Cal_Cobra

Dilek is the new 9" coil a concentric? 

I started to watch that video but the audio was so bad, I moved on.  I guess I should revisit it?

1 hour ago, Rich (Utah) said:

I updated my 800 last week and have made 2 visits to see what I think of this most recent version of software. What I've noticed, the depth meter appears more accurate and suddenly, I seem to have modulation to my deeper targets.

Depth Meter: I pretty much quit looking at the little triangles depth gauge months ago as it was just soooo bad. Embarrassing. Everything seemed deep and with a lack of audio modulation for all but the deepest targets, it was challenging to get depths correct. That appears to have changed. Much better now, along the lines of my Etrac.

Second, and more noticeable to me,  is the audio modulation in the two search modes I am using at this spot; Park 1 and Park 2. With most of the coins in this spot running 5-8", it is now easier for me to tell there is some depth there. This was unexpected. I don't recall Minelab listing this as a change.

The modulation isn't so much that it begins to be difficult to hear those deeper targets. I don't need to reach for the old Depth Master. They are still relatively easy targets to acquire. What I mean is that I'm not creeping along an inch or two at a time and finding a questionable signal and working it to see if I can turn it into something good.

These signals are right there and reachable with most of the width of the coil. But the audio is more descriptive. I didn't see this in the update description.  Am I imagining things? It was obvious, I noticed it immediately. 

Summary; Between the audio and the improved depth gauge, I find it easy to know what I am getting into with each prospective target. 

Back to the update.  I don't have a pair of EQ800's or I would do a little testing at my park, one with the update, the other without, and compare the two for differences first hand. 

Interested to hear other's take on the EQ and the new software. Impressions, real and imaginary.

Rich (Utah)

Very good report, thank you!  Two EQ800's, one with and one without the upgrade would be the ultimate test, I agree.  

Should start giving it a workout pretty soon at some sires I've been wanting to test it and the MMK at, it'll be interesting to see how it does.  I hope it's a button killer, I already know it's a coin killer. 

Cal

3 hours ago, ☠ Cipher said:

I like your idea Cal, and these days, as cheap as memory is it would be feasible. I'd also like to see these updates able to be transferred from a cellphone either direct line in or wirelessly. God knows cell phones are now as powerful as some laptops. In some cases even more so. I'm surprised Minelab doesn't also have an App for the Equinox. 

Memory is so cheap, it likely has enough room for multiple images to be stored.  I've been used to networking devices having the ability to have multiple images since the 1990's, so it's not a new concept.

I agree, why no Equinox app?  I remember someone in Europe wrote a nice one for the Etrac (because the factory app sucked pretty bad).  

12 minutes ago, Steve Herschbach said:

You can always give it a go and roll back so no risk involved.

This is everyone's chance to play at product tester - yup, this is how it is done. Test this version, test that version, which is better and why? Different folks, different opinions. You can see how it might get interesting for the engineers.

Good points.  You know what would be a great test, is if the Equinox was able to hold both firmware versions at once, and allow one to load either one.  Then you could do some nice A/B comparisons.  Suppose you could accomplish the same thing by bringing your laptop to the field and simply flip between the two firmware versions.  

The best thing is that it seems like Minelab is listening to it's customers, and they actually released a new firmware update, which as we all know they weren't known to do in the past.  Hopefully this firmware upgrade will be one of many to come that can add positive tweaks and bug fixes in the future!  

I've been holding off on doing the upgrade until I see field reports .  So far I'm seeing a trend that deep square nails and the like seem to come in more like coins then before.   I felt they did have a higher propensity to signal as a deep coins with the stock firmware, so if it's increased this behavior, I don't want to do the upgrade.  

Looks like an Impact in a Kruzer case:

https://www.noktadetectors.com/metal-detectors/anfibio-series/

Nokta Anfibio waterproof metal detector

Features:

• Warranty : 2 Year Limited
• Total Weight : 4 lbs (1.81437 kgs)
• Operating Frequencies : 5kHz / 14kHz / 20kHz
• IP68 Rating : Up to 16.4' (5 meters) Waterproof!
• Design : Telescopic Shaft, Slideable Armrest & Backlit Keypad
• Search Modes : 9 (Gen / 2 Tone / 3 Tone / 4 Tone / Beach / Deep / Etc.)
• Battery : 3700mAh Lithium Polymer; Offers up to 19 Hours of Operation
• Advanced Beach Mode : Very Stable Operation in Dry Sand, Wet Sand and Underwater
• E.U.D (Extra Underground Depth) Function : Detect Certain Metals Masked by Ground Conditions and / or at Fringe Depths

Factory Included Accessories:

• 2.4 GHz Wireless Headphones - Green Edition
• AC Charger
• USB Cable
• Coil Cover

This year the folks from Nokta/Makro stole the show at Detectival with their SMF announcement, but what was Minelab showing or discussing there?  

Any new Equinox accessories? 

Anything at all? 

On 9/15/2018 at 5:36 AM, Flbchbm said:

The recent storms have resulted in seas that have stripped off the summer's accumulation of sand from the beaches I hunt. Managed to get over there (Atlantic side) yesterday afternoon with my recently updated Equinox 800 to try my luck for a few hours. Quick summation of my impression is that the detector ran quieter and as deep or slightly deeper than before, with a much more accurate depth meter and the stable tid, even at depth, that we have come to expect. I mostly hunted the wet sand, with some shallow water thrown in. Mostly Beach 1 stock settings, some Beach 2 in the water. I found a lot of coins, some as deep as 8-12 inches, a pyramid sinker, and a big hoop earing. The only junk target I got fooled by was a mostly intact crown cap that sounded great and rang up at 24/25, no iron grunt. Dug a couple iron targets just to verify they were what I thought they were - a couple tent stakes, a bobby pin, and a screw.

Something I have noticed that I have not seen discussed yet is the newly recalibrated depth meter and its accuracy across coin sizes. My other detectors are calibrated to one coin size, so their depth meters are accurate on one size coin and less so for all others. The Equinox appears to be correlating the tid with the expected coin to display expected depth. The result being that the depth meter is pretty accurate on both the dime and the quarter (penny and nickle, too), unlike any of my other detectors.

Overall, the updated detector was even more fun to use than before. It may not completely replace my Pulsescan TDI for beach hunting but the TDI is going to get a whole lot less use.

Glad that the depth meters been improved.  Although generally I don't rely too much on it, when deep turf coin hunting, due to the lack of audio modulation in the first 6" of depth, it's pretty important.  I'm glad it's been re-calibrated to be accurate on dime, penny, nickle and quarters.

No treasure coast treasure was stirred up eh?

But your detector is water proof.... Nice score on the IHP!

That's a Greek Key design, which seems more likely to be Victorian era vs Colonial IMO.

Nice digs!  I found one of those jumbo skull rings too, in the most unexpected place.  Not my favorite ring, but it's a nice chunk of silver!

Geesh, despite being on multiple dealer wait lists,  I can't even get a 6" coil.  

Best of luck on the 15 incher ?

The Indians on the west coast didn't make refined metals, only once the Spanish and Russians got here early on did they trade for metal trade items.  

I'm good with detectors until Nokta announces their SMF detector.

I have the Equinox 800 and Makro Multi Kruzer and couldn’t be happier.

The Multi Kruzer has a great selection of factory and after market coils available, build quality is the best out there and like the Equinox it’s also waterproof.  

Nice digs, like that ring!!

Super find!!  Wish we had those here.

Looks like a good site, nice digs !!

These guys would make a small fortune if they made Equinox coils.  Heck here we're going a year since the Equinox reveal and you can't even get a 6" coil for it (easily), let alone any other coils, they'd practically have the market cornered on EQ coils.  

On 8/16/2018 at 4:46 AM, Andy2640 said:

I thought that TV program Detectorists was rubbish.  But i did like that they used minelab machines hehehe.

 

The humor is so dry that I thought it worked pretty well.  Lot of stereotypes, some true, many exaggerated, decent stories, I don't know, it's better then "BOOM BABY BOOM!!!"  ?

No joy getting a 6" coil here yet.  I may borrow one from a buddy who lucked into one to try out on an upcoming trip.

Looking forward to your 6" vs 11" depth test

Pretty cool technology for sure.  I've seen several programs with Josh Hodgets on the Travel Channel using this technology to penetrate through jungles and other overgrown areas, and it's incredible what it's able to uncover.  

Unfortunately California and Nevada don't seem to be making use, or at least sharing any lidar data they may have.

Dan you landed a great permission, congrats, love that pile of silver with the walker in the center !!

Thanks guys, I'll start checking those dealers.  Hoping I might be able to get one before the end of the month to test out at the Tonopah dumps....perfect place to try it out ?