://www.fisherlab.com/hobby/field-tests/f75-Mark-Gillespie-Report.htm Don't take it wrong by my mentioning this, but after reading the main post I'm now convinced the Equinox will give similar experiences to each one that purchases one.

With all that said I now realize why you were selling all those machines back in the fall.

Enjoy

I've always heard Coiltek makes superior coils, but have never tried one.

At this point a price increase would most likely kill the Equinox momentum. I agree Steve.

To me, there is a lot of enjoyment in learning a new machine. Trying different settings at different sites adds a lot of fun for me. The more complex the machine the better I like it. Back in the 90's I wrote several computer programs for businesses and had a ball at it until the job market changed and I had to learn another trade. I guess I'm strange, but to me the best thing is to buy the machine, hit the test garden and get out and hunt. Just me.

I guess the main function I'm concerned with is recovery speed. Since I hunt high trash areas regularly, recovery is critical. To slow and I will miss a lot of goodies.

When I decide to purchase I'll be my brother to order for me, since he is military. I'd love to get him interested, be great to have a brother as a hunting partner since he is the only sibling I have left.

I really enjoy mine, very stable, but not tried it at the beach yet.

Awesome essay, and great information shared by members too. Even thought I don't live in a gold rich area "southeastern Virginia", I dream and imagine about some of the fast running streams in my area and know there is gold there. But never tried, yet.

thanks so much

Are these almost identical machines? Just wondering, a friend of mine has one that might be for sale. He indicates they are almost identical, but why? The 70 was discontinued in 2007. All thoughts and replies are welcome.

Thanks for the collective information, it appears very obvious as to why the Equinox is so popular. Thanks for taking the time to post.

Congrats Cabo on the purchase. Life is to short to ignore wants. Keep us posted on how you do.

Wasn't aware China would copy a cheaper machine, only the more expensive units. If that is the case, I'd imagine once bought and it turned out to be a China copy, buyer beware. I guess a person would be stuck......... Thanks for the heads up..............

Just spotted a used X-Terra 705 with high frequency coil for $350, very interesting, always wanted to try one.

Never thought of that.

Beautiful piece of history. Never found seated before, well not yet... I can only imagine the story behind this find.

I understand it is light weight, but how is the machine balanced? thanks

Just got word from a very large dealer that Equinox pre-orders are so large the very earliest a new Equinox order might be filled would be early spring. I had to ask exactly what that meant and the answer was "if you ordered today, it would be after all pre-orders are filled before you could possibly receive an Equinox". Wouldn't it be interesting to know how many machines, the pre-order is for? Now that doesn't upset me, in any way, I'm actually very pleased Minelab has developed a machine that will bring serious competition into my hobby. It might even spark new developments. Go Minelab..................

How long is the discount good for?