ZR2guy
Sr. Member
- Jan 6, 2011
- 454
- 510
- Detector(s) used
- Minelab Equinox 700 (stock and 6" coil), Pro-find 35 PP, Makro PP, and a little luck.
- Primary Interest:
- Metal Detecting
I am not a master of this detector nor do I claim to be, just my average guy’s review so far of the Equinox 600. I have had this detector out only 3 times since purchasing it back around Labor Day. I mainly hunt schoolyards, parks, and tot- lots.... for now.(I have only been using Park 1 and All Metal modes to this point)
The Good:
1. Price point. Awesome bang for the buck. Better wake up White’s,First Texas, Garrett; you are getting left behind here.
2. This thing really hits nickels well. I have been digging nickels at 5-6” with a stable TID. Dimes at 9”, no problem. Quarters at 10” so far. (Sensitivity at 20)
3. So far, no lower rod wobble problems. I know it has only been 3 times out but I have read that some owners experienced this problem right out of the box.
4. It is very lightweight and a joy to swing. Reminds of my T2SE detectors I had at one time. Ergonomics are very good. I can easily make on-the-fly adjustments with my thumb while maintaining a good grip for proper swinging.
5. The display is easy to see; I’m 52 so this is very good.
6. All metal mode, well it blew my mind how fast it separates all of the targets you will obviously hear in this mode and reports this back both in audio and TID.
It literally sounds like a machine gun but you can easily hear the high tones when the coil goes over good targets. It was actually fun running this thing in all metal mode with sweep speed at 3.
7. Battery life has been good. I have probably been out a total of 7-8 hours and it just dropped to 2 bars.
8. No EMI problems whatsoever; something I have always liked about Minelab.
The Not so Good:
1. Not thrilled with the headphone connection location. Yes I know I can get wireless headphones but I think about the location of this on my T2SE and quietly ask, why?
2. Battery; now I like the technology of the battery as far as its type and that it’s rechargeable but I still would like the ability to change this if I so choose. And yes, I have a portable bank charger but then this is something else to worry about keeping charged along with the integrated detector battery. Swapping AA batteries was never a problem for me. Hopefully a battery change won’t require sending the main part of the detector back to Minelab to be replaced.
3. Longer warranty. 5 years would be nice.
4. Maybe just a pet peeve here but like most detectors with the Velcro cuff strap, MAKE IT LONGER! I am only 6’ tall and my forearms are not that big but by the time you have a sweatshirt or jacket on, the Velcro cuff strap is useless.
That’s all I have for now; like I said before, this is not an expert’s review here. I just wanted to add an “average Joe’s” review.
The Good:
1. Price point. Awesome bang for the buck. Better wake up White’s,First Texas, Garrett; you are getting left behind here.
2. This thing really hits nickels well. I have been digging nickels at 5-6” with a stable TID. Dimes at 9”, no problem. Quarters at 10” so far. (Sensitivity at 20)
3. So far, no lower rod wobble problems. I know it has only been 3 times out but I have read that some owners experienced this problem right out of the box.
4. It is very lightweight and a joy to swing. Reminds of my T2SE detectors I had at one time. Ergonomics are very good. I can easily make on-the-fly adjustments with my thumb while maintaining a good grip for proper swinging.
5. The display is easy to see; I’m 52 so this is very good.
6. All metal mode, well it blew my mind how fast it separates all of the targets you will obviously hear in this mode and reports this back both in audio and TID.
It literally sounds like a machine gun but you can easily hear the high tones when the coil goes over good targets. It was actually fun running this thing in all metal mode with sweep speed at 3.7. Battery life has been good. I have probably been out a total of 7-8 hours and it just dropped to 2 bars.
8. No EMI problems whatsoever; something I have always liked about Minelab.
The Not so Good:
1. Not thrilled with the headphone connection location. Yes I know I can get wireless headphones but I think about the location of this on my T2SE and quietly ask, why?
2. Battery; now I like the technology of the battery as far as its type and that it’s rechargeable but I still would like the ability to change this if I so choose. And yes, I have a portable bank charger but then this is something else to worry about keeping charged along with the integrated detector battery. Swapping AA batteries was never a problem for me. Hopefully a battery change won’t require sending the main part of the detector back to Minelab to be replaced.
3. Longer warranty. 5 years would be nice.
4. Maybe just a pet peeve here but like most detectors with the Velcro cuff strap, MAKE IT LONGER! I am only 6’ tall and my forearms are not that big but by the time you have a sweatshirt or jacket on, the Velcro cuff strap is useless.
That’s all I have for now; like I said before, this is not an expert’s review here. I just wanted to add an “average Joe’s” review.
Last edited:
Garrett and White's are getting left behind here. I hate to see it being that they are American based companies but when a metal detector company introduces 2 multi-frequency detectors that each retail for less than $1000, how can you not be interested? I waited for months to see if the EQ was going to be nothing more than a hype train coming to town; well, it isn't. It didn't and won't make all single frequency detectors obsolete but it sure killed single frequency used detector values.
