ColonelDan

Constant draining is indeed the key to this set up. But I also use this in the dry sand. I normally hunt east to west and when I get near the water on that east/ west path, the water quickly flushes out the sand. This method and set up has been very successful for me but as I always say, it's just the view from my foxhole....?

I'll be staying with my custom 3 tones set up. And to each his own RE: pitch. I like 1,12 and 25. I just posted this 2 tone post as an item of interest based on those videos and how various targets span the spectrum of VDI.

In a previous post of mine, I made the case for using 3 tones based on Low, Medium and High conductive targets; a system I routinely use in hunting our Florida beaches. It's simple, effective and gives me the information I really need. The videos below however, make a strong case for 2 tones and the "Dig it All" approach when using the Equinox series detectors. Why? As you'll see in those videos, the tested targets span the VDI spectrum based on metallurgical composition, shape and size. Granted, these are nothing more than air tests which aren't affected by depth, moisture or ground mineralization but they at least provide some indication as to how a variety of targets range the VDI scale based on their individual characteristics. If using 2 tones, I would personally set the tone breaks at -9 to 0 using tone pitch 1 indicating probable junk and the second tone break at 1 thru 40 using tone pitch 25. If I were interested only in a more detailed target description, I would lean heavily toward the CTX 3030. However, in the type of beach hunting I do, I favor the Multi IQ, faster processor, enhanced sensitivity and weight of the EQX over the CTX...just my personal preference or as I always say, "Just the view from my foxhole." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsgspduZA_8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7345qtsc7s&feature=youtu.be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMHH5ynSwW0&feature=youtu.be

Granted, our beaches are relatively low in mineralization where I normally hunt. But since all beaches are different, my simple reasoning is this; if sand isn’t supposed to be there, I want it outta there. ?

I suggest you start to drill your holes from the inside of the cover. That way there's no ridges left on the inside to impede the flow of water. Just the view from my foxhole...

Here is a photo of how I modified the coil cover on my EQX 800. Works fine for me on our Florida beaches. One swipe in the water and the sand flushes out.

I drilled a series of larger holes on the wider areas of the cover and numerous small holes around the narrow rim area.

Deep 1, I've been drilling numerous holes in my coil cover for years and, like you said, it works fine and the coil itself is still protected. After years of hunting the beaches, I found that with a solid coil cover, no matter how well you try and seal them, salt water and sand gets in there. The real problem comes from the indisputable fact that once in there, the sand has no way to get out thus the problem. After I drilled holes in the cover, the water flushes out the sand and I'm good to go. When I get home and remove the coil cover, I find there's only a few isolated grains of sand left...not nearly enough to cause any problems whatsoever.

Super!!!! Soldier on....

Agree with Steve's note from ML. 99% of my hunting is on Florida beaches and the GB works as ML rep states...Beach mode is not locked on 0. Just the view from my sandy foxhole! ?

Thanks....that's exactly what I thought of this design so I'll have to pass. Now were I a land hunter and a backpacker...yes, by all means I'd have one.

Steve, That's a great modification and I just might be right behind you as customer #2 when and if that becomes available in the States. The only real concern for my situation is how sand from our beaches might affect the operation of the telescoping shafts and the locks over time. No matter how careful one is and how precautionary you think you've been, beach sand gets on and into everything. Thanks for the post...

Our beaches along the east coast have been heavily replenished and coupled with no significant nor’easters, finds from the 1715 fleet have been rare as hens teeth. When conditions improve, the EQX will do just fine!!! Having said that, come on down and give it a go.

Great report on a great adventure! Enjoyed every sentence Steve...thank you. Soldier on....

I previously posted my experience at Key Largo Florida this past summer when I was detecting on a very hot beach and had a cover over the EQX control box. After about an hour, the EQX started to malfunction...buttons and screen. After removing the cover and letting the EQX cool down, all returned to normal.

I can see the merit in adjusting the mid level zone from a high of 19 down to 18 with the high zone set at 19 and above instead of 20 and above. Good call Alluminati...I just might have to give that a shot.?

My first machine was a Jetco Mustang (1970) and yes, it made you dig it all. Beep and dig...absolutely no discrimination capability. It had one knob...on/off and volume.

His initial comment was an indicator, for me at least, as to what this review would be; " do not try to open the detector control box. Having spent 15 minutes attempting to uncover my machine, I completely destroyed the housing." My question: Why in the world would any user even want or need to open the control box? Am I surprised that he destroyed the housing? No. What am I missing here? Just the confused view from my foxhole...?

Forgot to mention...not only does gold show up anywhere along the 1-19 scale, I have seen times where it also rang up higher...in the low 20's for example so I dig a lot as you can imagine. It all depends on metallurgical composition, soil conditions, depth etc. So if you're looking for gold, be prepared to dig for it. ?

Yes, depending on soil/sand composition, depth and orientation of the target. I personally dig everything in that range. Do I dig a lot of aluminum? Yes, but I’d rather do that than pass up gold in an attempt to second guess myself. Now if the tone and VDI jump around erratically, I can bet it’s a bottle cap. But that’s just my experience along our beaches where I do 99% of my detecting. Good luck...

Now this is just from my testing and experience on our Florida beaches...your mileage may vary as I always say. Gold, being a mid level conductor, I've found ranges anywhere from 1 -18/19 on the Equinox. Small chains have been detected at 1,2,and 3 while larger gold objects range higher depending on the K. Of course the soil composition also impacts the VDI. Having said all that, aluminum also rings up in the 1-19 range so you'll be digging junk too but that's the price we pay if we want to focus in on gold. Just the view from my foxhole...

The LS Pelso headphones use speakers and although I haven't done a formal decibel test, these are the only headphones I've used where I had to turn down the volume. I don't know about the Black Widows but I can tell you that I replaced my Gray Ghost Amphibians with the LS Pelso headphones.

Just FYI.....On 8 Sep, I posted my review of the LS Pelso waterproof headphones for the Equinox...link below I waited to get my own however until the new version with the longer cable was delivered to Kellyco. They came in this past week and I immediately picked up a set and tried them in my test garden and backyard. I was honestly hearing more tones and more clearly than ever. The volume was much more than adequate. They fit over my hat better than others I've used and were very comfortable as I stated in that initial review. The extended cable made a world of difference as they have a 24" straight section that connects to the control box and can be routed and attached under the detector shaft all the way to the shaft's back end where the coiled section begins....a big improvement! My first impression of these headphones was not only confirmed but enhanced...so much so that I picked up a second set for use on my CTX 3030! Kellyco now can supply these headphones for multiple detectors: Equinox: https://www.kellycodetectors.com/catalog/ls-pelso-underwater-headphones-with-long-cable CTX 3030: https://www.kellycodetectors.com/catalog/underwater-headphones-compatible-with-ctx-3030 Kruzer: https://www.kellycodetectors.com/catalog/underwater-headphones-kruzer Disclaimer: I am not an employee of Kellyco nor am I under any obligation to Kellyco for these reviews. My sole purpose is to share my experience with our metal detecting community.

Until Steve tackles this in more detail, here is a YouTube link that outlines the process. A good YouTube! Although he sets this up for his particular situation and preferences, the process is the same. Instead of using his tone breaks/zones and tones, I used VDI/Target ID -9 to 0 as Zone 1 with tone 1; Zone 2, I set as VDI/Target ID 1-19 with tone 12 and Zones 20+ (all remaining zones) as Zone 3 assigning a common tone of 25 to all those remaining high zones.

Yes, Steve said he wanted to post such a step by step on it. I’m sure you’ll see it soon.