Goldpick

Coming from using mainly the XP Deus on many of my local 1800's sites, I purchased an Equinox 600 to compliment the Deus and to see how it would fare over the same sites. Whilst I am still learning the Nox, so far it has impressed on both depth and ability to squeeze some more targets from what is some pretty difficult ground due to iron contamination (plenty of large nails). Of particular interest was how well it does on the mid to low conductors (damned .22 casings), and in one case pulling an 1863 British penny, fob watch winder and a large iron nail from the same hole. Am pretty keen to re-visit many other local sites to see what other surprises the 600 can offer.

Too true - when the Explorer SE Pro and G2 were my main two detectors, certain parks I used to hunt had power transformers that caused all sorts of interference issues with the Explorer. Back to the car and out came the G2 - dead quiet in the same location. The only issue I had with the G2 was on outright depth in discrimination mode. It was my partner's main detector due to the simplicity of operation and lack of weight, though found myself constantly rechecking her marginal targets with the more capable Deus to confirm on whether to dig or not. Ended up swapping out the stock coil for a NEL Hunter as a compromise between target separation and with a little extra depth. The 13" Ultimate coil never got much of a run due to the types of sites I detect, with very restricted room to move for that size coil.

All I know is that my G2 ground balanced and worked fine on the wet, as long as you didn't make contact with the sand itself - though depth ability was always a bit questionable. As for the water itself the G2 would overload a be unusable. Also pretty sure at the time the stock coil ended up ingesting some moisture, possible through cracks in the sealant on the top side - don't think I was alone with such issues. I never used that coil again, ended up sticking with the Detech Ultimate, NEL Hunter and Sharpshooter for general use. I too really liked the G2, FT should have further developed and updated it beyond the G2+ version considering it was a favourable relic machine and could have done with more tone/audio options to extend its life. Would have loved a multi-tone version with 99 tones as on the Deus and some Nokta/Makro detectors (not the awful DP version as on the F75).

Also maybe consider the Detech Ultimate 13" coil, extremely light for the size of the coil and good sensitivity to small targets. Still lighter again than the smaller Mars Tiger which is 500 grams vs 480 for the Ultimate.

Also looked on findmall, and Anfibio owners quote the 11" round coil to be around 471-478 grams with cable etc. Note that the coils weighed were with the extra supports built into them, the obviously AF28 no longer has them. I did read somewhere only to expect around an extra inch in depth over the stock coil, though escapes me on where I read that.

Wondering whether this will help out on pairing the Green edition headphones with your gold racer.

You would think the Equinox 800 with the 6" coil and 40kHz (or multi) would come close to being sufficient for both prospecting and regular detecting duties, probably one of the best all-rounders out there. If you use ORX coil underwater, you will require the antenna kit for it to transmit to the controller (wireless signal will cut out when submerged). With an aftermarket carbon fibre shaft (ie. DetectEd), the Nox 800 should be plenty light enough for extended periods of detecting, and possibly be the better all-rounder for the sake of adjustability and waterproofing. I detect with the Deus and Nox 600, and I do not notice much more fatigue using the heavier 600 - just depends whether you prefer a straight or s-bend shaft. I'll let some other more experienced operators chime in on the difference on sensitivity to small gold targets between the two detectors considering I deal more with coin/relics. There do seem to be plenty of people using the ORX on this forum, just because you don't hear a ton of reports on it doesn't necessarily mean it hasn't been well received nor achieving good sales figures. Whether purchasing two separate detectors is going to provide an advantage, I'm not sure given how good these multi-use detectors have become these days. It used to be more of a dilemma due to there being more specific detectors for both prospecting or general detecting, though I think those distinctions are becoming more blurred with more capable all-rounder detectors, particularly with respect to prospecting. Detector development is always going to be a constant thing, and with both detectors having the ability to be updated/improved should provide some reassurance that they will not be obsolete overnight. Best to just bite the bullet and make a purchase, you can always sell up down the track should something more suitable come onto the market.

On our OZ Makro/Nokta website they quote the Gold Racer being compatible with the Green headphones on serial numbers greater than 6916, similar case with the Racer 2. Looks like only the Racers preceding the mentioned serial numbers run with the optional wireless dongle. Though looking at both the Race and Gold Racer packages, they no longer include wireless headphones in their packages/pro packages, just wired ones. I think the way they get around it is by offering the Ezy Wander wireless module as an accessory to enable the use of wireless headphones.

Despite being mainly a tone hunter, I still prefer to hang on to the remote just in case something goes amiss with the WS4 controller - just as it did the other day with an expired lithium battery after 5 years service. Sometimes I also use the controller on a second shaft and another coil for my partner to use, and I just stick with the WS4 and HF coil for myself (ie. 2 x Deus's). I too do not utilise the full suite of features on the Deus, preferring to stick to Fulltones (Hot)and Pitch for most detecting - I don't have any specific custom programs, just changing a few settings on the run when the ground/site dictates it. For me the ORX would be more of a sideways move vs an upgrade considering the lack of tone options on offer. The controller also offers the benefit of having the XY screen which some may find useful in the field. I learnt early on to not flick between programs, just stick to one or two and learn what the feedback from the Deus is telling you. Quite frankly I had to force myself to pick up my Equinox 600 the other day to start getting my head around it, something that is not always that easy when you get so used to using the same detector day in day out. Between the Nox 600 and the Deus, I do not think there will be any need anytime soon to upgrade to another detector/s - it would want to be a damned good tone machine for me to warrant an upgrade.

The Nokta/Makro wireless headphones are 2.4ghz, not bluetooth, so that may possibly have something to do with it. I saw something a while back about pinpointer interference on a Nokta/Makro detector, though that was via the coil, and not being picked up through the wireless headphones.

On the bright side, at least you still have another bucket lister coin to chase after, and be twice as excited when you do find one. Took me forever to detect a gold ring at the beach, ended find two within a few metres of each other in the rocks at low tide. Call it chance or just good luck, you never know what's going to come out of the scoop on your next outing. Best of luck Erik.

Pretty good spot for some great silvers Erik, though I reckon your "half sovereign" is more likely a Jubilee head 1887 shilling going off the design, size and oxidation (shilling = 36mm, half sov = approx 19mm). Still a very nice coin to find, especially when unexpected for the location.

What would be interesting is the Apex pitched up against the Ace 400, both in recovery speeds and overall depth on similar targets. Considering the Ace 400 has fixed GB, one would hope that the addition of GB ability and MF on the Apex would at least have some gains over Garrett's entry level detectors. If not, why - has it been dumbed down a tad to make for a greater distinction between a mid level detector and a future AT version? I know that we are assuming that the Apex is an entry level detector judging by its initial testing results, though pricing at least here in Oz is suggesting that it is actually pitched up against mid level detectors, and ones that we know will out perform the Apex in many ways. I guess it is something that annoys me a bit when some manufacturers do hinder performance on various models to create a pecking order in their lineup ( whether that be deliberate or simply due to lack of development of the platform), when they possibly could have offered more bang for your buck in the first place. Better to surprise your customers rather than serve up something luke warm from the outset - set the bar high and reap the rewards. As an entry level detector, the Simplex has a lot going for it considering it costs a whopping $420au less than the Apex in Oz, and Nokta/Makro detectors are also half decent performers on the beach for single frequency detectors, not to mention being waterproof. If the Apex can indeed be updated, lets hope things can be improved in due course, just as the subsequent updates for the Simplex have done so due to customer feedback.

The light weight, interface and MF ability on salt seems to be the standout features so far on the Apex. Doesn't seem to perform much better than an Ace 400 in a park situation despite being MF. Fitted with a larger coil for more depth gains is obviously going to have a downside of even worse separation in junky ground or in iron. Have also seen some pricing for Australian customers, seems to be pitched right up against the Equinox 600 at around $899 au for just the detector and a tad over $1000 with the wireless headphone package. I know which one I would prefer for that money, both on performance and features on offer.

A 99 tone option would be great, with informative audio that will allow good judgement of depth, sizing and type of target (tone roll etc).

You never know, might be a future release for an Apex Gold or AT Gold MF with a higher frequency and threshold based all-metal mode to replace the ageing AT Gold. Plenty of scope for an assortment of new MF based models. I honestly didn't expect to see MF from Garrett, was simply presuming that selectable frequencies was going to be the next upgrade on the cards for their mid to higher end detectors. Also have to question whether frequencies can be added or changed after the fact if the demand warrants it, or are they simply saving HF's for future releases (or not at all). Considering there is now plenty of evidence out there on the advantages on the use of HF's on iron contaminated sites, it should be seriously considered by Garrett as an addition other than for just prospecting duties, not to mention also for targeting thin mid to low conductivity coins in the UK/Europe market. Kind of puts Fisher in a hard position going forward for any future releases - how to counter a MF competitor in the US domestic market. Probably a case of too little, too late if nothing is currently in the pipeline.

Am really liking the combination of the large screen and S-bend shaft on the Apex, I wish the Equinox had another option other than the straight shaft (say similar to the Vanquish shaft). Just worried that pricing here is Australia will put the Apex smack bang into Equinox 600/800 territory considering the Ace 400i is currently priced around $725 AU. The Apex hasn't appeared on Garrett Australia's website as yet, so might be in for a bit of a wait. They mention the Apex is well balanced with the smaller Viper coil attached, might start getting a bit nose heavy once the larger coil options come online (as would be expected with the S-bend shaft). The previous Ace series coils weren't exactly the lightest coils in the world, hopefully the larger Apex coils have had a bit of a diet or they simply offer coils from NEL/CORs.

I have both the Equinox 600 and XP Deus with the 9" high frequency coil, still preferring the Deus due to more providing more detailed audio info. I'd say if you prefer going off target ID's, especially at depth you might prefer the Equinox. The Deus ticks the box if you like to detect mainly via the audio - more of a specialist machine for sieving through older sites with plenty of iron. Personally I'm not a fan of straight shafts (Equinox), and the lack of weight makes the two XP detectors more suitable for long sessions in the field. Would be good if you could experience the audio on both detectors as it can be a deciding factor for many, and whether you can live with them from day to day - can be a very personal thing despite both detectors having a plethora of settings and features available. XP also offer a longer warranty than Minelab, a price you pay for the Equinox being waterproof.

King George 3rd Irish Hibernia half penny, dated 1782?

Camo AT Max?😉 At least Garrett had the initiative to produce standalone and inbuilt wireless headphone/pinpointer systems for their detectors. Wireless audio has almost become an industry now, someone should probably make the other US manufacturers aware of that fact - got to move with the times.

Personally I am used to S-style stems, so more of a matter of just getting used to a straight shaft setup again on my 600 - I think the last time I used one was an aftermarket aluminium one on my Garrett Infinium. Ergonomics wise the only think I can really pick on is the lack of full rubber grips on handle, and the tendency for my hand to slip up to the control box all the time. I see there are third party solutions for this issue available on ebay for mounting just under the control box. Can't help but look at the Simplex to see that they had already addressed such issues on their control box grip with the straight shaft setup, very well thought out on the ergonomics side of things. As for the grip angles, I don't think you will please 100% of customers on preferences, regardless of the detector. Engineering wise the Equinox is probably a bit hampered by its battery location for some alternative shaft mounting options, whereas a detector like the Simplex has the control box and inbuilt battery independent and removeable from the grip. That could possibly allow for third party options for an s-bend shaft with control box adapters (thinking something similar to the MARS md universal/collapsible shaft). Also just one other observation, have you seen the Quest Q60 on how you can slide the whole control box/grip up or down the straight shaft using a camlock vs having to shift just the arm cuff?

6" Equinox coil.

The situation is no different over here in Oz, no immediate availability from regular detector shops or even Minelab's main outlets (probably only covering pre-orders). Though we have large camping shops here like Anaconda which do actually have stock, so obviously marketing them to the wider public hoping to get them interested in the hobby vs those that already own a more advanced detector.

The silver run continues with the Deus for 2020, same location with a heck of a lot of walking/digging involved. Did plenty of gridding over previously detected ground from various angles and managed a few missed targets, including the silver ring. The area is so large that you would never account for a majority of the targets, simply a matter of going for a wander and seeing what turns up.

Might have more to do with being a bit of a "niche" detector for a limited market and with a relatively high pricepoint vs being a mass produced detector where hype and marketing is never in short supply. It does seem that most prospective buyers are already closely following the development of the AQ, so I am not really sure what else Fisher could already add marketing wise except for some real world field tester reviews. There is also the matter of some manufacturers being burnt from over-hyping detectors without properly sorting quality and build issues prior to release. I could imagine in that respect that some may be a little more cautious on getting things fully sorted before ramping up the marketing side of things. Could be worse, Fisher could have completely held back on releasing any info prior to release - bit of a case of damned if you do, damned if you don't I guess.