I need a little help my CTX is killing my back and I am looking at the Equinox

[halfstep]

After 3 weeks with mine I found that the Nox is amazing on gold/relic type conductors (better than CTX) , but running any type of discrimination the CTX still sniffed out the silver and coins better. When I tried to make a program for really trashy parks and notch out 1-11, 14-18, and 21-22 then it for sure took away from th ID being accurate and also depth because we were comparing targets and I went over wheats and silvers the CTX was hearing clearly and couldn't hear them on the Nox. But if I put it back on wide open then I could hear it. I did some more testing with it later and found out when placing several targets 1" apart it would of course nail them all very quickly and I could hear each distinct signal when using stock or wide open program. Then added in discrimination and the distinct sounds i was getting became a little bit blurred together, I was losing a few of them unless going really slow. So after that what I started doing was just leave it wide open but run in 5 tone and make all of the "junk" numbers sound off low like iron and only made nickels slightly higher and coins the highest settings. That seemed to work quite a bit better. But in the end I still prefer the CTX. Just made a trade for the 2012 ctx and the Nox for a brand new model CTX.

I have a NOX on order for my wife. It should be great for her. And I will use it some as well. I need to so I can teach her and to get the most out of it. As for myself, I have a CTX. I've had it for about 6 weeks now. It is like a bloodhound sniffing out coins. I wore myself out today digging lots of clad the last couple of days.

 

[gamiller]

Richt sent you a pm

 

[Azmodeus]

I have a NOX on order for my wife. It should be great for her. And I will use it some as well. I need to so I can teach her and to get the most out of it. As for myself, I have a CTX. I've had it for about 6 weeks now. It is like a bloodhound sniffing out coins. I wore myself out today digging lots of clad the last couple of days.

Try a 6" coil on it. I hardly ever take mine off anymore unless I'm in a bean field. The 6 is still plenty deep and can get in the iron and pull coins no problem. You can also get right on top of a fence and pull silvers others missed because they couldn't get their coil that close to it. Found a lot of silvers that way at old fairgrounds and parks.

 

[halfstep]

Try a 6" coil on it. I hardly ever take mine off anymore unless I'm in a bean field. The 6 is still plenty deep and can get in the iron and pull coins no problem. You can also get right on top of a fence and pull silvers others missed because they couldn't get their coil that close to it. Found a lot of silvers that way at old fairgrounds and parks.

My CTX came with a 11" coil and the 17". I plan on buying the 6" in the near future. I have the 17" coil on now and really like it. I have been surfing the parks and the 17" coil and it is nice for covering a lot of ground quickly. One can't get very close to fences or rebar/wire enforced sidewalks with the big coil. I would like the small 6" coil to get close to things that the 17" can't and for heavy trash areas as well. Playground equipment, steel picnic tables and benches, sidewalks, fences, 55 gallon trash drums, vehicles are some of the things I can't very close to with the 17" coil.

 

[cginn]

It seems that with every new detector release they are those who say it is the deepest and greatest detector ever. Then they are those who say that it is junk and not nearly as deep, has poorer ID and not nearly as good as their current detector. And then they are those who wait until the dust settles, bugs corrected, and wait until more people master the new detector before praising or criticizing the new detector. I must admit that I am guilty of being in all three groups over the years.

 

[ROBOTCOP13]

I'm in Florida and mostly due the beaches. I use excals on long balanced shafts and a Detector Pro HHPI. All lightweight machines. I avoided the CTX 3030 for the weight consideration. Bad backs and rotator cuffs at my age just don't come back. Good lightweight scoops is another necessity.

 

[ScubaDetective]

Hello everybody my name is Rich I've been metal detecting about 30 yrs And I have a question for y'all I use a CTX 3030 and i have a really bad back I have used the pro swing with it And it doesn't help me So I am looking at the minelab equinox 800 But I must sell my CTX to get the equinox My question is do you think this is a wise decision I love my CTX but it is killing me Thanks for any info
Rich

Rich, I have an E-Trac and have just started using the Equinox 800. I have a bad neck and I am a 100% disabled veteran. The Equinox appears to get as deep as my E-Trac. The VDI isn't as good and the stability of numbers isn't that good either, but as a water hunter most the time I don't use the display anyway.

Yes I am digging more trash, but I have a long handled shovel and am able to do it easy where I hunt in the woods. I know in a park or a lawn I will have greater difficulty.

I also do not use the pinpoint button on the E-Trac, Nox, or my CZ-20 or 21's. I know exactly where to dig.

I have been able to swing the Equinox longer and enjoy it more without having to rest. I will be selling my E-Trac unfortunately because of my limitations. NOT because the Equinox is better.

Hope this helps.

 

[halfstep]

Rich, I have an E-Trac and have just started using the Equinox 800. I have a bad neck and I am a 100% disabled veteran. The Equinox appears to get as deep as my E-Trac. The VDI isn't as good and the stability of numbers isn't that good either, but as a water hunter most the time I don't use the display anyway.

Yes I am digging more trash, but I have a long handled shovel and am able to do it easy where I hunt in the woods. I know in a park or a lawn I will have greater difficulty.

I also do not use the pinpoint button on the E-Trac, Nox, or my CZ-20 or 21's. I know exactly where to dig.

I have been able to swing the Equinox longer and enjoy it more without having to rest. I will be selling my E-Trac unfortunately because of my limitations. NOT because the Equinox is better.

Hope this helps.

How long can you usually go before you feel the need to stop for the day?

 

[DaviDs]

Hello everybody my name is Rich I've been metal detecting about 30 yrs And I have a question for y'all I use a CTX 3030 and i have a really bad back I have used the pro swing with it And it doesn't help me So I am looking at the minelab equinox 800 But I must sell my CTX to get the equinox My question is do you think this is a wise decision I love my CTX but it is killing me Thanks for any info
Rich

In the beach section, you'll find I just did a comparison at a NE Florida beach with the Equinox, CTX and Surf PI. Without a doubt, the Equinox is lighter and easier to swing but also it is definately not a CTX. When spending more than double the cost, the CTX provides significantly more stable VDI #'s. It doesn't fluctuate as easy when transitioning from dry to wet to submerged and back to dry. With the 17" coil, you'll cover more ground, faster, and with far greater depth. Eh', I certainly wouldn't sell it to buy an equinox.

Another thing, how much do you think you'll get for the CTX? From December through February, a new CTX with the 11" and 17" coils was going for as low as $1,800 shipped. I had three and sold two of mine for far less, even though they were still under warranty. Just doesn't make sense to me, but that is "my opinion".

 

[ScubaDetective]

How long can you usually go before you feel the need to stop for the day?

The E-Trac less than two hours. So far with the Equinox almost 4. I have my E-Trac up for sale because of it. I hate to sell it but it won't do me any good sitting around in the closet.

 

[halfstep]

The E-Trac less than two hours. So far with the Equinox almost 4. I have my E-Trac up for sale because of it. I hate to sell it but it won't do me any good sitting around in the closet.

It's a tough hobby when you have physical problems. I have screws in both my ankles and my back. I can swing the ctx for a long time without much problems. It's all the getting up and down that takes a toll on me. If it is fresh ground with lots of clad, I can go about 3 hours before I get to hurting too bad. If the ground is thin on clad, I can go for about 6 hours. I am always stiff with aches and pains the next day so I try to avoid going back to back days. My wife really likes to detect so I often overdo it so she can get some digging time in. She uses a safari and is quite good with it. I am on the waiting list for a nox 800 for her. When it ever comes in, I'll really be in trouble. I'll have to take her more often.

I hope the nox brings you some relief so you can get more quality time digging dirt.

 

[GreenMeanie]

I have both and a bad back and arthritis.
I still like my CTX but if you are quitting hunting early because of the weight I would have no problem using the NOX in it's place.
Just be prepared to dig more junk with the NOX.

 

[ROBOTCOP13]

Our bodies are trying to tell us something.

Where's the recliner?