Mark Gillespie

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..............

On ‎12‎/‎14‎/‎2017 at 10:36 AM, Steve Herschbach said:

This is a traditional time for used stuff to hit the market. There is no doubt we just saw a market reset to lower prices for new detectors however and not everyone has adjusted yet. 2018 will be good for detector buyers. Sellers of used gear - not so much.

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

21 hours ago, Bayard said:

It's possible that a significant percentage of the pre-orders made without deposits won't turn into actual sales.  People wanting a single machine could have placed pre-orders with multiple dealers, as a strategy for getting the quickest delivery, and even some people who only placed a single order, without trying to game the system, may back out for some reason or other.

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..................

On ‎6‎/‎20‎/‎2017 at 12:40 PM, Steve Herschbach said:

Just a reminder. Minelab offers a 15% discount on any Minelab metal detector from the MAP (minimum advertised price) to U.S. active or honorably discharged members of the military. Proof of past or active service is required and must be verified by providing a copy of a DD 214 or Military ID to qualify. The discount applies only to a metal detector purchase - parts and accessories do not qualify.

With discount the $799 Gold Monster 1000 is only $679.15. The Minelab GPZ 7000, normally $7999, ends up being $6799.15, a savings of $1199.85

How long is the discount good for?

Here is a link to just Minelab videos, enjoy

https://www.youtube.com/user/MinelabDetecting/videos?disable_polymer=1

On ‎12‎/‎20‎/‎2017 at 9:43 PM, Steve Herschbach said:

Also, expect no performance downside running in "Multi" compared to a single frequency

This is a key ingredient in consistent performance of a multi-frequency machine.  If this holds true, it will be a game changer for sure.  interesting how this would do in some of my bad ground areas where other multi-frequency machines have failed.  Now I understand their advertising theme more clearly.

I'll wait until Steve reports the facts, but looking back over the past several weeks/months and just how may well know hunters have sold off their machines indicates positive motive.

2 hours ago, MikePfeiffer said:

Mark, About 40 years ago I was at a silver mine in southern Virginia. I think some where near Fancy Gap. There were wooden planks covering the opening to the mine. The problem was the shaft was straight down. Don' remember how to get there, just remembering being there.

Wow, I'm less than 50 miles from there.  Very interesting.

10 hours ago, Cabo Chris said:

Oh, I wanted to say... over the years of detecting I've noticed while LUCK, Persistence, Knowledge and Equipment play parts in the success puzzle, most important is attitude!  When I'm positive, think gold and expect to find... I do and find in some sad looking places.  If I have a negative/poor attitude I find nothing!  This has happened again and again- so much so, even when I go a few hours without finding, I keep thinking the next target will be a gold ring!  After hours and days of detecting in the sea, keeping that positive mental attitude can be difficult.  Sounds crazy, but at the onset of a lightning storm I somehow get tuned-in and suddenly start scooping gold for as long as I dare stay in the water!  

I find it's very important to like your equipment.  To have faith in your detector, knowing it will find gold.  When I like my machine, it's far easier to stay positive during a hunt.  Hand me an Excalibur and I know I'll soon find gold!  Every time Iook at the Equinox I smile on the inside.  I'm filled with visions of treasure.  So if the Equinox performs close to my perceived expectations.... well gold is as good as in my scoop!

Cabo, I agree with all your points, belief in a machine makes a huge difference in how I approach hunting any site.  I know I shouldn't do this but the XP Dues will be the comparison machine with the Equinox.  The Deus was really good at pulling goodies out of assumed hunted out sites and I have over 3 years of hard hunting experience which adds a lot of confidence. 

After watching this Minelab video I realize just how primitive my test garden really is.