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The Equinox is one of Minelab's most versatile metal detectors and possibly the best metal detector ever built for its time. The Equinox comes in 2 models the Equinox 600 or 800. For a little more money the Equinox 800 offers wireless headphones and an extra search frequency. Both models use Minelab's patented Mult-IQ technology that places the Equinox a notch above the rest. Watch The Video Now! https://youtu.be/RmT37Xh28I0 What Makes The Equinox the Best? There are several factors that go into determining which metal detector is the best. Many of these will be up for debate. However, based on the research and polling I've done over the last 6 months, the equinox comes out ahead in all of the factors listed below. I'll go into more detail for each of these factors. Key Factors That Make The Equinox The Best. 100% WaterproofSoftware UpdatesEasy to OperateEasy To Use InterfaceVersatility Multi-Frequency TechnologyRechargeable WirelessLight WeightCostService/Technical Support 1. 100% Waterproof One of the biggest features of a metal detector that most of us like to see is a metal detector that is 100% waterproof and one that can be submersed down to at least 10 feet of water. Lets face it, no one likes to run for cover when the weather changes and you shouldn't have to. Owning a machine that can withstand all types of weather that can also be submerged underwater is a big factor. The Equinox is 100% waterproof and submersible down to 10 feet of water. Minelab Equinox 800 River Detecting 2. Software Upgradeable. I think this is a great feature and an important one. This is especially true when something needs to be fixed or a new feature can be added at no additional cost. Minelab has done a great job of updating the Equinox. Plus, if the update doesn't benefit you or if you want to stay with a previous version of the software you can. I've owned 2 metal detectors (XP Deus and the Equinox). In my experience each update offers something new and "usually" the update will make the machine better. Software Updates are a must have these days. You will start to see more and more metal detectors include this feature. They already have! 3. Easy to Use Interface. This is a big factor and one that can't be ignored. Most of us like to turn on a machine and get swinging as quick as possible. The last thing we want to do is adjust every setting known to man and pray we have it all right. The Equinox is one of the easiest machines I have ever used and the interface is breeze to master. Minelab made a high tech machine easy for anyone to use by simplifying their interface. It is also interesting to see other lower end machines coming up with similar interfaces and search programs. Minelab got it right and now others will be following. Just ask the Nokto Makro folks. 4. Simple to Operate. Like an easy to use interface, the operation of the machine should be just as simple. There shouldn't be any hidden features that you to have remember to set. Everything should be straightforward. Pinpointing should be simple. Frequency adjustments shouldn't be buried in the menu system, search programs should be setup in 1 or 2 clicks so you can be swinging within minutes. The Equinox nails it. Pick your search program, noise cancel, and start swinging. Its that simple to operate. 5. Versatility. To be considered the best, a metal detector should be versatile and able to adapt to any condition on the ground, beach, or in the water. The Equinox is one of the most versatile machines that has ever been manufactured. It can handle just about any condition while remaining quiet and stable at the same time. Oh did I mention its also waterproof! Here are a couple of owners who agree. I’ve used the AT Pro and have the AT Max and Equinox 800. While they are all great machines, the Equinox is just more versatile. I could list all the features it has which I love but really it’s the versatility. It gives me the ability to tweak just about every setting for the conditions I’m in and make adjustments on the flyDoug Goodyear - Metal Detecting Maryland In the fields, heavy iron, beach or in the water I don't have one complaint.Richard Davey - Metal Detecting Maryland 6. Multi-Frequency Technology. If there is one feature of the Equinox that sets it apart from the rest of the competition its the way Minelab incorporated its Multi-IQ or Multi-Frequency into the Equinox. This feature single handily puts the Equinox at the top. I've used some really good machines in the past but there is nothing that compares to the Equinox. After hunting a permissions numerous times with other machines, the Equinox will turn those hunted out permissions into new ones again. I've hunted a local church numerous time with 2 other machines. This is what I pulled out after 2 hours of hunting with the Equinox (see below). I have never used a machine like it. The Equinox loves silver coins! Finds From a Local Church Built in 1894 7. Rechargeable. If a metal detector today isn't rechargeable it should be! The Equinox is fully rechargeable. C, D, AAA and AA batteries are quickly becoming a thing of the past. The Equinox comes with a built-in rechargeable Lithium-ion battery. You get about 12 hours of use which is longer than most people can handle standing on 2 feet. Plus the charging cable is magnetized making it easy to snap on and off the control box. 8. Wireless. Every metal detector today should be wireless. Most vendors are now heading in this direction. Whether its Z-Lynk, Bluetooth etc., you are seeing a big surge in wireless technology. The Equinox uses aptX™ Low Latency Bluetooth. The sound quality of the Equinox is pretty amazing. If you've every had to use a metal detector that has wired headphone and try a wireless machine, there is no going back. Every metal detector today should be wireless. The technology is widely available now so it just makes common sense to go wireless. The Equinox 800 comes with wireless headphones but you can also use after market heads phones that use Low Latency Bluetooth. 9. Lightweight. Weight of the metal detector is more significant than one might think. The lighter the machine the better. Every detectorist enjoys a pain free hunt. Those heaver machines will increase fatigue and reduce your detecting time or make you sore for the next hunt. The Equinox isn't the lightest metal detector on the market but it is lighter than most. With the Equinox weighing in at only 2.96lbs, its very east to swing and doesn't cause a lot of fatigue. You can spend hours swinging the Equinox without knowing it. It is a little coil heavy but barely noticeable. You will be digging up a lot of targets so more often than not, your arm will get a break. 10. Cost. I looked at VLF metal detectors under $1000.00. Most VLF machines are way below this price point anyway. The Equinox 800 comes in around $899 (could be more or less depending on the package). At the time of its entry in the market, the Equinox offered so much more in a machine than any other metal detector. It simply out priced its competition big time! Two years later, the Equinox is still hard to keep in stock and there isn't anything out there that can compete with it. There are other companies starting to circle the wagons but as I write to you today, no one can touch the Equinox for the price and features you get in a metal detector. 11. Service/Technical Support. Technical support is one of those support factors that you hope you never have to use. But if your metal detector breaks or has an issue you want a little peace of mine knowing that you can get it fixed. It wasn't very long ago that Minelab offered some of the worst customer service that was out there. Fortunately, they turned that part of their business around. Today, Minelab offers some of the best service and technical support out there. The Equinox machines aren't perfect and they have their issues but Minelab gives them a 3 year warranty for both the control box and coil. Most companies only offer a 2 or 1 year warranty. Want To Know More About The Equinox? If you are interested in learning more about the Minelab Equinox, I recommend reaching out to Fort Bedford Metal Detectors. They carry a huge selection of Minelab metal detectors as well as any accessory you might need for your Minelab or any other metal detector. I highly recommend checking them out online or giving them a call at 1-814-215-1732. Does The Equinox Have Any Flaws? The Equinox is not a perfect metal detector. In fact, it does have a couple of flaws but none of them keep this machine from being considered the best metal detector on the market today. Leaking: The Equinox appears to be made really well but they have been know to break a lot. For instance, many of them have flooded when taken in the water. I haven't personally experienced that issue but others have. On the bright side, Minelab quickly replaces them. Weak Arm Cuff: Many people complain that the arm cuff breaks to easy. I have looked closely at the arm cuff and I can see why this could be an issue. Again, Minelab will replace a broken arm cuff. Either way, it might be wise to have an extra one handy just in case. Arm Cuff Weakness Coil Heavy: Like I mentioned earlier, the coil is a bit heavy making the Equinox what we call "coil heavy". While this seems to be true, it really doesn't impact your hunting. After using it a few times you won't even notice it. Despite the flaws, they aren't enough to change the fact that the Minelab Equinox is an amazing metal detector that is one of the best metal detectors anyone has ever made. Why Some of You Won't Agree. Like many of you, I was a staunch non-believe in the Equinox. I refused to try one let alone purchase one. But why? It's an easy answer to be honest. Some of us get so hung up on our brand of machine that we can't and won't believe that a competitor could come out with a new metal detector that is better than ours. Its a hard pill to swallow. No matter how many videos we see of people digging up treasure with the Equinox we still think our machine is better. Its a tribal thing for sure! Is the Minelab Equinox a perfect metal detector? The answer is no. It is not perfect but it has enough of the right things in it make it one of the best metal detectors on the market. No matter what I say many of you out there will still be in denial. For the record I am not bought or paid by Minelab to write anything positive about them. Other Equinox Articles I Wrote Recently. Does The Minelab Equinox Really Work on The Beach? Minelab Equinox vs. XP Deus NOTE: Sections of this post contain affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this blog post and support the site at no cost to you. While this site may earn minimal sums when the reader uses the links, the reader is in NO WAY obligated to use these links. Thank you for your support!

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