What Features And Performance Improvements Would You Like To See In The Next High End Minelab Coin Detector?

[GB_Amateur]

4 hours ago, PimentoUK said:

I've investigated what the magnetic susceptibility figures are.

Thanks to a wiki page on Magnetic Susceptibility, I see the issue.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_susceptibility

Magnetic susceptibilty is in fact a dimensionless quantity,...

Thanks for clearing that up for me, too.  "...It's all coming back to me now...." (credit to Jim Steinman)  That 4*pi factor really hit a nostalgic nerve (not all good, either ?).

We are probably getting deeper than 99% of detectorists care to concern themselves with, but if you want a good scale then a true logarithmic one with the optimal choice of base will cover your available range (you've mentioned 2 decimal digits, i.e. 0-99).  Then it would be easy convert it back to a more fundamental physics meaning with simply a calculator (and maybe an equation of base isn't 10 or e an equation) rather than having to carry around a conversion table.  (For those too young to know what a calculator is, think a particular smartphone app.)

It would be so nice to have a standard between different manufacturers but I long ago realized that isn't going to happen -- too much overvalued pride & arrogance for that.  If it were a standard then someone could just say "I got a magnetic scale reading of xx" and others who care and have done measurements themselves would have a decent idea of what is being reported, regardless of what detector s/he has.

 

[PimentoUK]

My proposed scale(s) actually are logarithmic, there is a fixed ratio between every value on the scale, so a mathematical formula absolutely exists that converts from one to the other. And it's surprisingly simple. Notice how I chose '40' to represent 10000 ? Well log (base 10) of 10000 = 4. Multiply that by 10 and that's the displayed value.

So a susceptibility value of 40 (x 10^-6) displays as 10 log (40) = '16'.

And to convert back:

Susceptibility = 10 ^ ( display_value/10 )

hence a display of '34' = 10 ^ 3.4 = 2512 ( x 10^-6 ) units (cgs metric)

And with a bit of practice and a memory mnemonic, it's not hard to learn the conversion. The decade displayed values 20, 30, 40 etc are the round-numbers 100, 1000, 10000 , and the mnemonic that "30 has 3 zeroes" "20 has two zeroes" etc. defines which is which.

Having sorted out the basic decades, the 4 'fill-in' numbers 16, 25, 40, 64, well, they can be 'fudged' to 15, 25, 40, 65 with no practical loss, that makes them a bit more memorable.

So.. you've got a reading of '28' ? You know '30' is 1 and 3 zero's = 1000. 28 is one reading lower, so it's the "65" value, which means it will be 650 as that's the next value below 1000. so: 650 x 10^-6 susceptibility (cgs) ... or 650 ppm magnetite concentration if you're using that scale.

A better way is to have an '888' display. Even if it's not used for much else on the machine, it would be great for a Fe3O4 meter. Just use the 3-band resistor code, as mentioned previously. '161' = 160 x 10^-6 units. '103' = 10000 x 10^-6 units.

(It would be a good battery voltmeter, too. '391' = 3.91 Volts)

As far as 99% of people won't use it, you're probably right .... however Tom D has observed that since Fisher/Tek started putting Fe3O4 meters on their machines, people have been mentioning their readings. I think if a decent capability meter was available, the uses for it would encourage more uptake. Tom D would actually be able to measure his sandy Florida dirt. You could probably use it to locate fire pits. I think old tracks in woodland have different mineralisation/iron levels to the surrounding land. A good meter may give evidence of this, even when other evidence, like a depression in the ground, are not visible. US park hunters often talk about 'fill dirt' , it's possible a good meter may indicate older vs.newer areas, thus enabling you to hunt more intelligently. I've noticed fields change their 'character' as you move across them. The reason being that old hedgerows have been removed. When the hedge was present, there was more activity on one side than the other. Now it's gone, this historic difference may show up in ground strength.

[EL NINO77]

Control of Equinox from the point of view of mineralization forces .. is simply ... more or less correlates with the number of magnetite mineralization forces in Bar Fe3O4 units ....

So in the field of 4 bar, setting the recovery speed to 4 will work fine ....

Of course, there are more difficult terrains that are more demanding. ,, where even at a value of 2-3 bar magnetite .. Equinox will work well from the value of at least recovery speed 4 ...

[Dances With Doves]

Those who have a X-terra have  the ability too check how hot the ground is if you have the  9"concentric coil.I don't remember how to do it but you can find out on findmall in the x-terra section.  

[Akcando]

                                A true VCO for pinpointing in all metal mode

[Wendell Clark]

A supplied treasure map with X marks the spot and a parrot that repeats pieces of eight!

[PimentoUK]

On the current Eqx, the pip-locating holes on the middle shaft are spaced 40mm apart, which I think is too far, and a spacing of about 30mm would be better if the new machines share this shaft style.

 

Unrelated: Some people obviously like the XP GMP / Deus style of audio, which I understand has also been 'replicated' on other machines, possibly the DeepTech Vista? . A sort of all-metal with rolling tone-ID changes, leaving the user to make the decisions re: dig/no-dig. It would be worth ML considering this as an audio option on future machines. I'm certain it's achievable in single-freq mode, but in 'Multi', I've no idea.

[Cal_Cobra]

On 11/2/2020 at 11:00 PM, phrunt said:

The Equinox isn't a coin detector, it's an everything detector and I want it to stay that way.  The Gold modes are fantastic for prospecting and the coin modes work a treat too.  A real all round detector.

Couldn't agree more ?

What I want improved is more coils, especially elliptical coils, and solid 10x5" and 6.5x3.5" coils would be nice.  Stronger coil ears seem to be something necessary from reports of water hunters.

Elliptical closed loop coils would be a tremendous help for relic hunters, who frequently are working through heavy brush and what not. 

Removing the side buttons and putting them in finger/thumb reach.

Absolutely, the side buttons seem fragile and are not tactile either.  Let's add in a better solution for the pinpoint button as well.  A trigger would be the perfect solution IMHO. Once you've used a detector with a good PP trigger switch, all others will feel inferior.  The trigger switch just becomes an extension of your hand, it's so convenient.

Having the red back light like the Vanquish would be good, I stand out like dogs nuts with the existing back light.

YES YES YES! Not only does the current back light stick out, but red back lights are very easy on the eyes, that's why the military uses them.  Also the level of adjustability on the EQX for the backlight is NOT great, the Nokta machines have like five levels, so you can at least set it very low.  Also if you're hunting in a really dark location, a non-red backlight is blinding to the operator.  PLEASE BRING ON THE RED BACKLIGHT!

Having a better stronger shaft, a carbon shaft like the aftermarket ones would be good, and one that can extend and shrink would be handy, I think the Vanquish has a nicer shaft than the Equinox.

Yep a telescoping carbon rod system would be great.  I think the one that comes with the Golden Mask detectors is a good example. 

I'm honestly struggling to think of anything else I'd want improved, I wouldn't mind a higher single frequency like a 60 or so KHz just to give it that little extra boost if tiny gold hunting but it's not overly necessary.

This would aid relic hunters in unmasking or bad mineralization as well.

At the moment I'm just happy using the Nox how it is, the biggest issue i have is lack of coil options as I do love a good range of coils and Minelab don't like to provide that or make it possible for the aftermarket guys to do it.

I agree, sure it could be improved, but the damn thing just works.  I've had more fun with the Equinox then any other detector I've used, and it brings home the finds.  My EQX800 has easily paid for itself at least 20 fold.

 

[Cal_Cobra]

On 11/3/2020 at 1:30 AM, Goldpick said:

One glaring omission is an integrated system allowing both wireless headphones and wireless pinpointer to be used with the Nox, much like that on the Deus and Nokta/Makro detectors.  Hopefully Minelab can release a new pinpointer in the future to allow this, though the current usage of Bluetooth may be holding this back (hence why I mentioned about sticking with 2.4gHz).  Hell, even the Simplex has this capability at a much lower pricepoint.

I agree, I think Minelab missed an opportunity here, an integrated wireless pinpointer that used the audio of the EQX would sell like hotcakes!  There's a reason some of the FBS users are holding back and one is the inline probes.