phrunt

Note the coil sizes they're saying for the Equinox..... 12x9" Elliptical, 8x5" Elliptical, and 10x7" Elliptical, so if the X-Terra can run these along with Nox coils, can the Nox 900 run these X-Terra coils, if so perhaps I now need a Nox 900, unless they're also compatible with the Nox 800. It seems the X-terra has the best range of coils of any of these modern Minelab machines seeing it has its own coils and works with Equinox coils. Damn Minelab and their coil restrictions.

Geez, I didn't think my dissatisfaction with wireless would quite go this far, I wasn't saying they should ditch the wireless coil design entirely, I was saying instead of their "silly" antenna that people are running virtually right up to the control box anyway and doing all sorts of mods to make it suitable, my thoughts were it would be more logical to have a plug connector on the detector itself so you could get a longer antenna designed for the purpose that just connects directly to the control pod bypassing the wireless, they could even do a connector like the Equinox charge cable with the magnets and a clipping system to hold it on better in water so to not compromise waterproof integrity and they could even continue to use their little clip system for the antenna on the coil but make it multi purpose to have a coil cable clip on there too and go up to the control box, it wouldn't even need to be a thick wire adding weight so many people seem so paranoid about a couple few grams as all its doing is carrying the screen output data/audio is my understanding, no thicker than the existing antenna wire although better quality, I've read about the early signs of corrosion on the antennas already. It would be a tiny design change having a connector on the control pod to bypass the wireless in this way. I'm sure they can work out a good way to have a connector on the pod for this purpose without compromising waterproofing, even if it has to be a clip system like the coil has modified for the task. That would just eliminate the need for wireless transmission for those that don't want it and give a more reliable feed for people bouncing in and out of water, or doing tasks where the wireless is more trouble than it's worth. Ideally as Steve stated they could make a Deus II "heavy edition" for those that want a standard design detector that doesn't need to have wireless, it would offer cheaper coils that's for sure. There is a part of the market they're missing out on having this wireless design, they may just not want them as customers but I bet they do. The Dues 2 (heavy) could also have small coil support not needing the wireless stuff and brain of the detector in the coils. A Deus 2 might be pretty good on small gold with a 5" round coil. I understand people like the wireless design, I personally don't, It annoys me on my Deus 1, I now have to charge my coils as well and I can't go near water, I have some antenna thing but It's not going to happen, I'd rather use a different detector if water is involved.

I think XP should have made coil cables an option, they have the ability to let you screw on a silly antenna to keep the wireless working in water, why not let you screw on a coil cable too. Many wireless products have an option of cable as well, If they did that the Deus machines would be far more appealing to me. I'm sure water hunters with the Deus would rather screw on a coil cable than an antenna.

This is correct from what I've seen, I ran my Nox on 24 or 25 it's entire life, rarely did it come off that and I didn't feel the need to either except in the worst EMI environments but then I generally went to single frequency, as I was mostly prospecting where there was EMI, and switching from Multi to 40kHz was no big deal to keep the sensitivity maxed out. The Manticore is very different and I've done side by side testing with the Nox, deep targets can still be found on sensitivity of 12 with reasonable results, 14 seems the sweet spot for me. Cranking it up to 20 to 35 just isn't necessary and can in fact make the targets harder to find. I just don't feel the need with the Manticore to crank it right up, it's not how the Manticore works. At sensitivity 14 it's keeping up or exceeding the Nox on 25 anyway. I just run mine at whatever sensitivity level gives me no EMI issues at all knowing because my sensitivity is lower I don't have to be concerned about depth/performance.

Some people prefer silver, and some can't even wear gold, they can have al allergy to it, or the nickel in it at least.

Sorry to hear someone stole your identity, a bit sheltered in this part of the world from this problem it seems so doesn't even cross my mind.

yea, saw that from Minelab today, it is genuine, it did seem far too good to be a fake. No idea what Minelab is up to, they can't even supply the Manticore yet they're releasing another detector. Oddly too they released it to Asia first. But who's going to buy it? It would have to be pretty cheap but it's Minelab, it won't be. It's basically a Nox 600 without MultiIQ using the Vanquish type shaft. and a couple of bits taken from the Nox 700. How many people wander around using their Nox in single frequency modes and the Vanquish kicks butt because of multi-IQ. They should have just put the Vanquish guts in this thing and call it the Vanquish 640 and it'd be worth buying then. Vanquish is great on the beach and in the salt water with multi-IQ, this is single frequency with 5m waterproof! They just seem to be trying to flood the market with new models.

If you're concerned about such things you could just tell them to contact you for details for payment, I'd be more concerned about email than snail mail for things going wrong. The only things posted by snail mail these days are junk mail and bills 🙂 People don't steal mail to rummage though and try find someones birthday money from Great Granny Betsy anymore.

Most certainly, the 11" is the coil I don't need. Minelab don't price coils by how difficult they are to make, or how much they cost to make. They price them by how expensive the initial detector purchase is, the more expensive the detector the more expensive the coils. The Vanquish and Equinox is hard evidence of this, Vanquish coils are so cheap yet they're virtually identical to Equinox coils in how they are built internally. With a different security chip of course. Manticore coils will be significantly more expensive than Nox coils, it's just how life is as a Minelab customer.

Previously in my job in Australia I was dealing with this stuff all the time. Yup, just send a letter in the box with a copy of the postage costs and your bank account details and postal address so they can reimburse you, they'll probably send you a cheque in the post that takes a week to cash to annoy you 🙂

Yup, legal talk, they can never say 100% definitely as there are variables 🙂 Cases like someone has never taken their detector in the water during the warranty, their warranty expires and they go for a dip with it 6 months after the warranty is out and it drowns the first time in the water are the sort that are VERY likely to be replaced under the consumer guarantees act. Here is another little known tidbit.... Return costs If the business confirms that the product does have a problem, it must reimburse the consumer for any reasonable return costs they have already paid. Consumers should keep receipts for postage or transport costs so that they can be repaid by the business. And here is their problem solver to work out if your situation is likely to be covered by the guarantees act above and beyond the warranty. https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/problem-with-a-product-or-service-you-bought/repair-replace-refund-cancel/repair-replace-refund-cancel-problem-solver#wizardReportAProblem:1 If your dispute doesn't go to plan you can submit it to the ACCC for them to take over on your behalf and they'll work out is it's a suitable situation for them dealing with the company on your behalf.

How long the warranty against defects applies Warranties against defects usually apply for a set amount of time. After the warranty expires, the consumer guarantee of acceptable quality usually still applies. This means that if there’s a problem with a product, the consumer likely still has a right to a repair, refund or replacement, even after the warranty period. Businesses must not mislead consumers into thinking that their rights are limited to the remedies or timeframe set out in a warranty against defects. https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/buying-products-and-services/warranties You sometimes hear stories about Minelab fixing a GPZ that died a few months outside of warranty , this is why.... It's not out of the kindness of their hearts. 🙂 More often than not all you need to do is tell them you understand the consumer laws and you're entitled to a repair and they won't argue. I've had a dishwasher fail a year outside of warranty that I got a full refund for as the retailer was no longer importing that brand and couldn't repair or replace it. I have no idea about USA laws, this is Australia and New Zealand I'm talking about.

Yea, I've seen someone else have a similar issue and it was site related, some soil conditions seem to cause it, just be thankful it's not a GM1000 that's bump sensitive all the time 😛

Looks like you've got a little bit of black sand Erik, if I did that on some of the beaches here it'd be the size of a bowling ball dragging it that far 🙂 I'm surprised there is that much on Magnetic Island. I've always thought about doing some magnet fishing, then I thought but wait, they only bring up ferrous, I don't want to do junk fishing.

Rumour is floating around NZ that the next batch for here won't be until April sometime, so I was certainly lucky being in the first tiny batch which was 10 machines I believe. I guess all this struggle getting many machines to market means the alternative coils will be a long way off.

Is that Australian dollars though, most likely which makes it more a CTX coil price, sounds about right to me.

Me too, I just can't justify buying another detector, I think it's about it for me for buying detectors, I've reached peak detector, my limit has been reached. Detectors all seem so close in performance these days often there is very little need for another one. Following Quest with interest though, it's fantastic to see another company enter the high end multi frequency market, further leaving the old institutions on their last legs falling further and further behind.

I better check mine, I haven't used them and am unlikely to but I don't like being sold faulty stuff.

I will say one will be far more sensitive than the other, you guess which one 🙂 In saying that, one will cover far more ground than the other.

I concur, the concentric coil is the winner, while the stock 10x6" coil it comes with is great build quality and works very well and if you compare it size to size with other VLF's similar it is very good performing, but that 6" coil is a killer that in my soil can't be beat. I have yet to find a VLF I enjoy using more than the 24k with that 6' coil. I took a long time to get a 24k due to difficulties buying Garrett in NZ but I'm glad I did. The stock coil is no slouch. This photo was my first time taking the 24k out. I'm very happy Garrett is making the 6" concentric coil, even though I have two Whites 6" Concentrics for it I will buy the Garrett too and move it onto my 24k in place of the Whites, Garrett make very solid quality VLF coils. I took a while to come around to the 24k, I didn't think it would provide much over the other VLF's on the market but it's proven itself, mainly due to it's superior hot rock handling over the other VLF's.

I was having problems with a circuit board in my Spa or Jacuzzi or whatever you call them in America getting condensation on it from the warm air inside the Spa's housing, it was causing corrosion on the PCB so I was having to reflow solder and do repairs occasionally. I sprayed it with this stuff and have never had a problem since. You can also solder right through it should you need to. https://www.chemtools.com.au/product/our-brands/clearcote/clearcote-lqr-circuit-board-lacquer/ Clearcote LQR Circuit Board Lacquer Clearcote Circuit Board Lacquer is an economical general purpose resin conformal coating that provides insulation and protection against environmental stresses and factors. It offers excellent protection in high temperature environments, as well as during exposure to high humidity, shock, and vibration. Drying quickly, Circuit Board Lacquer leaves a clear and flexible – but tough – high gloss finish which is resistant to moisture, fungal growth, abrasion, and staining. Clearcote Circuit Board Lacquer has high dielectric strength and promotes extended service life and enhanced reliability for printed circuit board components and assemblies.

Minelab don't do pre-orders dealers do to secure sales of something they don't have. Minelab's not responsible for the methods dealers use to get sales and in this case they seem to be demonstrating that first hand. I understand why dealers do it, they need to take a list of orders to know how many detectors they need to order, no point buying in a heap of stock and not being able to sell it. A simple list seems good enough rather than money transfers taking place however the smaller the dealer the less likely they'll be able to pay upfront for the stock and end up hoping their customers still buy it from them knowing they've paid for the detectors already themselves. Imagine a small dealer now running from their garage or something, 25 people wanted Manticores off them but they took no deposits or prepayments to be nice to their customers, that's a fair chunk of cash, they told Minelab they need 25 and paid for their order, then 19 or their 25 people end up buying one at one of these big box stores as they were allocated the stock, the small dealer is now left with 19 Manticores that will arrive at some point to try and sell after the initial rush of buyers when sales have slowed down. It does seem however their allocations have been much bigger to big box stores than they have to smaller dealers and many small dealers can't even sell any at all or very few as they just didn't get them to sell, I guess we should see that as the future of dealers in Minelab's mind, they just want to sell the most detectors and the way to do that appears to be with large retailers, they want to deal with the warranty through their own service agents anyway so their goal is just to sell the most detectors. They are also trialing selling direct in a country (can't remember which one) so that may end up wiping dealers off the map too.

While I don't know about VLF coils the PI coils already have the conductive shielding paint inside them on the surfaces, it's connected via a shield wire to the detector. I would assume VLF is the same, actually now that I think about it, I cut open a Gold Bug Pro 5" coil some time ago and it had the paint inside it too. The conductive paint is used a lot for guitars for shielding. I've used it for shielding of metal detectors internals but unless it's connected to the ground it will not provide EMI mitigation. Read the ingredients of the paint. It is conductive, you can test with your multimeter once painted on. You can transmit power through it. You can read about the guitar uses here https://www.artisanluthiers.com/blog/conductive-shielding-guitars/ As far as EMI mitigation goes, from the Guitar website. The best guitar shielding method is to use either specially designed copper tape or specially designed shielding paint. The commonly overlooked but critical aspect of shielding is correctly grounding the tape or paint. If your shielding is not grounded it is effectively worthless.

That's the complete opposite to Australia/NZ. The dealer is responsible for any DOA issues, in fact the dealer is responsible through the entire warranty, they can ask you to send it to the manufacturer after the DOA period (usually 30 days) but you can say no and return it to them and they have to deal with it. In fact if a product fails outside of the warranty period, such as an Equinox coil ears break for example, if this is a known issue with the product and you have proof this is the case like lots of forum posts with people with broken ears you can take action to have the coil replaced, even outside of warranty. The recent ear upgrade on the Nox 700/900 helps build the case. Most people don't bother, but the option is there. So in our case at least it doesn't matter where you buy it, you have the same protections regardless of a dealer or a big box store, big box stores often just swap things out and are generally easier to deal with than smaller stores. Figured I'd outline it a bit for the Aussies and Kiwi's as the extent of the laws are not generally well known, and some stores even mislead customers of their rights although illegal to do so, many smaller retailers don't even completely understand the laws themselves. Our rules (both countries are very similar) Consumer rights are different to warranties Consumer guarantees are not the same as warranties, including extended warranties. Consumer guarantees are automatic and can’t be taken away. Warranties are extra promises that a business can choose to make on top of the consumer guarantees. Repair, replace, refund, cancel When a business sells a product or service that doesn’t meet basic rights, known as consumer guarantees, it must offer the consumer a solution. Consumers can choose between a refund or replacement when a product has a major problem. Businesses must fix minor problems with products or services by at least giving a free repair. Consumers have a right to alter the agreement with a service provider when a service has a major problem. Businesses must not tell consumers to take the problem to the manufacturer or importer. Businesses have a right to have their costs of providing a solution to a consumer repaid by a manufacturer, where the problem is the manufacturer’s fault.

The nature of the fault 🙂 They had little choice really, go to the ACCC with some evidence gathered up from forums of broken ears and the nature of the fault will become apparent, even out of warranty I'm sure you could win the case quite easily. Consumers have rights well beyond that of warranty.