PROBABLY BEEN ASKED A MILLION TIMES! BUT WHICH ONE REALLY?

TheHarleyMan2

Bronze Member
Feb 27, 2008
1,594
464
Never Know I May Live Next To You!
Detector(s) used
GTI 2500/Bounty Hunter
Minelab Equinox 800
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Ok, What metal detector is good for beaches and salt water as well as land away from the beaches that is water proof?

I read on the AT Pro, and a few others but I am really not wanting to spend over $1,000 just for a detector. I know many people here have their preferences, but what is your experiences and which ones do you use and prefer and why?
 

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Loco-Digger

Gold Member
Jun 16, 2014
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So THM you've been a member since 2008 and yet you have to ask this question? Even though I am not in the market for a new machine, I read many of the brands forums as well as the General and metal detecting forums. The answer is there, you only need to read a little to figure it out. Good Luck
 

Treasure_Hunter

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Jul 27, 2006
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54,912
Florida
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Minelab_Equinox_ 800 Minelab_CTX-3030 Minelab_Excal_1000 Minelab_Sovereign_GT Minelab_Safari Minelab_ETrac Whites_Beach_Hunter_ID Fisher_1235_X
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If your not wanting to go over a $1000 I would go with a new Equinox or a used excal.
 

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TheHarleyMan2

TheHarleyMan2

Bronze Member
Feb 27, 2008
1,594
464
Never Know I May Live Next To You!
Detector(s) used
GTI 2500/Bounty Hunter
Minelab Equinox 800
Primary Interest:
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So THM you've been a member since 2008 and yet you have to ask this question? Even though I am not in the market for a new machine, I read many of the brands forums as well as the General and metal detecting forums. The answer is there, you only need to read a little to figure it out. Good Luck

I hadn't been on in a few years, due to Army, life, and everything in general. I have a Garrett GTI 2500. I had not brought that to the beach to check it out, I hadn't used it much either. I just recently been reading on here, and members use different ones, just wanted info on others experiences and the ones they use.
 

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Loco-Digger

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From all the rave concerning the Minelab Equinox series you should look into them, these are new, and all the rave from what I read. Just know you will have a waiting period if you choose the model 800 vs the 600.
 

RustyGold

Gold Member
Aug 16, 2013
9,372
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Southern California
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Xterra Pro
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Other
I’d say in your price bracket and needing it to be waterproof and able to do saltwater with mineralized beaches,
my suggestion is to look into the new Minelab Equinox 600 or 800.
The 800 has more to offer over the 600 model as far as features but either one should do you well.
Good luck!
 

Pacific_Searcher

Full Member
Sep 30, 2016
105
96
Hawaii
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Equinox 600/Pro Pointer AT
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All Treasure Hunting
Equinox 600 and keep the rest of the $1000 in your pocket.
 

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TheHarleyMan2

TheHarleyMan2

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Feb 27, 2008
1,594
464
Never Know I May Live Next To You!
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Minelab Equinox 800
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Thanks guys!

I like the idea of the 800 to switch to gold nugget mode to find gold, I read that the 600 can do the same thing just have to push the button a few more times, as the 800 has the lazy button and push once. I just looked on KELLCO's site and both are out of stock and no ship date!

Colonial also has them both out of stock but offer a 15% military discount which is always good!

Guess I will keep looking on who has them in stock!
 

cudamark

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Equinox 600 and keep the rest of the $1000 in your pocket.

My opinion would be the opposite. Get the 800. The extra features are more than worth the extra money.
 

Pacific_Searcher

Full Member
Sep 30, 2016
105
96
Hawaii
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Equinox 600/Pro Pointer AT
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All Treasure Hunting
I agree with cudamark as well if you can find a 800 for retail and will use the additional features it is absolutely worth the extra $249 imho.
 

johnwon2

Jr. Member
Jun 21, 2011
56
38
Jacksonville, FL
Detector(s) used
Tesoro Tiger Shark & Equinox-800
Primary Interest:
Beach & Shallow Water Hunting
Thanks guys!

I like the idea of the 800 to switch to gold nugget mode to find gold, I read that the 600 can do the same thing just have to push the button a few more times, as the 800 has the lazy button and push once. I just looked on KELLCO's site and both are out of stock and no ship date!

Colonial also has them both out of stock but offer a 15% military discount which is always good!

Guess I will keep looking on who has them in stock!

You probably won't find anyone with an 800 in stock on their site. Reach out to the sponsors directly if you want and if none have them like I ran into, go to Minelab's site and call all of the little dealers on there until you find one. I lucked out and had one shipped to me almost immediately. With that being said, I know the store that I bought it from doesn't have any more in stock right now.
 

s.c.shooter

Bronze Member
Jul 28, 2008
1,063
730
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They auctioned off an 800 at the treasure hunters cook out last weekend. I could not believe it when it started at 750 and no one bidded immediately so I raised my hand. After 3 or 4 times I was outbid. Sold for 950. At least it was for a good cause.
 

smokeythecat

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Nov 22, 2012
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Either one, just remember waterproof headphones are extra. They are just becoming available.
 

SteveJJ

Jr. Member
May 18, 2015
59
66
Minnesota
Detector(s) used
Minelab Equinox 800
Fisher F75 (for sale)
Fisher Gold Bug 2
White's TDI SL
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All Treasure Hunting
If you live near me, do not get an equinox! I want to be able to find stuff too. Maybe buy my barely used f75!
 

Normsel

Bronze Member
Sep 10, 2012
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D'Iberville MS
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E-Trac
Equinox 800
Equinox 600
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The Equinox 800 is the better deal. The WM08 is like $259 and the wireless headphones are $139.. The 800 is $899 and the 600 is $650.. The 800 has the gold feature and the 600 does not.

You get wired headphones with the 600 buy wireless work well with it but that's going to cost $139 for wireless headphones from Minelab..

Best detectors out of the box I have ever used.. I was happy the 1st 30 minutes. I just cashed in a months worth of clad at coinstar and got $172 and change
 

Ammoman

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Oct 12, 2015
2,211
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XP Deus, Nokta Impact, Tesoro Compadre..
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Since no one has mentioned other machines, Take a look at the Makro Multi Kruzer. Its water proof, has multiple frequencies to choose from, has a beach mode for salt water, comes with Wireless headphones, Can be updated and is EXTREEEMLY Well balanced meaning you can swing all day without killing your arm. It is also a beast with target separation and is very affordable and built sturdy. At 750.00 its something to consider. I have looked at the Kruzer and Equinox and have decided the Kruzer is the better deal.
 

cudamark

Gold Member
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Mar 16, 2011
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XP Deus 2, Equinox 800/900, Fisher Impulse AQ, E-Trac, 3 Excal 1000's, White's TM808, VibraProbe, 15" NEL Attack, Mi6, Steath 920ix and 720i scoops, TRX, etc....
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
The Multi Kruzer has multiple frequencies (3), but, you can only use one at at a time. The Equinox uses 5 at one time or each individually in the 800 or 3 in the 600. Full multi IQ will make a difference at a salt water beach. The Nox's are lighter too.....under 3lbs.
 

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TheHarleyMan2

TheHarleyMan2

Bronze Member
Feb 27, 2008
1,594
464
Never Know I May Live Next To You!
Detector(s) used
GTI 2500/Bounty Hunter
Minelab Equinox 800
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Well, I flipped the bill on KELLYCO on the Equinox 800. :icon_thumleft: With the carry bag, digger knife, and 3 pocket pouch and some framed replica Escudo.
I also get a 15% military discount. :headbang:

Now I have to wait and see how long it takes to get to me! :dontknow::dontknow:
 

GoDeep

Bronze Member
Nov 12, 2016
2,120
4,515
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Ordered a EQ600 Monday (will arrive this Thursday) from Bedford detectors, they offer free shipping and with my 15% military discount, Total was $551.00 to my front door! This is an incredible value. I'll be out swinging in less then two days!
 

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