Equinox Fe Settings Poll

[NCtoad]

I use both, but primarily FE 0 and F2 6. I usually leave my settings button on iron bias so I can easily check between the two settings by hitting settings then the +/- button.  If there’s lots of nails I will go with F2 6, if not then FE 0.

[nickelNdimed]

I’ve not dived into the FE vs F2 differences yet with my 600. 
 

I tried first the different Park and Field factory settings between modes and noticed I was digging a ton of rusty junk with anything other than Park 1.
 

By looking at defaults, I realized the FE setting was 2 at Park 1 where Park 2 and both field modes are FE = 0. This is why I was digging more rusty junk in other modes. No iron bias!  It works, but yeah, you might miss or mask some stuff they say. I get that but I don’t want to spend an hour moving 5 feet in some of these old lots...
 

Then I started to dive into differences. I decided that for me to understand the modes and see what changing the settings would do for me, I would have to set all the mode setting between Park and Field modes as equally as I could.  FE = 2 all Park and Field modes. I’m yet not comfortable with 50 tones so 5 tones all Park and Field modes.  Recovery speed left at 3 all modes.  I’m limited on the 600 as far as tone breaks and pitch so Park modes first break at 0, field first break at 2. Close as they can. I can’t change the frequency bias between 1 and 2 modes so focusing on that. I think Park 2 and Field 2 modes will find most of what 1 modes will and more. Still need to keep trying this. I now have something between a Vanquish and an Equinox in simplicity. I’ll eventually work my way back to something between this and the factory settings that works for me. 
 

Back to Iron Bias, they are all FE = 2 for now. Next step, I would like to regrid area I’ve already swept but with FE = 2 at 0 and see if digging all the the good sounding signals out, yields anything other than the rusty junk from before and a couple nickels and crusty zinc pennies...  I’ll also need to understand if F2 = whatever brings me some happier medium or compromise which is still unclear to me or untested by me. 
 

I’m not sure what this feedback is going towards. Future machine? Future software update? I could even see Vanquish update since settings are predetermined. But, one thing that would be really helpful is if the setting numbers for 600 aligned with the 800 scale. It is mentally tougher reading these things and then trying to remember the scale differences between the two or confirming if someone has a 600 or 800, etc  Not sure if ML did this for perception reasons but it kind of sucks to be honest. I get and accept I bought a cheaper machine with less setting resolution and okay with that.  It is a better value for me.  But if there is any way possible, please change the scales to match with an update and update the manual!  Andy and Clive can sell us a sticker to update their books ? 

 

[cudamark]

I use the F2 settings because I frankly didn't see much difference in the FE settings. From 0 to 9 didn't seem to have much effect and bottle caps were still a problem. Once I got the F2 upgrade, that made all the difference. I can now run F2 @ 6 and dig virtually no bottle caps. If I'm in an area where the caps and iron aren't much of a problem, I'll lower the F2 setting proportionally. Around a fire ring and sometimes picnic tables, I'll at times peg it at 9. The F2 setting just seem to have a much longer and more effective range than FE. I personally haven't seen much difference in depth at any setting, but, I can see how masking changes are possible. That's the nice thing about it......it's adjustable.

[midalake]

SO TODAY.  I switched from FE-6 to F2-6 for the last hour.  I did not see any real difference in operating.  It almost seemed F2 let the peso coins wrap around a little more.  I will flip back and fourth more this week including on some more non-ferrous hits and see what happens.  

[Bob'ke]

I use F2.

My reason: Minelab made the effort to provide this option later on and for free, so their engineers must really think it is a significant plus over the Fe. And as a simple detectorist, who does not know all the ins and outs of de development reasons for the F2, for me there would be no realistic gain in time and finds to question their idea.  

Of course any other opinion somebody else may have is fine with me too. This is just me giving my reason/opinion for myself as asked by the OP.

Greetings,

Bob'ke

[Steve Andrews]

F2 0, all metal. I will dig a few bottle caps, but it's good exercise ?

[TedinVT]

F2 = 4 all detect modes

[Tometusns]

I use the fe set at 3 and that's what I've done for more than two years now. It works for me and don't feel a need to change.

[GB_Amateur]

7 hours ago, nickeldNdimed said:

But, one thing that would be really helpful is if the setting numbers for 600 aligned with the 800 scale.

Great idea.  ??  ML can still limit the Eqx 600 users to fewer choices but at least use the same language/nomenclature/numerology so that when we discuss on forums we don't get confused.  (I've gotten confused on many occasions.)  This applies to all the settings (Recovery Speed, etc.) that are common to both detectors.

Communication is big in this hobby and it sometimes gets lost in the weeds or forgotten when seemingly more important issues dominate the attention.