A bit late to the party...
I also have both machines and definitely prefer the controls on the monster over the equinox for their simplicity. It is a very enjoyable detector to operate, no cluster of unused buttons as nugget shooting does not require it.
I really appreciate just being able to put the monster in auto 1(or 2), doing a quick ground balance, and getting to hunting!
With that being said if you are planning to do more than just nugget hunt, the Equinox can do it all!