mh9162013

Great review! And bummer on the battery life, especially given how finicky it is to charge and how it can't be charged in the field, while in use like the Equinox can (although I can't imagine what it would take to design a pinpointer that can be easily used while being charged). The Pro-Find 35 has discrimination ability, but the ferrous and nonferrous sounds are very similar to each other...but then again, I don't have the best ears, so maybe it's just me.

My guess is that the boost setting might cause it to false more often. So by giving it a "boost" setting, people know it's not a setting they can rely on for most hunting conditions. This means less complaining from the customer when it falses.

Just to clarify, any old USB-C charging cable will work, but third party "fast charging" USB-C cables won't work?

So just any old USC-C won't work? Is it due to some mechanical modification they made to the USB-C cord or there's some unknown piece of electronics in their cord? Also, how does it "closing range" or ratcheting compare with the Garrett Carrot?

Ha! Now it sounds like it's pronounced like a mix b/w "deuce" and "dee-oose." Well, at any rate, it's not "day-us." Like you, I'm confused where the "day-us" pronunciation came from. Looks like I'm the fool to assume an American can properly pronounce a french name/word. 🙄

It sounds like it's pronounced, "deuce," NOT "day-us." TIL...

I liked the info about the bone conducting heaphones (BH-01). Although I wonder what advantages they have over "regular" bone conducting wired headphones (besides waterproofing).

I agree that if performance is everything (like Minelab "claims"), then I don't see the market for a SF machine except for extremely specialized types of detecting, old school detectorists (who'd probably buy secondhand, anyways) or the super-duper-budget-minded newcomers.

Honestly, I see them discontinuing it. But I could very well see them keeping it and drastically lowering its price. If they do keep it, I think it should cost under $200, but knowing Garrett, I doubt that'll happen and your price of $299 is more likely. And yes, the Simplex is currently a better value than the AT Max for most detecting situations. Heck, most machines are better values than the AT Max. I personally think the AT Max and AT Pro are some of the WORST detectors on the market in terms of what the consumer gets for each dollar spent. I'm both in awe and utterly disgusted by this fact.

See, I disagree. If we see a SMF AT Max, that doesn't have to mean the SF AT Max can't be effectively sold. I agree that Garrett may trim their SF line of detectors, but it doesn't mean the AT Max has to be one of the machines discontinued. Even if we see an amazing SMF AT Max that makes the Equinox look like a Tracker IV, the AT Max could still be easily sold. It'll probably sell for $199.99, but it could still be a great seller. Isn't it understood that after the Legend's release the SImplex will still be sold by N/M? I thought I heard that somewhere, but I could be wrong. When it comes to discussing obsolescence, I think people are focusing too much on what a machine can do without also properly accounting for how much it costs.

That's not the best analogy b/c you're comparing a single frequency (SF) detector against a SMF detector from the same company. This means the marketing influenes will be far different that a comparison of say, the AT Max to the Equinox. In your hypo, it's quite possible that, assuming the SF AT Max is still being sold by Garrett, the way Garrett markets it will be far different than the way they market it now. I doubt they'll still tout it as the "ultimate" detector. My guess is that Garrett would either discontinue the AT Max or start marketing it as a "budget" all terrain detector. I think at least a few SF machines may be around for a while, even if they undeniably become "obsolete." Just look at the Tesoros! Another comparison might be photographers that use film.

This is a great point. I got an Equinox 600 a few years ago and when I used it, I didn't see much of a difference in real-world performance companred to my decades old Fisher F2. But after a few years of detecting, the Equinox 600 compared to the Fisher F2 is like comparing a modern smartphone to a rotary phone. So what's my point? My point is that SMF still has some ways to go. There I was, a budding metal detectorist with a little bit of experience under my belt. I get an Equinox 600 and I'm like, "ok, that's it?" In other words, even with a small amount of experience, I still couldn't appreciate SMF tech. Imagine how the average "civilian" would react in a similar situation. This isn't to say a rookie is in the same boat with an Ace 250/200 as they would be with a Vanquish 440. But there's still a decent chance that without the right mindset, attitude and/or expectations, the 440 will still disapppint just as much as the Ace will.

When it comes to making a handheld discriminating metal detector, the Outlaw was probably my first choice. Heck, of all the Tesoros out there, the Outlaw would be my first choice. But after seeing what they go for on ebay, I felt it wasn't worth the cost.

I agree that using the Micromax (uMax) form factor from the Tesoro Vaquero does look sharp...😎

I understand the Deus and AT Pro might be expensive options, but I wasn't sure what you budget was. As for the Ziploc bag, that won't be as nice as a purpose-designed detector that's weatherproof, but I get how it's a lot cheaper. I wasn't sure if you needed discrimination and if so, how much you needed. But if you need a small amount, using a pinpointer probably wouldn't be a good option. Whatever you decide to do, good luck!

A few thoughts. One, do these units need to be extra durable or waterproof? I don't know how or where you'll be hunting, but being in tight and possibly damp quarters means getting at least a weather resistant machine might be something to consider? If so, maybe an AT Pro with the 4 inch hockey puck coil is an option? Or is that coil a DD? Two, the F2's control box is fairly big. Not sure if you've used one before. Three, how about a Deus with a specially modified sniper coil? More info here: https://md-hunter.com/sniper-5-coil-for-xp-deus-homemade-photos-video/ Four, how about a special pinpointer, like the N/M PulseDive or Quest Scuba Tector Pro with a special coil, attached to a separate shaft?

I understand how that attitude can be very annoying/frustrating. It's one thing to prefer Machine A over Machine B b/c Machine A has certain characteristics that someone wants. It's totally different to prefer Machine A over Machine B beause the user is just being close-minded. But to be fair, that attitude exists everywhere, even outside the metal detecting world. So I don't think it's a problem with the AT Max/Pro/Gold machines exclusively. I wouldn't use the $5 Fisher F11 either. But if such a machine existed, it would do a lot to get more people involved in the metal detecting hobby and make it slightly less likely they'll quickly give up and quit compared to using some $50 or $100 "beginner's" model from who-knows-where.

Same here. For the record, all else being equal, I try to buy products that are "made in the USA." But as you probably already know, that can be a complicated "definition" to meet.

Never underestimate the power of the "Go 'merica!" types. They are a powerful and influential set of potential customers, regardless of how much of their decision relies on reality or the perception of reality.

Two things. One, I wasn't speaking about just myself. You asked why anyone would want an AT Max, Pro or Gold (at least, that's how I interepreted your post). I gave some potential reasons that someone (not just me) might want one of those detectors. Two, those factors don't matter to you and I wasn't trying to say they should. We all have different things that are important to us, whether dealing with metal detectors or anything else. I'm not trying to convince you to buy an AT series detector. The biggest problem is what their MSRP is, not what they're lacking in. For example, if the Fisher F11 cost $4.99, we would all be singing praises about what a wonderful machine it is.

S-Shaft design Use of AA batteries Wider selection of aftermarket coils Better waterproofing Made in America (if that's important to you as a purchaser) For coin shooting in mild ground (with little trash) and for shallow coins, I don't see an edge that Equinox has over the AT Max. For coin shooting in a tot lot, the AT Max and Equinox perform the same or are so close to each other, I can't really see a difference. If the AT Max/Pro were priced appropriately (around the Simplex), then I'd say it's a viable option for many metal detectorists.

Is this it? https://www.autozone.com/test-scan-and-specialty-tools/molding-and-trim-remover-tool/p/dorman-help-trim-removal-tool/103001_0_0

I did some sewing myself to reinforce the belt loops a bit where they attach to the pouch. I don't like how the pouch slides around so much on the belt, though. But short of it being permanently attached to the belt I don't think there's an alternative.

Nothing special about mine:

That's interesting. The only time I got iron getting that high (or high enough that I thought I was going to get a coin, only to get a rusted hunk of iron junk) was after a rain, when my soil was moist/damp. And I was hunting with a Vanquish 540 with its Iron Bias set on "high." Actually, it rarely got into the 30s, but did get into the low 20s on many occassions. And on the 540, this was prime penny territory for me. You also mention how iron is a "constant attack" on the ears. But what targets are you gunning for? Silver coins, right? If so, those sounds should be much louder and higher pitched than the iron, right? Maybe it's b/c I am coming from a Garrett AT Max, but sometimes, when I'm hunting (for coins, most often) I'll be swinging along my merry little way and forget that I've pressed the Horseshoe button. So all targets are being accepted, but I almost don't notice that. And this is true even when the iron is relatively thick, such that I'm getting "machine gun fire" low-coductor hits on my Equinox 600. So the iron signals sound like soft thuds compared to the high tone of a copper penny, dime or quarter. All of that being said, this is one reason why, for now, I have F2 set at 0. I don't mind hearing the iron signals if that means there's less of a chance of masking going on. Of course, I don't deal with iron like you, but my point is that even if I did, the constant iron signals aren't that bad. But again, maybe that's b/c I'm coming from a Garrett AT Max with its overpowering low tones. And note that I haven't messed with any of the tone settings in my Equinox 600...and these settings are far more limited than what you have with the 800.