Chase Goldman

You are correct, Dubious, thanks for making me look this up. While we are both factually correct in using the radio analogy because (the metal detector meets both the definition of radio and magnetometer) because it is emitting electromagnetic energy in the radio frequency part of the electromagnetic spectrum. But the electric field energy (the radio part) is being lost in the ground while the accompanying magnetic field is doing all the work, including inducing the current in the target that results in magnetic field detected by the receive portion of the coil (the magnetometer part), as you described. It is probably more correctly referred to as a radio frequency magnetometer (i.e., what you were describing) than a radio. Used the radar analogy because while a metal is not a radar, a radar is the sort of the radio equivalent of an RF magnetometer because the transmitter is detecting its reflected transmitted radio signal (electric field) off a distant target so it was the closest familiar RF thing I could think of that detects how its own transmitted electric field signal is modified by a target like a metal detector's modified magnetic field. I learned (or re-learned) something today which is always a good thing.

I suggest using the horseshoe button to cut out discrimination, this will prevent mixed ferrous/non-ferrous signal clipping due to mixed ferrous/non-ferrous or corroded targets partially popping above the discrimination breakpoint as the coil passes the edge of the target (typical of nail heads). The drawback is that you will hear the iron but then you can at least correlate the iron tones to the unclipped non-ferrous tones to see if what you are hearing is a corroded target or a target partially masked by iron. If you do go that route, be sure to increase recovery speed again if you are overcome by ground noise (-9 and -8 tid signals). Lowering sensitivity is a good move in this situation to keep the ferrous targets from overloading the detector. There are no easy fixes to this difficult detecting situation. I like to use Field 2 in this situation and interrogating the target in prospect mode helps, unfortunately that's not an option with the 600. Good luck. HTH HH

Thanks for making my point. What you think is "unmistakable" and clear in meaning, is anything but that. In your statement you use the phrase "uses only two frequencies" which itself is ambiguous. The more precise statement is that Equinox only "transmits" two frequencies at a time, while it may "use" more than two frequencies by monitoring for received harmonics resulting from the two it transmitted. Also, in the above example, Minelab used a correct but similarly ambiguous term ('operate") perhaps knowing that most people will automatically think "transmit" for that also. When talking radios, which is basically what a metal detector is, they operate by transmitting and receiving radio signals. A metal detector is actually more akin to a specialized type of radio - a RADAR which transmits a signal and then discerns information from the reflected radio signal off the target of interest. However, unlike RADAR, a metal detector transmits a radio signal and then detects the induced electromagnetic field generated in the target of interest. If Equinox is transmitting two frequencies simultaneously as evidenced by oscilloscope testing by third party expert detector designers, then harmonic waveforms are also generated that are multiples of the difference between the base frequencies, these multiple harmonics will resonate with the target of interest and create a field comprised of the frequency spectrum of harmonics induced in the target. The Equinox is very likely detecting (i.e., receiving or "operating") at frequencies across the entire spectrum discussed even if it is only transmitting two simultaneous frequencies. The amplitude (i.e., energy) in the reflected harmonic waveforms is very small, but detectable nevertheless. I am not saying that ML is being fully transparent, but I think they are choosing their terminology and words very carefully to elicit the desired response from consumers while maintaining the essential element of truth necessary to keep from being legally accused of publishing falsehoods. To be clear, I am not disagreeing with you that ML is "selling" their technology be relying on people to potentially misinterpret ambiguous technical statements as you just have nor am I defending ML's marketing practices. All I am pointing out is that ML is indeed splitting hairs to their advantage, but I cannot see where what they are saying is technically incorrect or even misleading (if read carefully). I say that, even knowing now that they are likely only simultaneously transmitting a maximum of two of five available base frequencies they say are available (which all happen to be harmonics of 5 khz). It actually amazes me how well the public statements hold up to technical scrutiny. That is good for ML, I guess, but not necessarily good for the consumer. However, I would be more concerned about it if their product did not actually work well. Lol.

I think the key is how many frequencies ML is monitoring (i.e., receiving) vs. how many it is transmitting at one time, especially since ML never once mentions that it is transmitting all 5 frequencies simultaneously, only that it utilizes a different group of base frequencies than BBS/FBS. In the article linked by Steve above and also referenced in the other thread, ML also alludes to the fact that it minimizes the number of simultaneous frequencies transmitted to the extent needed to achieve the desired transmit spectrum. That was their chance to say we use 5 frequencies but instead they implied that they use less than 4. ML also has to get the point across that it has incorporated 5 (or 3 in the case of the 600) single base frequencies to be used for single frequency operation. So naturally, less technically inclined folks tend to conflate those two separate features (Multi IQ and switchable single frequency) which helps up the confusion factor. Look, I am not giving ML a free pass on this because they probably relish the ambiguity, misinterpretation, and confusion this fairly complex concept generates on its own in their customer base because it works to their advantage. On the other hand, I am not seeing any outright lies and deception either, I think they are letting the complexity of the truthful description of their technology do the selling for them. It is a razor thin distinction between truth and marketing hyperbole, but an important distinction that keeps them legally out of hot water but also protects their intellectual property from the competition. IMO.

Not really FBS3. Focusing on the frequency combos is only half the story of Multi IQ (perhaps even less than half). The real focus should be on how the received signal is processed, and ML is not spilling the beans on how they do that. Frankly, anyone who relies on ML's or any other manufacturer's marketing stuff (and that INCLUDES the stuff put into the instruction manuals) as their sole source of technical information about how detectors work without doing any other research are doomed to fooled. It helps to know certain technical characteristics of a metal detector (such as operating frequency) and how a parameter like that affects your ability to find certain types of targets and the difference performance characteristics of different types of coils, but beyond that, what really matters is learning how your machine behaves and the language it uses and that simply comes from getting a lot of swing hours in and digging junk as well as keepers. I don't blame ML's marketing department they need to balance the complex technical truth against conveying concepts in a manner that can be understood by non-engineers while trying to sell detectors at the same time. The result is usually something that has some underlying truth but a lot of artistic license, as well. I mainly ignore it unless I want a chuckle and use my knowledge of engineering and physics to throw the BS flag when necessary, otherwise, I just go out and learn the detector by swinging it and don't lose sleep or even get irritated over 2 vs. 5 vs.28 simultaneous frequencies, quite frankly.

There is also a discussion on Equinox multifrequency in this thread in the Detector Advice and Comparisons forum.

Well you (the detectorist) can't choose, the choosing is done by the detector designer and is tied to the mode selected. They probably chose the 5 frequencies used in the graphic based on what they enabled as the selectable single frequency points.

Thanks, Randy. Merry Christmas and everyone have a real beeping 2019!

I agree with Cal's assessment. Best all around detector, no doubt. But as I am hitting some thick, constrained iron sites with very hot soil, lately, I am having more succes with my other go to detector (Deus). They both go in the car whenever I hit ANY relic site as they are very complimentary. Wide open plowed field, normal soil, scattered iron, the Equinox is my weapon of choice, especially with that 12x15" coil.

Park 2 or Field 2 are optimized for small and mid conductive targets (brass, lead, gold, jewelry, etc.) so are ideal for relic hunting. Field 1 (like Park 1) is optimized for high conductors (and larger targets) and is also just 2 tone so is optimal for deep silver hunting or simply non- ferrous target cherry picking in low trash situations (Park 1 is 5 tones). Now this does not mean that the "2" modes will not hit silver or that the "1" modes will not hit mid-conductive relics or gold because Equinox is multi frequency, it's just reflective of the frequency weighting for each of the modes (1's being low frequency weighted and the 2's bring higher frequency weighted). For relic hunting buttons, brass, plates and minie balls my preference is Field 2 others like Park 2. I like interrogating prospective targets with Gold Mode (with gold mode stored in the user profile slot) to get a gage on the relative strength of the target signal (because gold mode uses VCO pitch audio which is not tone ID, but varies in pitch and intensity based on target signal strength (which are determined by target mass, depth, and relative conductivity). Pinpoint mode helps with identifying whether the target is big/small and/or shallow/deep. In the tone ID modes, Equinox is notoriously weak on providing target modulation for large or shallow targets, so pinpoint and gold modes help in this respect. I also like to get a feel for the iron density in the area by cancelling out discrimination using the horseshoe (aka all metal) button. Also, I like to run with little to no iron bias. It reduces falsing but with the drawback of causing masking non-ferrous targets in the proximity of iron. I'll take the falsing rather than miss targets. BTW buttons and minie balls tend to ring up in the mid to high teens, respectively. Basically, if you are relic hunting in low modern trash you should be digging all non-ferrous signals. HTH

Agree, you should just supply a kit (large or small weight kit) that enables the user to assemble his own custom counterweight system, if needed because 1) perfect balance depends on the coil, the user height, user arm length, where they have the elbow rest and pod mounted relative to each other, rod length used, the swing angle to the vertical the user prefers, any other "accessories" a user has strapped to the rod (flashlight holder, power bank, stand assembly, pinpointer mount, etc.) and 2) as you said, perfect mechanical balance is not necessarily what is required. Also, your design should use a high density material (weights instead of shot, tungsten putty?) that enables you to place it as far back in the assembly as possible and take advantage of the moment arm, be easy to assemble and adjust, and that minimizes overall gross weight added to the detector system. Frankly, I question how much those who are having arm pain have adjusted their arm rest (including proper use of the strap which is essential) and detector rod length to the extent possible to alleviate the situation. To me, the counterbalance proposition has always had more drawbacks than advantages because of the gross weight added to the overall system. OTOH a well balanced detector design such as the F75 (though it also uses and S-shaft which can help also) that is also slightly heavier is ideal, with a harness being my second choice. In the end, IMO, my Equinox does not strike me as a grossly imbalanced machine, unlike the person who is swinging it. Regarding the lead shot - is it captured in a manner that precludes it from moving around and causing a racket when you swing or move the detector? Since it is shot, the volume fraction of air reduces the density overall. Any extraneous noise would make me truly imbalanced. I have used tungsten putty to add weight and balance to model race cars because you can incrementally add whatever weight you need, where you need it and due to its density, you only need to use a small volume of it for a few ounces of added weight. HTH

Cal, Thanks for your kind words. The Equinox IS fun because of its convenient versatility. A few simple button pushes and you have a completely different machine in your hands. Ironically, the only two seated silvers I found this year with the Equinox were at a relic site at which CW relics (buttons, plates, minie balls) were my focus (and I was rewarded with some nice CW saves too) so of course I was running in...Field 2. I don't think they were that deep or anything but I DO know that a few other detectorists got their coils at least close to these coins before I did. The Equinox will certainly hit silver well in the "2" modes. Perhaps not as deep as the "1" modes. Another contributing factor as to why the other detectors missed these coins, may be nearby iron masking which is minimized with Iron Bias at 0 (the default in Field 2) and perhaps the coins were tilted in the ground or on edge for which the field 2 mid-conductor higher frequency weighted setup does better vs. a deep silver low frequency setup. Or it could just be luck and simply getting the coil over the target. There are absolutely no "absolutes" when using these settings. You can still find silver at depth with Field 2 just as you can find small gold rings in Park 1. That is why it pays to hit a site again with different modes because the built-in detector diversity of the Equinox may reveal borderline targets in one mode that just missed being detected in the other mode. Perhaps another trip back with alternate settings will snag you some more 19th century gold instead of silver the next time out. HH to you, Cal. cg

Steve, let first me say that as I have been following your rod development your attention to detail, ingenuity, and craftsmanship appear top notch. I am seriously considering getting either a lower shaft or full shaft system. Nevertheless, here is my feedback per your request. Adding 28 oz (1.75 lbs) of counterweight is still adding a lot of gross weight to a 3.2 lb the detector system (53% additional weight, though that weight is based on the stock detector rod system not yours) to compensate and balance the 23 oz total weight large coil. That added gross weight still needs to be FULLY supported by your swing arm no matter how perfectly balanced the detector is. After awhile, that is going to really be fatiguing. I use a GPX. The rear mounted under rod control box and side-saddle mounted full battery (vs. the battery harness system) tends to balance the large, heavy coils really well and it feels great when you first start your day, but my gosh, a few hours in and you are spent because the gross weight of the entire thing just wears your arm out. OTH I can swing the Equinox all day without fatigue even with its slight nose heaviness and that includes the large coil. I know this because when my arm wore out using the GPX on a recent week long detecting marathon, I could pick up my Equinox and swing it around like a dream, even fatigued, and that is because the overall weight is less than half of the perfectly balanced GPX. TBH, in a weird way, the larger coil feels more balanced to me than the stock coil. I know this is not physically possible because the CG is the same on both coils and the large coil is 5 oz more weight, but it comes down to the fact that I am ONLY adding 5 oz of additional weight to swing that large coil and that does not present significant fatigue over time and I guess the nose heaviness never really registered for me in the first place as I adjusted the armrest forward as far as possible. I guess, what I am saying is that it seems to me that if balance is a real issue for folks, they may be better served going to a harness setup that both provides a fulcrum balance point AND also supports a portion of the gross weight taking stress off the swing arm (even though IMO harnesses are a PITA to use in the field during target recovery) rather than adding 1.75 more pounds of gross weight to the detector system. That's my perspective as a short, fat weak guy I guess vs. tall hulk guy who can swing nearly 4.75 pounds of detector all day long. Light gross weight is one of the reasons why I gravitated to Equinox in the first place. Your system is a viable alternative to the down side of using a harness, but the weight does add up and makes a difference after a few hours of swinging. Good to provide the coutnerbalance options but just thought I would provide my perspective on counterbalance systems. BTW - remind me what are you using as the counterbalance filler? Perhaps you can use a more dense material pushed further back in the counterbalance assembly to use moment arm to further reduce the added weight necessary for the CB? Also, how adjustable is the CB as the moment arm will change depending on the overall rod length and the placement of the arm rest with respect to the control head handle. I guess I am a little fuzzy on how you arrived at the set counterbalance assembly length dimensions and weights for all user shaft length configurations for different arm lengths, user heights, swing angles, etc. that would seem to me to all have an impact on the true balance point. But I'm not a mechanical engineer, ergonomics expert, or craftsman, so I could be totally off base.

Here are some tips: Remember to EMI noise cancel on startup. I recommend ground balancing the detector unless your soil has NO mineralization. It only takes a few seconds. Also remember that each mode needs to be treated like a separate detector because each mode has a different Multi IQ profile. This means you need to EMI noise cance and ground balance each mode you use at a site, separately. Each mode may give you a completely different ground balance number on the same plot of land, and that is by design because the frequency profile is different for each mode. Until you get used to the machine, I would just run Park 1 at the defaults. Avoid the temptation to mode hop if you are not finding success. Mode hop if you feel confident in the machine and understand its capabilities and language (e.g., Park 1 uses 5 tones and is optimized for large and high conductive targets but Multi IQ will still enable you to hit those mid conductive relics and the default recovery speed setting of is a good middle of the road starting point and high iron bias of 6 to mitigate iron falsing. If you are feeling confident and adventurous with the Equinox and/or are experienced with different types of machines and can pick up on their quirks quickly, for relic hunting at a farm field, my favorite mode would be Field 2 because its Multi IQ profile is optimized for mid-conductors like brass, lead, aluminum, and gold, it uses 50 tones (not for everyone, but it gives you a lot of useful audio target information if you have learned the clues), has a higher recovery speed at 7 that improves separation and lowers ground noise (but may clip deeper target signals), and has zero Iron Bias (which I like because I will trade iron falsing on large round iron, nails and nail heads to preclude non-ferrous target masking for non-ferrous targets within swing distance of an iron target). The default user settings in each of the modes (tones, recovery speed, Iron Bias, etc) are pretty good and you should only have to make minor adjustments from the defaults. If you find yourself making gross adjustments or are adjusting multiple parameters at a time, you may only be making things worse not better unless you have an in depth understanding of what those settings do and their "side effects". For example, folks are tempted to turn sensitivity settings way up from the default of 20 (goes to 25) or turn recovery speed settings way down to gain depth, but adjusting those parameters to gain depth is effective only to a point because you may introduce more EMI noise with a higher sensitivity setting and you need to properly adjust your swing speed and you may end up increasing ground noise overall for lower recovery speed settings. The key to this machine is balancing settings to optimize the signal to noise ratio of the machine (i.e., increase the signal without increasing the noise). And like I said, it is pretty optimized out of the box, so go easy on the adjustments especially when making gross adjustments of individual parameters or adjusting more than one parameter at a time.. Don't sleep on using the horseshoe button to remove discrimination so that you can hear iron tones. Great to use when interrogating a target you may suspect may be falsing iron because the underlying iron grunt usually gives it away and it gives you an idea of iron target density where you are unting. Love that it is just a button push away. The pinpoint mode is a little quirky to get used to, but it is a great tool to use for more than just pinpointing (in fact I prefer to pinpoint using wiggle off the front or back edge of the coil). The Equinox does not over-modulate strong (e.g. shallow or large or both) targets well so a shallow aluminum can may sound like a sweet target on Equinox whereas other detectors will give you a clear distorted overload signal. There are audio cues, but they are subtle. Pinpoint helps because it is a non-motion mode - you don't have to swing your coil over the target to get a response, so you can just sort of trace the target using your coil in pinpoint and readily recogize whether it is coin sized or bigger than a coin or relic. Shallow belt plates and aluminum cans are hard to tell apart with Equinox even with the pinpoint tell, unfortunately. But it is a tool in the toolkit you can use. Gold mode is not just for prospecting. Similar to pinpoint mode, it use pitch vice tone ID (but unlike pinpoint mode it is a motion mode and does give a visual target ID). It can be useful in cleaning up iffy, clippy, or weak signals in the tone ID modes (Park, Field, or Beach) . To switch modes quickly, I store gold mode in the User Profile slot. That way I can quickly switch between gold mode and my main search program (e.g., Park 1 or Field 2) when interrogating a target. Going to single frequency is also a useful tool to help ID a potential ferrous or junk target or to clean up mixed ferrous/non-ferrous target situations (e.g., bottlecaps). I usually do not search/hunt in single frequency but just use it as a target interrogation tool. I will hunt in single frequency however if EMI is really bad in Multi (the higher single frequencies do better in bad EMI) or if soil conditions are really bad (high mineralization). Anyway, too much info to cover in a single post, especially for the new user. Just recognize you have a powerful tool in your hands. Do not get frustrated first time out if your site doesn't produce. It is a different animal than the ATP you are used to, more similar to perhaps the F70. Give it time and then get comfortable and start using its versatility and built-in tools. Enjoy and go find some relics. cg

Yep. Don the rain gear and go for it. Even though the wireless headphones are not WP, you can hide them under your rain hood because...no wires.

Going to need to see the photographic evidence of you detecting on top of the water before I agree to that.

Steve - I like how you actually plugged in the GM coil for effect. Did you energize the control head too for curiosity sake or were you afraid that the earth might then get sucked into the resulting black hole. Hmm, this gives me some ideas on how to punk some of my buds with some phony new Equinox coil text message pics... ?

In fact, one can legitimately argue that I violated my own advice by posting what I did, because my point of view on the issue is by definition subjective and opinion, so I will just own that right now so don't bother making a point of it. But just had to get it off my chest.

I've found that in a discussion forum format nothing good ever comes from expressing opinions that are hard to ever substantiate because they are so subjective, unlike detector performance or debating hardware specs which can somewhat be backed up objective test or finds evidence, and even then it is often left to personal perception. That's why I attempt to refrain from casting doubt on another person's detecting skills, the authenticity of their finds, their detecting level of knowledge, or ability to articulate that knowledge in writing. I try to avoid using the phrase "you're wrong" and try to let facts take care of the rest, especially if I am being personally attacked with false information that can be factually refuted. It almost always degenerates into the side-taking divisiveness and borderline (or worse) personal attacks, braggadocio, and no-win arguements which I think goes against the general tone and spirit that Steve had established on this site to avoid the what other detecting discussion sites have devolved into. Am I always successful in following my own advice. Nope. But I do try to stop myself from crossing the line of personal attacks, even when defending my position. I shake my head ruefully when I see that this started because people questioned/defended the abilities of the detectorist who is named as the subject of this thread (originally meant to be humorous, btw) but who is NOT EVEN PARTICIPATING IN THE DISCISSION! Incredibly ridiculous IMO.

The reason Anker provides that warning is the output circuit disconnects the battery source at low outputs indicating a fully charged load or nothing is connected to the USB outputs. Not sure, but pretty sure the headphones draw more than 50mA during charge. Problem is the Anker unit will turn off/disconnect when the phones are fully charged so you will never see the solid red charged indication. But you can usually trust they will be fully charged.

W Well, there are a number of other wireless low latency BT headsets out there with different earcup sizes etc., for comfort, as Steve pointed out. And as an alternative means to stay untethered to the detector, you can always plug a favorite set of wired headphones into the included ML wireless module that you can stuff into a shirt or vest pocket or clip to your belt.

Yes. Tony's are white and are good phones. If you just want something that has good volume and a long cord that can withstand the elements and take a dunking or two, I highly recommend the LS.Pelsos sold by KellyCo.

Frankly, due to the small form factor of the Deus/ORX, I really don't give it much thought. It bothers me about as much as whether or not my pinpointer rolls to the side when I set it on the ground. With a case cover on the remote, or often with no remote attached to the stem at all while in use (I keep it in my chest pocket) it really is no big deal. You have to use one to know why I feel this way. Different story with my more traditional detectors like the Equinox or F75. Prefer those not tipping over.

The 9.5"x5" elliptical is a laser beam. Great coverage (9.5") and pinpoint separation and 5" swing clearance in trash which is driven mainly by the excellent recovery speed options in DEUS/ORX. Frankly, I wish ML had come out with this form factor and size for their small coil option for the Equinox instead of the 6 inch round.

Agree. XP has been enormously successful in the UK. The Deus design sets up very well for the type of relic and old coin hunting done there. Similarly they tapped into the Aftican gold craze with their budget gold detecting version of the Deus. But this ORX gambit and other forays into the US marketplace (especially how they market their products in the US) has often left me scratching my head.