nickelNdimed

Nice. Where are the nickels? : )

52 minutes ago, CPT_GhostLight said:

It looks like they do.

Detect-Ed Equinox Lower Shaft

 

Thanks. I was curious if anyone was using and could confirm. The are out of stock a lot of places and seems like most I see get the whole shaft. The statements on Amazon and their site seem contradicting so not sure if misreading it or not. 
 

I want another lower and they Are not much more than stock and half the weight. If they work, I’d like to get one. Just hoping someone knows. I’ll probably end up messaging them. 

On 2/2/2021 at 6:21 PM, CCadrin said:

Where can you buy that cam lock?

Ditto.  Would be curious of larger and smaller size to see if it could be adapted to other detectors I have.  Thanks 

On 2/15/2021 at 4:50 PM, Raphis said:

When I bought my Detect-ED shaft for my Equinox, I bought a pack of their Coil Savers (washers).  They work great...I believe I used one black (thinner) washer and one red (thicker) washer on each side to prevent the coil ears from being compressed closer toward each other. My red washer protrudes slightly above the space it fits it.

Does the Detect-Ed lower fit the stock middle shaft by chance?  

5 hours ago, Badger-NH said:

I've said this many times but I'll bet they could easily design a modern CZ for the beach that would rival the Equinox on both performance and price.

Seems like they already have somewhat of a coil selection 10.5, 8, and 5”

maybe just need waterproof connections to the new box.

Why even digital and screen?  Maybe miniaturize AQ style, s-shaft and straight shaft options, coil options....  some of the hardware and design is almost there....

Something compelling..... price, I’m not sure about. They still want 800-1200 for latest varieties. 

Can anyone weigh in on what differences I could expect by using the recommended round 7” coil vs the stock elliptical 9” coil?

They are both concentric type, similar size.  Is it separation?  Better pinpointing? VDI accuracy?  
 

I originally asked about the little 4” and I think I know how I could use this one differently in a super trashy area. Just wondering on the 7” if there is a significant enough benefit over stock in parks, tot lots, for coins a and jewelry.  They are cheap enough to contemplate and I enjoy this detector. 
 

Thanks. 

Yeah, I was holding out before jumping into an Equinox hearing anytime now Garrett, Fisher, Whites would come out with a competitive multiuse, multi frequency unit. 
 

I may have purchased a waterproof Apex over an Equinox, Multi MX Sport, Digitized CZ and even paid a little premium over the Equinox. I was rooting for them to come out with something to my buddy finding cool stuff with his Equinox. 
 

But got tired of waiting to see what the fuzz was about with Equinox and . Made some good finds, not crazy about ergonomics (on a quest to fix this for me!). 
 

Anyway, still hoping for something compelling to come.  
 

Still curious what the price point would have to be for the remaining loyal to bite!  Probably hard to compete with Malaysia and Turkey manufacturing  rates....

How much would your pay for one if you dream came true?  
 

Price of an F75 back in the day, $1200?

Would it have to cost no more than an Equinox 800?

No more than whatever the future Nokta Multiplex?

4 hours ago, Jeff McClendon said:

The 440 has 12 segments of discrimination which do not line up exactly on the 0, 10, 20, 30 locations and although they look equal they are not : 50/12 = 4.16. So the three tones do not line up exactly the same on the 340 and 440 BUT, the US coin responses are the same.

Okay, I guess I was over analyzing it and the segment numbers explain it. I did not think about that. Thought they would place the tone breaks exactly the same. Weird, why not choose 10 segments... I guess it somehow allows some sort of notching pattern with 12 that 10 does not allow. 
 

Anyway, I think you have all convinced me the 340 savings are not worth it for what you give up. The Equinox spoils you with options (except coils) and I guess it is hard to give that up. 

Chase, it is a lot about ergonomics and maybe a little about just having something grab and go without thinking about the settings too much. 
 

I do already have a Simplex and headphones I picked up used and will try out this spring.  But yes, I feel the ergo will be same as Equinox or not much better. SP24 is basically same weight as 11”, very floppy shaft is a turn off.  Maybe I’ll change my mind after trying it. 
 

I’m also still thinking trough trying some other ergo options on the Equinox this year. 
 

Thanks again for all the feedback. 

7 hours ago, Jeff McClendon said:

Hi,

I have owned all three Vanquish models and the 600 and 800. The 3 tone, tone breaks on the 340 and 440 are exactly the same. The 440 just has more manually adjustable discrimination segments for notching, etc. The second tone break is right on the US Zinc penny and tonally the three tones chosen by Minelab make it is a nice, pleasing tone system. The 5 tone breaks on the Vanquish 540 and the default 600/800 are virtually the same which means the tones chosen for the US nickel and US zinc penny can form a very dissonant pair of pitches to anyone with musical training. 

On all three Vanquish models, the zinc penny seems to always respond with one correct tone and a couple of numbers (20,21), so its responses are more consistent and predictable. On the Equinox 600 and 800 the zinc penny response often is very wide tonally using 5 tones and can have numbers from 18 to 28 from my experience depending on ground conditions and the condition of the zinc penny. Listening to the 3rd and 4th tones on the default 600 go back and forth drove me crazy because of the dissonant tones Minelab chose which cannot be changed. 

If I just owned the 600, I would buy the Vanquish 440. That 10" coil on the 440 (and 340) is the perfect size and balances the Vanquish ergonomically really well. The 340 is just lacking too many features like the horseshoe button for quick iron checks and especially the pinpoint function to make it anything more than a quick grab and go detector. Those added features on the 440 make it a real contender for a full fledged, 3 tone detector that beats almost any previously made 3 tone limited detector on the market that does not have a threshold based all metal or boost mode.

If you have the 600 and do not have bluetooth headphones, the 540 Pro Pack might be a better option since the included bluetooth headphones will work with both your 600 and the 540. Otherwise, the 600 will out perform the 540 on moderate to high mineralization due to all of the Vanquish models having no manual ground balance. So the price you would pay for the 540 Pro Pack might not be worth it. The 440 price is a total steal in my opinion.

Thanks Jeff. Yes, I have August headphones already and want the 10” coil so the 540 doesn’t really call my attention other than the built in WiFi.  But I also have the August transmitter I use on my other detectors compatible with same headphones so not a deal breaker.  

I don’t really notch random things out and just discriminate in buckets so I think the 340 could still serve me.  Pinpoint is nice but I often find myself using the wiggle or cross method with the 11” on the Nox well enough to not use it. Interesting to also note is 340 doesn’t come with cuff strap, skid plate, rain cover or headphones!  But not even sure I care still.  

Some details are still unclear between the 340 and 440 however..

So are the illustrations for the 340 and 440 incorrect in the manual? Or are they only showing one possible representation for one of the various modes?

Also, is the “all metal mode” on the 340 not the same as hitting the horseshoe they also call “all metal mode function” on the 440/540?

It looks to me that the 340 the tone breaks are right at 0 and 20 where the 440 shows about 2 (like default field mode on Nox) and around 18 or so (zinc pennies lower range)

Also a couple interesting notes in the manuals:

Both 340 and 440/540 manual -

 “Note that the exact tone break positions vary slightly for each Search Mode”

340 manual (all metal)-

“The tones are adjusted to classify as trash common non‐ ferrous targets such as foil”

440/540 manual (jewelry) -

“Unlike the other Modes, Jewellery Mode tones are adjusted to ensure that fine gold jewellery is not classified as trash”

Is it possible the picture in the 340 manual depicts the jewelry mode tone breaks  for both the 340 and 440

AND 

the picture in the 440/540 manual depicts the coin mode tone breaks for both as well?  

So like you are saying, they are the same but manual just doesn’t show enough detail?
 

Then the all metal mode (340) and function (440) is the first tone break also the same somewhere after foil on both or is that only true on the 340 mode, making it different than the all metal function on 340? If they are the same, cycling through modes to get to all metal on 340 should be easy enough as there are only 3 modes, so really only one extra press.

So I’ve been considering a Vanquish model as either a backup or primary to my Equinox 600 to fill in coil size with 10x7 between my 11” and 6”.  Also perhaps to achieve a little better ergonomics for most of my detecting and then use the Nox for more detailed work when needed.

I like the price and simplicity of the 340 but I also like some of the extras of the 540 and mainly 5 tones which is what I most regularly run on my 600.  Studying the manuals a bit for details, it is not really that simple as the tone breaks, whether 3 or 5 tones, vary between detectors and even within the modes.  So it still won’t be “exactly” like my 600 even if I choose a 540 in regards to 5 tones or 3 tones. The 3 tones is even different between the 340 and 440.  So I vkeep going back to simplicity and price of the 340 and I even get the coil I want. 
 

Curious on thoughts from others considering same or actual experience and why your selection?
 

Also, I thought it was interesting that for a detector that seems to be more global, the Vanquish makes the coin modes favor the US coins?  Am I wrong?  Even with the 600 you might be limited on this as I believe only the first tone break is adjustable?

Those aren’t teardrop shapped but I’ll keep in mind in case of a washer shortage or another Covid apocalypse. 

Where are folks buying these?  Best value?

So far I have seen:

Individually for like a buck or so each

A pack of random Minelab stuff that includes a couple washers

The Detect-Ed washers that come in two thicknesses (most common search)

Are those the only options? Does someone sell a pack of just the Minelab washers?

I’m looking to buy a couple things from various sources and wanted to change mine out and have some spares.  Thanks   

The one for the F75/F70 is more expensive. They are not the same coil with different label?

Looking at Fisher/Teknetics coils is a bit confusing. Even with compatibility tables it seems like people still mix and match and use things not on the tables. 

Saw this while looking for something else. Seems like a good price?  Thought I would share here. 
 

Maybe it is not a favored coil as I’ve read it is heavy and not much deeper than 11” on the F75.  The F75 coil full price is $150 however....  so maybe not.   

$43 or so in clad that actually went through the Coinstar. 
 

Not counting rejects, copper pennies, and old coins and silver coins found.  Probably less than $50 total face value. 
 

I spent most of the time I had available chasing older coins and jewelry (digging trash) and learning my Equinox 600. I do wonder what would be possible just cherry picking clad....

26 minutes ago, Minero said:

Steve,

You sound like something is comming from them by buying White’s.

Can you give some head start? 😁

 

I’m guessing buying White’s customer loyalty. The manuals on their site is a nice gesture. 

On 2/11/2021 at 3:37 AM, palzynski said:

Yes a S shaft reduces the  tilt of the detector under the wrist, so it is always better to use a S shaft rather than a straight shaft.  

Concerning the F75 ergonomy I have tested a T2 a few years ago , although it has excellent electronics it weights 1,57kg without coil cover compared to the 1.26lkg of the Equinox .Even if the T2 is well balanced you have still the inertia of the machine to sweep that it directly related to the weight. So the T2/F75 is not the best choice in terms of sweeping ergonomy to my opinion.  

The Vanquish with a V10 coil weights 1.2kg , it has a good ergonomy with the light V10 coil ( 360grams ).  This ergo can even be improved using lithium batteries and carbon shafts . But the lighter machines at the moment are the wireless XPs Deus and Orx ( 0.75kg for the Orx 22 HF ) 

I may see if I can find an opportunity to try an F75 before I purchase one. 
 

The Vanquish may fill that gap in a lighter detector and coil combo for most occasions with the Equinox 11” and 6” as a re-grid specialty tool until I can maybe sort out the balance situation. 
 

I noticed the 340 does not come with arm strap or skid plate, rain cover or headphones which may be okay but a 440 may be a better value. I like the 5 tones and Bluetooth in the 540 but not the v12 or price. We’ll see what I can find and how the Simplex works out this season. 

On 2/9/2021 at 8:58 PM, CPT_GhostLight said:

What about something like this:

CKG Travel Scoop

I got a CKG like this but with a slightly smaller scoop to use on vacation to the beach and it works great for me and easily packs into a suitcase. 

How does the pole attach to the scoop?

Also, is it pretty rigid or is it flexy?  I think I saw a few reviews where it said it was flexy at the pole joint. 
 

Price is in the ballpark but I’m still leaning RTG Blade or Pro. I think more leaning towards the Blade model. 

4 hours ago, kac said:

Sorry Chase breezed through the post and missed that part. S shaft doesn't solve a nose heavy detector but instead moves the center of force a little higher up the wrist.

You could check out the full custom shaft system from Steve and see if you can incorparate one of the s handles from Gerry, he had posted a bunch of s shafts and where I snagged one for my SH.

 

Yeah, I’ve tried to mock up the counterbalance and  did not convince me to spend $150 for this concept. 
 

I have an SH and it wears me out from weight, like soreness from a workout but not long lasting pain. Some claim there is another effect to the s-shaft at the end of the swing, reducing tilt. I also think that it effectively moves the coil further from your feet with a lesser angle of the forearm, possibly reducing how much I have to extend the lower rod and reducing the lever arm length forward of the handle. It may be enough to shift the effect on my arm to reduce or eliminate he pain.

Anyway, just want to try it on the Equinox and perhaps try an F75 that is like the  Caddy of ergo to some. I may me disappointed and can always sell it if bought at the right price without losing much.

Heck the Simplex may feel better than the Equinox and I may like it.  I didn’t pay much more for it than a carbon rod...  

A Vanquish with the 10x7 may be the answer for most of the clean up work with the Equinox for the specialty and depth work with the 11” and 6”. 

I’m trying to make this first world problem fun to solve. 

36 minutes ago, GB_Amateur said:

I'd be up for that -- meet halfway at a town with a (hopefully unsearched 😁) park.  But let's wait for the vaccine to kick in (so hopefully some time this summer).

Yep, gives me a chance to get familiar with the Simplex this spring and put together my own VDI cheat sheet. Daylight is getting noticeably longer already!  Last year I was already out detecting Feb/Mar with less people around and nobody going near you at the parks.

On 2/9/2021 at 2:35 PM, GB_Amateur said:

I didn't see you say if you will hunt in/near water.  The Simplex is waterproof and the F75 family is not.

Update:  I need to read more closely -- you said "waterproof/salt not necessary. Although weatherproof is nice for rain!"

I can't answer because I've never used a Simplex.  I will say that I bought the top-of-the-line F75 but only use the processes that are in the F70 = Teknetics Patriot (Patriot was half the price back then).  You said you would buy used so maybe not so much savings (if any) between the F75 and Patriot on the used market.  Definitely some use and even prefer the alternate processes, especially the Boost Process.

(Maybe I should trade F75 LtD Black for a Patriot and some cash....)

 

I looked into the F70 and Patriot a little. That could be an option at the right price. Maybe provides some of the same balance, coil selection, and more depth than the F22 with similar simplicity. But yeah, the price difference is not that great. There is a Patriot in Ohio on Marketplace right now asking $225. Just not worth the drive for me. Maybe if the right deal comes along locally.  It doesn’t have the same grip or cuff either.  There is also the T2 I see come up for seemingly good deals and very similar.  

I see you are in southern Indiana. We might not be too far away from each other.  Maybe you can give the Simplex a try and I can try out that F75 sometime?   : )  Sort of like student exchange program for detectors. Or foreign detector exchange program? 
 

Hey, I see a business opportunity for this site and Steve. Like a detector library. Try before you buy, used detectors program. Small fee, shipping, and a review of detector required. 

6 minutes ago, Chase Goldman said:

Yes, that’s what recommended in the post above that you liked.   N&D says he considered it.  
 

BTW - if I could make a Frankentector it would be an Equinox in the Simplex form factor (i.e., with a normal sized grip without a battery cell in it), with a CF lower rod attached to a ML Vanquish 10” coil and F75 menu navigation and controls.

Or First Texas could take note, finally come out with that digital CZ multi and offer it in two forms:

Fisher waterproofed, balanced, non-wobbly shaft version and more feature loaded

Teknetics weatherproof, balanced, non-wobbly shaft version and more simple interface 

Maybe throw in some APTx LL compatibly and headphones options, coil options, Pinpointer option....  

Boom 💥 Repackaged old stuff that matches their marketing structure with some new tech for relevance. 

11 minutes ago, Chase Goldman said:

Then you should consider investing in a CF shaft with counterweight rather than a whole new detector.  That has made a huge difference for me, which narrows the ergo gap between Equinox and the F75.  Steveg who posts here and in the DP classifieds builds and sells a great shaft/counterweight  system for Equinox and it is still less expensive than a used F75.

Thanks Chase. I’m aware and have had that discussion in other posts. Nice product.  I’ve read the lengthy arguments and rebuttals. I don’t want to give up on the 600 and have mocked up and tried swinging it with a counterbalance but not convinced that and a carbon shaft will fix my issue. Maybe for folks with wrist issues but not really shoulder and upper arm I struggle with. 
 

Below is my 600 on a bike stand demonstrating  the counterbalance with approximately 1lb impact socket used to get it level. 
 

Also some pictures I robbed of s-shaft mods by other users that I would like to try as well.

Tightening up of the cuff fit is another mod. The Simplex cuff is a better fit! F75 my understanding is it is metal and you can bend/adjust to suit. 

On 7/14/2020 at 3:40 AM, palzynski said:

Ok I have weighted the 11in coil when I did the Simplex+ test  a year ago , then this gives the following figures:

-  the Simplex 11in coil :  480grams  
-  the 8.5                         :   480grams
-  the 9.5X 5                   :   420 grams

Comparing with the Vanquish :
-  the V12 12X10          :   440grams
-  the V10 10X8            :   360grams 
- the V8 8X6                  :   310grams

( All weights without coil cover )

btw the Simplex 8.5in coil should have been lighter than the 11 coil as it is smaller  .. Weird ...

Here are the weights from another post. Smaller coils not significantly lighter than 11” on the Simplex. Means the shaft also remains wobbly unless spend more money on carbon lower.  Not a huge deal but just details....