Gerry in Idaho

Go Big or Go home... with a truck full. I'll make sure not to stop in, as I would end up buying way to much Gold Hunting Supplies. Well done my friend.

Minelab Manticore vs Equinox 800 vs Equinox 900 for Gold Nugget Prospecting. I’ve been keeping my lips tight on this subject long enough. It’s to the point now I have to ask you the general public for input. After all, we have members on DP from other countries and maybe you can chime in as well? But for everyone reading, what do you think is the better detector for chasing Au nuggets and also do you feel is the best overall vale? Yes this is a 2 part question and it’s just your opinions so nobody is wrong. PROVEN - We all know (well at least my Field Staff Experts and I…as well as most of my customers who’s taken our Field Training at Rye Patch NV, the last 3 yrs) how well the Equinox 800 performs and the 10X of features why it’s a better performing VLF gold detector than the Monster and most other class detectors. Don’t get me wrong, the Monster is a great detector for many and those who like to hand a simple Turn on and Go detector to a friend or family who wants to give it a try on occasion. But there’s many shortcoming on the Monster I wish it had. Brain flash…Oh my…the next detector “The Monster 2000”. Heck maybe that’s why I’m feeling shorted with the Manticore? Again EQ-800 is proven and golden. Proven: Lets back up a few years just before Equinox being released to General Public. Jan. 2018 Dealers were invited to an Equinox Introduction. Minelab had a big meeting in AZ to educate dealers (at least the ones who took the time to show up), how the Equinox series (EQ-600/800) was going to be the flag ship sub $1000 detector. Minelab was on their A game and even brought the big guns from Australia in to share this exciting new technology. Thanks to all of Minelab who helped put that event together. I know most everyone I spoke with was extremely excited for the future. A few of folks were even lucky enough to stay an extra day and go out into the desert and feel, swing, test the NOX to see for ourselves, very impressed. My Staff was all over it and learned a lot. Afterwards the big brass from Minelab USA came to Boise and visited me just to make sure I was totally on board and ready to sell the $hit out of them, which I did. Sadly, we didn’t get such dog/pony show for the Manticore, well not us in the US anyway as of yet? Did any other countries get a red carpet treatment on it and how well it will do for Gold Prospecting? We still have time though, but you’d expect a detector that was shown way back in August of 2022 and now it’s March of 2023, well it’s never to late and I’ll give them a pass as they are releasing a detectors left and right, (EQ-700, EQ-900, Manticore, X-Terra Pro) so their time is limited. Here is why I am a little skeptical. Now folks, I’m no genius and no I’m no more special than anyone else, but I’ve reached out more than once to (I won’t say their names) and have yet to hear back. Realize, I’m just 1 guy and they probably get asked by many. Plus all those other new detectors coming out…back to me being a little skeptic. A simple quick view of the Manticore and what I see missing? EQ-800 and EQ-900 both have 2 Gold Prospecting Modes and the Manticore Only has 1. EQ800/900 both have option of the small 6” sniper coil. Heck the EQ-900 comes with 2 coils including the 6” sniper coil in the box for only $1100 in the US. Manticore does not even give us the option for that small coil. We get a bigger 8” coil option instead for some unknown price yet to be seen? Heck, anyone who knows anything about VLF class gold detectors realizes the importance of the smallest coil possible and there are 10+ proven gold detectors out there proving the small 5 and 6” coils are KILLER on small gold. But not even an option for the Manticore? When I view all the upgrades of the EQ-900 and see the additional $180 sniper 6” coil comes with it in the box, I see value. In fact since the EQ-900 has the same 2 Gold Modes as the EQ-800, I lean again to the “Proven” as well. Not so with the Manticore, or at least yet. Maybe I’m just very cautious of the last 6 months (half a year) of hearing all the great about the Manticore? Maybe in 6 months (or next year) all this will be proven? Or maybe the Manticore is mainly geared toward the masses? I did see and wondered???? The Manti is missing the 4 kHz Setting the EQ-800 and EQ-900 have. Not sure why it’s not on the Manticore? We know the masses are General Purpose Coin/Relic hunters and then Beach/Water swingers. Prospectors, we’re less than 10%, maybe even less than 5% of the general public who detects. Here’s a quick overview I observed without going into each individual feature. Yes all 3 units come with wireless headphones, cables, chargers and screen protectors. Equinox 800 is $900, comes with an 11” DD coil (price dropped a few months ago) and it’s a proven gold detector. After becoming the #1 seller for me and many others under $1000, many folks encounters a few flaws (arm cuffs, shaft wobble, ear cracks, leaks, wireless headphones). The good thing is Minelab provides a 3 year transferable warranty and they take care of their customers. I honestly feel if you take any product and it becomes so popular, most everyone’s uses it, then there will be more people complaining as well, it’s simple math. Minelab has done a pretty good job trying to keep most of us happy with our EQ-600/800s, including me. Equinox 900 is $1100, comes with an 11” DD coil and a 6” DD Sniper coil. Has the upgraded collapsible carbon fiber shaft (like the Manti), has a new improved arm cuff (so does the Manti), better quality Waterproofing to 16” (so does the Manti), better improved wireless headphones (so does the Manti), Vibrating Arm Grip (just like Manti), Night Hunting light (yes the Manti does), twice the Digital ID #’s (yes to the Manti), Iron Bias 0 to 9, like the Manti, Recovery Speed 1 to 8, just like Manti, more segments of DISC = 119, Manti only has 0 to 99. Lighter than the Manti…all this for $500 less. Manticore is $1600 and comes with a single 11” DD coil. Again, no option for the small 6” Sniper coil. One less Gold Mode than EQ-800/900? But we do get the colored LCD screen with 2D readout. Yes there are a couple other small things and one big thing, MORE POWER. Yes, I’m most certain the Manti will get a little extra depth vs the EQ-800/900 and for those who are Coin/Relic/Beach hunters, the Manticore just might be that perfect $1600 detector. For us Prospector Hunters, maybe we might look at the new improved Equinox-900 as our go to VLF class? I don’t know on the Manticore yet, but I do know how well the EQ-800 has done for my guys and many customers for the last 4 yrs. Again, I’m not saying the Manticore is no good, quite the opposite actually as I did find all the gold jewelry in Cancun with it on my vacation in Dec. (update to the bigger diamond ring, appraisal came back at $5400). I've also witnessed there is at least 1 inch more in depth for coin hunting with the Manticore. I seen this myself on a side by side comparison with a staff member who has the EQ-900 (which he loves). I just wonder if the Manticore is geared more towards the masses and us Prospectors need to stay Equinox for the near future? I’m all ears to hear anyone's thoughts and comments and especially from those who have used the Manticore for gold nugget hunting. Maybe us Prospectors should be sticking with the proven Equinox 800 or upgrading to the improved Equinox 900?

Yes it seems to be true, Minelab (at least for USA) is offering the most popular GPX-6000 at 25% off. We've been told this Limited Sale is good through the month of March or until supplies run out? Well what happens if Minelab sells a bunch of them? Will they see the writing on the walls and realize, just maybe the price points could be better off for us here in the US? Prime example is the very popular Minelab Equinox 800 prices under $1000. That strategic price point move was brilliant and all other manufactures dream of having such sales. Hopefully this move proves to be GOLDEN for Minelab and you/I the consumers. Or maybe there is a GPX-8000 around the corner?

I've tried many knee pads in the last few yrs. If nugget hunting with a PI or bigger detector be sure they don't have much metal on them. I now use utility pants with sewn in removable knee pads. Many options so give everyone a few days to answer.

Same withdrawals right now and so far all winter here in Southern Idaho. Heck I can't even head South 5 or 6 hrs and get out of it. It's an extremely rough time of year for me and lower winter than normal. I did get a new detecting partner. A little slow on the sweep but certainly keeps the coil low.

You're writing skills are much better than your detecting..😆 Happy Birthday and great way to get an excuse to eat a couple dog biscuits. Hopefully the jeep found you/dog home safely. Well it had to of...or we wouldn't of been able to read it. Keep it and just maybe one of those nails will turn golden.

Glad to see you making finds with the new NF coils and certainly sparking our attention, even mine. You're one of the few long term nugget hunters and competitive friendly dealer who's comments can be backed up and I trust, for most instances. I think part of what separates us is just the amount of hours we've been swinging detectors when compared to most others. Thanks for sharing your experiences and glad to see you use the same quality headphones I recommend.

Bill, I'm not the brightest guy to answer your question on what Audio system works best to hear those deep faint signals with a GPZ-7000 as I don't like trying all the new boosters, signal enhancers, airtrees, ipods, earbuds, noseplugs and such. But, I do seem to hear and find my share of "iffy nuggets" and at depths most don't believe. 1st off, I'm not a gadget guy and most certainly not saying those items my Field Staff guys and others use, are of no good. In fact I do see times when those Avtress and others have their purpose. Who knows, maybe eventually I'll get some ear buds that want to stay in my ears and not jump out. I feel Steve H, Rick (Lundy), Klunker, Prunt and a couple others are on point with my thinking. It's the operator of the detector and what you are doing wrong and or not thinking correctly. My pet peeve is "Coil Control" and "Stay Focuses on the task at hand" I tell folks gold detecting is partially a mental thing and many laugh at me. "mental"??? Really. Most Certainly, I feel it is. When I'm hunting old sites that's been productive for me the last 25 yrs, I know its history of what's come from the ground, from ridges, side hills, ravines, bedrock etc. I know where, how deep were most and what size was average. I have those 1000+ nugget retrieves all stuffed in one of my last remaining brain cells and I seem to bring that out for my next hunt to that site. My 1st 15 years of detecting I was all over the place. Next 10 year I starting dialing things in and the last 20+ yrs, I'm one with my machine. The detector becomes an extension of my arm. I swing a little faster than most and don't recommend my speed to others, it's to fast for you. Swing it slow and then slow down again. Coil Control is of MOST IMPORTANCE and make sure that thing is "on the ground". On that old patch, visualize your coil as the bottom of an ice cream cone "V" and realize a foot down that pattern (depending on coil size) could only an inch wide. Paint every inch of that old nugget patch an inch at a time and from different directions. Listen to the ground, the detectors electronics (yes I can hear the electronics of a 7000 working) and try to make every little iffy signal become a target. As been said by others, turn that iffy into a semi repeatable target by multiple sweeps of the coil from many angles. Scuff an inch with your boot and do it again. If there is any kind of repeat whatsoever, scuff some more and another inch or two and spend more time slowly swinging across the spot of the so called potential signal/target. Do not walk away until you are 100% certain there is nothing there. I've spent 5 minutes and 5" removed before I sometimes give in. On a rare occasion (usually on really windy days) I've even walked away and came back later to in fact finally hear it and dig down and sure enough it's gold. Stay focused and then some. If you are trying to figure out the next site to go...you missed one. If you are dreaming about a cold beer, you missed one, worried about what's for lunch, you missed another. Most importantly, if you wonder how your buddy is doing or what he's finding, you missed the "iffy targets" because you allowed your mind to wander off the task of hearing that next deep iffy. Threshold (my opinion). It must be on at all times and as the day goes on, I usually turn it up a little. I start my day fresh and the Threshold is a soft hum (just above the warble) that is mostly smooth. I like to run my Threshold at 38 setting and usually go up 1 or 2 as the day lengthens and the noises of ground and air start acting up. Yes your detector is more quiet in the morning than most afternoon. Yes the ground heats up in the later afternoon and cools off in the later evenings. Best time to hunt is when ground is most quiet and that's early morning or late at night. My choice of Headphones. I hate cheap headphones and prefer the brand Killer Bee and the like the Wasp model with dual volume control for each ear. Made in USA and Lifetime warranty. Yes he'll back them up if you do your part when 1st purchased and fill out the warranty. These are 150 Ohm headphones and the guy "John" who builds them also used to make the very popular SunRay Gold. These headphones and the Black Widows are fantastic at blocking out ambient noise. In fact I think the Black Widows are even better than the Wasp, but Wasp are more comfortable to me, I wear glasses quite a bit. 50 yrs my ears (yes I have bad hearing). I'm a creature of habit. For 20+ yrs I've been using the same 2 brands (Sunray and Killer Bee) of headphones built by the same guy. My ears are used to their tones. For 25 yrs my ears have been listening to Minelab PI's and I try to set the TONE so it's the same as or near the same I've been doing all those years. On a GPZ-7000 I prefer 55 Tone PITCH Setting. I prefer to plug my Kill Bees into the back of the detector, not the WM-12. For some reason the WM adds extra noise and blanking blips that bug the living chit out of me. I want to hear the detector and the ground..and taking out any other potential electronics is my desire. No metal boots, no pick on the hip, no cell phone on the body, no pin pointer in your front pocket either. Think Positive, smile, be happy... as gold enjoys seeing a smiling face when it's dug up. Always stay away from Debbie Downers and negative people. When detecting with the best headphones or whatever hearing device it is you prefer to use that blocks out the ambient noises around you, be sure to be thinking the next iffy is the one. Reward yourself for your little stinking lead targets. After all, those pieces of trash were missed by others and just as easily could have been gold. There are many GPZ Setting people prefer and I'm happy if you have your favorites. My own Field Staff have our favorites on the 7 and yes they are different. But each of my guys are Top Notch gold finders with a GPZ-7000 and each of them have paid their detectors off multiple times over. No magic #'s at all, just a lot of time in the field comparing. Grow with your detector and never think you are the best and already have it (the detector) figured out. Watch and listen to others around and especially those who are good with the same detector. When I 1st started training with the GPZ-7000, the Settings I recommended and used are not what I use/recommend today. I've learned more about the 7 by listening to great hunters around me and here on DP. I've spent time comparing and testing and find new ways to get best performance from the 7. My opinion and take it for what it's worth. One piece of advice I see many folks using on a GPZ-7000 that I feel their not optimizing. Turn the filters OFF and if possible (depending on site and soil), run the detector open. OFF for the Ground Smoothing, OFF for the Audio Smoothing. Those 2 Settings smooth out the detector (to much for my preference) and I feel I'm missing "potential iffy's". Again, - The iffy signals are missed by most folks because they don't have proper coil control and sweep. - Quit thinking the spot it already worked out, that's a negative. - Most folks won't work an iffy to make a signal. Ask Lunk what my 20 foot area looks like after a hard working with a 7000. There's more boot scrapes, bent over bushes, dislodged rocks, and fluff/dust everywhere. If it keeps giving, I keep swinging, boot scraping and smiling. - Stay focused on the task. Good luck

Most attractive? That all is in the mind of the person who wants it. I'm all about different and unique and most importantly, the story of the treasure. That's 2 different styles of hunts combined into 1 very cool treasure. Well done my friend.

I was in that meeting Steve H and when I heard, I called Lunk (who was in the meeting as well). I wanted to hear him say exactly what I thought I was told and you are 100% correct. No more single frequency detectors will be built by Minelab. I'm getting fuzzy feelings Minelab is hurting and hurting really bad. All the promos, then the big $500 price drop of the CTX-3030, then the $2000+ price drop of the GPZ-7000. Mine does not just do that out of the blue. Getting a new EQ-700 or 900 is easier than getting the Manticore, but we didn't even know about the others until Christmas. Heck we've been seeing manticore for nearly half a yr and still can't get them. Now this new single frequency detector out of the blue.??? Desperate times for desperate companies is on the horizon it seems. Hopefully things smooth out and in the end, it was all planned. But this old Marine has seen plenty and even though I don't have a crystal ball, I do pay attention. As for me, I think all dealers in the USA should SAY NO. No testing it, no advertising it and no promoting it. Let Cabelas do that. Seems fair to me.

I'll be standing in front of him to sell the cup that he'll be pouring the lemonade. You are correct Rob in so many ways. I do know that CT selling their coils will be at Retail not MAP. Don't know how long that will last, as that's the starting point. As Steve H mentioned, the detector manufactures are slowly getting there as well. Keep your hardhat on buddy as I think we're about ready for a serious ride.

As a dealer that works with Repair Facilities more than most, I "wound not" expect Minelab to cover an out of warranty leak. I'm not saying they won't as each situation is different, but that's thin ice out there. On a side note, I have customers who are hardcore detectorists and once they get under a year of remaining transferable warranty, they either trade in their detector towards a new one, or it becomes their Back Up and they order a new primary detector.

Great to see you on Detector Prospector Richard and I hope to see you post a few of your detecting treasures. Thanks for the customer loyalty.

I have never had your exact problem seen in the pics. I'm not saying it's a reason for your issue, but I'm not going to take a chance. After every serious water hunt detecting vacation, I strip my detector down in the hotel room and clean/rinse with fresh water. it amazes me the amount of used NOX detectors I have taken in and when I remove the 4 allen screws what I've seen. I'll be honest though, I have yet to see any broken or cracked bases and or screw housings. Here's the 1st time I took one apart in Cancun back in 2018, I think. I took it apart to get it into my Carry On to get there and everything was nice and clean. When I went to go home, I took it apart and found this? Now, I have yet to have any issues of leaking from this area, that I'm aware of. Hopefully the change on the new EQ-700, EQ-900 and Manticore design will fix leaks, but I know for a fact the sand and water getting to this point still occurs on my Manticore. Yes I'm telling all my customers who are hard core water hunters to take it apart and clean it. I was more than a little surprised when I opened it and found below pics.

Sorry you are not getting communication from your dealer. Just to update everyone who is on my list, my # is a landline and does not accept text. Remember, I'm that old school Marine guy married for 35+ yrs and never had kids. I have a cell phone in another room sits on a charger. Guess I could be missing a few text, but most of my customers know me. Anyway, glad to hear your wait is over.

Most of my 20+ yrs as a Minelab Dealer (15+) I and a select few dealers were encouraged to take care of the customer at whatever means. Many times, I have handed a customer a new in box unit for one they found an issue. I've sent my own detectors on a few occasions to customer going on a trip and or in the middle of a trip just so they could finish their detecting vacation. I personally know the feeling as I have had detectors go down during a trip. I've been in MX with a group of clients and had 1 week old detectors go down. I was on the phone with Minelab and they sent a CTX 3030 to our resort in Cancun. On occasion we'll be doing the 3 Days Field Training with a group of approx 12 clients and a detector or coil will be discovered that is bad. No problem, as one of my Staff/I will allow them to finish the training with our own detectors and or coils. Sometimes we just trade them out right then for a new one and I'll deal with the manufacture when I get back. Today's Minelab is totally different. They have detailed steps we need to follow and protocol with a step by step process. There is no longer a good ol boy long time dealer, we'll do it on the side. Todays Customer Care Minelab T: 1-877-SOS-MLAB is not the SOS you and I expect/deserve. The good news is Minelab Repairs has a dedicated Facility now and those folks are usually on top of things. Minelab quit asking dealers for suggestions a few years ago. Minelab quick asking us to grade their service a few years ago. Different group of management with different goals. Just get detectors out the door and let the dealers fight it out. Heck, we have dealers who received Manticore and yet they don't even have a website that mentions metal detectors let alone the word Minelab? Who polices this? Minelab used to have a select group of dealers who were Managed Partners. Not anymore, we're all equal and that's a fact. So when I start getting treated equal to a lazy dealer who sits on his but and waits for a phone call to do a Drop Ship, then I do get upset. When Minelab has a conference or training on a new product and not even 25% of the so called dealers show up? Just goes to show how out of touch with dealers this company has become. Don't believe me, ask the long term seasoned dealers how things are going? Boy, Minelab won't dare ask that question. They can't handle the truth. Am I more vocal than most dealers? Do I push more buttons than most dealers? Most certainly and I get labeled as the trouble maker dealer by a select few. Here's the deal with me. I can back up most everything I say. I don't sell detectors because it's my job. I sell detectors because it's my passion and has been for longer than most. Most folks working for a detector manufacture, it's just a job to them. After a while one quits and a new one it hired. It's a rotating door for many, but not this old rusty Marine, it's my life. If you don't believe me, ask my wife. I my not be the dealer I used to, but that's because of new rules and policies. I'll still try my best to take care of my customers within means. After all, my customers and their success is my future sales. Glad you were able to get a Manticore and no bad feelings towards anyone who does, I personally know the passion and itch of a new detector, heck that's why I reached out to other sources outside of the US to get my hands on one back in early Dec. had to scratch the itch. New times, new rules and same old Gerry's Detectors trying to keep up with change. We'll see who lasts longer?

Glad you were able to get one and sorry the dealer has yet.

No need to apologize at all my friend. I totally understand those who don't want to wait. I'm just trying to get an idea of how many people actually purchased from Cabale's, which then was a lost sale to a dealer. Minelab asks of us dealers to start promoting the Manticore. We do so, but when they start shipping, it seems some Sporting Goods Stores get more than the exact same people who are asked to promote it. A while back, Minelab had a class to show dealers how to sell on Amazon. I thought that was strange, since I used to be told Minelab is a premium product and they'd never go big box. I guess Minelab is testing the waters and then who knows, they cut out the dealers totally. Step by step it is slowing looking that way.

Seems Cabela's/Bass Pro is getting more than dealers but I can't prove it. Just curious how many people on here have received their Manticore from them? If you would rather message me and not post public, that's fine. I have a Cabela's less than 5 miles away and a few times I could have purchased, but as a dealer who has many on order from Day #1, I expected to get decent amounts. Thanks for your cooperation. Gerry at Gerry's Detectors in Boise, Idaho

The 4 stainless Hex head screws should to be removed on occasion for those who are fully submerging their detectors for hours Underwater. Fine sand gets in between the two black plastic pieces as well as water. The Manticore is designed differently and the area the sand/water collects in the handle has a shallower pocket, which is good, vs the Equinox. To remove the handle control pod use a 3mm hex end tool. As stated, the base is glued and is not designed to come off, like it did with Equinox. Glad you are enjoying the Manticore.

In the USA dealers where shipped GP-Extremes in a big black indestructible hard case and it came with a black 11" DD coil as well as 18" black DD coil as well. (look near the bottom of pic). It was part of the package when purchasing a GP-Extreme. They were DD pseudo MONO coils and did both with the flip of a switch.

Update 1st off, I need to apologize for not showing his best pic, the one he sent me in Dec., my bad. It's the 2nd pic with all the nice picker nuggets. One of my customers is down southern US right now and has been using his Coiltek GoldHawk coils with much success. Here's a pic of gold he recovered on a hunt using the 10" Ellip. He says it's a great coil and better than the stock 11" but he wishes it was a little larger. I'll be updating with his picks of the GoldHawk 9" round and GoldHawk 14x9" as well soon. He needs a cover to protect his detector it looks like.

Boy I wish so. I have thought about Cabelas as I have one within 5 miles of my place. Why they're getting more than me is very frustrating. Your article is interesting and I sometimes wonder myself. Now as Steve H. mentioned, yes the older analog detector most certainly had good/bad/ok units and coils. When I used to take groups of 12 customers to Alaska and England, most of us were running the same detectors and coils. It was amazing what we learned from those comparisons. As Simon brought up, we would think digital detectors and chipped coils would have less variance, or does it? Realize these were assembled by a person. What if a certain chip component ran out. Do you stop production or order some grade B components and get the line up and running? Chuck, Quit making me worry about potential issues with a detector I can't even get.. That's like me trying to figure out how I'm going to stuff a 1 pound nugget in my mouth before I even find it.

Very interesting read my friend, almost sounds as if it's out of this world.

Round wire so I'm sure that means MONO. It will fit an Extreme though.