Minelab offers 3 Double D (DD) search coils for the Minelab Equinox 600 and 800 metal detectors. They include the 6 inch, 11 inch (comes standard with every Equinox purchase), and a 15 inch DD coil. Each search coil serves its own purpose. Each coil has its pros and cons based on the type of hunting and the conditions the detectorist faces.
Which Minelab Equinox search coil is better? Overall the standard 11″ search coil is the best. However, the answer to this question will depend on the type of metal detecting you are doing. There are times when one search coil may out perform the other depending on the ground conditions. This post will highlight those conditions as well as the pros and cons of each search coil and what you can expect to pay if you decide to purchase one of them.
The Small Equinox 6 Inch Search Coil
This small 6″ DD coil packs a punch and isn’t short on depth. The coil performs best in trashy conditions and tight spaces. The 6″ coil excels under these conditions. This coil enables you to hunt in tight spaces such as under tree roots, in between rocks, under brush etc. However, there are some things to consider before investing in this coil (see the table below).
| 6″ COIL PROS | 6″ COIL CONS |
| Extremely good separation in trashy conditions. | Need to swing the coil really slow. |
| Extremely good at getting under brush, tree roots, small spaces etc. | Coverage area is significantly smaller than the other search coils. This will require significantly more time to cover an area. |
| Extremely light and easy to swing. | Feels awkward to swing. You must maintain a slow swinging speed. |
| For a small coil it still gets incredible depth | It does lose some depth compared to the 11″ or 15 coils. |
The 6″ search coil is must have for those tight spaces and trashy soil. I have used the 6″ on numerous occasions and I was able to find coins that the other Equinox search coils missed. If you would like to see the review check out my video below.
The Big 15 Inch Equinox Search Coil
The Big 15″ coil has its place too. Even though I would use the 11″ 90% of the time, there are times when the 15″ comes in handy. For those metal detecting wide open farm fields and permissions where you have numerous acres to cover, the 15″ coil should be your coil of choice. There is no question that the 15″ coil is made to cover wide areas of ground. The coverage that the 15″ provides is enough reason to purchase the coil. The coil does come with some downsides (see the table below).
| 15″ COIL PROS | 15″ COIL CONS |
| Provides great coverage enabling you to cover more ground in less time. | Adds significant weight to the Equinox and it is not easy to swing. Arm fatigue sets in quickly. Stay out of corn fields with high corn stalks. |
| Additional depth is gained. | The additional depth gained is only about an 1″ or so depending on the target. Not really significant. |
| Difficult to pinpoint a target at times. |
The 15″ search coil is definitely the coil to have at the beach or in wide open areas. I would recommend making a harness or something that could take the pressure off of your arm. Otherwise, you may find yourself putting the 11″ search coil back on after a couple hours of use.
The Standard Equinox 11 Inch Search Coil
The 11″ coil is by far the best coil out of the 3. The coil is well balanced and really hits hard on coins especially silver coins. The 11″ coil is extremely useful in almost any condition and really great on the beach. There aren’t many cons I can come up with for the 11″ coil. It really is the best coil made for the Equinox. I would only use the other 2 coils under certain circumstances already mentioned above. The 11″ can be used almost 90% of the time and find those targets other metal detectors missed. It truly is the workhorse coil for the Equinox.
What is The Price Difference Between All 3 Search Coils?
The Equinox search coils all vary in price but not by much. The table below provides a ball park price from Kellyco but it is highly recommended that you shop around for the best price.
| 6″ Search Coil Price | 11″ Search Coil Price | 15″ Search Coil Price |
| $179 | $229 | $239 |
| Check latest price. | Check Latest Price | Check Latest Price |
If you are considering purchasing one of the Minelab Equinox search coils I recommend reaching out to Fort Bedford Metal Detectors. They carry all the coils mentioned in this post as well as all the accessories for the Equinox.
Do You Want to Know More About the Minelab Equinox Metal Detector?
Earlier this month I took a hard look at both the Equinox 600 and 800 to determine the key differences between those two models. What I found was surprising. Find out what I learned here or by clicking the image below.
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