Jeff McClendon

This is still a real good question for me and I own all three....Deus 2, Nox 800 and Legend. I used to think I had everything covered by owning an Equinox 800 and the original Deus. The original Deus is a great detector for the right soil conditions and for dense, older iron trashed sites. Deus 2 can do what the original Deus did really well and so much more and so much better too. However, in the places I hunt, I see little to no difference in overall depth on coin sized and bigger targets so far, between the Legend, Equinox and Deus 2. In fact, Deus 2 is coming in 3rd for depth but I just have the 9" coil.......... Deus 2 is coming in first for coins on edge or in weird orientations in dense modern trash. That is saying a lot since the Equinox and Legend are very good at that also. Deus 2 comes in a distant last place as far as sensitivity to tiny targets in any mode compared to the second place Legend and just ahead first place Equinox even when using their 11" coils from my experience. This insensitivity vs sensitivity to tiny targets is a good thing to use to ones advantage. So a person hunting for silver coins in a sea of tiny aluminum or tiny iron trash may really appreciate that tendency that Deus 2 has to ignore many of those tiny targets while still hitting coins on edge very well. A person hunting for tiny gold nuggets or micro jewelry (.2 grams and smaller sized) may not find much with Deus 2 however. The Legend falls somewhere in between but closer to the Equinox which will light up the ground big time on a huge size range of targets, especially tiny ones, but it also gets killed by EMI worse than the other two detectors from my experience. After the Legend 1.08 update, its place in this triumvirate may become more clear.

Dilek's first paragraph in her update synopsis under Legend Update says clearly that Iron filtering and Stability are available in Multi using Park, Field, Beach and Goldfield. The only exception is the Stability function is different in Beach mode. If she had said there was no Iron Filter/Stability in Multi Goldfield I would have gone ballistic!!!!!

Iffy did a very short preliminary basic iron filter video using a 2” long Colonial nail positioned horizontally 1” higher and 2” away from a Mercury dime. Setting 8 nothing but iron with the dime totally masked and both targets sounded like one target. Setting 4 nail gave good ferrous response, dime gave good non-ferrous response with no audible falsing. At setting 1 the nail was just starting to chirp when Iffy moved the dime out of the way. So personally, I think Nokta Makro need to add a couple of more increments to the low end in order to get that nail chirping a little more. I already answered what I think some at Nokta Makro were thinking back in January…..just my opinion.

I get similar “iron halos” around most deep targets in much of the mineralized dirt I detect in using the Equinox, Legend and Deus 2 if the coin sized or so target is 6” deep or deeper. Using little or no iron bias, finding the best recovery speed setting and getting a very exact ground balance (if possible) are some ways that seem to help. So does using a higher weighted frequency program like the 2 programs on the Equinox and the Sensitive program on Deus 2. I haven’t done much with the Legend yet to try and help this issue since I knew these updates were coming. Hopefully the new M3 frequency weighted option will help too.

Not sure what your question is there at the end of your post……..but as I have said before, I am fairly slow when it comes to thinking quickly and clearly. Iffy’s short 3.5 minute video is embedded into Dilek’s misspelled post “Legned Update” Iffy did not mention or adjust the Iron Filter fine tuning Stability settings on camera. Personally, I think that some among Nokta Makro engineering were convinced that the Legend was geared toward just above entry level detectorists so keeping iron bias at a fixed high level would make Ferro Check and easy/shallow ferrous trash target identification almost “fool proof” if used according to the procedure and expectations outlined in the manual (not withstanding the YouTuber who did otherwise in about 60 videos that have now been taken down from his site). Equinox engineers set the Fe iron bias too conservatively and caught a lot of flak for it and “fixed” it when they released the much more robust F2 iron bias setting. So, some employees in one company had lower expectations for their detector and its potential buyers while another company had some employees who thought a middle of the road approach was good enough too. Their customers wanted more from the Equinox just like many Legend buyers.

Check out the Iffy Signals video posted under this topic.....Legned Update (misspelled by Dilek, don't ask me to spell any Turkish words!!!) That video shows how an Iron Filter setting of 8 (even with Recovery Speed on 5) turns a colonial nail and silver dime about 2 inches apart into what sounds like one iron target with only iron target IDs. A setting of 4 gives two distinct, separated targets with accompanying ferrous and non-ferrous tones. IDs are still showing masking and averaging. So an Iron Filter setting of 4 along with Recovery Speed 5 allows both target's position and conductivity to be heard distinctly. A setting of 1 with Recovery Speed still on 5 lessened even more, the amount and length of the iron response and the dime was even easier to hear. Unfortunately Iffy Signals did not show target IDs when the Legend's Iron Filter was set to 1. So, with a setting of 8 on that nail/dime target scenario, the nails iron response is amplified/expanded and masks the dime. With a setting of 4 both targets are easier to hear but IDs are still skewed. With a setting of 1 that Colonial nail still sounds like iron but with a shorter response (and no falsing!!!!) and the dime is very easy to hear and apparently is not masking the nail enough to make it give non-ferrous false responses. Who knows what a real in the ground scenario would sound like......looking forward to experiencing that.

The YouTube critics that actually have/had a Legend needed to hold off on their final opinion until the latest software was released. Those that never ran a Legend but just listened to the critics referred to, got some incomplete information. I'm glad you didn't listen to them.

Check out this 1.08 Legend Iron Filter video by Iffy Signals Very impressive.....

Maybe Detect-Ed or some other Australian XP dealer can order one for you even if they don't list it in their catalogue.

Independent field testing underway...Release to happen soon. Not in order from her video….. 1. Iron Filtering from 1 to 8. Current 1.07 value equals setting 8 which will also be default in 1.08. 2. Iron Filtering Stability setting….fine tuner for iron bias when set to 1 through 7. Not active on default setting 8. 3. VCO “Tone Pitch” audio added to Park, Field and Beach. 4. Mute button (long press of frequency button) 5. Factory reset when in User Profile, long press Pinpoint button until FD. 6. Selected setting will blink (not just box around it blinking) 7. Audio Gain adjustment in Park, Field and Beach for boosting audio on weaker signals. 8. Third Multi setting M3 for use on wet ground, coke and conductive ground in Park Field and Beach will lessen/eliminate 10 and 11 (ground) target ID responses 9. Last discrimination setting before shut down will be retained on startup. 10 Threshold tone frequency (pitch???) for Park, Field and Beach will be default 10 and Threshold tone improved. 11. Headphone and speaker audio can be ON at the same time for videos and training. 12. Sensitivity will automatically be lowered during the setting of Notches. 13. Mineralization indicator. 14. Audio during ground balance improved. I think that is all…… Currently, no price increase. 10X5 and 12X9 coils coming soon. Thank You Nokta Makro, especially Dilek for accepting suggestions and Burak Tunc (happy birthday!!!) for making them happen!!!

I run my Mi-6 in Pulse at 46 to 48. I literally have to have the Mi-6 within a foot of the RC/coil in order for it to pair consistently. Even at 48, my Mi-6 can barely hit a 3” deep coin sized target. My Teknetics Tek-Point can hit the same coin sized target at 4.5” on the highest sensitivity setting even in high mineralization………. The Tek Point and Deus 2 seem to play fairly well together also. Mi-6 in standalone mode also gets 3” or so on a coin sized target. So, even though I really like the Mi-6 stealthy pairing with Deus/ORX/Deus 2 it basically cannot match the performance and consistency of my Garrett Carrot or especially my Tek-Points.

Deus 1 to Deus 2 progression provided many improvements to XP's flagship detector line. For me, the charging procedure is not one of them. The Deus 1 WS4 was also a standalone detector but it was dependent on being paired with the Deus 1 remote control for software updating. Now with Deus 2, the WS6 is capable of being a totally independent, updatable standalone detector. When a person buys a separate WS6, it comes with the single lead cable included. The Deus 2 being fully waterproof required a change in charging/data port to make it waterproof. XP made several business decisions related to that. They added the screw on charging/data connector plug to the 3 way cable instead of just making a new dedicated charging/data cable for the RC. XP could have completely changed the way they charge the other components too, but they decided to keep the 3 way cable with two mini USB plugs, the mini USB receptacles on their other chargeable components along with the awkward coil charging contraptions and also kept the single lead which used to be used to update the Deus 1 RC for updating/charging the WS6. I wish they had not made those business/unwilling to change the design decisions......but they did.

The two mini USB connectors on the 3 way cable and the cable for use with the WS6 puck are the same size and type = Mini USB. The difference is the actual exposed lengths of the connectors. The connector on the single lead is definitely a bit longer.........so I am not sure where the USB B and C reference is coming from. The connectors will both fit well in the WS6 port. Where the confusion is for me (or XP may need a different English language translator/proofreader) is what is printed in the manual and the included Erratum single sheet that came with my Deus 2. The Erratum pages shows using the single lead cable for charging and data update of the WS6 as opposed to the manual showing updating the WS6 with the single lead cable on page 30 and charging the WS6 with the 3-way cable on page 38. Deus 1s used the 3 way cable for charging the RC and the WS4. The single lead cable was for data update of the RC but I used it for charging it too. So, who knows.........I have charged my WS6 with the 3 way and the single lead and they both seem to work fine for just charging the WS6.

I am experiencing the same annoying behavior too. It is great to be a more silent detector user in public areas but the inconsistent pairing and Mi-6 inconsistent sensitivity levels after pairing should not be happening with a detector at this price level.

Just learned of the death of Dave, digger1955 on this forum and Digger27 on Friendly Forum. Dave passed away in June of 2021. He was the F2, F4 and especially the F70 "Guru" over on Friendly Forum for years and helped many, many detectorists with learning those detectors and with hunting strategies in extreme modern trash coupled with the high mineralization in the Birmingham AL area. He added the Equinox to his FTP arsenal towards the end of his life and he had some very detailed posts on this forum about his experiences and strategies for using the Equinox which he really liked. I have wondered what happened to him since I always enjoyed his posts, his honesty and his willingness to unabashedly share his experiences and knowledge with anyone that wanted to read his posts or watch some of his videos. I will continue to miss him and his freely given advice. Rest in Peace Dave........

I have had 2 times when the WS6 did not automatically power on when the Deus 2 remote powered on. Very annoying and kind of freaked me out. I turned the WS6 on manually both times and it worked fine. The WS6 works fine for me if there is very light wind and no other loud ambient noise. I put a layer of thin adhesive felt around the area that touches my ears and I put on my sun glasses after putting on the WS6. Works for me with just a little top of the ear pain after 3 hours. Without the felt padding, I can stand them for about 30 minutes. However, at a crowded beach with wind AND wave noise.........not for me. Hopefully XP will replace your WS6 quickly.

There are several 6" coils listed on eBay right now from reputable sellers/dealers along with one on Treasure Classifieds.

Both are excellent coils and I own and use both. For really small gold nugget targets in high mineralization I would go with the 6". The Coiltek is also very good in that scenario. For any other general type of coin/relic/jewelry/micro jewelry hunting, I would go with the Coiltek for separation, coverage, ergonomics and EMI stability. If deeper targets are more important, I wouldn't use either one.

Some of the 10K class rings I have tested on the Legend have target IDs from air testing in the 28 to 32 range.

Even allowing for a 5% to 10% margin of error for that poll.....those numbers are not very good. Being someone that often has to use the 14" DD coil, will shaft fix/replacements be offered under warranty in North America or will any shaft fix be an upgrade that needs to be purchased? Add the Rutus Atrex to the list of Deus 2, Legend and Equinox mud rolling. It is getting pounded on several USA forums and YouTube channels by people who may or may not own one or really know how to use it.. At least this poll seems to have been used by people that have plenty of gold prospecting experience with the GPX 6000.

I have owned both. Still own the Equinox and Deus 1 and Deus 2 which are more complicated versions of the ORX. So, for me it all depends on what targets you are hunting and what kind of sites you are hunting. Also do you need the best ergonomics available for a VLF detector (ORX, Deus 1, Deus 2) or do you need a very versatile, simultaneous multi frequency, hunt just about anywhere on any target types detector with the features and settings adjustability to keep you busy (and learning) for a long time???? = Equinox 800 and now also Deus 2. Since this is the gold prospecting section of this forum....I will say without a doubt that the Equinox 800's gold prospecting modes are fantastic and near or at the top of the VLF gold prospecting detector hill. The Equinox having outstanding simultaneous multi frequency technology, enables it to ground balance well on most difficult ground conditions while it also has extreme sensitivity to tiny targets. The ORX gold prospecting modes are also excellent. I have found small to tiny nuggets with both detectors. The reason I moved on from the selectable single frequency ORX was because the coin/jewelry/relic modes had far too limited features and settings for me, my targets and sites. The ORX, at least in the dirt I often hunt in, had accurate target IDs for the first 3 to 4" of dirt on coin sized targets. Deeper than that, the ORX in its coin/jewelry/relic mode was basically an "if it beeps.....dig" detector which gave me very little information other than there was a target under the coil......The Gold modes for gold prospecting were outstanding. I wouldn't hesitate to own an ORX for gold prospecting........Those gold modes are half of the modes on the ORX however. So, the Equinox 800 is still one of the best simultaneous multi frequency metal detectors ever made. It is also one of the hottest, meaning even in default Park 1 it will sound off on the tiniest targets you can imagine and some really deep targets also. Turning down the sensitivity and using the Equinox really nice single digit notching can really help cut down on the amount of target chatter. Even though it has had some leaking issues, it is still basically waterproof and if it is under warranty, water damage to the control box is covered. It will also work very well at saltwater beaches too. Not so for the ORX....(been there and did that). So the Equinox is an Australian/Malaysian Swiss army knife detector......go anywhere do any type of detecting basically. The ORX is based on XP's excellent gold prospecting specific detector the Depar 600 with very simplified 3 tone only Deus 1 Fast and Deep programs added. Either detector can be setup for switch on a go operation easily by the way.

Waterworn Quartz.

We found the usual for a big public park our club has hunted before. There were 12 of us. Luckily this park is on the east side of Denver where the dirt is only moderately mineralized South Platte River sediments.

Considering he was using his Vaquero (which I always liked) when I met up with him, I don't know. He found out fairly quickly how great the separation is on Deus 2. He also experienced PWM and Square Wave audio. When he gets a chance I think he will let you know.

Always great to have GB Amateur (Chuck) join us for one of our impromptu Eureka Treasure Hunters Club group wild hunts in a local Denver area park. We didn't find anything great today but Chuck got about 2 hours hunting with my Deus 2 while I got to use my Legend. Chuck is on his way to Nevada for one of Monte's Ghost Town hunts and got to break up his trip with a nice hunt today with our club. Forum members that are traveling through the Denver area can always PM me about possible hunting time if you are staying over for a few days. Great to see you again today Chuck and good luck!