I had never metal detected before. Always wanted to. After doing a lot of research, I went with a Minelab Equinox 600 mainly because of the simultaneous multi frequency scanning. Minelab offers 6 frequencies 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40 khz and I believe the Garret Apex is a multi-freq but with only 4 frequencies. The Minelab just works. I'm looking at getting the Equinox 900 in the next year. The depth I usually find most coins and jewelry is around 1 to 6 inches. I have found stuff a little deeper but not often. I do dig a great deal of junk. It just happens. It really does well on the beach and in saltwater also.
Any metal detectorists here?
- Thread starter Ponycarman
- Start date
I had never metal detected before. Always wanted to. After doing a lot of research, I went with a Minelab Equinox 600 mainly because of the simultaneous multi frequency scanning. Minelab offers 6 frequencies 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40 khz and I believe the Garret Apex is a multi-freq but with only 4 frequencies. The Minelab just works. I'm looking at getting the Equinox 900 in the next year. The depth I usually find most coins and jewelry is around 1 to 6 inches. I have found stuff a little deeper but not often. I do dig a great deal of junk. It just happens. It really does well on the beach and in saltwater also.
Saltwater/sand is key, IMO. My older Fisher is so-so at wet sand.
What's really useful (and few mention) are those "probe" detecting tools - used to poke through your newly excavated sand or soil. It'll touch metal you can't even see and buzz.
AA
The SMF detectors don't have the issues in sand or salt the way a single frequency detector does. That doesn't mean it's perfect. Any detector that comes across black sand, which is highly mineralized, will experience interference. There's another SMF detector, the Nokta Legend, which is less expensive than the Minelab Equinoxes. I have heard people that own the Legends report they perform excellent on the beach.
When you say probe detecting are you referring to the pinpointers? I have one made by Garrett and yes those make finding the buried items much easier.
Check out the Vanquish detectors before you pull the trigger. The 440 is the middle of the road for that series. VANQUISH 440 - Metal Detector - https://www.minelab.com/usa/metal-detectors/vanquish-440
That’s the detector I’ve been looking at.
Not to muddy the water, one more in your price range: Simplex+ Metal Detector - Nokta Detectors - https://www.noktadetectors.com/metal-detector/simplex-metal-detector/
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- #91
This is a pretty good recent video about choosing a first detector. There are other options of course but these are the main modern choices. He also gets into other equipment and detecting info.
New toy:
Rhody
I'm a Lumberjack.
Wow looks cool! Congrats
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- #94
Awesome! Congrats!
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- #95
Forgot to post this stuff! Combination of finds from two trips to my inlaws. Found a chunky silver ring too! First ring of 2023! Used the fisher f44 detector with a small coil. Really liking that thing. Light, simple, and effective!
No idea why but I've been having issues posting fullsize pics 
No idea why but I've been having issues posting fullsize pics 
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Been researching higher level detectors and decided to go with the full band spectrum CTX 3030 even though the technology was introduced by Minelab in 2010. The CTX is highly customizable and I can create my own discrimination patterns and even share those patterns with others. I'll still retain my Equinox 600 as a backup.
Love to detect......just can't find the time to do much anymore. I utilize a Nokta system.
