Very interesting discussion, I'm enjoying reading.
For the comments regarding weight vs. performance (CTX vs. Manticore), 99% of the time I hunt parks in mild Midwestern US ground for 3-4 hour stretches. People around me hate the CTX because of the weight and they think it's old tech. But there is a layer of deep coins here reserved for the CTX and 17x13" coil combo that people can't seem to touch with the Equinox/Etrac/Deus. For this very specific application, the CTX seems to still be without a peer, and the weight is nothing compared to the difference in finds. I'll be interested to see how the Manticore stacks up.