French Digger

[Fouinot]

Hello everyone,

I live in southwestern France and have been metal detecting for about fifteen years with a Deus 1.

I've been visiting your forum for about three years now. It's a mine of precious information in many domains, and I've also found it to be a very welcoming and open-minded community.

I would like to buy a multi-frequency detector that would also allow me to detect in highly mineralized areas. The Manticore is too expensive for me, and I’m hesitating between a pre-owned Equinox 900 or Deus 2 and a new Rutus Versa, and the upcoming release of the Legend 2 is inciting me to wait a little longer.

Fouinot

[JCR]

Welcome from East Texas.   It would be hard to make a mistake with any of the SMF detectors you mentioned.  I will say look closely at the Rutus Versa for excellent performance in all types of soil, especially mineralized soil and iron trash. The Versa has features and settings not available on any other machine available. The software is continually being refined. Rutus is very serious about practical performance.

[TheDeepseeker]

Welcome from Victoria Australia Fouinot. 

[Ridge Runner]

Fouinot

 I say Hi to you from south Texas and we glad to have you here. My oldest son and his family like to run around all over your neck of the woods. In fact my oldest grandson had his wedding in Paris.

 On your choice of detectors it may be best to pick one that’s just down the road from you. That way if you have trouble with it then the shipping is not that far down the road to get it fixed.

 The best to you and let us hear you again soon.

 Chuck 

[Joe D.]

Welcome Fauinot,

   I've heard great things about the Rutus Versa, but I've "seen" great things produced by the D2! It's a bit more of a settings machine (if you like being techy), but there is so much information out there on setting it up properly, that it should be a breeze to set up! Also like Chuck said, their home base is basically local for you! And one of the biggest things I've observed is the lack of problems; hardware and software! Any discovered software issues seem to get immediate attention by the manufacturer, which can't be said about several other big names! Good luck in whatever you decide!🍀👍👍

[EL NINO77]

Equinox 900, /I have EQ800/...D2 and VERSA are very powerful detectors, where in many cases the results can be very balanced,,,even very often...in practical detection. But where each of these detectors can be effective on a certain type of terrain...
Here it will depend on what kind of mineralized terrain you are moving on.

What will these detectors bring you compared to Deus1..? It will be primarily stable VDI target at different target detection depths.. you can verify it very well on lead shot for air rifles...

Equinox 900, /I have EQ800/...D2 and VERSA are very powerful detectors, where in many cases the results can be very balanced,,,even very often...in practical detection. But where each of these detectors can be effective on a certain type of terrain...
Here it will depend on what mineralized terrain you are moving.

What will these detectors bring you in comparison with Deus1..? It will be primarily stable VDI target at different depths of target detection.. you can verify it very well on lead shot for air rifles...

 

 

[Fouinot]

On 9/22/2025 at 11:47 PM, JCR said:

Welcome from East Texas.   It would be hard to make a mistake with any of the SMF detectors you mentioned.  I will say look closely at the Rutus Versa for excellent performance in all types of soil, especially mineralized soil and iron trash. The Versa has features and settings not available on any other machine available. The software is continually being refined. Rutus is very serious about practical performance.

Hello and thank you. I completely agree. Of these three detectors, I find the Versa the most interesting. To my knowledge, it is the first to combine dynamic and static modes. 

[Fouinot]

On 9/23/2025 at 1:41 AM, TheDeepseeker said:

Welcome from Victoria Australia Fouinot. 

Hello and thank you, Australia is my dream destination, maybe one day...

[Fouinot]

On 9/23/2025 at 5:00 AM, Ridge Runner said:

Fouinot

 I say Hi to you from south Texas and we glad to have you here. My oldest son and his family like to run around all over your neck of the woods. In fact my oldest grandson had his wedding in Paris.

 On your choice of detectors it may be best to pick one that’s just down the road from you. That way if you have trouble with it then the shipping is not that far down the road to get it fixed.

 The best to you and let us hear you again soon.

 Chuck 

Thanks Chuck, I'm so lucky to live in a beautiful region, which is also very rich in history.
XP has excellent after-sales service, but that won't be what influences my choice. I think that's pretty much true for all brands, just a little longer because of postal delays. I'll always have my trusty Deus 1 in case of a breakdown 🐵