mh9162013

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.

There's so much to your question(s) and I'm not experienced enough with MIQ to give a full and detailed response. But based on my research and from a few hunts in my yard and local parks (as well as using Monte's Nail Board), here's the approach I take with Iron Bias. I leave Fe alone. I only mess with F2. Yes, any adjustments will be more extreme, but I hunt many locations where there's no heavy iron. Heavy aluminum, yes. But heavy iron? Not usually, at least not the amount or type of iron that makes me think I've got a coin. In other words, I'm usually not worried about digging up a rusted nail or bolt b/c it happens rarely enough where it doesn't bother me. Right now, I use Park 1 with F2 at 0 (and everything else "stock," although I'll ground balance and adjust sensitivity as necessary given my EMI). If I sense I'm digging more rusted iron or bottle caps than I'm comfortable with, I may move F2 to 1. If somehow that's too much of a change, there's always Fe for me to mess around with.

You're not the only one who was leaning one way, but went with the Equinox! Happy hunting!

If you found something (or did something) that couldn't have otherwise been accomplished but for the fact you were metal detecting (this includes what you did traveling to and from the hunting site), then you get credit for the accomplishment as a metal detectorist. 😎

Does that use parts from the stock Equinox shaft?

I agree. Not to say N/M is lying, but based on what XP and N/M have said so far about their respective SMF detectors, if anyone's going to disappoint, my guess it's N/M. Again, not saying that'll happen, but if someone told me either XP or N/M would underdeliver with the Legend/Deus II, I'd assume it was N/M.

When I refer to overpromising and underdelivering, I'm referring to marketing fluff, not legally actionable fraud or misrepresentation. I presume when XP says the Deus II is shockproof, there's at least a moderate amount of truth to it.

True. But you don't want to lose out on sales b/c you undermarketed a product. But you also don't want to take a hit to your reputation b/c you couldn't meet expectations. It's a fine line, of course. Also, keep in mind that overpromising and underdelivering often leads to more profits/benefits than the other way around. That's one reason why it happens so often, whether it's in private industry, politics or the dating world. Are you saying that N/M is walking that fine line better than XP is?

Me too! Minelab doesn't seem like the type of company that sits around and lets the competition fly by them.

But a company advertising something is "shockproof" (depending on the company) makes a difference. So yes, it's all about the build quality, but the better the build quality, the more promises a company can make in reference to the build quality. Perhaps the Legend is more shockproof than the Deus II, but N/M has higher standards before they market a feature in one of their products...I don't know. So I have to assume (for now), that XP explicitly touting the shockproofness of their Deus II means it'll be more robust in real world conditions than the Legend.

I just realized thanks to this graphic that the Deus II has shock resistance. I don't know what kind of "rating" it is, but I don't recall any other metal detecting company having that as a feature. I don't have a job or hobby that necessitates equipment or gear that's "shock rated." However, after using a G-Shock watch for 5+ years, I have come to appreciate that when something is built to be shockproof, it often means there's a level of quality and robustness that isn't present with non-shock-designed devices. Ignoring everything else about the Deus II in terms of performance, it's almost like this machine is the "Panasonic Toughbook" of metal detectors, which if true, would be a very nice bonus. It'll take a while, but I'm excited to see if the Deus II has a level of durability that meets or exceeds our expectations.

With all this talk about FT, I'm thinking more and more that I better get another F-Pulse while I still can...

If these bone phones work well, I will strongly consider using them. I know I'm missing out by only using the speaker, but I won't dare hinder my situational awareness by using earbuds or headphones.

They don't dress them in anything. They just use an AT Max, Gold or Pro (kidding).

With respect to waterproofing and coil ears, I think so. Right? I'm not saying the Legend is better than the Equinox. I'm not even saying the Legend will be more waterproof and have more durability than the Equinox (athough I imagine it will). But the Equinox is notorious for broken coil ears and leaking seals. Therefore, one of N/M's approach to promoting the Legend is to claim that their machines are better than the Equinox in those and other respects. So it's my belief that Minelab's motivation to bury N/M isn't coming from how N/M is calling Minelab out (using insults). Rather it's from the fact that Minelab may lose sales to N/M because of the percetion (and possible fact) that the Legend is superior to the Equinox in certain regards. EDIT: My point is that Minelab is motivated to take on N/M not b/c they've been insulted by N/M, but because N/M might pose an economic threat to Minelab's sales.

I think Minelab's motivation to fix any issues would come from competition from another company releasing a superior product (or at least a product that addresses the flaws in Minelab's products) rather than a competitor hurling insults. I could be wrong, but that's my thought process, at least.