mh9162013

3 hours ago, GB_Amateur said:

Be careful setting your iron bias with the Minelab Equinox, because its effect and worth vary with conditions (ground mineralization, intended targets, likely trash).  But then trust the Nokta Makro engineers that they locked in a single iron bias value on the Legend that's optimal.

Someone, please help me clear up my confusion.

 

Iron bias (like what's on the Equinox and likely on the Legend) is a setting that can help or hurt you.

N/M seemed to take the approach that b/c of the harm that can come from misusing iron bias, they wanted it fixed (not adjustable).  Apparently, that has proven to be a highly unpopular approach, hence the recent change.

It's an either/or situation, ie they're mutually exclusive.

If I had to guess, I'd say for every 100 more-than-casual detectorists in the United States, about 10-15 are women or those who identify as the female gender.

A good proxy would be to watch the Garrett annual hunt videos. You'll notice that female detectorists are not rare.

On 2/21/2022 at 7:42 PM, schoolofhardNox said:

Show her YouTube videos of all the different girls detecting

 

Choose the right videos, though. Some are less about detecting and more about..."showing off" the star of the video.

45 minutes ago, GB_Amateur said:

I think I've read here in some posts that Iron Bias requires simultaneous multi-frequency. 

I guess it depends on on how how iron bias works. Heck, it could be as simple as simply adding or subtracting X number of points to a given VDI reading.

27 minutes ago, phrunt said:

You can't cater to experienced users and beginners too without compromise, do you want the compromise to be for the advanced users or the beginners is the question Nokta need to ask themselves.

N/M did ask themselves this question and they answered it. But apparently, they seemed to answer that question incorrectly.

N/M might be falling victim to the "when you try to ride 2 horses at once, you end up falling off both."

I don't think the issue here is N/M answering this question seemingly incorrectly. I think the issue is how N/M responded to the public's apparent desire for adjustable iron bias.

3 minutes ago, phrunt said:

Why would an option cause you headaches and make a detector harder to learn? You only need to use it if you want to, otherwise ignore its there and use the default setting, you only adjust it if you need to or want to.

Because many people have a tendency to fiddle with adjustments when they shouldn't or when don't fully understand what's going on or how the adjustment works.

40 minutes ago, DSMITH said:

question on the Iron Bias settings, how many detectors have been produced with an Iron bias setting in the past also how many detectorist have hunted using an iron bias setting

I am really on the fence about that one setting being added as to my knowledge I have never used a machine with an Iron bias setting on it, myself I would not know if i have missed something with out it or not because I have never used it, I do detect on fairly hot ground so will the Iron bias make any difference in my detecting,I have read so much crap on where people have talked about the Iron Bias till I have a head ache from reading and watching videos on it, Andy Sabisch has posted up a video on you tube that I have not watched yet explaining things about it so maybe he will shed some light for me but not sure 

My point is for those of us that have never used a detector with an Iron Bias setting is it going to cause us more headaches trying to learn a new machine or not

When testing my Equinox 600 on Monte's Nail Board, I saw first hand what a dramatic effect iron bias can have when a high conducting coin (even one like a clad dime) is placed next to a steel nail. So yeah, iron bias can be a big deal in certain situations. The problem is knowing when that "certain situation" applies.

On 2/20/2022 at 7:05 PM, burlguy said:

Taking a constant environmental sample away from the transmit and receive signal could go a long way in reducing this. Offsetting frequency is not nearly enough for most situations. I am sure its being worked on, in fact I know its being worked on.

Subtraction of data from white gaussian noise is how are cutting edge long distance radar is now identifying threats. We may see something similar where EMI is no longer a problem but a way of helping define targets. Sufficient processing power will be needed, perhaps we will see quantum detectors?

In my experience, EMI is never constant. Sometimes my Equinox seems to get blasted out of nowhere so I run it at 12 to 15 sensitivity. Other times, I can run 23-25 no problem. And I presume the EMI hitting my Equinox is different each time...it sure does sound that way, at least.

So maybe it's not possible to remove the constant environmental signal for a metal detector. Or maybe it is, but involves using tech that Codan/Minelab only wants sold to military clients?

21 minutes ago, phrunt said:

I guess in a way you get used to what you don't have so Legend users that switch from the Nox over time won't even notice they don't have the iron bias functionality, you never know what you've missed in the ground anyway.  New to Multi frequency users won't even know what the iron bias is or does so it makes no difference to them.   

My first car was a manual gearbox, I wanted it that way as I wanted to learn how to drive a manual.  In Australia they have two different drivers licenses, one for people who want to drive manuals and as a bonus they get a license for both anyway, and one for auto's only.  The perks to the manuals are obvious when you're a young chap wanting to get the most out of your car, as you age and mellow an auto becomes good enough and you tend to prefer autos for ease of use 😉  I've had an auto for a while now, I'd probably still prefer a manual but I'm used to it so don't care.

What Dilek is alluding to is their iron bias setting the Legend is locked into is the one they feel is best overall, the one that could be described as the default setting on the Nox, and for most people in most situations that is all they'll need.  In most cases it will help people find the most targets with minimal difficulties, the Automatic car.  

Some more advanced people may find benefits to having more control, the manual car and for those people at the moment the Legend might not be the right fit for due to this limitation.  What it comes down to is how big of the market are the manual car people they're not providing for?

One thing to note is iron bias only works on the Nox in multi frequency modes, perhaps the Legends multi frequency implementation doesn't have a way to benefit from the iron bias setting like the Nox does, could that be why there is the resistance to adding the feature?

We are now seeing fully automatic cars that even drive for you, if detectors get to that point I want one that digs for me as that's the part of detecting I enjoy the least 🙂 It better back fill the holes too.

I agree with you. It's the classic "adjustability versus simplicity" conundrum that engineers/designers often face.

I think one of the issues for N/M is that they painted themselves into a corner by all-but-declaring that the Legend is better than the Equinox. Yet they made the decision to give it an iron bias that worked like the Vanquish 340 or 440. Heck, even the 540 had iron bias adjustability (high and low).

Sweet find!

1 hour ago, Muddydogz said:

One thing I ponder is why is the trend going to a straight shaft. Now I understand that some like it but I see a lot of post where that seems to be a big comfort issue, me included. I sold my eq because I could only swing it for so long before it gave me arm problems. 

There's a soon-to-be-released carbon fiber S-shaft for the Equinox. And with a relative large number of Equinoxes hitting he second-hand market, maybe you should go back to that detector?

Have you ever sold a metal detector?

Just now, F350Platinum said:

Ok, what's the NoxBox? 🤔🤪

https://metaldetectingforum.com/showthread.php?t=294266

9 minutes ago, nickeldNdimed said:

He was even willing to make me a three piece iteration

How would that work, exactly?

32 minutes ago, nickeldNdimed said:

I believe it is as close as it can get and still allow for easy removal of coil connection.  Further away limits the range of the lower rod.  

That makes sense, thanks.

I'm itchin' to buy this, but I have to see if I'll prioritize it over a smaller coil (6" or 10x5 Coiltek). Then there's the NoxBox...

Great pics, thanks for sharing!

Question: the distance b/w the control pod and the "S" bend in the shaft - is that some arbitrary measurement? Or is there a reason the control pod is situated where it is? I just ask b/c I'm wondering how the ergonomics might be affected if the control pod is pushed closer to the "S" bend to possibly shorten the overall length when collapsed.

Looks rather interesting. I look forward to reading more.

But how can we use this calibration table to more accurately ID targets in the ground (or understand what's going on when our VDI numbers seem to be "off?")

2 minutes ago, GB_Amateur said:

Interesting.  Always a concern with post-factory mods are things like heat dissipation.  Typically an engineering design accounts for multiple issues whereas some of those things can be difficult to account for by later mods, even when they are known (and that often isn't the case, as we've seen with Equinox coil ear fixes, IMO).

Maybe the best fix for the Equinox water ingress is the Deus 2. 

Yeah, the heat issue seems to be the biggest concern. But this is designed for divers, so I imagine the heat issue shouldn't be a problem.

The heat issue is really a potential problem for prospective buyers like me, that just want it to help provide overall protection for the Equinox.

I've been monitoring the development of the NoxBox:

https://metaldetectingforum.com/showthread.php?t=294266

Seems like it'll be a great waterproofing option for those who like to use the Equinox in wet environments. The only thing holding up development right now is the designer's need for an Equinox that's in bad shape (or broken).

52 minutes ago, Carolina said:

My Tek Point is my favorite and they are basically the same I think.

They are; their only difference is the color/name on the outside.

Apparently, for very heavy detectors, straight shaft has better ergonomics. Also, a straight shaft design might be easier to make collapsible. But besides those reasons, I think it's just a preference thing.

I don't get the conversion of the Vanquish to a straightshaft...if anything, one of its best traits is its s-shaft design. But to each their own...

On 2/5/2022 at 9:52 PM, Jason-NEK said:

Indeed this is true that the prices have gone up on the Equinox.  There is a strong belief that this is not because of inflation, but instead that a new chapter to the Equinox lineup is about to be released at this years Detectival in September.  They want to keep the edge against Nokta Makro and their Legend release this year.  I don't know if you've noticed or not, but Minelab has dropped its patent rights to their Multi-Frequency technology and this is the very reason why the Legend is boasting their new one of a kind, "first true" simultaneous multi-frequency technology.  Now we all know that Minelab always patents their new processors and technology as its ever changing.  What is the next chapter for Minelab?  2022 release of the new CTX6060 or maybe the Equinox 2 to compete with Deus?  hmmmmm......?????

v

How does an across the board (or near across the board) price increase by Minelab "keep the edge" against N/M and its Legend?

I wouldn't be surprised if a CTX 4040 or Equinox 1000 gets announced later this year. But I don't see how that would be a reason for Minelab to increase the prices of its products now.

QED: I'm inclined to believe Minelab's price increases are mostly due to inflationary pressures, not greed.

On 2/14/2022 at 3:34 PM, GB_Amateur said:

Nokta Makro Nomads, Garrett Groupies, what's next?  😏

I don't recognize any of those people as posters here, but hard to know since there they use their real names (I assume).  I have my favorite testers here so I'll wait to see what (more) they say before drawing conclusions.

Fisher Fanatics, Bounty Hunter Backers, Minelab Minions, XP Extraordinaires, White's Worshipers, Tesoro Toadies...

Update: the TRX is a great pinpointer to use outdoors...as long as you keep it pointed down. Often, when you move the pinpointer so it's parallel to the ground or pointed up, it falses (EFE?). You can press the button to retune/detune it,  but it'll sometimes start falsing a few moments later when it's pointed in a different direction. Does this make the pinpointer unuseable? Absolutely not! It's still a great pinpointer, but my F-Pulse's stability and consistency has spoiled me, so I've decided to keep that one instead.

But when theTRX is used in the dug hole, it's really great and I see how the "detects from the tip" is very useful and helpful in narrowing down where a target is. The better ratcheting ability is also really nice...

So, the TRX is going up for sale. Glad I got to try it, though.

I store my 9V batteries in a Storacell holder: https://www.amazon.com/Storacell-Powerpax-SlimLine-Battery-Batteries/dp/B004YG7MKM/ref=sr_1_13?crid=ND6SAORBV8LW&keywords=9v+battery+holder&qid=1644891177&sprefix=9v+battery+holder%2Caps%2C78&sr=8-13

No worries about short circuits (especially when you insert the 9V batteries upside down, unlike in that pic).

Phrunt, you store (for long periods) your pinpointers WITHOUT batteries in them, right?