steveg

It's a good point, GB_Amateur. I forgot about the camo variations offered by Fisher, on some machines. I even think they did a pink camo on one of them, if I am not mistaken. Yes, colors are NOT for everyone. Some love them, while some -- like you -- were turned off by the idea (at least in terms of a camo pattern). Steve

Chase, People seem to like adding color to their machines; I would have never thought...but I guess it makes sense, when you think about it. It sort of "customizes" your machine, and sets it apart from others...sort of like a new set of rims on your car, or whatever. That blue arm cuff is certainly eye-catching, and I really like how he printed the lettering on it. Perhaps your son is onto something there, TripleT? Colored arm cuffs... It's an interesting thought, that if a detector-maker caught on, and offered their control boxes in customizable colors, even if for a small "up-charge" over the standard black, they might stimulate interest amongst some customers... Steve

Hmm... 😂 LOL!!! Seriously though, VERY nice cuff, that your son made for you. That's pretty cool. Steve

That's a good material to use, IMO, Bohemia Miner; thanks for sharing. I used to use that athletic tape, or something similar (vet wrap), in black -- and it works well for me. Like you say, when it gets dirty, it's so easy to just remove and re-wrap. Recently I was turned on to a "handle tape" made by the Winn company (a well-known company for golf club grips). This wrap that they make, is actually a fishing-rod handle wrap, but it works very nicely. It is cushioned, so a bit thicker -- and thus it makes your handle a bit thicker, but if that's not an issue for you, it's really nice stuff (it would be more similar to the tennis racket handle tape that someone else mentioned). Winn offers this tape in many colors, including a red/white/black pattern that is sort of "camo-ish," that looks pretty good on the EQX, in my opinion. Here's a picture of the grip, on my machine (with one of my red carbon-fiber shafts)... Steve

Steve, I will be listening to the interview shortly, but in the mean time, I am very glad to hear that you are having success at beating the alcoholism. What a great story; thank you kindly for sharing! It only increases my respect for you... Steve

NICE ring! Great dig! Steve

That is REALLY cool! I like it! Steve

Let me try to clear it up a bit, and add on to what Steve H. said. If you have the "regular" version of Pro Golds, they will not work if you plug them into the CONTROL BOX on the Equinox. They WILL work properly, if you plug them into the WM-08. If you have the "CTX" version of the Pro Golds, they will work on the Equinox when plugged in EITHER way -- control box, OR WM-08. Steve H. is right; I don't know why the Pro Golds aren't sold in JUST the "CTX" version, as that version is, I believe, compatible with ALL machines, whereas the "regular" version won't work when plugged into the control box of the various machines Steve H. mentioned... Finally, you CAN -- if you have the "regular" version of Pro Golds and desire to connect them direct to the Equinox control box -- send them in to have them "converted" by John Smith, for $20, as noted in the thread that Chase linked (thanks, Chase!) Steve

Nice dig! Great job on that "V" on edge! Steve

Steve/Dew -- Got it, thanks. I haven't seen those before, so wasn't aware of just what was being discussed. Thanks guys. Steve

Dew, tell me what "battery covers" you are referring to. I'm not familiar... Thanks! Steve

VERY nice digs! Excellent way to say "goodbye" to New Mexico, I'd say, Thanks for sharing! Makes me wish for another chance at "my" fort site... Congrats! Steve

Very detailed/thorough write-up, Dan. THANKS! Steve

Walter, According to the newly updated Equinox user's guide (Page 52), running in F2 mode "disables" the old "FE" mode, and vice versa. IN other words, you can't run an FE setting, and an F2 setting, at the same time. If you set an F2 setting, then the old "FE" setting is inactive. Then, if you set an FE setting, that deactivates your F2 setting. That's the way I understood it... Steve

Yes. Same here. There was definitely a "change," in how it sees on-edge silver coins/rings, in the newer update, but it didn't improve it substantially, IMO. I specifically tested the machine, once version 1.75 was released, focused in particular on the "on-edge" thing. However, I did not note all that much improvement (in air testing). There is definitely "different" behavior there, and I'd say there was some "marginal" improvement, but not enough to make a huge difference, IMO -- at least not with air testing. With that said, I will say that I dig a reasonable number of "mid-depth" coins on edge, with the Equinox (4 to 5" or so), and I dig ALOT of them that are "partially" on edge (say 45 degrees canted) from deep depths, so it's not like the machine is "awful" at coins that are oriented "other than flat." It's just that for certain targets, directly on edge, it struggles. And the improvement in 1.75 was not nearly as great as I had hoped, as compared to 1.5. Phrunt, if you are able to dig coins that are entirely on edge (vertical) -- down to the limits of the machine's depth, with a "coin-type" ID, you are able to accomplish something that I can't. If I recall, it DOES do better in that regard with smaller coins, (I'm trying to think back to the testing I did a year ago), but still...I'd LOVE to have those results, that you describe! Steve

I think there is something to this -- and I think the translation provided by PUHH may be "real" information. Reason being, last week someone made a post on NASA-Tom Dankowski's forum, about the two available software versions for the EQX (1.5, and 1.75), and how that person felt that 1.5 was less "falsy" around iron, and possibly better overall. NASA-Tom responded with a somewhat "cryptic" answer to the question, that there might be a "fix" for this person's concerns (presumably "falsing" high-tones from iron targets), in the "upcoming week" (which is this week). I took that to mean that there may be a new software update on the near-term horizon, presumably improving the Equinox's performance in and around iron...and the chatter here seems to confirm/be related to that... Should be interesting... Steve

Very nice job! I'd LOVE to have things like that available to find in my own yard! SUPER! Steve

OUTSTANDING job, and what a great story, Skate!! And you are right, there is nothing better than the happiness you bring to someone, when you find their lost item. I love the story, Skate! Terrific! Steve

Why, thank you, Steve! How kind! 🙂 Steve

NICE job, 2Valen!! Nice recovery, on the Barber dime, and those "coin spills" are always unique! Steve

eagleseye -- sounds good, thank you! I'll look for your PM, if you decide eventually to send one. One other thing I would like to let you know, is that I build shafts with customized details, for customers who need such. So, even if I haven't mentioned something specific that you might want, with your shaft, I'd encourage you to ask the question; there are many things I am happy to do, that can be tailored to your needs, but which I have not specifically mentioned anywhere. I do these custom shafts on a customer-by-customer basis, trying to meet whatever specific needs anyone might have, but it's impossible to list all the possibilities, in terms of customization. For instance -- that three-piece design that I posted the pictures of, earlier? That specific shaft was a modification of what I'd normally do, but that customer wanted his shaft to fit in a SPECIFIC case, a Pelican 1510, for travel purposes. He already had the case, so he needed a three-piece that would fit the case (as opposed to finding a case to fit a particular shaft). SO, I worked with him to get the dimensions of his case, and then I designed and built the shaft to fit that specific case. Here's a picture of what the final result was -- it's a picture of the shaft disassembled, and fitting perfectly (with his other EQX components) into his Pelican carry-on case (you can see the two shaft sections in the picture, on top; the third shaft section is beneath the other two, in a slot that he cut into the foam). So, again -- if you need something specific, there's a good chance I can accommodate, with a "custom" build. Thanks! Steve

eagleseye -- My shafts have already been mentioned in this thread by Steve H., but you seem to be looking for more collapsibility, so I wanted to let you know that I also offer a three-piece all-carbon-fiber shaft option -- I can custom-build it for you, if you need it to collapse small enough to fit in a specific-sized bag, but my "standard" option keeps all three shaft sections at 21" or less. The connections between the three sections are achieved with two of my heavy duty, highly secure clamp-type cam locks. I also offer the "drain hole" in the lower rod, as an option for anyone who would like to have one. Finally, I can offer you the shaft in standard black, or an array of colors, if you have interest in a colored shaft. Just another option for you to consider. Please contact me, if you would like additional information, as I'd love the chance to build you a shaft (email steve@stevesdetectorrods.com). Steve www.stevesdetectorrods.com www.facebook.com/stevesdetectorrods

Rabdab -- you need to be sure you got the NEW version of the Q12; I made the mistake of purchasing a set, not knowing that there was on older version that was aptX, but NOT low latency. And my purchase was of the old set, the non-LL version. Steve

Lonnie, I am sorry to hear about your experience. Minelab's customer service has been outstanding, for the past two years, for me -- and for most others I've seen post about it on the forums. I do know that Jamie, who Chase mentioned in his post, is no longer with the company. However, there are others available who will take care of you. You can reach a "human" at Minelab by calling 1(630)401-8150. I just called to verify, and spoke with a great guy named Maxwell. I told Maxwell your issue, and he said he'd look forward to speaking with you. I am wondering if you just had outdated phone number information. If you want to try again, try that number I just posted... Thanks! Steve

FASCINATING. Thanks for sharing, Chase. This information is very interesting, and it confirms the reason I almost NEVER find square nails in Oklahoma. Oklahoma, long the land of Native Americans resettled here in the 1830s, was not opened for "white" settlement in much of the state until 1889 to 1891. So, the "dating" of the use of nail types explains my observations quite well. Meanwhile, when hunting back home in western PA, I very frequently find the type-B "cut nail" (which I have always referred to as a "square nail.") One time here in Oklahoma however, detecting an old U.S. Military fort (1850-1870), we -- like Walter -- stumbled onto a huge cache of square nails (type B, as I now know, thanks to Chase's info). They were all in a large "bunch," and so -- while the outer ones were rusted, the "inner" nails in the bunch were quite well-preserved. It was an interesting find, for sure! Steve