Advice on a new detector? Equinox 800, Legend, something else?

[dingbatca]

I am rather enjoying my new metal detecting hobby and it's time to get a bit more serious. I started with a Simplex+ and love it for park hunting. But I also happen to live on the Oregon USA coast and would like a good beach detector. Where I live the beaches are know for black sand (Pic attached). Between the mineralization/salt/black sand the simplex is useless. My NanoPI builds do relatively well. But I am looking for something with a few more features, like target ID. This is specifically for ocean, low tide, high mineralization, black sand (magnetite) conditions.

My local metal detecting shop is advising me to get the Equinox 800. I have also been eyeing the Nokta Makro Legend. Is there a third option I should be looking at? My budget is $1000USD.

Thanks!

[Carl-NC]

For under $1000 the choices are Equinox, Legend, and Garrett Ace-Apex. I am about to do some analytical testing on them but it will be a while before I get them to the beach. Where did you take that photo? I would like to test there! Usually I go to Newport/Agate Beach.

[dingbatca]

Whales Head Beach OR
To be more precise, 42 8' 25.08" N, 124 21' 19.87" W

I have also found some rather nasty conditions at South Beach in Crescent City CA. Specifically at the small stream 100m south of Crescent Beach Motel.

What is the next step above the $1000 price range? AKA, is there something better without having to totally break the bank (~$1200)??

[Carl-NC]

Whales Head Beach OR
To be more precise, 42 8' 25.08" N, 124 21' 19.87" W

Bit too far for me. Supposedly some nasty black sand beaches at Otter Rock.

What is the next step above the $1000 price range? AKA, is there something better without having to totally break the bank (~$1200)??

Not really, the next MF detector is the Deus 2.
Also at the lower end are the Vanquish models.

[dingbatca]

Ewwww! I don't like the coil and the "remote" head unit concept of the Deus 2. I can see value in it (specifically from a signal integrity perspective), but that makes 3rd party coils almost impossible.

I am leaning toward the Equinox 800.

[Carl-NC]

There is also the Equinox 600 if you want to save some $$. I think it lacks prospecting mode, not sure what else.

[dingbatca]

There are some good writeups on the differences between the 800 and 600. The big difference, for me, is the 600 is lacking the prospecting mode and "advanced options". Physically they are the same machines. I would bet the circuit boards are the exact same. It's all in firmware.

[MartinB]

Ewwww! I don't like the coil and the "remote" head unit concept of the Deus 2. I can see value in it (specifically from a signal integrity perspective), but that makes 3rd party coils almost impossible.

I am leaning toward the Equinox 800.

3rd party coils are not available for the Deus, so probably helps with your decision.

[dingbatca]

In my cart so far:
Minelab Equinox 800 (https://oregonmds.ehopper.info/produ...tor-3720-0002/)
Minelab 15″ DD Smart Coil (https://oregonmds.ehopper.info/produ...nox-3011-0335/)
2X Anderson Coil Cable Cover (https://oregonmds.ehopper.info/produ...sorted-colors/)

As I am coming from a Simplex+, I already have a bunch of the support gear: Pin pointer, shovel, trowel, basket...
Anything else? Help me spend my money. ;-)

[Altra]

The early Equinox coils had a problem with the coil ears breaking. Not sure if Minelab has corrected this yet? You can buy these supports as cheap insurance to prevent breakage.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...fener&_sacat=0

[dingbatca]

Got it! https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/vari...coil-stiffener
My 3D printer will make short work of that. Thanks for the tip.

[Skippy]

Don't bother with these 'ear stiffener' devices, they serve no purpose. Only buy one when your ear(s) breaks , to make a repair.

Ears break because you have to bend them in slightly to create friction on the rubber teardrop washers, to hold the coil in place. If you have an 'ear stiffener' , you STILL HAVE TO bend in the ears the same amount.

What makes the problem bad is teardrop washer wear. Once the rubber wears enough, there is plastic-on-plastic wear, grinding a groove in the inner face of the ears, meaning you have to tighten the nut/bolt more, bending the ears in more etc etc. Then one day you find you have one ( or no ) ears attached. Keep a regular check on the rubber washer wear, make thin plastic shims to fit behind them ( about 0.2mm ) if needed, be prepared to buy replacement washers occasionally.

[dingbatca]

Thanks for the note.

I bought the Equinox 800 + 15" coil and the Detect-Ed Carbon Fiber Shaft. Loving it so far. I 3D printed the ears + bumper case. Now I just need to find more time to go hunting!

[MartinB]

Don't bother with these 'ear stiffener' devices, they serve no purpose. Only buy one when your ear(s) breaks , to make a repair.

Ears break because you have to bend them in slightly to create friction on the rubber teardrop washers, to hold the coil in place. If you have an 'ear stiffener' , you STILL HAVE TO bend in the ears the same amount.

What makes the problem bad is teardrop washer wear. Once the rubber wears enough, there is plastic-on-plastic wear, grinding a groove in the inner face of the ears, meaning you have to tighten the nut/bolt more, bending the ears in more etc etc. Then one day you find you have one ( or no ) ears attached. Keep a regular check on the rubber washer wear, make thin plastic shims to fit behind them ( about 0.2mm ) if needed, be prepared to buy replacement washers occasionally.

Good advice. I cut plastic shim washers from the sides of PET bottles.

[reddirtfisher]

I would check out the Quest Q60 from Quest metal detectors. They have a facility in Irvine California. Seems to be the next great company!