Equinox 6 inch coil vs 11 inch coil....

[treasureguy56]

For me its very simple folks ,
You are always going to have about 3 groups of people with their opinions whether based on fact or suspicion or want . There will be those people who love their machine no matter what and because of that it can do no wrong - There will be people who dislike the machine for what ever reason and WILL find a reason to knock it no matter what !
Then finally the group in the middle who accept that good conditions and bad exist under all circumstances for any and all machines . Im referring to the blanking out effect and any other affect you can think of . We are given groups of technologies and advances with basic rules to work with from each and every manufacturer of metal detectors . My next point is this , if a certain set of circumstances exists to create a blanking out affect for this machine and a certain coil or two , Im sure that circumstances exist for other machines as well . This just points out the imperfection of our hobby and the tools we have to use , I for one am very happy to use the EQ800 - Blanking or no blanking !

[tabman]

I set up tests where the 6" search coil beat the 11" search coil on the same plane and at different planes. If you put multiple trash targets in, at, and around an 11-inch circle the 11" search coil won't beat the 6" inch search coil at finding a coin in the mix. In the real world of detecting, finding a coin between two nails elevated by two 2 x 4's isn't likely. Common sense should tell you that overall a 6" search coil can pick through trash better than an 11" search coil will. However, if you're hard-headed and have plenty of money to bet, I'll meet with you and set up the test. Bring cash and plenty of it.

The truth is, both search coils have advantages and disadvantages, that's why I have both. It would behoove to go over the same site with both.

tabman

[calabash digger]

Sorry tabman I am to busy out finding priceless artifacts to have a show down..... I will however send you a gopro to film your so called test and you can send it back to me and I will post video of the 6 inch coil whipping the 11 just kidding I really dont have time.... …. If swinging a 6 inch coil makes you happy by all means have at it.

Detecting is a game of ODDS...and also Time . Instead of the 6 inch Nox coil in heavy iron I just pull out my Deus with a 9 HF coil which runs circles around the 6 inch Nox coil in Heavy iron... . I have a strategy for my style of hunting . Where I feel I get the best bang for my buck...(Time VS effort)

One thing to remember is I am not chasing clad or silver in yards Most of the time I am iron loaded sites with little to moderate modern trash. If the old site is loaded with modern trash We leave and go find another site …..Back to the time vs effort... Maybe one day when we run out sites I will return to those sites and spend my retirement days picking hard to find targets out of tons of modern trash but for now we will keep on moving...

Time being able to detect is the key factor for me.....If I cant get with the Equinox 11 inch coil or Deus 9 inch coil I am very content in leaving it there and moving on down the line.

I understand everyone cant do that and each of us have to adapt our styles... A hockey puck just doesnt fit into my style....




BTW as for the test of the 6 inch unmasking in a 3 d scenario with iron ,would love to see it...Six inch coil had absolutely no benefit in the test I performed in the video. That test was NOT 2 nails elevated above a coin....

[HighVDI]

I set up tests where the 6" search coil beat the 11" search coil on the same plane and at different planes. If you put multiple trash targets in, at, and around an 11-inch circle the 11" search coil won't beat the 6" inch search coil at finding a coin in the mix. In the real world of detecting, finding a coin between two nails elevated by two 2 x 4's isn't likely. Common sense should tell you that overall a 6" search coil can pick through trash better than an 11" search coil will. However, if you're hard-headed and have plenty of money to bet, I'll meet with you and set up the test. Bring cash and plenty of it.

The truth is, both search coils have advantages and disadvantages, that's why I have both. It would behoove to go over the same site with both.

tabman

My "test" is out in the field and the 11" wins every time....for me of course. Those man made setups with coins laying on 2x4's next to nails out of a Home Depot box get no attention from me.

[pa-dirt_nc-sand]

Searching around cellar holes in the woods:

*In the open clear easily swingable areas the stock coil does better for me than the 6” even if it is iron infested.

*Often roots, large vines, large stones and bricks litter the area around the hole and these obstacles raise the swing plane 3-4”. In these instances where the 6” coil can smoothly skim the dirt around the obstacles I have found lots of LC’s and relics with the little guy.

*If you have the patience to poke into the bushy overgrown areas, the small coil’s ability to allow for wiggles in tight spaces will occasionally reward you with a nice keeper.

[tabman]

There's no doubt that my Deus will beat my Nox in a bed of nails but in 'trash' my 6-inch search coil will unmask better than my 11-inch search coil will. Now, I'm NOT going to try to cover a large area with the 6-inch search coil, but in the right smaller search area, it's a super fun search coil to use and is very effective in 'trash'.

tabman

[Trezurehunter]

Nice test results Calabash. Thanks for saving me the money on a 6 " coil !

[danloop]

I try not to overthink it. Nice weather, a decent machine, someplace to go and I'm set.

[NapervilleDan]

What about looking for gold nuggets in the Arizona desert?

I'm considering checking a bag for my flight (need a larger suitcase) in order to take it with me.

Is the 6" coil better?

Dan

[Donut]

Dan
about the same. Just the amount of ground coverage.
lots of targets like trash 6”
less trash and more open 11”. Or 15” for fields.

Doug

[EQ8]

Nice test results Calabash. Thanks for saving me the money on a 6 " coil !

I'll second that. I have been thinking already of getting the 6" and I haven't even tried out the detector yet.
Would take a long time I would think to dig up 200 bucks more than I would with the 11".
I look at it as hoping the equipment would somehow pay for itself. It will take long enough to pay off the original investment a dime and LC at a time.
And for sure, smaller coil will get into smaller space. I don't mind leaving some things for others.

[dsrtdwg1]

I like my 6 and I use it in certain situations. I live in the rocky, hilly desert south west. maneuverability is the strong suit for me.

[Blak bart]

So.....is it normal for minelab to send both coils with a new purchase ? This will be the third equinox that I've bought. Neither of the other 2 had the small coil included....but this third one came with both coils for the same price ?? I didnt ask for it but I was happy that it was in there. Not sure if I was supposed to get the 6 inch coil with the other 2 or if this was a new thing on minelabs part ? Any way this machine will be kept on the boat I work on and will be used when we travel around the bahamas.....I've got a great place to try it at....an old boat yard from the 1700s.

[HighPlainsHunter]

So.....is it normal for minelab to send both coils with a new purchase ? This will be the third equinox that I've bought. Neither of the other 2 had the small coil included....but this third one came with both coils for the same price ?? I didnt ask for it but I was happy that it was in there. Not sure if I was supposed to get the 6 inch coil with the other 2 or if this was a new thing on minelabs part ? Any way this machine will be kept on the boat I work on and will be used when we travel around the bahamas.....I've got a great place to try it at....an old boat yard from the 1700s.

The 6" coil was included with the 600 as a holiday special that ended January 31st...

[Ziggy-Grimm]

So.....is it normal for minelab to send both coils with a new purchase ?

When I bought my Equinox 600 back in November it all depended on what vendor you bought it from. There were way more vendors selling it without the 6" for the same price as the package deal with both coils. I'm just assuming here but guess the later manufactured ones from Minelab threw in the 6" as a freebie for a promotion or something.

Edit - HighPlainsHunter has your answer