Best detector for my needs?

[Customx_12]

It’s time I upgrade my detector and my brother wants to as well. We are going to start detecting more frequently together but our interests are all over the place. We want to look for gold and do some nugget hunting while also looking for other metals, relics, and coins.

Should we get all around detectors? Are those adequate for nugget hunting? Is it possible to get a relic detector and buy a gold specific coil that I can switch back and forth with? If so, what brands are best for that?

Also, does anybody know of any BOGO sites? KellyCo has BOGO deals sometimes but they’re for cheaper detectors and the site now mentions discount percentages rather than actual buy one get one free deals. We would like to be in the $1000 range. Thanks!

 

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[against the wind]

Equinox 800,,

 

[digger460]

Ditto!

 

[smokeythecat]

That's a big range and offers for a lot of choices. Are you using a Tesoro Umax still? The aforementioned Equinox is quite popular. The XP Deus is a great all purpose machine and is great in bad ground in iron. The Makro Kruzer is also up and coming. If at all possible, try to find a local dealer to go actually test drive a set of machines. If you're doing nugget hunting in a desert type environment, a PI machine should be under consideration, but it's useless if there is a lot of iron present. Lots of choices.

 

[Terry Soloman]

There is only ONE machine that will fill your needs, the Minelab Equinox 800.

 

[Customx_12]

Seems like a pretty clear consensus. Most sites, including KellyCo, are sold out and taking back orders. That’s a good sign but also makes it difficult to order and receive in a timely manner. It seems the Equinox 800 came out in January. What did people who want to do what we want to do use before the Equinox was released?

 

[smokeythecat]

Terry used Tesoros, maybe others, maybe he can chime in. I have a Tesoro and XP Deus at the moment.

 

[Terry Soloman]

We used several different machines. One for dirt, one for freshwater, one for saltwater beach hunting, and another for gold nuggetshooting. The Equinox is the very first true "All Around" metal detector. Study up on it and wait for it!

 

[smokeythecat]

I saw one at an inflated price on ebay today, the waterproof headphones too.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

I saw one at an inflated price on ebay today, the waterproof headphones too.

The headphones you saw are aftermarket ones not Minelab's. Seen several that have been modified and being sold on EBay.

 

[Normsel]

I would do the Equinox 800. I would search other dealers beside the one you mentioned. The BOGO deals are never what they appear to be. Find someone you can order from and not pay up front.

 

[Customx_12]

I would do the Equinox 800. I would search other dealers beside the one you mentioned. The BOGO deals are never what they appear to be. Find someone you can order from and not pay up front.

What do you mean by “order from and not pay up front?”

 

[curious2]

What do you mean by “order from and not pay up front?”

Means, if you order from a dealer that does not have the Equinox 800 in stock, don't pre-pay. Some dealers want the money up front (free loan), and some are willing to wait until they actually have the Nox in stock and can ship. BTW, the Equinox 600 is in stock at many dealers, and is essentially the same machine without the gold modes and without as fine adjustments on some things.

 

[DiamondDan]

Might as well ball yourself up in a corner and cry until you can get the Equinox. You're apparetly screwed until then. No other detector is capable of finding metals within the soil. ONLY the sacred Equinox!

 

[Customx_12]

Might as well ball yourself up in a corner and cry until you can get the Equinox. You're apparetly screwed until then. No other detector is capable of finding metals within the soil. ONLY the sacred Equinox!

Sounds like you may have additional recommendations?