Juggling Three Mds

[GB_Amateur]

First off, I would replace 'Fisher F75' with 'Teknetics Patriot' which is the same detector except with two discrimination processes (plus all metal mode) instead of the approx. half dozen processes of the F75.  It's $399 direct from First Texas.  IMO, the F75 family gets a bad rap these days (from many people who have never used one).  But, yes, it's single frequency --  one of the best single frequency detectors ever made, but still single frequency.

IMO, a big driver (maybe the biggest driver) is where on the beach a person is planning on detecting.  I'm not a beach hunter but from what I've read here, there are something like five zones of detection, from bone dry sand to deep enough in the water to have the detector completely submerged.  The effect of salt (which, being conductive, impacts performance) varies between those zones.  (There's actually one more extreme zone -- water depth ==> pressure deeper than a few feet.  None of these three will handle that.)

The Equionox 600 is the only one of the three which is waterproof.  It's easy to say "oh, the detector won't get wet") but of the five zones (on a day it isn't raining!) only the very highest one is safe from the detector getting wet, AFAIK.  It doesn't take much for a wet detector to stop working and salt water is particularly evil if it gets to components becuase it will corrode metal.

Ground balance on dry land can also be a driver, although I think most of Florida (the penninsula anyway -- less sure about the panhandle) has virtually no ferrous mineralization.  All detectors can handle that mild Florida ground, whether or not they have adjustable ground balance.  But back to the beach -- working in even moist sand can make the difference between a fun day and one full of headaches and disappointment.

[F350Platinum]

Welcome to the forum!

I've only been here a while - a little less than the time I've been metal detecting, but I can tell you that if you have the money the Equinox is a great choice. I first bought a Garrett ACE 400 because I went from online reviews, which are slanted at the very least. It's a great machine, I found lots of stuff with it, but "outgrew" it quickly in favor of a waterproof machine. I have many different places I can detect.

My choice then became the difference between the Nokta Simplex+ and the Equinox, as both are waterproof. The dealer told me I'd never regret buying the Equinox 600. He was right. I have since used a Simplex and while it is very good the Equinox is much easier to set up and operate, and is definitely worth the extra $$. 

I mostly prefer relic hunting but my first trip(s) to a beach netted me 51 coins, a gold ring, a stainless ring and a Tungsten band that I now wear as Trigger Finger relief. ?

So I'll pass that advice on to you.

[rvpopeye]

Good news is ,,,, they all find pop tops !

[Captorofsin]

I did some more research last night. I found  fisher that has multi frequency (like minelab multi iq). I cannot find that detector this am. Does anyone know about that?

[wltdwiz]

2 minutes ago, Captorofsin said:

I did some more research last night. I found  fisher that has multi frequency (like minelab multi iq). I cannot find that detector this am. Does anyone know about that?

that would be the fisher cz 21  2 frequencies 5 & 15 built like a tank ...heavy ...waterproof to 200 feet

[GB_Amateur]

1 hour ago, Captorofsin said:

I did some more research last night. I found  fisher that has multi frequency (like minelab multi iq). I cannot find that detector this am. Does anyone know about that?

 

1 hour ago, wltdwiz said:

that would be the fisher cz 21  2 frequencies 5 & 15 built like a tank ...heavy ...waterproof to 200 feet

The entire CZ line operates at those 2 frequencies simultaneously.  The first CZ arrived in early 1990's and besides the underwater CZ21 that wltdwiz mentions there is also a land-based CZ3D still in production.  They aren't cheap, especially the CZ21.

If you haven't done so, get acquainted with Steve's database which has almost all detectors currently available in the USA and many discontinued models as well.  There you can find links to the manufacturers' webpages and other useful links about each detector.

[Captorofsin]

I could have sworn last night that I found a fisher metal detector that had something similar to a mine labs multi IQ. 

[Captorofsin]

I goofed. It wasn't a fisher but a Garrett MD. Multi flex technology.

Is this comparable to the box 600?

Please see link below. 

https://garrett.com/sport/ace/apex

[mh9162013]

1 hour ago, Captorofsin said:

Is this comparable to the box 600?

From what I've heard, it's nowhere near as good as the Equinox, but it's not a fair comparison as the Apex is designed to be a middle-of-the-road machine while the Equinox is considered high-end. The difference b/w the 2 machines is most clear where there's trash and iron (from what I've read and heard). But at the beach, the Apex holds its own.

I honestly wouldn't get the Apex given its price. I'd either save the money and get something cheaper, but 95% as capable or spend an extra $100 or so and get something far more capable.

That's just me, though.