Monte

RR, that would have been nice, and they almost did. Dave Johnson made the Lobo SuperTRAQ and the microMAX (µMAX) Diablo. The Diablo was Dave's favorite gold nugget detector design and I really enjoyed hunting with it. Never could figure out why Tesoro discontinued it after such a short period of time. Likely because it lacked a Discriminate mode. I would have liked the Lobo ST even in the Tejón's physical design. Of the two models, I enjoyed the Lobo SuperTRAQ more, and had no practical use for the dual-Disc. of the Tejón. An attempt to compete with the Fisher 1200 series .... about the time Fisher realized it wasn't so good and got away from it. But if they could-have done an LST in a µMAX package, it sure would have made the longer-day hunts a lot more enjoyable and comfortable. Monte

Getting to understand Tesoro's, or any make and model detector, and differences in the terminology and design and unction can take some time. Especially if you really want to get to know them well. Here, you're talking about the Tejón and Lobo SuperTRAQ. What they have in common is that they were made by the same manufacturer and they share the same search coils. What they have different, among other things, is they were from different design engineers and used different Discrimination circuitry ranges, and also different Ground Balance designs for their two search modes: Threshold-based All Metal and silent-search motion Discrimination. The Lobo SuperTRAQ was design by Dave Johnson and the two modes are independent of each other The true All Metal mode relies on an auto-tracking GB, while the silent-search Disc. mode Ground Balance is preset internally. Also, Dave's Discrimination design is what Tesoro calls an ED-180 of All Metal Accept setting that is very sensitive and reactive to all ferrous-range targets at the minimum Disc. setting. So much so that it can even be reactive to the ground mineral make-up and require a lower-end Disc. setting to quiet it down. The Tejón was designed by Jack Gifford, and the variable GB control for the threshold-based All Metal mode is also utilized by the silent-search Discriminate circuitry. But keep in mind that most Tesoro models have a somewhat positive off-set from the All Metal mode's GB. That means that is the All Metal mode have a spot-on GB, the Disc. mode's GB reference is going to be a bit positive. If you adjust the GB in the silent-search Disc. mode for peak performance, or what would be close to 'spot-on', then the All Metal / Pinpoint mode's GB is going to be somewhat negative. Generally it is still very useable due to the auto-tune in the All Metal mode If the GB is set too positive, that can have a negative impact on the detection ability of the Discriminate mode, and since I hunt in the Disc. mode most of the tie, I prefer to have the best Disc. mode GB. Therefore, I will adjust to very slightly negative in All Metal and double-check in the Disc. mode to make sure I am not too negative such that there is falsing when I bob the search coil over dirt. Then we get to the Discriminate mode adjustment range and we note two things: 1.. There is no separate selector, such as a toggle switch, to select the conventional All Metal mode and it is a 'clicked' access at the fully counter-clockwise end of the primary Disc. control. The Disc. control and Alt. Disc. control are both matching in what their adjustment ranges should be, and w note that at the fully counter-clockwise setting, both of these are labeled 'All Metal.' That implies they are using the full-range ED-180 Discriminate Range of acceptance, but from testing I did very early on, and a Discussion with Jack about the Disc. ranges used on several different models, it is very close to accepting all ferrous and non-ferrous targets, but maybe not quite a full-range of acceptance. 2.. The Tejón is a good responder to coin-size targets throughout the range of acceptance, but the reactivity or responsiveness to tiny-sized targets such as very small gold nuggets or lead BB's /shot is not on the same level as that of some other detectors .... to include their own Lobo SuperTRAQ. I don't believe the Tejón Disc. adjusts as low as the Lobo ST. Simply two different detectors and circuitry designs, thus different in-the-field results. Monte

I received my first Vanquish 540 on a Monday, and went to work evaluating the three factory default programs while confirming the inbred glitches. I took it out hunting a bit before dark, and hunted with it the next day and settled on what factory modes I liked, how they behaved, and got comfortable with the Vanquish 540's 5-Tone audio ID. I mainly preferred the Jewelry mode (our normal USA spelling) for most site work where it was 'busier', and the Relic mode for open-area searches. Having 2 of the Vanquish 540's I keep a 9X12 DD mounted on one unit, and that 'Custom' program was saved by setting my Disc. Accept segments in the Relic mode so it retains the designed behavior of that mode. The other, and most-used, V-540 keeps the excellent 5X8 DD coil attached, and that 'Custom' program was based on the Jewelry mode and Accepting all notch segments except the first two. I use the 'Custom'-saved Jewelry mode for the bulk of my hunting with that 5X8 DD coil. And I tinkered with the EQ-800 in 5-Ton like the V-540 and spent more than enough time trying to duplicate the V-540's behavior. I couldn't match it, and I don't care for a lot of tinkering around with settings. The Vanquish 540 was working well, and after messing with the Equinox 800 enough, I feel the V-540 was still working as well or better. Heavy on the "or better" feeling where I hunt.. Monte

Check out my 'Gear Used:' listing and you'll note that I do still have my 2 Vanquish 540's, but have eliminated the Equinox 800. I bought two of the V-50 Pro Packs and I keep a 9X12 DD mounted on one V-540 for open-area searches such as a plowed fields or pastureland, and the most-used V-540 uses the 5X8 DD that I really like. I think you are correct that is someone has the upscale EQ-800 and enjoys it, they might not have much interest in the Vanquish series. I'm different, and it has nothing to do with financial ability, either. I'm now two months into my 56th year of detecting, avidly, and I keep an 'Outfit' of detectors that I have used and determined they make a very good 'fit' for me and the types of places I spend most of my search-time. Other than my selected regular-Use Detector team I do have a few other makes and models from days, yeas and decades gone-by. One dating to the latter 1960's, and a couple that were favorites in the '70s and early '80s as well. I mainly use them in seminars and other demonstrations because they all work like they did way-back then. I even use them when evaluating all of the most current, up-to-date models, and that can get more interesting than many might imagine. No 'perfect' detector made, but I'll agree with you, again, that the Vanquish 540 can hold-its own, especially in the majority of hunt sites when compared with the other Multi-IQ concept, the Equinox series. Monte

The little emoticon character is labeled as 'wacko' and I know I'm not that. Not crazy, either, but my good hunting buddy keeps telling me to get rid of the Vanquish models because they just are not as-good-as some better models for seriously dense and challenging Iron Nail contaminated sites. He really likes the physical packaging and comfort / feel of the V-540, and also likes the looks of the 5X8 DD coil as I do. he just has a mental block about the Minelab stuff and the over-hype about SMF / Multi-IQ detectors. He is not an urban Coin Hunter so doesn't consider some of those strengths we might enjoy with some detector makes / models. Monte

I just knew my 40-45 minute statement was going to get a response, but rest assured, I am not !! I have a few (very few) friends who own and use an Equinox 800, but none of them rely on it as a primary-use or full-time detector choice. it is simply one of several detectors they own, and each have their reasons for when and where they favor the Equinox. Two of my friends who know me and the types of sites I hunt the most and the vicious iron debris I'm confronted with told me they didn't think I would like the Equinox 800. They know what I use and how well it works. Going back a couple of years to when the Equinox 800 first got in their hands I was able to do some casual comparisons in-the-field, and I borrowed a couple to use, briefly, at a few hunt sites. I rely on my favorite Single Frequency Nokta CoRe and Relic and Simplex +, as well as Tesoro Bandido II µMAX and a couple of others. A couple of months ago I bought a Minelab Vanquish 540 Pro Pack, a week after it arrived I ordered a 2nd Vanquish 540 Pro Pack. I keep each unit equipped with the two different-size coils, and for what they are and how their Multi-IQ works, they have been handling certain needs I have just fine and are a good part of my Detector Team. Then, on April 9th, I bought the Equinox 800 w/6" DD coil and lower rod. I spent 7 or 8 days here at my home evaluating the EQ-800 and comparing it against my CoRe, Relic, V-540, Simplex + and Bandido II µMAX and a couple of other models. I used the factory default settings, and then some that were referred to me by other Relic Hunters. Then I made a few adjustments myself to come close to duplicating the Vanquish 540 Jewelry and Relic modes and the Disc. settings I like. I liked the weight and balance, and I do like the 6" DD coil for the trashier and brushier environments I hunt. in some cases, I liked the performance. But overall, after taking it to a challenging ghost town and hunting a known path or trails through the sage brush, I worked it for 40-45 minutes. I made it a point to mark some questionable signal spots, and I eyeballed a lot of rusty tin from small shards to can lids to bigger hunks of Iron trash to check out how the EQ-800 handled them. That stroll got me back to my vehicle and I put the EQ-800 in the back and got out my Vanquish 540 w/5X8 DD. The Vanquish has a 5-Tone ID audio and I used the EQ-800 in 5-Tone, then double-checked located targets in 1-Tone, 2-Tone, and the one I really don't care for, 50-Tone. I walked the same trail and checked the marked signal spots and evaluated the audio behavior on all the different visible rusty tin. I also recovered some targets that the V-540 hit on where the EQ-800 didn't provide a response, and that told me something as well. Then I went on about hunting the ghost town using my preferred Iron Nail contaminated site favorite models. I had already made some comparisons at home using my test Bead of the 11" DD on the EQ-800 and 9X12 DD on the V-540 for those infrequent times I might want a larger-size coil. So now with a little 40-45 minutes field-time with a direct comparisons of what I was looking for in performance ability and performance differences, I had my mind made up. I simply didn't need the EQ-800 and extras in my Detector Outfit. It's a very good detector, and I do like the 6" DD coil, but there just isn't a spot for it to make a nice 'fit' on my Team of detectors, so I'll let this pristine condition beauty help someone else get out and enjoy Minelab's Multi-IQ experience. Monte

I've been thinning out several detectors, but I have a few that are my "all-around' and "go-to" detectors, and the Equinox 800 isn't one of them. I only used it 40-45 minutes and preferred the rest of my Detector Outfit and listed the EQ-800 yesterday here on Steve's Classifieds. Just not the detector for me. Monte

1.. The 'Mute' function can be likable and useful, too, if you have EMI issues. I don't. I use my Makro Pointer and now my new Pulse-Dive Pinpointer and there are no EMI issues with either of them.; 2.. In my case, I had the Simplex + since last November and have enjoyed using it, even though limited by the big 11" DD coil. I need smaller-size coils for the trashier sites I hunt most of the time. But I was curious about the Vanquish 540 Pro pack with the two coils and added accessories and, anticipating an issue or two, I still ordered a new V-540 Pro pack. I was right, it has a glitch, but it can easily be worked around. I was so impressed by what the V-540 provides that a week after getting one I bought a 2nd V-540 Pro Pack. Now I keep each of the coils mounted and ready to grab-and-hunt. The bulk of my hunting, however, is with the 5X8 DD in my Custom settings choice. I then bought an EQ-800 and I prefer the V-540's so the Equinox will be sold. The two Vanquish units are a complement to my Detector Outfit of two dedicated Relic Hunting models from Nokta, the Simplex + and two favorite Tesoro's. 3.. I've owned just about every Nokta and Makro model since I got my FORS CoRe in January of '15 and some were very good, but fell short of what I want and need, especially in the performance-afield category. For dedicated hunting old-use sites that abound in Iron Nails and other ferrous debris, my very proven two FORS CoRe devices and FORS Relic units handle the toughest environments. The Simplex + has really impressed me so far, and the updates make it better. Just need one or two functional and versatile smaller-size coil to make it a more-used unit for me. I think you would enjoy having the Simplex + in your detector outfit, and just might enjoy using it yourself a lot more than you might imagine. Monte

Chase Goldman said: I am rethinking this all over. ... Good! I look forward to your comments and a video, if you make one. The Simplex obviously gets it done. ... Absolutely, and it's working for me, and will be more versatile with smaller-size coils. I have had little time to experiment in the field with a new detector, preferring to hit the hot spots with my tried and true reliables (Deus/Orx and Equinox).... I listed what I use, and one , like you, is the XP ORX. Simplex and Vanquish have only been recently acquired and I have not had the opportunity to really run them through their paces in the field.... I've had 5 months oif hunt-time with my Simplex +, and a couple of months now with my Vanquish 540. Both work quite well, and can complement each other in certain applications. The Simplex just needs smaller coils. The Vanquish, however, lacks a lot of good adjustment features I have on the Simplex +, such as Automated GB or Manual GB adjustment, and there are more.. I have gone over the test garden once again and experimented with different Simplex modes and found that Beach mode, for whatever reason, gave the best sounding results on the targets. ... I have all of my Disc. modes opened up to Accept ALL of the Disc. segments, and I have done, before the updates, 90% of my hunting in the Beach mode. I have been impressed with the audio performance of Beach mode, especially, nd like the Non-VCO function. Park, I could understand because apparently, Nokta focused on separation in Park (hence relegating the original Park to Park 2 status and adding a deeper but less response Park 1 mode in the update).... Park was the weakest mode so far as depth-of-detection. Most typical places where I would use park mode are going to be trashier, thus you need a quicker recovery time to benefit and get better separation performance. That quick response-and-recovery also limited depth and target processing time. It's still there in Park 2, but Park 1 is really going to draw more of my hunting attention. I think Park 1 and Beach mode, in that order, are going to be my main-use modes depending upon the particular site environment I am hunting. Monte

Sorry to hear they are tough to get in NZ, and expensive to boot. As of this morning (here in the eastern chuck of Oregon, USA) I own and use the following: A Nokta FORS CoRe w/'OOR' DD A (once Steve's) Nokta FORS CoRe w/5X9½ DD A Nokta FORS Relic w/5" DD A Nokta / Makro Simplex + w/updates A Nokta Impact w/7" Concentric A Minelab Vanquish 540 w/5X8 DD A Minelab Vanquish 540 w/9X12 DD An XP ORX w/5X9½ DD A Tesoro Bandido II µMAX w/6" Concentric A Tesoro Silver Sabre µMAX w/6" Concentric. Of those 10 detectors, 2 of them might get thinned out in the next couple of weeks. Any guesses? Most probably, you'd guess wrong. But on my current For Sale Lust I'm going to eliminate a Minelab Equinox 800 I just acquired on the 9th w/extra 6" DD coil, a pristine condition modified White's IDX Pro w/3 coils, and a newish Fisher F44 w/11" BiAxial coil. All 3 of these are proven to perform and satisfy many consumers, but we can only hang on to so many that cover our needs. I can tell readers that the first 4 on my list are all models that have a very good 'fit' in my detector team and are going nowhere. the ONLY thing I need are smaller coils for the Simplex +. I've been limited on when I can grab it due to the heavily littered sites I search most often, and with an 11" DD coil, I am either working a wide-open grassy park, or put it to use in a plowed field, range-land or pasture-land. I'm sorry to her that 'Chase' isn't enjoying the satisfaction in performance afield with his Simplex +. To be honest, I have been 'satisfied' with my Simplex + which I've had for five months now, even those my search time has been limited due to the wintry season and lack of smaller-size coils. Once we got into spring-time weather I've ben using it more, and it has easily held-its-own against quite a few mid-priced to higher-cost detectors I've done comparisons with and that included some well-known models I have since parted with, such as the Teknetics T2+. Then this past Saturday I did the new Simplex + 'updates' and didn't lose any of the performance I had before. However, I now have an improved level of versatility with the added Park 1 mode and enhancements to some of the other modes plus other common adjustment features. This device so impresses me, I am planning on what coils they offer that will work for me, and that's helping me figure out what other detectors I might thin out of my current outfit. I still use my Beach mode set-up the most, but it looks like the 3-Tone Park 1 mode is going to likely move into the #1 slot with tis model. 'phrunt,' I hope you get an opportunity to get one in your hands and do your own comparisons. Nokta / Makro have even raised the bar with this, their lower-priced model. It is lower-priced but it certainly is not an 'entry-level' class detector. Monte

phrunt: I've been trying to find out what this ground balance design glitch is you're talking about and can't find any information on in? Are you able to elaborate? Monte: Sure I can. It's easy hen someone understands 'Ground Balance', especially as we (us older characters) learned back in the early days when it was introduced with recreational metal detector in '74/'75. At first we had models that were an All Metal mode ONLY and you had to manually adjust the Tuner control to establish a working audible Threshold level, then use a separate control to adjust to compensate the ground signal, to balance to or ignore the ground. Then you'd search while listening to a Threshold audio hum and the device would respond to ALL metal, be them ferrous or non-ferrous. In the soon-to-follow years they added a second 'mode' which was a conventional TR-Disc. that lacked ground compensating circuitry and you had to learn to use it like the earlier TR and TR-Disc. models as it was effected by the ground mineral make-up. In '77 / '78 we got our first VLF-Disc. or Ground Compensating Discriminate models that required a brisk sweep to handle the ground signal and target signal, and in all cases the operator had to adjust for, and listen to, a Threshold audio hum. In '82 / '83 we aw our first motion-based Discriminating models that featured a 'silent-search' function in the Disc. mode, and more and more consumers started adopting that type of audio behavior. They also started to want or prefer a silent-search Discriminate mode, and also now, some 38 years later, more often favor a detector that was a "turn-on-and-go" design, and that simply means a model with a pre-set Ground Balance so they wouldn't have to make any extra adjustments. Another popular trend has been for many people to use more Discrimination and want to reject all Ferrous trash and a lot of the Non-Ferrous Disc. segments as well. The Vanquish series, like many other makes and models produced these days, come with factory-preset Discriminate modes that have all of the Iron or Ferrous range rejected, and then some such as with a Coin Hunting mode, that also knocks out quite a bit of the Non-Ferrous range where a lot of modern-day trash will be rejected. Then Minelab added the 'Horseshoe' button which is supposed to ACCEPT All metal targets, including the Ferrous range such as Iron nails, and much, much mode. And here-in lies the problem. If you are in the Coin mode or the Jewelry mode (using American spelling if you don't mind) and select the Horseshoe button to turn 'On' All Metal Accept, then bob the search coil toward and away from the ground from about 6" to ½" or so, you will hear an audio 'Beep' on the down-stroke of the coil as it approaches the ground. That is an indication of a 'Positive' GB behavior. However, if you are in the Relic mode and, again, activate the All Metal Mode 'Horseshoe' button, then bob the search coil, you'll note that the detector behaves as if it has a 'Negative' GB and you get a 'Beep' on the uplift of the coil away from the ground. This causes a problem during a search as in those modes, and with the Horseshoe activated, the detector will Beep when swept over a depression, a hole or a void. On the other hand, it could produce a false 'Beep' when swept over a hump or lump in the ground, over a rock or over any raised ground. Often, some people simply think they are sweeping over a lot of iron nails and other iron debris when, in fact, there might not be any iron nearby and they are just hearing the falsing caused by the GB being too positive or too negative. I like the Vanquish 540 and own two, and in my Custom program I keep each one 'Saved' to Accept ALL of the Disc. segments except the first two. That way I can hear the Iron Nails and most Ferrous trash so I can work around it to try and unmask a keeper or two, and not hear the ground falsing glitch. phrunt: I know it means nothing to me as I never need to ground balance any detectors anyway .. .Monte: Why do you say you "never need to GB" any detectors? IF the detector design isn't preset, then a proper GB can hekp enhance performance. Of course some makes and models, might feature an external GB control, Manual or Automated, but it is sonly a function in the Threshold-based All Metal mode because that particular model relies on an internally preset GB for the motion-based Discriminate mode. phrunt: I just know my T2 default ground balance is 90, even though I don't need to ground balance as I can pump the coil fine with no ground feedback that 90 seems to be a very conservative ground balance setting I assume for bad soils so depth isn't the same and if I do ground balance depth improves. I am concerned if they modify the Vanquish fixed ground balance to suit hotter soils I will lose some of the raw guts it's got now giving me exceptional depth on it that I like. I don't like things being dumbed down to suit people in worse conditions if it messes with me. Monte: I've used the Tek. T2 series since introduced in 2006 and they are an example of exactly what I am referring to. That model does have a 'default' GB setting of '90' and it does have the Automated or Manual GB control ... but that only functions in the Threshold-based All Metal mode. The Discriminate mode relies on an internally preset GB and your GB adjustment doesn't make any significant change in the Discriminate mode GB. 'Depth' is only one function associated with a proper GB. Another is a detector's ability to handle the combined Target Signal as well as Ground Signal. Such as being able to 'detect' or positively respond to a very high-conductive target. I use a short stack of US 90% Silver Coins to evaluate a detector for the ability to detect ir or let's say find it. I have 5 US Walking Liberty Half-Dollars stacked on top of a 1922 US Peace Dollar, all bare metal so they are touching each other to simulate a small 'stash' of hidden coins. In the silent-search Discriminate mode, your T2 will NOT respond positively to that stack of silver coins and produce a good Audio response or come close to a proper numerical VDI read-out. Why? Because the preset GB for the Discriminate mode is way too positive and 'wraps' to essentially reject that very high-conductivity sample. And that is not even factoring in the soil or dirt signal to process. Just a simple 'Air Test' and you'll see that the T2's have their own 'design glitch' where they have controlled the Discriminate mode's GB internally, but you don't hear it due to how they adjusted it. With the Vanquish series, and a few other models that have been produced, it can be a matter of the preset GB being too Negative or too Positive that causes the described falsing in the Disc. mode, of the particular search mode, or how the working lower-end range of the All Metal Accept 'Horseshoe' settings is designed in relationship to the GB setting. In my seminars, I use a Tesoro Bandido II µMAX model to demonstrate how a Too Negative or Too Positive GB adjustment can cause 'falsing' in the Discriminate mode that would be similar to the 'glitch' in the Vanquish series. That's because the Manual GB control DOES have a direct adjustment function on BOTH the All Metal and motion-based, silent-search Discriminate modes. phrumt: I do like the idea of making a button like the backlight button into a dual purpose button to perform a ground balance though, they can keep everyone happy then. Monte: I also wowuld like to see a button-activated option for an Automated GB adjustment for ALL modes so that it could eliminate the errant GB design and thus the 'Horseshoe' button would be fully functional. They could even have designed-I a Tracking GB function and controlled the limits of the GB range and not make it function too quickly. phrunt: ... but I'd like to know exactly what you're talking about when you say there is a design fault with it's ground balance. Monte: There you go, I am talking about a 'glitch' in the design of the All Metal acceptance range of the Vanquish that displays either a too positive or too negative effect based on the selected default search modes. phrunt: If they do release a firmware update for it I don't think I will want it as the likelihood is with it being a fixed ground balance unit they'll be making it balance better in worse soils, in turn possibly making my performance worse in mild soils. Monte: They would be making the Vanquish 'better' regardless of the level of iron contaminated soil level anyone hunts in. Most people do not hunt in a an All Metal accept mode, conventional or motion Discriminate, but some of us like to search old sites where we can listen for Iron Nails to be able to locate a sign of prior human activity, such as finding where old structures might have been. Also, many people are like you and they don't understand 'Ground balance' or don't want to tinker with making a proper adjustment One 'fix' for the design glitch is possibly easy. phrunt: Maybe they just need to make a firmware update where you hold in the backlight button to perform a ground balance or something, that'd keep people happy and I'm sure they can do that. As it stands I like my Vanquish how it is. Monte: The 'easy fix' would be to do a firmware update that would be similar to my Custom mode Discrimination adjustment setting. That is, change the 'Horseshoe' button activation so that it Accepted All of the Disc. segments except the first two. That's how I adjust my two Vanquish models in the Custom mode so that it allows me to hear a positive response fro most common Iron Nails. That should satisfy about any user of this 'affordably-priced' Vanquish model. No need to add a selectable Automated GB function, just change the minimum ACCEPT range of the All Metal 'Horseshoe' feature. If it was the same as Accepting everything from the 3rd Disc. segment on up, rejecting only the first two segments, YOU wouldn't know the difference and most people would never know the difference. No one would hear an errant behavior and, therefore, no one would perceive a design 'glitch.' And as it stands right now for me, I also like my two Vanquish 540 Pro's because I have controlled their search behavior in their Custom modes be Accepting everything except rejecting those first two Disc. segments Perfect? No. Functional in real-world searches? Yes, it is. They should be able to do that in software and the units would otherwise be unchanged. Monte

I agree with you that they came so close with the Vanquish 540 Pro Pack. Easily out-classed anything in the lower to mid-price range from White's and Garrett, and also bettered most of those from FTP with features and in-the-field performance. But anyone who's used the Nokta / Makro Simplex + knows it still has features and adjustments that surpass the Vanquish. I thought the same as you did. Add Automated or Manual GB and more adjustments for a single frequency for the 'Custom' program slot. I'd be fine with 10 kHz, 12 kHz or up to 15 kHz for a single frequency. Physical packaging and dual coils and the excellent ML-80 headphones in the 540 Pro package4 is absolutely one of the best values on the market today. Both of mine make a good 'fit' in my Detector Outfit for many uses. Let's hope Minelab sees fit to make a GB upgrade for the Vanquish series to remedy the design glitch, especially since it is definitely their fault since it was released that way. Monte

Jeff, as I stated here and on other forum posts, the Vanquish, especially the 540 Pro Pack, is a very decent general-purpose detector that does a lot of things quite well considering its design and very limited operator adjustable controls. I have worked with numerous detector manufacturers over the many years I've been at this, starting with the first prototype I worked with nd then wrote their tuning instructions for them since theirs didn't work. That was back in '74. I've ben provided prototypes to evaluate and report back on prior to production so the manufacturers could address any needed changes or correction in design. I have a feeling, however, than many people provided a sample device only think of it as a free unit and don't go out of their way to actually check them out and report back. No doubt, as I know a few, some are not into detecting that much to even be able to realize some design errors or performance issues in the first place. In this case, with the glitchy Ground Balance issues in all the factory default programs, it makes the use of the All Metal Accept 'Horseshoe' button close to useless as it just will not work properly. I have friends who had other MInelab models and it took a long time to get them returned, and several times the problem was not resolved. So Yes, I was definitely glad to finally get it returned, but I was / am totally unimpressed with the lack of any notes or comments or even a sheet of paper confirming it was in for service and what was/wasn't done. I was told they forwarded my notes and issues to Minelab's head office, but I'm still waiting to hear anything from them, and I am holding out hope they will resolve it with a software update. Until then I'll continue to use my two Vanquish 540's and both supplied coils with my Custom Disc. settings. The V-540 works fine for a lot of the places I like to hunt, and in some ways is doing so better than the Equinox 800 I bought last week. One more day with it and I'll know if it is staying, like the Vanquish team, or if it's going down the road. Monte

For 'lost,' a bit of an update: ► A good while back I lived in the Portland, Oregon metro area. I am not a big fan of Beach Hunting, but the coast was close for some periodic getaways just for something different. I had two models that worked well for me on the salty beach, and one was a Minelab Sovereign XS 2aPro. I tried a Sov. GT but the colorful plastic housing was too easily dinged, nicked or chipped and I like to pamper all my detectors so I let it go. Never made it to the beach with that one, but if you're looking for a detector for ocean beaches, you already have one. So shop for something that might do it 'different' or possibly 'better.' ► I dedicate the majority of my detecting time to Relic Hunting places like ghost towns, homesteads, stage stops and RR depots & sidings, and all manner of old-use places that have an abundant supply of Iron Nails and similar trash. Bolts, fencing and other Wire-Iron type stuff, and when I say 'abundant' I am talking very seriously annoying amounts. It causes a lot of good-target masking so I need to use detectors that can provide me the best of performance in those applications more than anything. As I mentioned on the 9th, I had just purchased an Equinox 800 w/6" DD coil because I rely on smaller-size coils that better fin in and around dense brush, building rubble and discarded debris. This is day #6 working with it and I have tomorrow left. I only give a new detector, to me, one week of testing and filed use, working with any adjustment features, to see if it might match or excel other models in my Detector Outfit. If so, it stays. If not, then it's a detector I'll let go The Equinox 800 is a very good detector and can provide ample in-the-field performance for many applications, but so far, ... for me ... it only has a day left for me to find some needed adjustments in order for it to earn a spot on my den way display. Otherwise, I break out the 'For Sale' sign and send it off to someone who might want it and need it. Maybe some reader has found a settings solution to help it handle a lot of Iron nails well, but right now, I have it handling my Nail Board Performance Test in one program with 2-Tone, but even though it barely passes that test, it falls short of the performance I get with a Tesoro Bandido II microMAX w/6" Concentric, a Nokta FORS CoRe w/ 4.7X5.2 'OOR' DD or a 5X9½ DD coil, a FORS Relic w/5" DD coil, an Impact w/7" Concentric or 5" DD coil, and an XP ORX w/5X9½ DD coil. They all get 8-out-of-9 hits, and my Minelab Vanquish 540 w/5X8 DD gets 6-out-of-8 but it also has limited operator adjustments. This gently-used package will make someone happy for their wants and needs, if it falls sort for what I'm looking for. So in your case, give possible new models some serious consideration before you buy to make sure it is a good 'fit' for your needs. Monte

Thereis very little user adjustment on the Vanquish series. On the V-540 you can change the Volume and Sensitivity, and that's about it other than switch from High Iron Bias to Low Iron Bias if desired. Then you have the three factory-default modes with their own default-designed Recovery Speeds. All the user can do to 'customize' performance for the 'Custom' mode or program is this: 1.. Determine which of the three factory Programs you prefer with regard to Recovery Speed .. and .. 2.. Select the Discriminate segments you want to accept and then 'Save' those settings. The Custom mode will then function similar to the selected default program, Coin, Relic or Jewelry, but with the Disc. segments the user prefers. For example: With my 1st V-540 using the 5X8 DD, I am usually hunting trashier places and I chose the Jewelry mode and Accept ALL except the first two Disc. segments. This allows me to hear most Iron Nails and some other ferrous debris, but still reject some ferrous junk and eliminate ground signal falsing. On my 2nd V-540 with the 9X12 DD, I used the Relic mode, Accepted all Disc. segments except the first two. If you listened, and if I recall that was several months back, but my memory was that the Vanquish series use 3 Frequencies in their Multi-IQ design. It was the Equinox series that relies on 5 frequencies. I might have to listen to the podcast again in case I heard crooked. Monte

I know about the 'updateable' comment from the podcast before, but not sure they have an 'update'; or that the service tech knows how to do it; or if they have a 'fix' for the Vanquish GB design glitch. I've tinkered with the Equinox 800 a couple of times in the past .. briefly .. w/o making any adjustments to my friend's settings. I was interested in the Vanquish 540 Pro Pack because I liked the looks of, and potential for, that 5X8 DD coils as a mid-sized coil for most sites I hunt to cover the 'fringe' area. Also to be used as a 'scouting-unit' I had reservations about the V-540 because it lacks Single-Frequency selection and Ground Balance capability like the EQ-800 which could lead to a performance issue. I bought the Vanquish 540 Pro Pack for the coils, the looks for balance and feel, and in hope of a decent 'general-purpose' detector to complement the other detectors in my 'Outfit.' However, I anticipated a problem and it took me about 10-15 minutes to assemble the 540 and then confirm my suspicions and verify a 'glitch' in the circuitry design. It seems they didn't circulate a prototype to anyone who knew much bout detectors, performance and Ground Balance related issues before production. So, it arrived on a Monday and I spent a week hunting with it to learn it better and verify the glitchy issues and then a week later I sent it to Minelab USA with a 5-page hand-written description of what the problem was and how to confirm it. I also included a sample rock from my seminar tote so they would have a mineral specimen to check it out there in the shop. My initial impression of Minelab USA was positive as the phone was answered on the first try. The gal was very polite and e-mailed me a shipping label. All seemed good. Yes, it has a design glitch, but for me and my hunting style and needs, I am able to work around it with my Custom mode settings. I was sending it off for potential service, but was so impressed with the V-540 and enjoyed hunting with it, that I ordered another new 540 Pro Pack that afternoon. It arrived the next week and displayed identical behavior, so I knew it was a glitch in their design and it wasn't just a one-time fluke with my initial device. They had my model for a while now and it should have been an easy correction, either by internal trimmers, which I doubt it has, or done in 'software' to correct any GB issues in the different modes. I called a minimum of 3 times a day, everyday Mon. thru Fri. and it went directly to Voice Mail and I never got a call back. The next week I did the same thing. One return call was made the day I was out of cell service for 15 minutes on the way to a hunt site. I returned the call, and no answer. Finally on the following Tuesday I got a call from a guy who oversees the Tech Dept, but isn't a tech himself. He said it would be shipped back to me on Wednesday. I asked for a confirmation and t4rackig number so I could be home, and also for the service tech to include a description of what was done to fix the issue. Well, it didn't get shipped out until Friday. And when it arrived they remembered to include all the parts and my test sample rock ... however, there wasn't a note or any paperwork form the service department or MInelab USA. Nothing. And the detector was unchanged and still showed the same glitchy behavior. That who service thing after my first phone encounter left a lot to be desired. It suggested there isn't a fix for the glitch, at least yet, or the service tech isn't to savvy of how detectors work, performance issue, and how to correct them. Or, he doesn't know how to remedy a software issue. Thus, I am not too keen on MInelab USA's customer service and device service, but I am liking their product ... for the most part. I keep the 5X8 DD on my 1st V-540 as it gets the most use, and the 9X12 DD stays affixed to my 2nd V-540 for a quick-grab for hunting open areas. And just to add to my Detector Outfit of 4 Nokta Makro and 2-Tesoro models, I bought an Equinox 800 last week w/6" DD coils to join my Vanquish devices to have trio of Minelab's on my team. My first goal was to work up some programs in 5-Tone to come close to what I get from my Vanquish 540. Then I'll make corrections from there for any enhanced performance. Monte PS: I'm not a big fan of 'updatable' detectors as they ought to be designed and checked out in order to have a fine product at the time of introduction. However, I'll watch for an 'upgrade' to see if they take care of this design issue.

You're welcome, and I now own an Equinox 800 and will mainly use the 6" DD since I hunt very trashy sites. Adjusting my Detector Outfit it is now as shown in my 'signature' on the left. I'd enjoy getting together to BS, but since I never drink alcohol I'll let you spot me for a Diet Dr. Pepper. Monte

Bad Topic Title .... Great Topic Subject -- the Nokta / Makro round 11" DD coil. It used to be a 'standard' coil was about 8" in diameter. I've been using smaller-size coils since the summer of '68 with a 6" coil. Today, I consider any coil from 4½" to 6" a 'smaller-size' coil, and a 7" round or something like a 5X8 or 5X9½ elliptical I call as 'mid-size' coil. I have a Nokta CoRe and Relic and Tesoro Bandido II µMAX and Silver Sabre µMAX and Minelab Equinox 800 I will keep a smaller-size coil mounted full-time. I keep a 7" Concentric mid-size on my Impact and elliptical 'mid-size' coils on a Nokta CoRe and Relic, XP ORX and Minelab Vanquish 540. The only 'standard' to ;'larger-size' coils I keep at-the-ready are a 9X12 DD on a Vanquish 540 and the round 11" DD on the Simplex +. Within minutes after I got a prototype Anfibio 19 and mounted that 11" DD coil, I was totally sold on the coil design and performance capability. Used it on the Anfibio Multi in wide-open areas such as grassy parks and plowed fi4lds. For anyone who has asked about a bigger coil for depth and performance, the 11" DD is, by far, the Nokta / Makro coil I have suggested. Enjoy it in those more open areas on your Multi-Kruzer.. Monte

I have only borrowed an Equinox 800 for a few minutes use a couple of time so I'm not a lot of help with specifics about it. I do own and use two of the Minelab Vanquish 540 Pro Pack devices to keep the most-used 5X8 DD on one of them and the larger 9X12 DD on the other for more open areas, such as a beach, wide-open grassy park or hunting plowed fields and the like. I have lived in Oregon most of my life with the bulk of that in the greater metro area of Portland on the west-side of Oregon. I currently live in Vale, in far Eastern Oregon. I lived in the Portland area when I started using meal / Mineral locators the start of March 1965 and spent most of the first 18 years Coin Hunting city parks and schools and anywhere I possibly could, to include farm fields after strawberry harvest. I did occasional hunting of ghost towns and homesteads or any older site during that period, mainly in Oregon and Utah and Nevada, but also in Wyoming Idaho and Washington on occasion. Since July of '83, however, I have concentrated on relic Hunting activities in older and more out-of-the-way locations, mostly in Eastern Oregon, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, California, and several other states across the country, and, on occasion, a bit in Washington. I currently rely on my Nokta FORS CoRe's w/'OOR' DD and 5X9½ DD coils mounted, FORS Relic w/5" DD mounted, and XP ORX w/5X9½ DD mounted for most of my serious Relic hunting in nasty dense trash. I also use my Nokta / Makro Simplex + w/11" DD, Vanquish 540's w/5X8 DD and 9X12 DD munted, and a Tesoro Bandido II microMAX w/6" Concentic and Silver Sabre microMAX w/6" Concentric mounted for some Relic Hunting needs, but especially for urban Coin & Jewelry Hunting tasks. With my Detector Outfit and the limited amount of time, by comparison, that I devote to urban Coin Hunting, the Vanquish 540's handles my needs from Minelab. That said, I have several friends who own and use the Equinox 800 and like it, especially for Coin & Jewelry Hunting more than for their Relic Hunting. If you get the EQ-800, which is a very good 'general-purpose' detector, I will suggest this: ► Spend the time to learn it well. Start with the default programs and master them before advancing to other programs .... and don't get too carried away with a lot of function adjustments. ► Get the 6" DD coil to help enhance the versatility and performance of the Equinox in trashier or more confined spaces. ►Remember to Ground Balance whenever you use it. Automated GB or Manual GB, it's best to adjust it before hunting. Monte

Steve, I have been as amazed and shocked as you, if not more-so. ALL of the Nokta and Makro devices came with, or very quickly had, plenty of accessory search coils, and I always make use of smaller-size to mid-size coils for the very trashy places I hunt. I keep the small 'OOR' DD on my original (first) FORS CoRe and the excellent 5X9½ DD on my 2nd (your former) FORS CoRe, a 5" DD on my FORS Relic, a 7" Concentric on the Impact .... but my Simplex +, which I really enjoy using, sits back to watch all the fun I have in trashier places because it only has the stock 11" DD. Way too big or most of the sites a lot of the avid detectorists like to hunt. I would have lost good $$$ if I would have wagered on how soon we would get smaller and useful search coils for the Simplex+. It really needs to have a round 5" DD and round 7" Concentric available, and about the only other coil that I feel would be welcomed is the open-frame 5X9½ elliptical DD. We don't need any over-size coils to make it nose-heavy, and certainly not the 9" Concentric like they had with the rod-mount back toward the rear to make it 'floppy' and nose-heavy and, in my opinion, kind of ugly or awkward-looking. The 11" DD is fine for beach hunting or working a plowed field, etc., but smaller-size coils? We need them, and we need them soon! It's detecting season and so many littered sites await our arrival. Monte

And that set-up, combined with the already awkward weight and balance is what's causing more arm and shoulder fatigue and war-and-tear. I've owned Sovereigns and 6 or 7 FBS models and the weight and their balance takes a toll on me. I factor in my age and impaired health and mobility and had to part with my last Explorer Ii in 2013 or '14. I never extend my rods too far or make a wide sweep I watch those who do and not only to I get tired just watching them work that coil, but I see they miss sweeping a lot of ground. Why" They usualy don't overlp the coil enough, or at all, and they miss covering a lot of the terrain because the faster the coil is swept on those wide arcs, the faster the feet move, and that results in a lot of missed coverage. I also never use, or even like the thought of, an annoying bungie cord or other set-up. A detector ought to be designed to be comfortable as a hand-held device. The Equinox is an improvement over the FBS series. I like your idea of buying a 2nd Eq-800 just to have it set-up with a different search coil for different applications. I've done that for decades with a number of different detector models, and do so today. I have two Nokta FORS CoRe that each wear a different search coils, and I bought two Minelab Vanquish 540 Pro Pack to do the same with the two nicely-shaped and comfortably-balanced coils they come with. I borrowed the CTX-3030 and, using the stock 11" DD coil, I enjoyed using it as it did balance differently than my Explorer II's or SE Pro, but it was still awkward. If Minelab wanted to up the sale of an FBS model or even an Equinox model, all they would have to do is design them to work on 4-AA Alkaline or NiMH batteries, and configure them to fit in the Vanquish physical package! Matter of fact, give them lightweight and balanced search coils like the Vanquish 5X8 and 9X12, as well as the round 11" for those who like it better and the roundish 6" DD. For those who use and enjoy the Vanquish, can you imagine having an EQ-800 or CTX-3030 in that same configuration and feel? I know my Minelab model inventory would increase, as in double! Monte

Unfortunately, the Vanquish isn't waterproof ... but fortunately for those who use it, that 5X8 DD make a really nice smaller to mid-sized search coil. My 540 w/5X8 DD is one of the 'Travel team' detectors I keep in my vehicle all the time. I don't swim, but I do look forward to a warm summer day when I'll work some freshwater sites with it. Monte

Jeremiah,, As mentions by others, this type of falsing can occur with most detectors, and the general causes are: • Sensitivity/Gain too high for the area, or site conditions, or even for the particular search coil in use. • Other settings that might allow too mush external or ground signal, such as operating at '0' Discrimination in some places. Comments or Reminders: ► 'VID' is an abbreviation for 'Video'. 'VDI' would be an abbreviation for Visual Discrimination Indication which is the Numeric target read-out on the display. A different method of Target ID, and the numbers are also used for adjustment referencing. ► Keep in mind these are electronic devices, much like our cell phones, hand-held radios, GMRS devices, etc., and should be handled with care. It's natural to occasionally bump a coil into something, but we should take care and try NOT to do so. The internal wire windings and any components were designed to remain in a proper alignment for peak performance. ► You didn't mention if you were searching in Multi-IQ or using a selected single-frequency. ►You also didn't mention the Disc. setting being used, or if you activated the 'Horseshoed' button to Accept all Disc. segments to respond to both Ferrous and Non-Ferrous metals. ► Also, you didn't mention if you Ground Balance at each hunt site or not, and leave it at the 'default' setting. My Suggestions: → Use the Sensitivity as high as possible, but reduce it, if necessary, to maintain stability. → Regardless of the site environment, the coil used or the settings chosen ... ALWAYS ... Ground Ba;ance. This is especialy true if using the 'Horseshoe' button when all Disc. segmnents are accepted because some search mdes can preset an issue if the device is not properly GB'ed. Do it in both SMF operation or with a selected Single-Frequency search. Those two suggestions should or could help, along with a remainder to not sweep too briskly and do your best not to impact any hard surface. Park hunters who only work grassy places don't deal with this much, but when I started Relic Hunting ghost towns, homesteads and similar places where I dealt with sagebrush, dense weedy areas, small trees, rocks, cellar holes, and all manner of building rubble 51 years ago, I learned quickly to avoid solid-substance impacts. Many of today's detectors are a lot touchier than long ago due to their higher gain and sensitivity. Monte

I'm about at the point tht I think this is what someone ought to save $$$ for, if they want to see anything of interest in the future come out of Sweet Home. Just a thought or opinion, in case you have a nest egg in hiding. Monte

Chuck (RR), you asked a great question and one that I get from people quite often. You have som e good replies so far, and Dick Stout gave you the best and most direct answer ...No. That's a very simple answer, and when it comes to detectors (and other things) I like 'Simple', blend that with 'Functional' for a decent detector that provides 'Performance' to satisfy my needs. Not sure how old you are, but I am inching my way up the scale, and while my health stinks and mobility is limiting, I still devote as must time as possible to detecting. I've been trimming my Detector Outfit to thin out excess detectors I don't use (other than oldies I have for seminars and demonstrations) to limit the number of versatile, useful detectors that are also lighter in weight and well balanced. I have one left to part with and that will have me down to nine detectors with the most-used search coils mounted so they are 'ready-to-go' at first grab. I have 3 detectors assigned to my 'get-serious' Relic Hunting activity, and those are a Nokta CoRe w/ 'OOR' DD and another CoRe w/5X9½ DD and my FORS Relic w/5" DD. I also have my two favorite Tesoro's, a Bandido II µMAX w/6" Concentric and Silver Sabre µMAX w/6" Concentric. In my 'Daily-Carry team are one of the Tesoro's, my Nokta Impact w/7" Concentric, a Minelab Vanquish 540 w/5X8 DD and my Nokta / Makro Simplex + w/11" (until they eventually get some smaller coils out!!). I do, on occasion, include my final detector, another Vanquish 540 w/9X12 DD mounted for time when I anticipate hunting a more open and sparse-target area like a wide-open grassy park, a plowed field and so forth. In short, I am using 5 detectors that are either discontinued or from a now-defunct manufacturer. The other 4 are a new Impact, two new Vanquish 540's and the Simplex+. Only my new Impact, a very versatile detector as well, is just a bit over $500, because I also bought the 5" DD and 7" Concentric coils with it. Loaded up for today's detecting, while weather is decent, are the Impact, a Vanquish 540, my Simplex + and a Tesoro. As for performance on lower-priced detectors, it can be very good .... if you buy a decent quality, well engineered lower-cost detector. Note that there are NO "lower-priced" or "entry level" models from other manufacturers in my Detector Outfit, and that's because thy don't work well for my hunting applications and site selection ... or just don't work well at all, in my personal opinion. Sorry for the long answer with examples just to end up saying what Dick said ... and the answer is 'No.' Monte