Jeff McClendon

Hi bethanyb 1201,

You have had some good advice here. I would like to hear if any of it has helped you. We are all learning here and even though we have different levels of experience, we all have had our Equinox 800s and 600s for a year or less and are still trying new things. Please respond so we can all learn from you too.

Chase, I have had no problems running either Gold 1 or Gold 2 in higher mineralization. If things get a bit sideways I up the discrimination a bit (to -5 or -4 or so) and turn down the sensitivity one or two notches (to 15 or so). My 800 still gets plenty of depth.

Jeff

Hi,

so, if you hunt in wet conditions the Equinox is fully waterproof......Deus and MXT Pro are not.

You also hunt in changing mineralization. That is what the Equinox was designed for.

You want the most modern features......that would be the Equinox 800.

The XP Deus is an outstanding audio tone metal detector. It is not so great at numerical target ID. If you don't like the XP Deus tones then you might like the Equinox. The Equinox has very good numerical target ID.

I have owned an XP Deus, Equinox 800 and 600 and the easier version of the MXT Pro .......the M6 Matrix. 

I also owned a Whites MX7. The Equinox tones are very close to the MX7 and even the M6.

I still have the Equinox 800 and 600. I sold the others.

Jeff

I often use two scoops for gold prospecting the tiny stuff

Jeff

I think I read in the manual (I've read it too many times and I think I just need to print it out : I don't remember stuff I see on a electronic screen like I do if it is a piece of paper in my hand) that the depth gauge is set for coin sized objects. Smaller objects and larger objects will read differently. Ground conditions like extremely wet, semi-frozen and extremely dry can have a factor too.  I have had my depth gauge read one arrow (2.5") and turn out to be a crushed 8" aluminum can or large iron. Neither of those was a coin sized object so.............. I defer to the manual's information and hope for better accuracy in an update someday.

Jeff  

You're just as likely to hit a 3ft deep bobby pin with your Tejon! Seriously, none of these will hit a bobby pin (in perfect low mineralization dirt or sand) much past 1 foot. I tried out a Tejon for awhile. I liked the Vaquero and ground balanced modded Cibola better, but that's just me. 

The Anfibio isn't going anywhere. I'd say the Kruzer would be just as likely to go bye bye. Lots of new Nokta Makro machines on the horizon. I would question your dealer's motives for saying that.

The Equinox is a great (not perfect) detector. Set up for your conditions and abilities it will do very well on most targets down to a foot with good ID and tones. It does very well in my poor soil conditions. The Kruzer is a lot more noisy where I hunt (even in 3 tones) but it has good ID and audio accuracy too. Quest Pro is a good (not great detector) and has some patent issues still ongoing. The Deus/Orx are awesome detectors for a target tone oriented person. I found the display almost impossible to read most of the time but that is just my 64 year old eyes probably. I like to see the numbers and depth, etc. and I like lots of audio indications too. The Equinox fits my hunting needs very well.

Jeff

Hi,

very interesting question. I keep my pull tabs and ring tabs for comparison each year. Who knows why. I guess I'll recycle them someday.

For surface to shallow ring tabs and in air tests in Park 1 multi I can get any where for 15 to 20 on a variety of ring tabs (beavertails?) In my high mineralized soil the deeper the target the higher the target ID can be if it is coin sized or bigger. Even with the Nox, a nickel can go up to 18 OR get its target ID pulled down into the single digits depending on the Fe3O4 levels if it is past 6". Most of my single frequency detectors have up averaged any mid conductor target at depth here. The Deus was really bad about that and so were most of my Whites, Fisher and Teknetics detectors in the past. Pull tabs and nickels could read in the quarter/silver range at deeper than 6".

Running in 5kHz with -9 to +18 disced out I can see where you would not get a hit on surface to say 6" ring tabs in New Mexico (kind of like Colorado dirt maybe). Deeper than that anything can happen from my experience.

I actually do have some ring tabs that hit 20 on the Nox in air tests in default modes.

Jeff

Hi Horst,

my ground mineralization is really bad. I have never used ground tracking.........and I have never just turned on my Nox and starting detecting. I have always done a coil pumping ground balance.

It is great to hear that you are able to detect with your 800 almost every day. Many of us here in the US still have frozen ground or are just thawing out with another blizzard on the way for some of us!!!!! 

good luck

Jeff

Hi SLGuin,

Your problem is similar to mine. The parks I hunt in have the same restrictions. I have to have a dependable pinpointer that will hit a 2" to 3" target or like you I may pass it up depending on the current soil conditions. I don't concentrate on micro jewelry like you do. If you have the opportunity to test some pinpointers the ones that will consistently hit tiny pieces of foil and gold earring posts are the minimum requirement. Some quality pinpointers just can't do that.

Jeff

Hi Paul,

Welcome to this friendly forum. Those are incredible finds from the time of two amazing rulers. Thank you for sharing them with us! The oldest coin I have ever found is from the USA 1884! I would love to find 300 to 500 year old coins.........

happy hunting

Jeff in Colorado

Hi,

like Kac, I have heard that the Minelab Profinds are very sensitive and are also very iffy quality wise. The same goes for the early Fisher F-Pulse/Teknetics Tek-Point. The version 1 models had lots of bad printed circuit board problems. I sent my version 1 back after struggling with it and it works great now with the version 2 board. I bought a second one and use them both for gold prospecting and deep coin shooting. Being PIs they will go 3 inches easily and will hit tiny (I mean 1/4 inch long hair-like) screen wire, iron, foil and of course gold targets as in sub .5 gram nuggets and pickers. As long as you get the version 2 new or an updated version 1 you should be fine. I like the Quest/Deteknix X pointer for depth (an inch deeper than any Garrett I have owned) but not for sensitivity on tiny targets. I have always heard the Whites TRX is the deepest and most sensitive VLF pinpointer. I have never used one.

Jeff

Hi  Hi

you can use the wireless headphones without the module. If the headphones aren’t charged you can plug them directly into the Nox or if the WM08 module is charged you can also plug into the module. Turn on the WM08 and hold down the wireless button  on the Nox until they pair up. Clip it to your shirt or jacket as close to the Nox control box as possible .

jeff

Hi LipCa

I think you got that backwards. I've had both and the F19 and G2+ seemed to be exactly the same PC board wise. The G2 is a bit different (older model). The only differences I can remember about the F19 and G2+ were the ergonomics=S handle vs pistol grip, paint job and control box sticker, and your other question, the stock coil. For me, I liked the 10x5" elliptical DD coil best for my purposes. It seemed to be a little more stable, just as deep as the G2+ 11X7" coil and definitely easier when detecting in rocks, brush and stubble since it is closed. Maybe it's just me but I have never particularly liked the 11X7 coil. They are interchangeable along with a multitude of other coils both from FTP and aftermarket. If I remember right neither will work with concentric coils.......I could be wrong which happens every minute of the day.

Jeff

Hi phrunt, 

I tried a newer (2018) T2+ recently. It still had EMI issues. That is why I said it is more sensitive. Probably was not the best choice of words. With my testing the T2+ actually ran quieter in All Metal mode than it did in its dual channel discrimination mode set at the same sensitivity level (70). What The Heck!!!

I got to test the T2+ vs the F19 using the same 11" X 7" DD coil. T2+ was an inch and one half deeper on all test bed targets and in the field in both modes. In disc mode, T2+ target ID was not better than the F19. The F19 locked on well or just gave a tone. The T2+ would lock on with a good tone but would down average high conductors and up average low conductors!!!!! What do you dig?????

I don't know where your coins ring up on the F19. Here in the US our coins are very spread out from the low 50s to the mid 90s. Using two tones the VCO tone on the 50s thru 70s targets and high tone on the 80s thru 90s can all sound just about the same depending on depth. Like you said, you have to look at the screen a lot when coin and jewelry hunting. There is no choice. The F70/75 series gives a lot more tonal options for sure.

I am trying to be unbiased here but it is really hard. I absolutely love the F19, G2+, Gold Bug Pro form factor.

FTP!!!!! PLEASE UPGRADE THE AUDIO ON THESE DETECTORS!!!!!!!

Jeff

Hi Majuba Man

you have the Nox 600 right?  That is an awesome price if it is new with all parts included. It works great on gold and finds lots of relics by default.

Jeff

Hi

the Fisher F19=Teknetics G2+=Gold Bug Pro (newest version) are basically the same detector. They are proven gold prospectors, excellent relic detectors and pretty good coin and jewelry detectors. In my opinion they would be great at coins and jewelry if they had better audio options. Two tones in discrimination mode is really not enough for coin and jewelry. They have rock solid Target ID numbers, excellent All Metal mode and are pretty quiet in high mineralization and EMI. They are not known for being deep.

Two other First Texas detectors that offer more audio possibilities are the F70=Tek Patriot and the F75=Tek T2. They are great on coins, jewelry and relics and can prospect too. They are hot detectors and are a bit more affected by EMI. They are definitely more sensitive and deeper. 

The newer F44 is also a perfectly good coin, jewelry and relic detector. It has excellent weatherproofing and waterproofing.

5 year warranties on those FTP products,

Also, there are still some good deals on new Makro Racer 2s and Nokta Impacts, both are comparable to the f70/f75s.

Jeff

Hi Fskafish

aufarmer is correct. You can buy a new Deus lite with puck, back headphones and HF or X35 coil for around $800. You can buy a new Deus with puck, back headphones, handheld remote, HF or X35 coil for around $1200.

Used price for Deus lite with LF coil is around $600. Full Deus LF setup for around $900. Add $100 for same with HF coil. 

I bought the full setup used with 9” HF coil and 11” LF for $925 used with lots of extra parts and accessories 6 months ago. Couldn’t be happier. No way I would buy a new Orx for the same price.

Jeff

 Minuteman same as the Eurotek Pro with 8” concentric is $149 at Teknetics.com. 

Hi,

of course somebody like me has to have a different opinion. I found the Monster to be an excellent nugget detector, simple, efficient and deadly on small gold targets (also deadly on any ferrous/non ferrous targets). That was my problem with it actually. I wanted more information and more control of settings, waterproofing and built in wireless options. The Nox 800 gave me all of those plus with the 6" coil and 11" coil, very small to medium size gold targets were just as detectable. I believe I have a lot higher probability of determining ferrous vs non ferrous identification of targets, a depth meter and a pinpoint function along with target and tone ID. Plus, for me the biggest of all is manual ground balance capabilities and manual adjustable discrimination for hot rocks. There are probably more I forgot. Oh yeah, like a threshold and simultaneous multi frequency operation, DUH!, which I truly believe helps in detecting masked targets.  That is a lot of differences for the money if you ask me. Then, you have all of the other detecting capabilities of the Nox 800 on top of that.

Jeff

hi

the only sound difference between the speaker and wired headphones is hearing it more clearly. Sorry, I did not mean to say there was a difference there or between wired headphones plugged into the control unit and the same headphones plugged instead into the WM08. I stated that poorly. I only start to hear obvious changes to the pinpoint sound when the Bluetooth system is used in comparison to the other audio options.

Unfortunately for me and my fellow detector users where I live, a well functioning onboard pinpointer is crucial due to coin popping regulations. Shoveled plugs are out of the question. Targets beyond handheld pinpointer depth have to be accurately located or a big mess will be the result for the landscape and the detector user. When the Equinox pinpointer works properly it is fantastic. When it doesn’t it makes me wonder why a different under $200 detector I sometimes use does it better?........... Hopefully Minelab can figure this out for those of us who really depend on this basic function.

l am a gigantic fan of the Equinox and no one should consider the inconsistent functioning of the pinpointer as a deal breaker. The issue should be discussed however and I appreciate Nate bringing it up since it is startlingly apparent that there is a problem. I hope Minelab is addressing it soon.

Jeff

Hi Chase,

in my testing with no headphones, wired headphones plugged into the control unit, wired headphones plugged into the WM08 module, wireless BT Minelab headphones and finally aftermarket APTX LL headphones,  the pinpoint tones (to me anyway) seem to be come progressively less sharp over the target and more elongated and wider with more volume variations and blurring of the tone as I change from no headphones all the way to aftermarket BT APTX LL headphones. That's just my results with my equipment on both the 600 and 800 so far.

Jeff

Hi

as for the Equinox pinpointer. Like others have said here it is extremely sensitive. I would love to know exactly what frequency/mode is being used when I press that button. I have a lousy right thumb ( broke it too many times playing HS football) and sometimes I just can’t release the button fast enough I guess. Most of the time the pinpointer works well enough and I recover the targets without issues. Too many times though, I get no pinpoint tone, a very faint tone or a skull shattering blast that sounds like I might have a 2 ton pickup under the coil. After more arthritic thumb presses I usually get an appropriate tone for what I expect the target will be. It is annoying and humbling. I have read and reread the pinpointing procedure, etc. Hopefully it is not just me and my operator error and can be improved.

Even when it goes into pinpoint mode without issues, I have still ended up finding some normally buried targets in places where I didn’t expect them to be like an inch or more up from center and to the right. I wonder if part of the inaccuracy issue could be related to wireless lag time in the wireless system and/or the lack of a form of classic all metal mode for the pinpoint function on the Equinox.

Jeff

I’m not surprised. The Teknetics Eurotek Pro/Minuteman are great 7.8 kHz detectors. They are simple to set up and use and they hit hard on coin sized targets. 

Jeff

There are people on here that know way more than I do about this. Hopefully they will answer. I have some experiences so.........

In my opinion the 705 is a perfectly good gold prospecting detector for .5 gram and larger gold with an 18.75kHz coil. It might hit smaller, shallower bits too but the .5 gram should be easy at 13cm or less. It is generally a very quiet, pleasant detector too for long prospecting hunts.

The Deus in Gold Field works very well for prospecting with either HF coil and can hit much smaller gold than the 705 down to the same 13cm or so depth. If you use the XY graph it will give you a great visual for smaller/deeper iron=horizonal line, shallower/larger iron= angular zig zag pattern, lead can give a more rounded sine wave pattern and small to medium gold can look almost like flowing cursive writing as you swing the coil over the target. It handles hot rocks fairly well here in Colorado and Arizona by using a little discrimination on the negative end of the scale. You might have to adjust that setting some for your detecting area along with the IAR settings.

Larger and deeper gold targets more than 13cm deep are very possible for both detectors

The beauty of both these detectors is their light weight and versatility for other types of detecting in OZ too.

good luck

Jeff

Thanks Gerry, Steve and all of you for reading my experience. We all have different levels of detecting skills that's for sure. I used a Tesoro Lobo Super Traq for years for prospecting. Its was a very good detector for that purpose. Having the Equinox is like shopping in a big department store in comparison. I feel like I haven't even left the Sporting Goods section yet when it comes to the Nox 800. 

I'm glad that all of my hundreds of hours on the 600 and 800 paid off though. I practiced on small gold and lead versus iron targets and hot rocks a lot and really experimented. I feel like I know enough about operating it while prospecting to be successful. Now I want to get in some beach detecting..................

Jeff

Hi, I tend to agree with Steve. If you were going to regularly use your Deus for gold prospecting you might should consider having a dedicated gold coil like the HF elliptical coil you are asking about. Depending on where you might be prospecting your coil will usually take quite a beating. If you will be prospecting very rarely, your HF 9” coil will do just fine and can get into most of the same places as the elliptical. I found a sub .1 gram picker with my 9” round HF coil last weekend. Now, if XP would make a 6” or smaller coil I would definitely buy that. 

Jeff