flakmagnet

Wow, I just checked the iron bias on all my settings. The majority of them were at 6. I am going to put them lower.

nice work! I am in the Santa Monica area sometimes and have had quite a bit of luck as well but no badges...

That gives us all incentive. Happy for you, and it wouldn't have happened unless you decided to dig. Great job.

This may not be exactly on point with the discussion but it's an interesting approach that may apply: https://www.minelab.com/usa/go-minelabbing/treasure-talk/dealing-with-bottle-crown-caps

The hardest part of detecting; getting the coil over the good stuff. Good report.

I have an Equinox and I don't have a problem with 50 point scaling. The tones seem to be a big key to this particular detector. That's not to say the scale isn't important but, at least for me, I haven't found it to be a hindrance.

Ha ha, I didn't take it for laziness - and I completely agree with working smart as opposed to wasting time and energy. Best of luck to you I look forward to your better ways, I am sure you will find them.

Lighthouse, don't be too worried about working hard. This is part of why I even metal detect at all, it get's you in shape. Don't worry about the physical side of it, it's the mental edge that tends to get fatigued quicker than the body and that's another cool part of detecting it helps train concentration and focus. Good luck.

sent, thank you...

I have been unsure whether to dig solid-sounding repeatable hits in the 2 - 11 range. After reading the discussion above, it sounds as though I should. I have been slow to understand that a low VDI number does not necessarily mean it is ferrous, it just means that if it is non-ferrous, it is a low conductor. Something to ponder.

That was an interesting read. I always appreciate the time people take to put down their experiences as they know these kinds of machines better than I do. My primary experience is with Minelab P.I.'s. I don't expect my 800 to surpass every detector out there. This is a fairly low priced machine that works exceedingly well in a host of conditions and holds it's own with many other fine detectors. I know from first-hand experience that with a little time and attention, I will not miss too much with it.

MarXthespot, I just checked. You are right. Thanks for clarifying...

I will check next time I am out...interesting.

Hi relicmeister, the case for a carbon fiber shaft is something I am familiar with from using PI's. With those detectors - as you probably know - it was less metal interference with the very "live" coil. For the Equinox I would think not so much of a problem, but I am only guessing.

https://www.rockwestcomposites.com/connector-accessories/other-joints?p=2

Low Tide, I can give you a description of what it was like to hunt a patch of beach that has sections of heavy black sand in layers. The Equinox had a lot of funny chirpy reactions to the black sand sound-wise but the targets (coins), came through. I tried turning the sensitivity up and it got more chirpy but it also increased the depth (went from 20 to 24) and targets sounded a touch stronger. I turned the sensitivity down (from 20 to 18), and the chirpy-ness was less but still there and targets were there too. I was running Beach 1 with some adjustments that mimicked the settings in a video Dirtfishing made for Park 1 settings. Which I find is a great approach to running this detector. Although I don't know this for a fact, I believe any detector would have had problems with this area. There were at least four distinct layers of heavy black sand in the first 7 or 8 inches. I was going to take a picture at the time and now wish I had, it was an interesting test. Hope that means something for you. Best...

Interesting. Where did you get your folding gizmo? How does it attach?

And many times the numbers don't lock, they jump around...

Wow, what a discussion. Here's my small contribution. I have detected since the late 1970's on and off. I have used everything from Compass, Garrett, Whites and etc. I am not technically adept but I do have a good 'feel' for detectors, and, this is a short way of saying that this Equinox 800 and it's Multi-IQ is for real - it is a powerful game-changer that is probably leading the way into a whole new branch of detector technology. I love it and it loves me.

An impressive performance by you and by your Equinox. Thank you for sharing.

I'm having fun too. I have almost entirely gone over to careful listening without particularly relying on the meter. I'm gradually learning the chirps and the tones that mean 'dig here.' Sometimes I miss having a bit of modulation on some of the targets but then I tell myself, 'get over it and just learn this detectors language.' So far it's working. This 800 thing works.

Great write-up thank you for your clarity. One thing I would underline is that nickels really can be tricky in the 12-13-14 area. This is where the listening part becomes critical. I have also found a relatively high ratio of nickels but would not have half of them if I had not decided that the tone characteristics made it worth digging even if it wasn't a solid 13 on the meter.

Enjoy, this gent knows what he's doing.

No worries, I should have gotten what you ment, but I wanted to be sure. Thanks!

Steve fulfilled what a huge number of detectorists had been longing for; a gathering place that shared detailed information, a site that allowed disagreements as long as they stayed on point and stayed civil, an outpost for early information on new products and how to use them well and most of all an energetic moderator who had earned the right to lead this whacky bunch of people who love what they do. Now it's up to us not to screw it up, and so far it's been great.