Hello

When it comes to both the 600 and the 800 then you have to buy an external usb charger for the built-in battery it is not included, right? What kind of usb charger, do you guys use?

I couldn't bear to think about it anymore, I just ordered an 800, hope it will be good 🙂

Thanks for the info Steve and Jeff 🙂

5 hours ago, Jeff McClendon said:

Minelab will not tell any of us mortals what frequencies are actually being used in the simultaneous multi frequency settings except to say they are the same frequency combinations on the 600 and the 800 depending on what mode used.

I am a gold prospector, so I use my 800 mostly for small gold nugget prospecting and for relic hunting using the Gold modes.

Other than gold prospecting where the 800 is clearly better on tiny targets using the gold modes, I would not pick one over the other. They work equally well for me.

Thanks Jeff. Yes that makes sense, gold mode for gold prospector.

So you are using the gold modes on the 800 for relic hunting too?  Is the gold modes best for hunting relics? And only gold modes on the 800 as I understand it.

5 hours ago, Jeff McClendon said:

I own and use both regularly. If you set them up in 1, 2 or 50 tones with the same settings they will detect the same in Park, Field and Beach modes. If you try to use 3,4 or 5 tones there is a big difference with the available audio features on the 800. The tone breaks are fixed on the 600 so tone options are 1, 2 5 and 50 tones. Since the tone breaks are movable on the 800 it is easy to set the 800 up with 3 or 4 tones along with 1,2,5 and 50 tones. Volume and pitch are adjustable for every tone break on the 800. Only the iron tone break has adjustable pitch, volume and tone break on the 600. 

I use my 600 almost everyday for coin, jewelry and relic hunting. I do not agree with the post from the MetalDetecting forum you sited. The more settings for recovery speed and iron bias are nice, but for coin sized objects or bigger, the 600 does just fine.

For me, the biggest operational difference between the 600 and the 800 is the 600 has the simultaneous multi frequency setting which uses frequencies in theory between 5 and 40 kHz in the Park, Field and Beach modes. The 600 has single frequency settings in Park and Field modes of 5, 10 and 15 kHz. The 800 has the simultaneous multi frequency setting which uses frequencies in theory between 5 and 40 kHz in the Park, Field, Beach and Gold modes. The 800 has single frequency settings in Park and Field modes of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 40 kHz and 20 and 40 kHz in the Gold modes. The 800 also has the single slot for a custom program.

The WM08 module uses Minelabs proprietary Wi-Stream wireless system. You can plug wired headphones or earbuds into the WM08 module and clip the module to your front shirt or coat pocket and you do not have a headphone wire to deal with connected to your Equinox. So the WM08 gives you another way to have wireless operation.

Your information is out of date. The newer Equinox 600 should have been updated so that the backlight now has an Off, Low and High setting.

The 600 has the built in Wi-Stream transmitter for using the WM08 wireless module and the Bluetooth Low Latency transmitter built in for use with any compatible ATPX low latency wireless headphones and earbuds. I have a set of Avantree LL headphones which work great along with a set of Aukey B80 earbuds.

I would study the Minelab Equinox Essential Information area of the Equinox forum for lots more information.

Jeff

Thank you Jeff.

The 600, has simultaneous multi frequency setting for between 5 and 40 kHz, but just in theory? What does that mean?

I think I can do well without WM08 module, wireless headphones etc.

So you have used hte 600 and the 800 a lot. And both have found objects equally. Have you never come across a situation when you needed the 800 and you were glad you had it too? If so, in what situation? May I ask why do you still have the 800 if the 600 works just as well?

43 minutes ago, Jeff McClendon said:

Hi Hello,

I agree with Chase, the Equinox 600 and 800 can both be used very well for artifact or relic hunting. The Gold Modes on the 800 may offer a little more depth in certain situations, but the Park and Field modes on both the 600 and 800 will do very well on 3 to 5 mm and larger targets with a lot more features and information than in the Gold Modes. I would not hesitate to buy an Equinox 600 unless you want the extra audio features, wireless headphones and WM08 module and Gold Modes for prospecting.

The dealer website you referred too makes no sense, even in English. No reason to exclude the Equinox 600 from the Archeology category.

Jeff

Hi Jeff,

Thank you for your help.

You think I can do just about as well with the 600?

Sounds good. In that case I can save money and also buy a pinpointer detector, an sand scoop in stainless steel for picking up things from the water, in lakes, the ocean etc.

Have you used both the 600 and the 800 and compared the to them in practice?  And you've come to the conclusion that 800 doesn't give so much more value for the extra money?

I take the opportunity to ask some more things.

What is the WM08 module?

What about these arguments?:

"Coin hunters will find 800 unit more enjoyable due to having more ways to configure detector tonally per target of interest."

"Prospecting modes on 800 unit are not only good for gold. They are good for depth plus they actually give the best separation/unmasking performance in heavy iron and nails. Will take a user some time to get accustomed to. Trust me, this is no BS."

From post 17: http://metaldetectingforum.com/showthread.php?s=d4156c03e7a40a8c7a1640e8a13e9de7&t=270372

"Backlight on 600 is either on or off. Reports suggests it is too bright (non adjustable)."

What is the backlight of the detector?

"600 unit will get no wireless headphones."

Do I need headphones? Can I detect without them?

Thank you very much Chase Goldman, for the help. Very kind of you.

Quote

 

Is there no setting on Equinox 600 and 800 that makes it quiet when it finds objects? That it vibrates instead of sounding? Or that the screen tell you if you find an object instead of sound?

When I look at this website: https://www.guldstrom.se/sv/arkeologiska-arbeten I see that the 600 version is not found under metal detectors for archeology, while the 800 version is there. Does this mean that the 800 version is suitable for archeology while the 600 version is not suitable for archeology? Is that also a difference between them, would you guys say?

Thank you for the information Chase Goldman and Steve Herschbach. I apologize that I am a bit slow to take in all the information, as it is new to me and sometimes difficult to understand all the information in the English language.

When it comes to balancing and ground disruption, is that something that the 600 and the 800 detects and fixes for automatically? Automatic field balancing?

12 minutes ago, GB_Amateur said:

No and yes.

There have been a lot of posts here on detectorprospector.com (in the hundreds I'm sure) about how the Minelab Equinox works, and those include oscilloscope traces showing the transmitted frequencies of different Multi-frequency modes.  I suggest you do some searching and reading if you are interested into going deeper into this than what I say below.  Here's a good starting point.

Bottom line is that in the modes common to 600 and 800, multi-frequency operation is the same so should lead to the same performance.  That picture in the Minelab literature of the five frequencies, and all the talk about 3x and 5x only pertain to single frequency selections, not multifrequency.

The operator's manual for the Equinox (which is common to both and details the differences between the two in terms of features and settings) does a nice job distinguishing between what you get / don't get for your $650 (600 model) and $900 (800 model) USA prices.

Thank you GB_Amateur.

"Bottom line is that in the modes common to 600 and 800, multi-frequency operation is the same so should lead to the same performance. "

Ok, so it should be the same performance in multi-frequency in both 600 and 800. But what about the 800 using 20 and 40 khz in individual frequency mode , (instead of using them all in MultiIQ ( 5kHz, 10kHz, 15kHz and 20khz, and 40khz) that the 600 can do, but cant do 20 and 40 khz in individual frequency mode) Is there any advantage in that, that I will be lacking if I buy the 600 instead of the 800?

On 1/6/2018 at 2:28 AM, Chase Goldman said:

Yep. Beach mode uses MultiIQ only and as been stated earlier in the thread, both the 600 and 800 use all 5 frequencies in MultiIQ including 20 and 40 khz, even though the 600 can't select them in individual frequency mode.

So both 600 and 800 can use 20 and 40 kHz in MultiIQ. But only the 800 can use 20 and 40 khz in individual frequency mode. But what does this mean in practice? What are the benefits of this in practice, can you give an example? When is it necessary to use them individually? And what is the difference or advantage in practice using 20 and 40 khz in individual frequency mode (800), instead of using them all in MultiIQ (600 and 800)?

Besides Gold mode and a wireless phone etc smaller features, what is the difference in practice? Is there anything that makes 800 find coins and other relics better and other things (beside gold), for example?

Is there any important and essential feature missing from 600 that makes one risk missing an object that would otherwise have been found with 800?

I haven't read all the info about the Equinox 800 from the links yet. But I think I will boy one. Do you think it is worthwhile that I also buy a small pinpoint detector as a complement to it, like Garrett Pro Pointer AT?

Great information, thank you Jeff McClendon, Northeast, and 2Valen.

I think I will buy Minelab Equinox 800.

In Sweden it costs in total 10.990 kr, in us dollar that would be about 1180. (Using currency converter online)

Is it a reasonable price?

I have seen that it seems to be cheaper in other countries, but with shipping the price seems to be the same or slightly higher than if I order from Sweden.

Cheers 🙂

Thank you very much both Steve and phrunt for that information. And thanks for all the links, I will read them. Great info.

8 minutes ago, phrunt said:

Another vote for the Equinox, it can find gold just as small as the Gold Monster, take a bit more to learn to get the most out of it but those same options that make it harder to learn are the options that end up making it better than the Gold Monster for gold.

Then when it comes to the coins and so on that you're after, it loves that stuff.  Most certainly get yourself a gold pan, plastic one preferably, I like the green ones.  I found gold with a pan long before a detector, and a lot of the gold I've found with my pan would be impossible to find with a detector.  I am betting if you find your first gold it would be with your pan.

Hello phrunt,

Thank you for your post and your recommendations.

It can find gold just as small as the Gold Monster? Sounds good, but also at the same depth as well as the Gold Monster?

Sounds good about the coins. Does it go very deep and find coins?

3 minutes ago, Steve Herschbach said:

When it comes to gold study the geology and mining history of the area. This gives you a realistic idea what you may find. Anything else is wishful thinking.

You are fortunate these days in that you can have all you want in one detector. The Minelab Equinox 800 is in my opinion the most capable general purpose detector made to date, comparing to top tier VLF detectors at any task. This includes nugget detecting. In your shoes I would be getting it primarily to hunt for coins, jewelry, and relics, while being assured that you can use it to look for small gold if you wish. But in your location, you with the best metal detector, no matter what that is, and me with a gold pan, I know who I am betting on as having the best chance of finding gold. I say that as a person who has specialized in finding small gold with a metal detector for decades. I wish you the best of luck no matter what you decide. 

https://www.detectorprospector.com/forums/topic/7468-my-tips-on-nugget-detecting-with-the-minelab-equinox/

 

Thank you Steve, so happy to get advice from an expert directly, so I do not have to make mistakes I regret 🙂  I have heard the name Minelab Equinox 800 a lot, seems very good. Very possible that I buy it. 🙂

1 hour ago, Steve Herschbach said:

I think if you really want to find gold, in your situation you’d be better off with a gold pan. Use the right tool for the job, and this is one job where a gold pan is the better tool. With a huge amount of effort with a metal detector you may find some gold. In most small gold locations however you will come away empty handed. If the is gold that can be found at all, a properly used gold pan will find it. In a lot of ways a gold pan is a more serious prospecting tool than a metal detector, revealing gold in multitudes of locations where metal detectors would say there is no gold at all.

 

Hello Steve,

Thank you for your answer.

So would you recommend a gold pan for me to seek gold, and maybe another metal detector for finding coins etc?

If it is almost impossible to find gold with a metal detector, I guess it is best to have a gold pan that you wrote for the gold, and maybe spend the money on a metal detector that is better suited to searching for coins etc? If so, do you have someone great metal detector for that purpose you can recommend to me, that is good and searching deep, good discrimination, waterproof etc good things and fairly easy to use?

But apart from seeking gold from land and streams, etc. Do you think a metal detector for gold can find gold if you place it against mountains, big rocks, between cracks in mountain , etc.? That it might detect if there is gold a bit into the mountain? Maybe there is more and better chance of finding gold with a metal detector like that than looking for small gold grains in streams etc?

5 minutes ago, RickUK said:

I had read that getting a licence is both pretty hard and expensive and with alot of caveats attached as well,i can fully understand about them being protective of such sites like viking etc.You guys do have alot of interesting history very much like us here in the UK,although we do have some detecting guidelines that we need to adhere too at least we can detect.

Well done and hope you find a decent detector and find that viking gold hoard.

 

Yes that is right, and I agree with you. Thanks, yes you have very interesting things in the UK too. Been to England and Scotland, very interesting historical sights, nice people, interesting culture.

3 hours ago, Northeast said:

Hello Hello. 

For tiny gold in a stream I would start with a shovel and a pan.  Then if you are finding some pieces that are in that 3 mm size range you could whip out your detector.

The Equinox 800 might be a better option if you are also going to look for coins, relics, etc.  And the whole unit is waterproof for your stream work.  The smaller coil as an extra option would also be good for streams. 
 

The Equinox will find gold pretty much as small as the Monster will. 
 

The claim that a Gold Monster will find a 4mm piece of gold at 15cm - I think the dealer is telling some stories there.   

Hello Northeast,

Thank you for your answer.

Sounds good about the Equinox 800, coins, relics. But the Minelab Gold Monster 1000, is it not good for finding coins and relics too?

Waterproof sounds realy good. The Minelab Gold Monster 1000 is waterproof only partly, right?

Ok, so no big difference in findning gold between The Equinox 800 and Gold Monster 1000? If that is the case, then it sounds like The Equinox 800 could be better also if it is better to find coins, relics etc. Does anyone know if there is some good and reliable tests, that has tested the difference between them, when it comes to differences in finding gold, coins and relics etc?

I read under your picture that you are using the Equinox 800, but sold your Gold Monster 1000. May I ask why? For the reasons you wrote?

3 hours ago, RickUK said:

Welcome to the forum,is detecting actually allowed in Sweden ?? i am aware that you do require a special licence to detect and even then that does have some clauses attached on what you can or cannot do.

Hello RickUK and thank you very much.

As I understood it was banned before, but is now allowed to buy metal detectors because of EU rules, but you have to apply for permission from the state to use them, rather restrictive rules. You have to pay a large sum for every time you use it, you have to give reasons and only in a small restricted area, for a very limited time. Even if you use it on your small plot of land that you own, you have to have a permit or otherwise, you may be fined or, in the worst case, be sent prison for a few years. Crazy rules.

Sure, I understand and agree that old Viking tombs etc, should be protected and that some restrictions are good (but that is just sweeping reasons in my opinion), but as usual the Swedish state is crazy.

I have read that old coins, swords from the Viking era and the like, are being razed to be destroyed for all future because of the weather nature or so, but no private person can search and find them and save them for the future and donate to the museum, etc., but trained archaeologists must do that, but they do not because it costs money and The Swedish state does not care about our cultural heritage. Responsible for the cultural heritage is a non-Swedish person who does not care about the Swedish cultural heritage, a large number of objects from the Viking era, etc., the state has therefore destroyed and thrown away, because they do not want ordinary people to come over it. Unfortunately, Sweden is now a crazy country, I'm sorry to have to admit that.

Hello,

So I am a beginner and amateur, but interested in finding gold as well as old coins, old bullets from muskets etc, relics, etc with a metal detector in Sweden. I have many thoughts about this, which I hope you can help me with, so I would be very grateful.

I list my thoughts and questions below.

1. I was thinking about hearing what you think about the possibility of finding natural gold (gold grains, etc.) in Sweden in, for example, streams, etc., with a metal detector adapted to search for and find small gold grains?

I found a website that has an article on it: http://www.detektorist.se/metalldetektor-guld/

If I understand them correctly, they mean:

- The gold you find in Sweden unlike, for example, the USA and other countries (where you can often find the whole gold nuggets, unlike in Sweden where you find mostly small gold grains if you are lucky?) Is too small for a metal detector to find or almost impossible. It needs to be at least 3 milimeters for a metal detector to found it and may only be a few cm below the ground.

- And that gold is not flattened in Sweden, which makes it even more difficult to find.

- That gold is most often found in mineralized soil, which makes it difficult for the metal detector to get real signals, distinguish gold from other metal, etc.

With that in mind, do you think it's worth it? Or waste of money? Or do you think it is wasteful and almost impossible to find gold in Sweden with a metal detector even if it is adapted for it?

I am also interested as I said to find old coins etc. Should I put down the idea of finding naturally gold in Sweden, and buy a cheaper but good detector that is more focused on old coins, old bullets from muskets etc, than one that is most focus on finding natural gold?

2. Here I can buy in Sweden, "Professional metal detectors - metal seekers for prospectors looking for gold and minerals": https://www.guldstrom.se/sv/guld-mineralletning

The metal detectors for seeking gold is:

- Minelab Equinox 800

- Minelab Gold Monster 1000

- Minelab GPX 4500

- Minelab SCD 2300 Guld detektor

- Garrett ATX

- Minelab X-Terra 705

- XP ORX metalldetektor

- Gold Rush tour 2020 Australia

- Minelab GPZ 7000 Gold detector

- Minelab GPX 5000

- Fisher Gold Bug 2

- Garrett AT Gold

Would you recommend any of these?

3. I did send the swedish company an email and they answered:

"Without a doubt, the best detector right now is the Minelab Gold Monster 1000 so this is the one to look for if you want to look for gold in Sweden.
It also manages to find mineralized stones and it can differentiate between mineralized stones and solid metal.
It is also excellent for exploring in streams and streams and the search coil is waterproof so it works great. The GM 1000 automatically adjusts itself so there are no knobs or buttons to turn on but just "whip and drive".

You can find a really small gold grain -1mm in about 5 cm
A larger gold grain of 3mm can be found in 10 cm
A large gold grain of 4mm can be found in about 15 cm"

If it is true on detektoristen.se that a gold grain must be 3 mm in Sweden, then the Minelab Gold Monster 1000 finds a gold grain of 1mm of 5 cm, 3 mm of 10 cm etc., so it does not seem to be a problem? In addition, it seems to be adapted to find gold in mineralized soil.

So do you think it can work well to find gold in Sweden with a metal detector like Minelab Gold Monster 1000, or what do you think?

Thank you very much.