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Time to upgrade my detector

kc4sox

kc4sox

New Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2013
Messages
15
Location
London, Kentucky
I’ve been using a Garrett AT Pro for many years and I’m ready to upgrade to a newer machine. After TONS of research I’ve narrowed the search down to Minelab products. I was certain I wanted the XP Deus II and while it’s a great machine the user interface just sucks in my humble opinion. Not to mention having to keep up with keeping 3 things charged all the time. The Minelab Manticores user interface looks to be superior to the XP and seems much easier to use. I’ve also looked quite a bit at the Equinox 900 and from what I’ve found it seems to be a solid machine and several hundred dollars less expensive than the Manticore. However the 900’s interface does not seem as easy to navigate as the Manticore. As far as performance goes the Manticore looks to be very it as good as the XP and, depending on who you listen to the Nox 900 is nearly just as good. So, here’s the question. Has anyone had experience with BOTH the Manticore and the Nox 900 ? And if so what is your conclusion as to which of the two is the better machine for the average detectorist ? I’m not a beach comber I primarily hunt old homesites, parks, swimming holes etc.

Thanks in advance !
 
Hey kc. I to am looking to upgrade from the AT. I love the old pro but I think I've outgrown it. I'm leaning towards a 900 right now but haven't Givin much time or looked at the new garrett. Have you looked at the vortex? Thanks
 
I have had both. I traded in my deus 2 for the new eq900 when it first came out because of the large screen on it.

What a big mistake that was.

The eq900 that I owned is very prone to interference from EMI. I mean to the point to where you could not use it. It sounded like an electric machine gun going off. Totally disappointed in it. I went directly back to XP for a while after that.

Then I got the manticore. So far so good. Nice large screen. Easy enough to navigate through the menu.

There are 2 things I do not like about the manticore and they are kind of my own issues with it

1, the round control rod set up. It just seems like they could have made a shaft that wasn't round or with a stronger locking collar.

2, the midrange non ferrous region on it is very broad. Gold, brass and lead type of targets can range from low teens to the 60s. Where as on other units with a 0 to 99 scale they would be crammed more into the 30 to 60 range.

What I really like about the manticore is the 2D target graph. It does a great job when it comes to coin shooting. Also the option to have the numerical target ID turn red on the probability iron. That is a very neat option.

The XP Deus 2 menu system is not all that complicated. It is a fast and deep machine with a lot of great features. The reason I traded mine away was because I did not like the small screw in charge set up for the remote itself. Other than that it is an awesome unit.

However, minelabs charge set up is far superior to any other brand on the market in my opinion.

Minelabs manticore screen is very nice and easy to see. I do not worry about tone breaks and I just use the general all terrain option running 99 tones. I adjust the recovery speed as needed and I do sometimes run ground tracking.

Between the 2 units that you are interested in from minelab, I would get the manticore and forget about the eq900.

I also bought the 9 inch coil and run it full time on the manticore.

Just to let you know I am a coin shooter and relic hunter.
 
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Also just to let you know, I like minelab but I do not like how they get sue happy with other brands that have multi frequency technology.

I think Nokta has stood up to them in court and won.

This is also why Rutus is not available in the USA. I wish they were as they make very good units.

I like some minelab products and right now they have a winner but I don't like their cocky attitude!
 
“The eq900 that I owned is very prone to interference from EMI. I mean to the point to where you could not use it. It sounded like an electric machine gun going off. Totally disappointed in it. I went directly back to XP for a while after that.”

So, you’re saying that even with running a proper noise cancel the unit was still that noisey? I ask because every video I’ve watched is quite the opposite. Watching the user do a noise cancel in an environment that was making the machine chatter immediately got rid of the EMI noise.
 
Also as far as SMF tech goes and since you already thinking of upgrading, the nokta legend is a very good choice. You get a lot for your money and they are very well made. The menu system is quirky a bit but once you get it down it is very easy.

Don't worry about the guys that are saying to wait until the legend 2 comes out because, it may be a flop.

Just like all of the hype over the impact when they finally release it...well....it just was not that much of an impact if you ask me

But the regular legend is a proven winner.

It works great in EMI conditions. Matter of fact that area I mentioned in my first reply when the eq900 sounded like an electric machine gun, I had my legend with me that day and it was quiet as a mouse in that area
 
kc4sox said:
“The eq900 that I owned is very prone to interference from EMI. I mean to the point to where you could not use it. It sounded like an electric machine gun going off. Totally disappointed in it. I went directly back to XP for a while after that.”

So, you’re saying that even with running a proper noise cancel the unit was still that noisey? I ask because every video I’ve watched is quite the opposite. Watching the user do a noise cancel in an environment that was making the machine chatter immediately got rid of the EMI noise.
Click to expand...
Yes....I was not the only one that has had the same issue. I know of 2 or 3 others here around the forums that experienced similar problems.

Now they may have changed it or upgraded something on it but the one I had flat out sucked!!
 
P have the NOIX 900 with the Coiltek 6x10 coil default settings sense down t0 12 -15 it just hums along .. Only directly under power lines is the only issue with EMI
 
I haven’t used the manticore but I own the 900. I have not had any problems with emi. Now I do hunt under the big high tension lines. Sometime I have no problems at all but if I do I just switch to 40 kHz and it’s as quite as a mouse. That being said if cost isn’t a problem I would try the manticore. I hear nothing but good things about it. What ever you choose good luck.
 

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Hello all. Another question. How does the build quality compare between the newer machines and the old AT? I found some wheats and a silver god medallion today in the rain. After spending a career watching stupid things break, the AT's built well.
 
warrenroy said:
Hello all. Another question. How does the build quality compare between the newer machines and the old AT? I found some wheats and a silver god medallion today in the rain. After spending a career watching stupid things break, the AT's built well.
Click to expand...
Well nothing like derailing someone else’s thread
 
kc4sox said:
Well after several days of research I pulled the trigger on a new Minelab Manticore today. Bought it from BBH and couldn’t be more pleased with all the help Bart gave me through numerous emails and text messages in the process. Now begins the wait !
Click to expand...
Congrats on the Manticore purchase . Bart is a great guy to deal with . Did you get a pinpointer with it ?
 
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