TedinVT

Are any Equinox owners seeing the "shaft play" issue where the coil is misaligned with the control head and there is play in the shaft where the control head can be moved left and right?  This issue is being reported in another forum:  Link deleted since Findmall Forum update broke all old links

Thanks, Dan.

Are the 2 O-rings the only waterproof seal or is there another seal associated with the “trap door” that is held in place with the single screw which is removed to remove the battery?

What is the purpose of the black plastic piece with the 2 O-rings that appears to be attached to the battery?

Also, curious about the yellow wire.

Then there's the whole “where does the third wire go? (shown in some of the photos of the battery and the down-the-handle photo).

The problem I see if someone decides to change the battery on their own with a third party battery is the wires with the plastic connector on the original battery are more than likely welded onto the original battery terminals.  You will need the connector from the original battery to use with the third party battery.  The green Panasonic battery doesn't have any wires or connector.  Soldering the wires cut off from the original battery to the replacement will likely damage the battery's internal seals in the process because of the heat.  Any battery replacement done at home should probably use the battery sold by Minelab to be safe.

Another example of why this forum is so great.  The sharing of information, experience and knowledge is so helpful!  Thanks, Dan, and the others who share.

More pics and info on Finds Minelab Equinox Forum:

Link deleted since Findmall Forum update broke all old links

Photo with wires and white connector is looking into the handle where battery connects to control board.

Call the Minelab service center Monday.  I believe that's Fort Bedford Metal Detectors in PA or your dealer for some help.  I've heard Fort Bedford turns repairs around in just a couple of days.  Wishing you the best for a quick repair.

Where is the Minelab shipping statement for the US posted?

I see one on a UK forum for Europe shipping on Feb. 19.

Good info, Mike.  I appreciate your test and report.  Did you by chance try Park 2 and both Field modes?

Consider looking for a small dealer who doesn't have a large internet presence.  The big name dealers will be flooded with orders for some time.  The lesser known, non-internet dealers are receiving product and they have shorter waiting lists.

Transparency would go a long way toward tamping down the furor and frustration that Minelab has created.  I can see no credible reason why Minelab is not keeping the public around the world informed and showing their company in a better light than it is cast in now.  They may have some geniuses in their engineering department, but it ends there.

Ditto the comment above on accessories.

8:49 am Friday in Mawson Lakes, Australia as I'm typing.

Thanks for hosting the premiere Equinox forum.  This is certainly the place where those of us seeking solid information presented in a professional manner turn.  This forum stands head and shoulders above the rest.  Thanks so much for sharing your valued time and knowledge with us, Steve.

It is Tuesday, January 30, 6:06 am right now in Australia.

Interesting video that adds more info for us to digest.  I like the packability and quick assembly.  Still looking for some in-the-saltwater video, but that probably won't be possible until the elusive waterproof headphones become available.  One question - what material is the lower shaft (coil end) made from?  Sounded like all sections are aluminum in the video.

Oops, Dew already asked about the shaft.  Sorry.

I'm hoping the Gray Ghost folks can get their hands on the Nox connector so we can have a choice for waterproof headphones.  Problem is that probably won't happen until long after the Nox hits the streets.  I have to say I'm really not very impressed with the whole Nox roll out process and lack of information (delivery date, manual, accessory prices and availanility, etc.).

Steve,

Will these great tips and nuggets from you and other valued contributors find their way into your "Minelab Equinox Advanced User's Guide" (a work in progress)?  There's so much valuable info scattered throughout this forum over the last months and it would be great for those of us learning to use the new machine (if it ever arrives) to have it all in one place.

What could the rationale possibly be for not posting the price of the waterproof headphones?  With so much interest on the forums in beach / saltwater detecting there must be thousands of folks who would want to tack on the waterproof headphones to their Nox order.  What does holding back on the waterproof headphone price at this stage in the game accomplish other than frustrating a lot of customers?  I want the 800 AND the waterproof headphones and want to be able to figure out what the bottom line is going to be before I decide to pull the trigger.

A link from Minelab Worldwide Users Group indicating end of Jan. shipping, early to mid Feb. receiving.

Release Date - Will Ship from Australia to USA end of January!
We should start getting our first shipments from Minelab early to mid February and will be shipping them out to you as we come to your name on our list of preorders.

Good answer, Steve.  Thank you for the research work.

I'm wondering if the Equinox battery charging terminals will be 'hot', ie. the detector's internal battery's voltage present at the terminals while detecting.  Realizing the voltage is only around 5vDC, there isn't any real human danger with exposure.  This is more a question of what happens if the terminals are 'hot' while detecting in saltwater.  Could mineralized water provide a path for slow battery discharge, increasing battery drain?  Is there any possibility of electrolysis that might cause damage to the charging terminals while detecting in saltwater?

Hey, good eye!

Figured it was an early prototype.

I read on one of the UK forums that one of the testers over there bought a 16,000 mAhr USB power bank for his NOX.

Getting ready, I bought a RAVPower RP-PB19 rated at 16,750 mAhr.  Standard 5 volt output.  It has 2 USB ports, one rated for 2.4A and the second at 2.1A.  Check Amazon.  Not that expensive.  I weighed this power bank and it's about 0.65# on the wife's analog kitchen scale.  Comes with 2 USB cables, one long and one shorter.  You would use the USB cable that comes with the NOX.

I use it exclusively in the water and wet sand.  Works great.  Just let go of the detector and it's always in easy reach when I'm finished with the scoop.  I don't use it in the dry sand.  I unclip it in the dry.