New Minelab Equinox

[metaladdict]

Equinox looks great, I do wonder if it can go as deep as an fbs? They can be had at good price but they are reportedly heavy. I need lightweight. I think I will wait and see the test reports then happily buy what I think is best. Probably Equinox.

 

[metaladdict]

I don't want to sell my detectors if I get an Equinox, they are kinda like different kids to me.

 

[Trashfinder]

Not sure why you quoted me, I'm in agreement with you. My post was for those who pull percentages out of the dark place.

I will wait on the Equinox until hearing from all those people who just have to have the latest toys.

I just thought you had a great thought! I wanted to use it. I am excited like everyone else but I am just trying to keep it real till we actually get guys on here with them in their hands and give us feedback.

I have found our forum members give great honest feedback on their experiences with detectors. And I am looking forward to everyone insight on the new machines!

 

[mudwhale]

"Threading the needle" is pretty much SPOT ON. I think MineLab did a genius marketing strategy here by not saying too much, but, saying a lot. I think they have a winner here, but they are not overstating claims. Like you said, the story will come from users hands and finds.

Some possibilities as far as this Minelab not mentioning Equinox obsoletes full band spectrum detectors.

Comparing to fbs/fbs 2 units.

Equinox could be deeper in milder ground coil size for coil size, at locating targets tonally not necessarily providing good to great ID.

Equinox could be more swing speed forgiving when hunting in iron and also give more latitude from an angular approach to locate nonferrous targets.

Equinox could be deeper or locate lower conductive targets better than fbs/fbs detectors.

Equinox may suffer ID wise more on average as the soil mineral levels rise.
And remember deeper targets even in less minerlized soil, minerlization effects start to mount.

Equinox could be somewhat less stable in salt water/beach environment vs full band spectrum, yet be more stable compared to non full band spectrum detectors.

The Equinox line, in the end could be viewed as threading a needle between non fbs detectors and fbs detectors,,,but weight and cost may be viewed as worthy enough for folks to purchase and be satisfied as a one detector setup for detecting.

Notice the words used above may or could.
Only speculation and I am sure all of the above will be looked at hard when some folks receive their units.

 

[Azmodeus]

I think it will be an excellent, do-it-all (almost all), mid level machine at a reasonable price.

The Etrac/CTX are so good at depth and target id. it may take awhile to come up with anything significantly better. For example, other than being waterproof and some bells and whistles, the CTX wasn't a huge upgrade over the Etrac. They may be reaching the limit of what a detector can do. I hope not.

You mean other than having a completely new/better coil technology, being able to read 2 targets under the coil at once, light years faster in recovery speed, being able to completely customize how you want your tones to sound for what targets, being waterproof, having a beach mode, upgradeable through USB, etc? Not much improvement over the Etrac, I suppose you're correct.

 

[Just one more]

You mean other than having a completely new/better coil technology, being able to read 2 targets under the coil at once, light years faster in recovery speed, being able to completely customize how you want your tones to sound for what targets, being waterproof, having a beach mode, upgradeable through USB, etc? Not much improvement over the Etrac, I suppose you're correct.

Yes there were improvements but I don't think there are many CTX users who came from the Etrac that would say their finds significantly increased. In fact many CTX users complained their silver count went down and wanted their Etrac back. I was speaking of the general technology of metal detecting. There really hasn't been any major advances and not sure there will be anytime soon. That's all I was saying.

 

[NectarDetector]

You mean other than having a completely new/better coil technology, being able to read 2 targets under the coil at once, light years faster in recovery speed, being able to completely customize how you want your tones to sound for what targets, being waterproof, having a beach mode, upgradeable through USB, etc? Not much improvement over the Etrac, I suppose you're correct.

Well...besides all that stuff!

 

[LI Tom]

I've used Minelab FSB units over 10 years,Explorers and the last 4 years a CTX,never used an Etrac.I and I hunt public sites and I will say the Explorers are very much the equals of the CTX is most settings,depth,trash discrimination and I do not find the CTX to be much faster.I do like target trace and the balance on the CTX,but the sound of Silver on the Explorer I do miss.

 

[Just one more]

You mean other than having a completely new/better coil technology, being able to read 2 targets under the coil at once, light years faster in recovery speed, being able to completely customize how you want your tones to sound for what targets, being waterproof, having a beach mode, upgradeable through USB, etc? Not much improvement over the Etrac, I suppose you're correct.

Just to clarify, I didn't say "Not much improvement over the Etrac". Those are your words. I said, "the CTX wasn't a huge upgrade over the Etrac". You may disagree, but please don't misquote me.

 

[tnsharpshooter]

Equinox vid, deep target.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xEIQkHYSegI&feature=youtu.be

 

[Azmodeus]

Just to clarify, I didn't say "Not much improvement over the Etrac". Those are your words. I said, "the CTX wasn't a huge upgrade over the Etrac". You may disagree, but please don't misquote me.

No need to get butthurt, I was just stating facts. It was quite an upgrade in many ways IN MY OPINION and many others. Etrac is certainly a great machine, but the CTX is definitely superior. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. It makes no difference to me either way as I own both machines, but the Etrac hasn't gotten used at all since I bought the CTX. I would say the silver count atleast 1.5x-doubled after learning the CTX, especially in trash, iron infested areas, and "hunted out" fairgrounds and parks. I just jumped on the pre-order bandwagon for the Equinox. It looks impressive enough so far at that price point to get my hands on one for a bit. I don't know if it will put the CTX on the back burner as some are saying but it will at least be a great companion to it and interesting to see if it can sniff out anything the CTX misses. Can't wait to give it a go.

 

[Azmodeus]

Equinox vid, deep target.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xEIQkHYSegI&feature=youtu.be

That was pretty impressive. I wish he would have talked about the tones and numbers he was getting. I wonder if that would be a target he would have actually dug at any other site but a wide open roman infested field where you're of course going to dig everything. Before he took the first scoop or two it seemed the tones and numbers were all over more like iron falsing.

 

[NectarDetector]

That was pretty impressive. I wish he would have talked about the tones and numbers he was getting. I wonder if that would be a target he would have actually dug at any other site but a wide open roman infested field where you're of course going to dig everything. Before he took the first scoop or two it seemed the tones and numbers were all over more like iron falsing.

I agree 100% the tones and numbers were all over the place. Not only on that target, but others too.

With him being on a Roman field, obviously he'd dig that target, but I also wondered how many coin hunters would dig that trashy signal in "most" places that we hunt. I had the same observations, and I have a feeling there will be a few guys who are disappointed once they get their hands on one.

Nothing I saw in this video impressed me, but I'll give benefit of the doubt that the one that was functioning in his hands, that the video was about, that he was using, that works.... is just a prototype and not the actual Equinox, evein if it does have the logo right on it, this one was a prototype, so we can expect the real one to be even better, I'll give em that much.

 

[tnsharpshooter]

Before I could ever pass judgement on any detector while swinging over a target,,I would need to consider a few things.

Like depth
Like size of target
Like shape of target
Like orientation in the ground.

Just the orientation in the ground,,,this alone could cause any detector to struggle,,may even cause some detectors to give no detection.

I have seen this very thing using Deus and elliptical HF coil,,not the mightiest of signals,,actually these sites I have been using elliptical coil has been pounded with Deus LF coils and other detectors,,,maybe this is the reason for the HF eliiptical to be struggling on targets,,,but it is LOCATING them.
Some times just locating is a BIG deal.

Not like this field was a virgin site.

 

[ghound]

A few details

 

[metaladdict]

Equinox vid, deep target.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xEIQkHYSegI&feature=youtu.be

That was a deeeeep roman silver! I'm impressed by the equinox even more and love the tones!

 

[MrNovice]

A few details

Very nice share!

600 comes with bluetooth headphones

800 also, and comes with module

That's a really good value with the 600!

 

[Azmodeus]

So the 800 comes with the small module similar to the CTX's where you can plug in your own wired headphones, and it also comes with a pair of totally wireless bluetooth headphones that connect wirelessly to the head unit correct? I like the module being able to use your own wired ones but it's still annoying sometimes having your head tethered to the module. Are there any pics yet of the headphones up close?

 

[MrNovice]

So the 800 comes with the small module similar to the CTX's where you can plug in your own wired headphones, and it also comes with a pair of totally wireless bluetooth headphones that connect wirelessly to the head unit correct? I like the module being able to use your own wired ones but it's still annoying sometimes having your head tethered to the module. Are there any pics yet of the headphones up close?

Correct, supposedly the module is much smaller than the CTX one though, has no external speaker. I'd wager the 600 and 800 headphones are identical.

 

[MrNovice]

That was a deeeeep roman silver! I'm impressed by the equinox even more and love the tones!

Don't get too excited, Dr Tones found 1 Roman...but supposedly a woman testing a new Whites multifrequency prototype found a dozen of them spread out recently in one day. It could have been a private property permission though, which would realistically make huge difference.