Hello, I am thinking about getting a minelab equinox detector. Does someone out there have one ? Before I get one I am curious as to how easy are they to use. I guess I want to know if they are pretty complicated to figure out. I am used to my older Tesoro golden Sabre 2 that I have figured out and do well with. Thank you for your time and I appreciate it. If the equinox won’t work for me what minelab detector might be better. Thanks, Matt.
Minelab equinox detector
- Thread starter Matt58
- Start date
John Madill
Elite Member
Welcome....
they are complicated. Their little sisters, the Vanquish models, are much simpler.
they are complicated. Their little sisters, the Vanquish models, are much simpler.
Valley Hunter
Elite Member
If you are not gold nugget detecting a 600 / 700 has the same multi search freq as the 800 / 900
The 800 / 900 if you want to spend your time pushing buttons to think you are getting more out of the detector
The 800 / 900 if you want to spend your time pushing buttons to think you are getting more out of the detector
Thank you. That’s helpful.
Beachhunt1
Elite Member
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2020
- Messages
- 1,442
The Equinox 600 and 800 have some of the best preset hunting modes of ANY modern detector today!! Hunting will be easy until to learn the language.
metaladdict
Elite Member
I've had my 800 since new and it is pretty simple really. It is a game changer for sure!
achaios
Forum Supporter
As you've probably already heard from others on this forum, they are not as waterproof as claimed. Other than that, they are fine, with the major difference between the 600/700 and 800/900 being a dedicated gold mode, which isn't useful in my area. I have the 600, and I upgraded the rods to carbon fiber.
--Tom
--Tom
Dflan83
Elite Member
not sure what your budget is but if your going after the 900 or so save a little and grab a manticore
Thank you. That will help in my decision on what to get.
markinswpa
Forum Supporter
The Equinox is user friendly and has an easy to navigate menu. I disagree with those that claim the only difference between the two models is the gold mode. Not so. With the 800/900 you get settings that can be adjusted and make it an awesome detector. You can start with the basic settings and have room to grow or you can start with the 600/700 that has basic settings and down the road when you want to squeeze more from your machine you will still have just a basic Equinox. With the 800 you also get wireless headphones and the WM08 module. You notice I said 800. After almost 5 years with an 800 and coming up on a year with the 900 I would, knowing what I know today I would have stayed with 800. Matter of fact my last 2 hunts were with the 800 and a new machine I've been giving a try. If you're set on an Equinox I would recommend going with the 800. Good luck. Mark
Big Boys Hobbies
Forum Sponsor
The equinox, especially the new version 700 and 900 are actually outstanding Detectors! They are calmer, better built, and just better overall machines than anything on the market for the money. You can't go wrong with either. The 900 actually has an extra 6 inch coil for trashy areas. That's a great asset.
Feel free to call us with questions and be sure to mention you're from the forum when we talk about deals.
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Minelab Equinox 700 - Free Shipping No Tax!
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gismapper
Senior Member
Bart alluded to th equinox 700/900 being "calmer" than the 600/800. I can't speak to the 800 because I have the 600, but man is that thing jumpy. I needed something lightweight, so I went with an equinox a few years ago (coming from an ETrac...ouch). It's a decent machine to turn on and go, but just too unstable for the price at the time it was introduced. I'd be tempted to look into the manticore or the nox 900...or maybe even an xp deus 2...if I was in the market for a new detector. Hopefully I will be this spring.
I have to disagree, mine has been in and submerged in the Gulf of Mexico since I bought it in Aug 2020 for a total of probably approaching 1000 hours or more (I'm retired and hunted daily until we moved from Panama City Beach to New Orleans) and we still go back home to PCB about 4 times a year and she gets "splashed" every time. When I water hunt, it's usually 4-6 hours hunting. I've never had a leak on mine. I have to believe that 90% of leaks are operator error.
Man! That transition from an E-Trac to an 800 sucked for me. I like the 800/15 on the beach but in the dirt I gave up and went back to the E-Track I had been swinging for 6 years. I finally relegated the 800 to Beach duty exclusively (and it even takes a back seat to my Surf PI sometimes) and bought a CTX3030 in January 2023. Am I ever LOVING that 3030! Not more than the E-Trac, just differently...
gismapper
Senior Member
I should get my etrac back out. I had shoulder surgery a year and a half ago and everything feels better than ever. Might have to try that today. I really do miss the consistency, but the etrac's target separation is so bad in dense areas. I could easily talk myself into a new detector this spring.
Are you using the stock 11 inch coil? Mine works so much better with the 9x5 NEL Sharpshooter and I haven't seen any appreciable depth loss, still finding wheats at 9 to 10 inches...
gismapper
Senior Member
Yeah I have the stock coil...and the 15" WOT...lol
Coils were really expensive back when I got the etrac. I went with the wot because at the time, I was mostly hunting parks with big multipurpose fields, and the occasional beach. I bet I could pick one up pretty cheap now, but now I'm saving up for a new detector. Haha
I'll never sell my etrac. And the nox 600 is a good turn on and go machine for friends to borrow. I said the same thing about my first detector...the ace 350. I guess I'm on my way to being a hoarder. Albeit at a slow pace. Haha
Cherry Picker
Forum Supporter
Now there are quite a few new models to choose from to find what fits your needs, but without a doubt, the Equinox 800 set a new standard when it came out.
