mh9162013

Phrunt, This is the voltage booster I'm using: https://www.pololu.com/product/2116 As for battery life, I haven't done real world testing, because there's no point given how I'm not able to metal detect as often as I'd like and how inconsistent and qualitative the observations would be. I could create some sort of "lab" set up to measure how long the pinpointer beeps and vibrates or something, but I'm not going to waste my time with that because using simple math should give a good enough ballpark estimate, which I predict will be about 50-60% of the run time you would get with an alkaline battery. I discuss how I get this number in my blog post concerning this set up in a Minelab Pro-Find 35. That LiPo cell has roughly the same capacity as these AAA NiMH cells. In that blog post I also mentioned a very slight performance increase in sensitivity (about 1-3 mm of extra range).

A while ago, I posted about a using a Minelab Pro-Find 35 without a 9V battery. You can read more about it here: But I wanted to run the modification with NiMH batteries. However, due to space constraints in the Pro-Find, this was not possible without modifying the internal battery compartment (which I didn't want to do b/c it would void the warranty, I'm sure). So instead, the Pro-Find runs off of a LiPo cell. Well, I got a hold of a Garrett Carrot (Pro-Pointer AT) and given the extra space for the battery, I was able to run the 9V booster off of 3 LSD NiMH AAA cells. Works like a charm! The advantage is that I don't have to worry about "babying" the LiPo cell and worry about storing it with too little charge or anything like that. Not much else to say, except show you the pictures.

It does help, thank you!

Thanks for your insight!

I have a few questions, to better understand the Vanquish. Some of these will be "stupid," but I need to ask anyways... 1. Exactly how is the inability to run single frequency operation bad? I know that it's usually better to have more control over settings and features than less control, but I'd like to hear how this is the case in real world practice with respect to always having to run in multi-frequency mode. 2. Missing variable recovery speed. Why is this important? Don't you always want recovery speed to be as fast as possible? 3. Why is the inability to switch off the iron Bias bad? Like with point #1, I know more control is better, but how is this "flaw" going to hurt real world metal detecting? On a side note: If the Vanquish lives up to its hype, it's only a matter of time before someone released a waterproof shell for it, like with 1 or more of the Garrett ACE machines.

Is it fair to say that, assuming the waterproofing issue can be taken care of, this is a solid salt water beach detector? EDIT: Based on my research, it will be. I'm curious as to how it will compare to the Equinox, though, at salt water beaches.

I've never had any of the issues Kac or afreakofnature have experienced. "Maybe I'm lucky, maybe I'm born with it. Maybe it's Minelab."

I have the Pro-Find 35 and love it! Depending on the object, it will start going off when it's several inches away on max sensitivity. Then as I get closer to the object, I reduce the sensitivity until I can narrow in on the precise location of treasure (usually trash).

Wow, I can only dream of a hobby of mine producing that much income!

The Fisher F75 series seems like a possibility.

If you want a new metal detector and want to stay under $500, the Equinox 800 is out and the 600 is probably out too, although maybe a vendor can make you a special deal if you call them up. I know of one in particular that can definitely get you a discount if you simply ask, although I get the impression most are like that. If you're in the military, Minelab has a 15% discount, I believe. That may be enough to get you the Equinox 600 under $500...maybe.

Keep us updated as to how they work. I'm curious as to their longevity given their relatively fast charge times.

What's your question?

Cleaned up the booster some:

Although a realistic and viable option, I refuse to use rechargeable 9V batteries out of principle as I view it as condoning stupid decisions made by company management.

I heard about the F-Pulse issues and that's one reason I stayed away from it.

Thank you for the kind words!

I know I've taken the hard way. Part of the reason I do it this way is to release some of my frustration at metal detecting companies who are still stuck in the 1980s.

If you've read some of my posts, you know I hate 9V batteries. I finally finished a working prototype of a 9V voltage booster so I can use a rechargeable LiPo in my Pro-Find 35. Here are a few pics: Based on indoor testing, the performance exceeds the stock 9V battery. If you want to learn more, check out my blog post: https://gadgetsoftheoutdoors.blogspot.com/2019/05/discussion-getting-rid-of-9v-batteries.html I was hoping to use loose AAA cells for this, but it would require permanent modification of the end cap and I'm not ready to do that yet.

Looks 3D printed...I hope it has 100% infill.

Chase: I interpreted the OP bringing up the idea of using a AA battery charger for the Equinox to simply serve as an emergency alternative in rare situations where there is no access to a car's 12v outlet or a conventional power outlet and the user isn't familiar with rechargeable LSD AA batteries. You're right, if someone wants to use a AA USB power bank with alkaline batteries to charge their metal detector (or any device for that matter) on a regular basis, they're delusional or deliberately trying to harm the environment and/or waste money (reminds me of "coal rollers"). I think for most people, a decent lithium power bank will be a reasonable method to have emergency power for their Equinox, phone or other device. I don't like them because I don't like the limited lives of lithium batteries (compared to high quality LSD AA batteries), I don't like how they're always a fire risk and I especially don't like how they're not designed to be stored with a full charge, i.e. keeping them at anything but a 35-65% charge actually decreases their life, even when not being actively used. Therefore, I like to idea of using a power bank with not just a user replaceable battery inside, but one that relies on nickel, rather than lithium tech. However, I understand most people aren't like me or simply don't care enough.

Makes sense Steve, and thanks for your input. I do notice your emphasis on the marketing aspect, though!

Are the Garrett AT series detectors (Pro, Gold and Max) that good? Based on youtube personalities, it looks like it. But after doing research on online message boards, it seems like they're "good, but there are other comparable or better options out there," a la the Equinox. How much of the prevalence of Garrett AT metal detectors on youtube is due to effective marketing and how much is due the AT metal detectors being that good? I'm not intending to start a flame war or anything as I eventually plan on upgrading my machine and I'm considering the AT Max, Equinox 800 or Fisher F75.

Based on my understanding of the device, the answer is no. It's not an issue of the AA alkalines not being able to delivery the current, but rather the device (charger) limiting the output to just 800mah of current (the typical USB mini cell phone charge is at least 1 amp, often as high as 2 amps).

A necro, but based on my reading, it looks like there is enough interest in using AA batteries to charge the Equinox for me to make a post. One possibility is to make your own AA power bank. I made one using this: https://www.adafruit.com/product/2030 I've configured it to run off of 4 NiMH cells. so it's delivering more than 2 amps of current. This should be more than enough for the Equinox, based on my online research. I use this with LSD cells to serve as en emergency charger for my cellphone. I also designed it to be able to handle higher current loads (hence the 4 AA cells), such as charging my PS Vita while I'm playing it. Below are two pics of the power bank I made with this Adafruit PowerBoost. It's not the most space efficient, but I didn't design it to be that way.