diggindaboot

1 hour ago, ColonelDan said:

I'm a Florida beach hunter and I've used Minelabs for years...Etrac, Safari, Excal, CTX, Equinox and Vanquish.  I now use the Deus II exclusively for many of the same reasons cited above.  The overall performance on the beach is better than the Minelabs in my opinion....sensitivity at depth, reactivity/separation, customizable, weight, compact, rugged, stable in a saltwater environment and this one really is waterproof!  Minelab's current offering of coil choices however bests XP to date...no question.

Granted, the Minelabs are excellent machines no doubt, but XP has fielded state of the art with the Deus II...in my opinion and it's just my opinion based on years of using and now comparing Minelabs to the Deus II.

I also owned a Deus I years ago but sold it because it just couldn't compete with the Minelabs on saltwater beaches. It was a selectable frequency machine that just wasn't up to the challenges presented by any saltwater environment.  Now that XP has fielded the Deus II, that shortcoming has been overcome....and in a superior way.

But as I always say, that's just the view from my foxhole...your view may very well differ.

The D2 is getting very popular on the beaches I hunt. We have a lot of out of state visitors that detect here while on vacation. It's been surprising how many have the D2. Having both the 800 and the D2 is a good situation to be in, simply because most of us know our 800 so well. 

33 minutes ago, Aaron said:

Here’s another video demonstration using a really tough to disc rusty BC. From what I’m seeing so far, they usually ring up around 45, they are a scratchy but still deceptive tone. You can bust it up by whipping the coil. BC 2 seems the ideal setting if you don’t want to miss anything due to masking. Even w the nickel under the BC, in reject 2 you’ll still get the nickel, though the VDI will drag the nickel down to the high 50’s.

Now, the next thing is to see how BC 2 works w a lower conductor in the thin gold ring class….

 

Thanks,

Aaron

 

Your video parallels my thoughts as well.

Btw, I like the easy to listen presentations you do.

18 hours ago, Joe L said:

I’m not sure if there are others like me out there, but I imagine there MUST be. I am so used to my Fisher Gold Bug Pro that I wanted to give myself a challenge.  I purchased a legend. My oh my, I need to be a computer genius to operate this thing.  Now, I’m getting used to it and coming along, that’s one of the reasons why I’m parting with my Bug. I want to put all the learning into the legend.  Now as for the Deus 2, I would love to maybe have one some day, but my rocket scientist license has expired. Wow, I think you need a college class to learn that girl. I don’t even understand a lot about it when I hear you guys talk about it.

So my comparison, I believe I will be able, over a bit of time, to be comfortable with the Legend, but the Deus, I don’t think I can.

But from what I read and see, both FINE machines.  So just enjoy ‘em.   Joe

They all take time to learn. Some just take longer. 

The D2 allows me to dig less trash. I spent 20 hrs at my primary beach digging all signals to learn tonal nuances. It's fantastic. The latest update with the bottle cap feature is terrific. I love my 800 but the D2 gives more info via tonal nuances. 

On 4/18/2022 at 10:09 PM, Bud-sc said:

On the new v7 update for the D2 watch out how much bottle cap filter is used. 4 and 5 will make gold rings sound like iron or make them sound horrible. After each update I always test my machines with a piece of Zeiss glasses wipe foil. This time like no difference did the same. Did the update to v7 then reprogram all my beach programs. Then did my test always start with the foil wrap first. Got a iron tone and ID of 04. I was like this is not good. So ok what happened?? I went back in changed the bottle caps to 0 and took the foil went back over the coil sounds great and a ID in the 30's. So finally I changed the bottle cap rejection to a 3 and still able to get the foil wrap at a very nice sounding tone. 4 forget it!!!! Sounds horrible!!! 5 sounds like iron!!! So went into my wife's jewelry box got all her gold rings I have find over the years. All of the diamond rings sounds horrible on 4/5 bottle cap rejection. On a 3 sounds great!!! The larger gold rings no real issues but diamond rings yes set back the reject to a 3. 

This is a concern for me as I mostly beach hunt. I always used BC 5 rejection. I may download .06 again. That is the one feature that means more than the other upgrades for me.

20 minutes ago, midalake said:

Yes. I have been just as critical of Minelab putting junk out. 
 

Nope, not me. But I have questioned their left out testing methods. I was one of the first to be critical of the Equinox as well. I am still very critical of Equinox when it comes to EMI, and working in moving Salt Water.  

Incorrect. In the stock programs for the D2 with all filters off and reactivity at 0 it can not beat the Equinox in ANY stock beach program on wet sand.  Only after using advances settings does it appear to have par capabilities.  

I do not have distain of anybody regardless where or how they post. It was 5 days we tested the Equinox and D2 head to head. My review was at two beaches I hunt and results may not mimic where you hunt. [I stated that] My review is truthful and many options were tried. The entire focus was to identify deep nonferrous targets that will not TID on either machine. Nothing to be mad about Bro......it is what it is..........

While no one would be an expert in this time frame, 5 days is plenty to see what a detector has to give, and the D2 was out of modes and filters to try. 

The Equinox goes deeper in the Horseshoe Mode than in the discrimination mode on the Equinox>PERIOD. Apply that to the D2 however you like. 

My final thought: As my review states, there are places where the D2 will be better to run than the Equinox. You will have to provide a better rod and headphones. You will also have to fight the D2 offset coil in beach and water conditions. But you can buy a $25 gismo to add to your cost as well so the coil is center mounted.     

Nope, not me. Yes you. I know who you are on the other forums. 

Only after using advances settings does it appear to have par capabilities.  It's deeper on advanced settings. It's part of what you're paying for. I have both and have tested both side by side. I didn't have to borrow one or have a tag-a-long. 

I do not have distain of anybody regardless where or how they post. Your post on other forums contradict that statement.

The Equinox goes deeper in the Horseshoe Mode than in the discrimination mode on the Equinox>PERIOD. It does, yet, it's still not as deep at the D2. And, it will also annoy on a trashy beach.

It is what it is. D2 is deeper if you know how to set it up.

17 hours ago, midalake said:

I don't like it when we as consumers get less and less for our money. The Deus 2 is getting a premium price for LESS.   Deus knew this was going to be a water machine but provided at detector rod unusable in water [less].

Rather than the crappy headphones supplied, how about a cable included so I can use my quality phones. Or better yet supply something half way decent. 

This is why Deus has not earned my dollars yet. I refuse to apologize for manufactures shipping unusable junk. 

Yet in your pic with the Nox, you have a custom shaft and wired headphones. 2 necessary purchases because you got less on your initial purchase. Not to mention how many leaked.

You and some other beach guys have slammed every video that two youtube guys have posted. All while praising the Nox and the Excal. And, yet again all the guys with Excals have purchased new rods and had them modified. How much does the Excal cost ? Same as the D2. Maybe Minelab should supply something half way decent. No ?

In your comparison you noted the stock programs are near identical between the Nox and D2. Is that supposed to be some kind of deterrent ? One of the advantages of the D2 is all of the adjustments. FTR, I have owned the 800 for 4 years. Still do. It's been great for me on the beach and when I first got the D2 I was going to sell it. Instead I decided to learn it and give it a try. I beach hunt most of the time. I live very close to the gulf coast. Dirt digging is few and far between. I know for a fact comparing the 800 vs the D2 the D2 can do things the 800 can't. For one it's deeper. It's superior at finding jewelry in iron on the beach. Tonal nuances prevents one from digging so much trash. The D2 will absolutely crush an Excal in depth. In fact, the 800 will run circles around an Excal. I know, I've done all the comparisons. All the side by sides. Oh and the D2 is superior to an excal in dirt as well. Yet both are the same price though mine cost 1300, not 1600.

Your disdain for some of the youtube guys have weighted your bias. Hunting once or three days with the D2 doesn't make you an expert with the detector. 

Final comments. The horseshoe activation doesn't make the 800 deeper than the D2. What it will do is absolutely drive your ears insane on a trashy beach.

I kept my Deus 2 after all. Did the update and did lose depth. Downloaded again and it appears to be working just fine. Love the big numbers btw.

You don't have to use the large screen. It's not a permanent setting.

Curious as to why you want to remove it from the software?

Interesting video. In my dirt the beach program on the Nox is superior in depth compared to the other modes.  My dirt on an F75 is no bars or one bar. Really good ground in my area. I just can't figure why beach would be so much better.

Do you think the D2 is a better overall detector compared to the Nox ?

1 hour ago, Chase Goldman said:

What does your buddy think about the Deus 2, is he returning it also?

My first couple runs with the Nox were disappointing.  It's now my second favorite detector...

He sold his last night. Who knows, maybe I will regret selling mine though I haven't sold it yet. I did remover the paper from the box so I could see the box. LOL. However, I didn't open the box.

11 hours ago, burlguy said:

Do you think the issue you saw was because you nulled out the VDI range that the ring hits on? I am interested in buying it if you live in the States, I'm here on the Northern California coast.

 

I didn't null out the jewelry vdi range.  I have been watching videos and reading the manual for as long as they've been out. Since I mostly beach hunt I was very careful not to null out those signals.

In fairness I've never had a Deus 1. 

11 hours ago, Chase Goldman said:

What size coil?

11 inch coil. 

17 hours ago, Joe Beechnut OBN said:

1300 dollars is a good price. I'm guessing from a friend who is a dealer? Reason I say that is because I have a close friend who is a dealer and offered me a good price. Kind of leery of paying less just incase something with the warranty should come up..

Very reputable dealer. I've bought several detectors from him as well as connecting some buddies with him. He is a sponsor on several other forums. 

BTW, the D2 did arrive today. I haven't even removed the wrapping from the box.

2 hours ago, schoolofhardNox said:

I guess it's not a good fit for you then. Hope you don't lose too much on selling it

 

Fortunately, I won't lose. Grateful I got to try one out before mine arrived. 

2 hours ago, Bill (S. CA) said:

Hey diggindaboot.

I feel your pain but you need to relax  Everyone who has responded to your post says the same thing which is basically it takes time to learn a new machine.  We have all had the "I want to wrap this damn thing around a tree" moment with a new machine.  Gosh it has happened to me on every Minelab model since the Sovereign.  I recall how tough it was to figure out the flutey sounds of he Explorer.  Then the Etrac came along and the VDI changed.  I could go on with similar experiences with Whites, Fishers, Garretts, you name the manufacturer.  No high end machine will find you anything but frustration when you first try it out.

So my advice is to just take a breath and wait for your cool new machine to arrive & then give it a go.  I've been detecting since 1972 and I can tell you this is just how it goes with new gear.

Good luck and good finds to you!

 

Bill

The Nox has given me many good finds on the beach. I was hoping the D2 would truly be an advancement in technology. It's their first crack at SMF and maybe I should have waited.

Good luck to you as well.

3 hours ago, schoolofhardNox said:

I think if I paid for a machine from a reputable manufacturer like Deus, I would at least try it out. Don't rely on people saying good or bad things about a machine, just listen to them and then try it for yourself. If I wanted to showcase any one of my machines in a good or bad light, I could do that and some people would end up letting me make up their mind. I could make my 5000 out to be a coin monster at depth, (which it is) and people would love it, or I could show it screeching and pulsating due to EMI, (which it can do) and people would hate it. I guess the Deus II is going to be just like any other release. Some people in love with it and some great used deals to be had 😄

I did try it out. Used different settings trying to dial it in. Wasn't happening.

4 hours ago, Jeff McClendon said:

That is a tough decision. If you send it back unopened the dealer may turn right around a charge a restocking fee......

Anyway, the video linked above is another example of what learning a new detector is like (similar to Gigmaster's videos) and of someone having either: a lot of audacity/guts/lack of self-awareness , could care less what one thinks of them while they learn, or an example of someone that welcomes any help they can get the process. 

I have a test garden that can quickly tell me if a detector will work in my area. That is the first place I will test Deus 2 and I will know if it is an improvement over Deus 1/ORX and can get the job done on the soil around here in about 5 minutes. 

Saltwater beach hunting is a hole different story with Deus 2......brand new programs and settings and no body is an expert yet. I would need several hours on several different location before I could make a definitive decision.

Savannah Harps hunts a couple of hundred miles south of Calabash. There isn't much black iron sand on his beaches either. There is some gray mud and sedimentary rocks from marsh lands that discolors the sand.

I spent a good portion of the day with it. Tide was way out and we both used our Nox's for a while early in the morning. Started the testing and comparing. What CD got in his videos wasn't close to happening in real life for us. 

The screen jumping around is truly annoying. They need to address that in an expedient manner.

6 hours ago, Johnnysalami1957 said:

So what are you asking for it?

I live in a big city. I won't give it away. I will be able to get back what I paid for it.

2 hours ago, Sandheron said:

Can anybody explain this issue here?

 

 

I ran my buddies D2 while he used his Nox 800 yesterday at the beach. It's really not close. The 800 is a better beach detector by far. My D2 is coming in Tuesday. I paid 1300 dollars. I'm not even going to remove it from the box. I'm going to sell it. Very disappointed after having such high hopes. 

Xp will need to do something with how the vdi screen is constantly changing when swinging over a target. It's a major annoyance. 

3 hours ago, Jeff McClendon said:

The two threshold based all metal modes on Deus 2 with FMF tech and VCO audio are definitely secret weapons if one can learn how to use them. If I had a target on Deus 1 that was just out of reach of a discrimination mode, Gold Field would usually hit it really well in mild to moderate mineralization.

Now with Deus 2's FMF technology, not only will it probably hit those really deep, just out of reach for the discrimination modes targets, it may also give a really accurate target ID and a good indication of the target's conductivity at least. For sure it will scream on 10" coin sized and bigger targets as Gary's video shows.

Equinox Gold modes can function the same way and give good IDs if the soil is moderate to mild iron mineralization and the ground does not have tons of iron trash.

Question. I've tried using threshold on other high-end detectors, and it's not something I want to use. On the D2 can you silence the threshold while in relic program. Many have tried to convince me it's something I should do but I will never, ever embrace a threshold sound. 

12 hours ago, calabash digger said:

Notice what the manual says about air test...also what program ?

Isn't Beach P the program that was hitting the gold chain with depth ?

51 minutes ago, johnnytuinals said:

I agree hearing about how Cheaply the Nox800 is.

But wondering if there will be a replacement soon with the Anfibio?

I am sure the Legend is a good detector and a good price but would like to see if a Anfibio will be introduced soon?..............JT

I wouldn't think so. There are three models of the Anfibio. The Anfibio weighs 3.7lbs. The Legend weighs 3lbs.

11 hours ago, johnnytuinals said:

Would like a little input.

I just sold a New Nox800 and took a $60 loss.Because when I bought it in July 2021 thought I would be using it

but turned out I was kinda busy and Sold it yesterday.

But I was looking around and saw the Nokta Brand ,Never heard of them but after reading a tads I liked what I was reading about the Nokta Makro Anfibio.

Seemed like the price was right and it seems that its built in Istanbul Turkey(Better then everything else made in Asia}

I see that a New Nokta Legend Pro is out and Not sure if its better then the Nokta Makro Anfibio?But I feel that there might be a replacement soon

with the Makro Anfibio since its a few years old and seems every metal detector company are upgrading their detectors much sooner.............JT

If you are going to beach hunt, the legend is the better choice over the Anfibio. Nokta detectors are better built than Minelab, so you won't have to worry about build quality. Their prices are also better than Minelab's prices.

I prefer a wider range of vdi on dirt. On the beach, I like the compressed scale.