Smithobx

I have this test I use to determine the effectiveness of discrimination vs masking on detectors. I silicone a silver dime inside a plastic lined crown cap(to make certain their is insulation between the silver coin and the alloy cap), in this case a Bud Ice bottle cap. I used both FE standard and the up dated FE2. At FE standard:  FE 1 and 2 the dime was barely discernible showing an occasional 21-23 among many lower numbers. Beyond FE 2 the target became what I think is an averaged number with only a flicker of 20 to 21 on the screen.  At FE 2: FE 1 and 2 the dime was very there showing 25-28 with the occasional 29 with a smattering of low number blips.  Beyond FE 2 the dime faded quickly.  I was impressed with the new discrimination but as always there are trade offs. So now  the disclaimer, this is only one type of bottle cap others may have different results, surface tests may not indicate results in the ground. I urge others to try it for themselves but I think FE 2 is a clear advancement, at least for me when used sparingly.

7 hours ago, Steve Herschbach said:

 

Not my cup of tea however so that’s about all I have to say about Vanquish. When an Equinox alternative appears I will perk up, until then I have some detecting to do! 

My sentiments as well. If I were looking for  an entry level detector I would be all over the Vanquish as opposed to the Ace series but  at this point I am looking for the best technology available that I can afford. Right now that appears to be the Equinox and the Explorer series of detectors. 

Regardless of it’s operational parameters concerning the number of frequencies, the Vanquish offers me nothing over the Nox 800 nor the Explorer series. In the end it is simply an entry level detector. 

9 hours ago, 2Valen said:

What size coil was it?

I will be checking out mine to make sure nothing is wrong with mine.

It was the standard 11 in. coil. 

I have had my 800 since the end of April. I have to admit I was a little skeptical of all the hype but after using it a lot I the last 3 months or so , I am very impressed. This past Friday I was at a new site and when I picked up the detector to take it out of the truck the coil fell off. Both the mounting tabs were broken. I am pretty particular with my equipment so I really don’t think it was anything I did. I emailed the repair center and has been my experience in the past, they were prompt in their response and had shipping instructions to me that same day. They said the coil would be replaced under warranty but would take a few days because the service center had run out of coils and they were currently on backorder. This leads me to believe their must be a lot of people who have had the same issue. It will be interesting to see if this new batch of coils has beefed up the mounting tabs. They really are kind of flimsy when compared to the Explorer series of coils. I don’t mind the wait, it gives me a chance to get to know my 6 in.  coil. 

Very nice!

37 minutes ago, calabash digger said:

You cannot buy a spare pod at this time....

That’s what I was told by minelab this morning, but my impression was he meant anytime as he said they viewed the sale of the handle and control panel as undercutting their dealer network. 

Well I see another 800 in my near future. I spoke to Minelab and the handle and control panel are not available to the public except through warranty repair. 

1 hour ago, Steve Herschbach said:

Mine will never be out of warranty. I will sell with two months remaining transferable factory warranty, and buy another new unit. Assuming I get half the price of the EQ800 new I will being getting a complete new unit with three more years warranty for $450. Probably less than the cost of a pod/handle assembly, which would be at minimum unit price less price of coil and rod.

Interesting strategy Steve, but I tend to keep detectors l really like and I really like the Nox. My backup is a Explorer ll bought new in 2006. One reason I asked the question is I am considering buying a spare pod because I often travel to areas that are 200 to 600 miles away and a detector failure could literally mean a loss of hundreds of dollars in travel expenses and a wasted trip. I could buy another Nox but I already have the coils and even an extra shaft since installing one of Steve’s custom shafts. If I could just buy the pod at a reasonable price that just means more money for gas and campgrounds and insurance in the event of failure. The recent drownings, while not epidemic, do give me cause for concern. 

I was wondering what a replacement of the control pod will cost if out of warranty. Does anyone know the cost of a 600 and 800 control pod if you buy them outright from Minelab?

54 minutes ago, dewcon4414 said:

If you clean it ....it will show badly as be worthless except to complete a set maybe.   Most collectors would give you more as is.   If you clean it wrong it could turn fakish red and almost brittle looking.   Leave as is and put a touch of mineral OIL on it.  Which is a goo preserver on any copper.

I don’t believe soaking in mineral oil will decrease the value IF you do not rub it or otherwise do anything to scratch or mar it in any way. In my experience since 1987, mineral oil does not change the color of any coin. I rarely sell my finds so if I’m wrong please feel free to correct me. 

If you really want to clean it, get a small glass container with a lid (something like a baby food jar) and soak it in mineral oil (available at any drug store). Do not rub the coin. Gently swirl the oil every two or three weeks and change when it gets cloudy. Plan on soaking it for at least 8 weeks. I have some coins I have soaked for 6 months. This stops any further deterioration and leave a nice patina on pennies. 

Chase the 3.4 amp charger does have two slots. Was not aware the rated output was split between the ports, good to know. Thanks for taking time to help. 

2 hours ago, Chase Goldman said:

No problem using the higher rated (3A) charger, the battery will only draw as much current as it needs to charge properly as that is controlled by the Equinox internal charge controller (will draw about 1.7A+ max). A higher rated charger (>>1.7A) won’t force too much current into the battery and will not damage it and will give you the quickest charge time and typically has robust current limiting circuits to self-protect against overheating. ML does not recommend the lower rated chargers at about 1A because their internal current limiting circuits are often a mixed bag (cheap designs) and they may allow higher currents to be drawn by the Equinox such that they could overheat.  Otherwise, if they do properly limit current to prevent charger overheating, the only drawback is the longer charge times as stated above.  Computer USB ports are typically strictly limited to 0.5 A and are usually safe to use for charging but of course the charge times will be even longer.  HTH

So, the 3.4 amp charger will not harm the battery but will not charge any faster than say a 2 amp charger. As my impression that the 3.4 amp charger was faster than the 2.4 amp charger was purely anecdotal and in no way scientific, I can accept that. That being the case then it seems the prudent thing to do is go with the 2.4 amp charger to be on the safe side. Thanks to all for the input. 

That is one nice coin. ??Can I take you to lunch?

 Great find Gary. I know what you mean about depth. The two pics below show a 1953 wheat penny I dug two days ago. For those not familiar with the Wilcox 202 trowel, it is 14 inches long and the penny was found in the bottom of the hole. 

The Nox manual suggests a minimum charger output of 1.7 amps for a charger but does not give a safe maximum output. I have chargers with 2.4 amps and 3.4 amps. I think the 2.4 amp charger is ok to use but concerned that the 3.4 amp charger might be too hot and damage the battery although it does charge the Nox  much faster than the 2.4. I have just replace the earbuds I have been using because I used a charger greater than the 1 amp maximum recommended (note to self: always read the users manual even if you think you know what you’re doing). So, do you folks think the 3.4 amp charger is safe to use or not?   John 

7 hours ago, RobertM said:

Hi, thanks for adding me.

What company is KCO?  And does this bag have backpack straps?

Kellyco is the company and my minelab case does not have backpack straps but does have a shoulder strap. 

That is puzzling. I wonder how it would respond in auto tracking. 

Thanks to all, one more piece of information in place.

Hello All,  I have not received my EQ800 yet (should be delivered next week) so I am trying to get as familiar as I can with the operation and control navigation. My question is: when you do a factory reset, does it also reset the personal profile settings you have made? If the answer is in the owners manual I can't seem to find it.