Chase Goldman

There is also a PC version which looks identical but it is in red called the Recon 50. Note that the linked eBay sale is for a refurbed Recon 50P. Turtle beach sells the 50P New for $29.95 but shipping is extra. They sell the Red PC refurbed version for $24.95 on their site. So depending on the shipping charges, you might make out ordering direct from Turtle Beach vs. their eBay store. Either way, they look like a great value. BTW - Mark - you can get a replacement mic for about $9, so your grandson made out convincing Mom of the upgrade. You both got new headsets - Win - Win.

Microphone is good, Mark. You can sweet talk your detector into finding the best relics for you. Seriously though, those look great. Glad the mic is easily removed.

Oh, Chuck, believe me - I know that because they take every opportunity to make sure that everyone is reminded of that fact (their fans included).

Welp - that was a waste of time...just the Garrett CEO saying check out our website, join a raffle, and look for our new product announcement on 15 May. Duh.

The WM08 is very position sensitive vs. bluetooth. Blocking the transmission path between the control head to the unit even with your body (e.g., having the WM08 strapped to your belt on your left side but swinging the detector on your right side) can easily cause dropouts. A lot of people I know who use the WM08 use a very short audio cable to their headphones and clip it to their hat or to the headphones themselves to elevate the WM08 above any obstructions. In fact the Equinox user manual acknowledges this with the following note on page 56: I have only tested it once using regular headphones as a proof of principle on my Equinox but did not encounter scratchy audio (though I have encountered scratchy audio with certain models of BT headphones). If you are using an adapter to connect the headphones to the transceiver, make sure that that all connectors are fully seated or you will get ground loops or static. Test the unit with other BT sources and various headphones to see if the issue lies with the Equinox, headphones/earbuds or with the transceiver.

Simon, I agree with you, the story has nothing to do with the capabilities of the AT Pro but merely tells us the guy is experienced at reading the beach, has swimming skills, knows how to use something that beeps at metal and knows how to recover that metal while wearing a snorkel and flippers -which is impressive. We also didn't get a real look at his trash pile which I'm sure was just as impressive. But Garrett's facebook page is not unique. Similar posts can be found on Minelab's, XP's, or Nokta's pages or websites. People submit impressive finds and name the machine that did it (which again proves nothing other than the machine was turned on and they got the coil over the target) and the maufacturers will gladly link the pics for marketing publucity. It is up to the knowledgeable detectorist to realize that the machines actually matter little in the success equation next to intelligent site selection (see Dances' post), experience, good coil handling and ground coverage techniques, and knowing how to use the tool which all increase the favorable odds "chance" much more than the brand or model # stamped on the machine.

If you want to use your favorite headphones wirelessly with the Vanquish, just get a bluetooth APTX LL receiver/transmitter. They are the size of a matchbox and cost about $30. Plug in any headphones/earbuds that have a 1/8" mini jack or use an adapter to plug in 1/4" plug detecting phones. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EHSX28M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B4W40VC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm kind of surprised by this statement because you know your way around a soldering iron and circuit board like nobody's business. Wish I had that skill. I'm all thumbs and love to burn up electronic components if I try to dive in myself, but the throway nature of surface mount micro-electronics makes DIY repair hard these days. I'm in my latest 50's, so yeah, I might fit into your younger gadget demographic , but here are some headphone models I have found that work with Equinox just fine and that are still available out there(the $30 earbud models are admittedly hard to find now): https://www.kellycodetectors.com/catalog/pro-headphones?matchtype=&network=u&device=c&adposition=&keyword=&campaign={shopping}&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7qn1BRDqARIsAKMbHDajJK-O_Yzqs8ndhX3vp3376Zomq4bZ4rSWihl9685bufjvR2h6fncaAgn0EALw_wcB https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IEHIMLY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01A0EAYDI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Another option for folks who have a 600 and didn't get a WM08 wireless receiver module is to go with a small bluetooth APTX LL transceiver into which you can plug your favorite wired cans: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EHSX28M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B4W40VC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I guess I will put in the YMMV disclaimer because of the myriad of compatibility issues that have been reported, but I can say these have worked with my primary and backup Nox's and I have paired some of these with the Vanquish (not a fan of the ML branded phones, they sound muddy to me, but maybe just because I had the Miccus phones for a time well before I got the Equinox so perhaps got used to how they sounded vs. the ML Equinox wireless phones).

Forget about model to model variations in TDI, I get mode based TID variations on the same targets in my test garden. That combined with variations due to ground condition, target condition, and target orientation in the field make it really a dicey proposition to thread the notch needle in the manner you are intending. I know you are having to deal with a lot of modern non-ferrous trash, but relying on air tests to set up your trash notch segments means you will never truly know how many good targets you are missing under real world conditions because they slid into your notch segments. Maxx, I know why you have to do what you are trying to do, but whenever you go down the route of notching, you are always rolling the dice on a highly variable proposition even with seemingly stable TID performers.. Good luck and glad the Vanquish gives you a better shot at success, but be realistic about what you might also be leaving in the ground. There really are no short cuts when it comes to detecting..

I'm not because I have found no less than 7 BT headphone models that pair up just fine with Equinox in low latency mode (including BT 5.0 phones) ranging from $30 to $100, plus there is always the WM08 receiver option for the 800 that accommodates any wired MD headphone. People just need to be smart and read the specs when shopping for a replacement. I would rather have options on choice of headphones that comply with a commercial standard (BT APTX LL) rather than be locked into a MD manufacturer's limited proprietary wireless model that cannot be used for any other purpose.

Don't know if you missed it or not from his subsequent post, but he searching the crawl space under a house for a mason jar full of Krugers, so it is a completely different problem than what you may have first imagined, see below.

I must add to counter the pessimistic tone of my previous post (really just more realistic than pessimistic) - your task is not impossible but difficult and if it IS there and you manage to get the Vanquish coil over it, the Vanquish SHOULD sound off on it. Just not clear what tone or target ID will show due to the numerous variables involved, but I am betting it will be high just due to large pure metal mass. Good luck and let us know if you find the treasure. Rooting for your success. You have been given some good advice above.

I'm here to tell you your approach won't work if they are buried in a jar with a metallic lid. You can pretty much throw out target IDs because of 1) the mixed metal nature of your desired target and 2) the large amount of metal in the jar will likely simply overload the machine depending on the depth so it really doesn't matter what composition it is. You would actually do better with another detector because the modulation of the tones is small with the Vanquish. Anyway you are where you are. Practice with a jar full of any coinage and see what you get in an air test and in a buried configuration if you have the time to do so and remember that number, it will likely register high near the high 30's or 40, Try the different modes to see which one gives you the best or most distinctive signal. Then increase the the rejection settings to attempt to bracket that most distinctive signal (basically reject everything up a couple points below the lowest number you register). Scan the crawl space and look for any similar sounding and registering target signal and try for those first. If everything sounds loud, then lower the sensitivity setting of the detector as necessary such that you get some differentiation in the target signal intensity. Good luck, you are going to need it because it is going to really be a guessing game as to how that target will actually sound off and how you will be able to differentiate it against the other junk down there.

Welp, so much for my combo pinpointer/UV disinfecting wand/long range locater/TP roll holder side gig. Thanks for keeping the riff raff out (other than me), Steve.

Maybe the extra weight acts as some sort of Faraday Shield. . Seriously, good to know Whites is doing something right in the EMI department. Perhaps ML could learn a thing or two from Whites rather than the other way around. My Equinox sure likes to go unstable at the strangest times.

Well I guess you happened to be hunting in a spot that was 48 khz friendly. Not sure what coil you were using on the ORX but if it was an HF coil you should have been able to find a suitable quiet frequency. I believe the GK operates around 61 khz which could be a problem around 60 hz power lines. If you initialize the ORX with the Coil in the air at waist height, that can tend to knock down EMI, too. Yeah, after having owned the MX Sport, that is just not place I am willing to go back to (i.e., the VLF detector weighing just south of 4 lbs.)

Welcome to the forum, Sid. If you want a great beach detector with versatility, you can't go wrong with a Minelab Equinox 600 ($649) or 800 ($899). It uses simultaneous multi frequency (called Multi IQ) which gives it maximum stability in salt sand and salt water vs. single frequency metal detectors, is waterproof, uses wireless audio so you don't have to worry about headphone cables getting in the way but only the 800 includes the wireless phones in the box (unless you are actually submerging the detector fully in the surf, in that case you need to separately purchase wired waterproof phones), has multiple modes for beach, park, and field hunting. The 800 includes a high frequency mode suited for gold prospecting. It can be utilized effectively using the default settings but has advanced settings as you grow in your abilities. All that being said, if this is going to be your first metal detector, I would highly suggest the Minelab Vanquish. It too uses multifrequency (Multi IQ), but its settings are more limited than the Equinox, yet it has modes that are suitable for beach and inland hunting. I would suggest either the Vanquish 440 ($280) or the 540 ($370) which has wireless capability but you have to buy the headphones separately. The 540 Pro Pack ($500) comes with wireless headphones and an extra, smaller search coil ideal for trashy situations or for working in and around tight spots like around playground equipment on tot lots. Unlike the Equinox, the control housing is not waterproof, but the detector coils are waterproof so you can take it into the shallow surf wash or swing it in tide pools or surf cuts on the beach. I recommend the Vanquish because it performs well and probably handles 90% of situations the typical detectorist will encounter. The lower investment means that you are taking less of a risk if the hobby doesn't turn out to be all you imagined (you will dig A LOT more bottle caps, pull tabs, bear cans, fish tackle and other beach trash vs. coins, spanish treasure, and rings, though you will get better at recognizing trash signals you become more experienced but even a pro has trouble differentiating a pull tab from a gold ring or even a nickel - so set your expectations at a realistic level). You will also need to invest in a sand or water scoop and finds pouch (I recommend a scoop with a handle vs. a hand scoop, the constant bending over will get to you after awhile) and for land hunting a digging tool of some sort and a pinpointer (mini hand held metal detector) for recovering your targets from the dig holes (not really needed for beach hunting as your scoop sifts the sand from the target). Hope this Helps and Good Luck.

Tom - Yep. That's why I relic detect in VA with a GPX but keep a Deus strapped to my back if I hit an iron patch or start digging out a hut or trash pit. Or just as a change of pace if my shoulder hurts or the GPX mojo is just not happening. Killer combo. #right_tool_for_the_job.

I know. He said it was hard to compete with social media, especially for sponsorships. Like you, it was primarily a labor of love but was starting to cause a drain financially. DIV has a new dedicated website with a dedicated webmaster but it is not clear if Donnie will archive the Spot's content or how much DIV content will move over to the new site. You can read about his announcement here. Sad times after 20 years.

Yep, that could be it too. Would have to see the patent diagrams to really know for sure. Even an engineer has trouble wading through all that patent legalese terminology.

Actually that sounds like the [dreaded] ATX coil/stem mechanism, albeit the ATX came out a few years before this patent was approved.

Not sure they really can do that without knocking out the AT series, other than brand loyalty to keep it viable, there is really nothing compelling anymore about the AT series features and performance compared to the immediate competition. Heck, the Simplex on paper meets or beats it on paper in every category except available accessory coils (and that is only temporary). So APEX really has no choice but to eat into AT series sales if it is to be competitive against Simplex and Vanquish.

Great QED info. Much appreciated.

Get to it while you still can. Donnie is shutting the site down for good around 20 May.

One game changer vs. Simplex at least (and any Garrett for that matter), is if the Apex included selectable single frequency a la the Anfibio and Multi Kruzer and if they were able to do it for less than say an Equinox 600, then that would fill a niche between Simplex and Equinox that was almost covered by Vanquish but which falls a little short because of its fixed ground reference and lack of even one single frequency mode. If I've learned anything from Equinox, it is that Multi IQ is NOT a panacea for all detecting situations and am thankful to have a selectable single frequency mode on the Equinox and on my Deus/Orx for that matter. Really comes in handy when interrogating some iffy targets and in some detecting environments it is actually preferred. I'm thinking a tweaked AT Pro/Max/Gold that fixes iron tone, focuses on pro mode, repackages the control box into the lighter weight cell phone on a stick style and intuitive control ergonomics, and has the ability to use 5, 10, 20 khz (of course with wireless audio and rechargeable Li battery tech). Not sure it can be done from a business case/value perspective (especially if it "obsoletes" the AT series, but I would argue other detector manufacturers have done that to a certain extent) but it would be a game changer IMO if they could pull that off and then follow it up with a simultaneous multifrequency in a similar package a year or two down the road. Their legion of brand loyal fans might be energized enough to dive in and "upgrade" their aging AT series detectors and the Ace crowd might also come along for the ride.