Whether you purchased the Minelab Equinox 600 or 800 you might be wondering why there is a difference in the recovery speed settings. I was also curious about the difference so I decided to do the research and figure out what that difference is between the 2 machines. I found out that there is a difference but it is not as significant as you might think.
Recovery speed is the time it takes for a metal detector to register a target beneath the search coil and present the visual information (via the video display indicator or VDI) and the audio information back to the operator for interpretation. Faster recovery speeds can increase the number of targets identified but they can also result in a loss of detection depth.
Minelab Equinox 600 vs 800 Target Recovery Speeds.
The Minelab Equinox features some of the fastest recovery speeds available for metal detectors. The Minelab Equinox 600 has recovery speed options of 1, 2, and 3 where as the Minelab Equinox 800 has recovery speed options of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Even though there appears to be a big difference in recovery speed options, there really isn’t. If you take recovery speed options for both the 600 and 800 and compare them like is shown in the table below, the difference is not as significant as you might think.
| Minelab Equinox 800 Recovery Speeds | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Minelab Equinox 600 Recovery Speeds | 1 | 2 | 3 |
As you can see from the table above, the Equinox 600 offers a good range of recovery speed options. In fact, most 800 owners will never go below 2 or above 7. This puts the Equinox 600 well within the range of good target recovery speeds and for a lower price. But the 800 does offers a few other options that may make it more appealing for owners who like to have more control over their metal detector. If you would like more information on the comparison between the 600 and 800 check out this other article I wrote.
Why Does Recovery Speed Matter?
In the past, metal detecting areas with a lot of trash would usually send detectorists running for cleaner ground. With the Minelab Equinox, those trashy sites are no longer out of play. Recovery speed matters because it could be the difference in finding that old coin laying in a patch of ground laced with iron nails that masks out the good targets. Older metal detectors were not able to hunt these areas. Therefore, discovering areas like these could yield targets that no one has ever found before.
As it becomes harder to find virgin ground, searching those trashy and iron rich permissions could provide a new opportunity to uncover some really great finds. However, there is a trade off that I’ll explain below.
Higher Recovery Speeds Usually Means Less Detection Depth.
It is a fact that the higher the recovery speed used on the Equinox will equate to a loss of detection depth. However, the loss of depth is not significant. Most users will experience a lose of an inch or so but it is something to keep in mind. Most owners will tell you that the loss of depth usually starts happening somewhere above recovery speed of 6 for the Equinox 800 and recovery speed of 3 for the 600.
Lower Recovery Speeds Provide Superior Depth.
As I mention earlier, the higher the recovery speed will usually mean less detection depth. Its exactly the opposite when you choose a lower recovery speed. I have personally found that recovery speeds between 2 and 6 (Equinox 800) provide the optimal depth detection while maintaining exceptional target separation. For the Equinox 600 I would choose 1 or 2 to get the optimal depth while maintaining the best target separation.
How to Change The Recovery Speed on The Minelab Equinox.
The same procedures apply to both the Equinox 600 and 800. To change the recovery speed of the Equinox is easy. Press the gear/settings icon (yellow arrow) and keep pressing until you reach the last option “on settings menu (see image below).
The recovery speed can be changed by pressing the “+” or “–” buttons. Once you have the desired recovery speed simply press the “Coil” button to continue hunting (see image below).
I Hope This Helped You
I’m always trying to put out helpful content especially for those of you who are just starting out with your Minelab Equinox. I’ve been producing a bunch of mini how-to videos on the Equinox over on my YouTube channel. If you need one-on-one instruction I can help you over on my Patreon page. For as little as $1/month you can have direct access to me to ask questions, share suggestions, have conversations, etc. Join me today.
