After several days of research, testing in a controlled environment and then actual operation on Cocoa Beach, my simplified bottom line: The Deus 2 is a better detector than my Equinox 800.
Summary of my conclusions by area: (In the interest of brevity and simplicity, I did not include the detailed values/numbers/results from each of my individual testsā¦..boring!)
Build Quality: Deus 2 by far. I donāt see the potential for broken coil ears, no wobbly shaft, better water proof characteristics/capability, more solidly built control box, better arm cuff and better overall design of the total unitāexcellent compact travel capability. I do think the arm cuff stand could/should be wider to provide more stability when laying it on the ground.
Simplified use: Equinoxā-but only initially. Admittedly, the Deus 2 menus, locations and option functions have a steeper learning curve...but only after a day or two. I quickly became very comfortable with it.
User manual: Deus 2. Comprehensive, better layout and easily understood. An update is needed however as the manual doesnāt cover the Beach P and Fast 40 programs which are available in the Remote Control. Another feature I think XP could add that would help flatten the learning curve would be to provide a detailed menu tree in the user manual showing where to find each function and what role that function plays in the overall operation of the unit. I would also like to see a graphic, in spreadsheet form, that shows all the factory settings for each program...just as a quick reference which allows you to see and compare the settings of each program in hard copy form. The one they do show on page 46 omits Beach P and Fast 40.
Sensitivity at depth: Deus 2. Itās simply the latest and improved/better technology. Clear and more accurate target ID at depth throughout the spectrum of target size and composition.
Depth: As we know, depth is highly dependent on many factors unrelated to the detector itself but overall and in general, the Deus 2 can detect targets at greater depths in most cases than other detectors Iāve used.
Stability: Deus 2. More and better options to quiet the chatter even in challenging salt water environments where I do most of my detecting. The Salt Sensitive adjustment is a game changer for me as a beach hunter. I can leave the main sensitivity setting alone and quiet the detector with the Salt Sens option which only neutralizes the sensitivity to the mineralized salt!
Initial Cost: Equinoxā¦. However, in my opinion, one gets what one pays for. When you add all the after market equipment to rectify the wobbly shaft, weak coil ears, fragile arm cuff, control box cover etc, the final cost of the Equinox quickly approaches that of the Deus 2.
Ergonomics; Weight and balance--Deus 2 by far! Around 2 lbs beats around 5 lbs everyday, all day.
Personalized programs: Deus 2 provides slots for 12 personal programs and are easily added.
Charging: Equinox. Single cable vs 3 pig tails and somewhat fragile coil clip is much simpler and less vulnerable to ham handed use. Having said that, I do like the totally wireless design of the Deus 2.
Under water: Deus 2 has the edge here even though it requires the manual addition of an antenna since blue tooth just doesnāt work in the water. But Iād much rather take the time and effort of installing that wire than risk the real possibility of flooding we all know is an unfortunate chapter of the Equinox history.
Pinpointer and Headphone connectivity: Deus 2. I really like how the MI-6 pinpointer pairs with the remote and can be controlled by the remote. I also appreciate how the headphones automatically connect with the remote when the remote is powered on and off.
One final thought regarding the Deus 2āthe back phones. I donāt like them. On-the-ear design just doesnāt make it at the beach. Ambient noise such as wave action and the crowd over comes the back phones by a wide margin. To me, theyāre uncomfortable to boot. Yes, I tried the after market full cover headphones on my Deus 1 a few years ago wherein you slide the WS-6 āpuckā onto the headphones. I just didnāt like that set up...I guess Iām just more of a purist in that regard. So Iāll be among the first on the list for XPās WSA II XL over-the-ear headphones when they become available in the May-June time frame. I do like the fact that if you wanted to, you can control the Deus using just the WS-6. I much prefer using the remote however.
So what does all this mean for me? The Deus 2 will be my primary detector...but I wonāt be selling my Equinox 800s any time soon. The Equinox is still a very good detector...and much better since I modified it with Steve Gossā outstanding shafts.
Please keep in mind, that as I always say, these thoughts of mine may be worth just as much to you as you paid for āem. In the end, itās only the view from my foxholeā¦.
Summary of my conclusions by area: (In the interest of brevity and simplicity, I did not include the detailed values/numbers/results from each of my individual testsā¦..boring!)
Build Quality: Deus 2 by far. I donāt see the potential for broken coil ears, no wobbly shaft, better water proof characteristics/capability, more solidly built control box, better arm cuff and better overall design of the total unitāexcellent compact travel capability. I do think the arm cuff stand could/should be wider to provide more stability when laying it on the ground.
Simplified use: Equinoxā-but only initially. Admittedly, the Deus 2 menus, locations and option functions have a steeper learning curve...but only after a day or two. I quickly became very comfortable with it.
User manual: Deus 2. Comprehensive, better layout and easily understood. An update is needed however as the manual doesnāt cover the Beach P and Fast 40 programs which are available in the Remote Control. Another feature I think XP could add that would help flatten the learning curve would be to provide a detailed menu tree in the user manual showing where to find each function and what role that function plays in the overall operation of the unit. I would also like to see a graphic, in spreadsheet form, that shows all the factory settings for each program...just as a quick reference which allows you to see and compare the settings of each program in hard copy form. The one they do show on page 46 omits Beach P and Fast 40.
Sensitivity at depth: Deus 2. Itās simply the latest and improved/better technology. Clear and more accurate target ID at depth throughout the spectrum of target size and composition.
Depth: As we know, depth is highly dependent on many factors unrelated to the detector itself but overall and in general, the Deus 2 can detect targets at greater depths in most cases than other detectors Iāve used.
Stability: Deus 2. More and better options to quiet the chatter even in challenging salt water environments where I do most of my detecting. The Salt Sensitive adjustment is a game changer for me as a beach hunter. I can leave the main sensitivity setting alone and quiet the detector with the Salt Sens option which only neutralizes the sensitivity to the mineralized salt!
Initial Cost: Equinoxā¦. However, in my opinion, one gets what one pays for. When you add all the after market equipment to rectify the wobbly shaft, weak coil ears, fragile arm cuff, control box cover etc, the final cost of the Equinox quickly approaches that of the Deus 2.
Ergonomics; Weight and balance--Deus 2 by far! Around 2 lbs beats around 5 lbs everyday, all day.
Personalized programs: Deus 2 provides slots for 12 personal programs and are easily added.
Charging: Equinox. Single cable vs 3 pig tails and somewhat fragile coil clip is much simpler and less vulnerable to ham handed use. Having said that, I do like the totally wireless design of the Deus 2.
Under water: Deus 2 has the edge here even though it requires the manual addition of an antenna since blue tooth just doesnāt work in the water. But Iād much rather take the time and effort of installing that wire than risk the real possibility of flooding we all know is an unfortunate chapter of the Equinox history.
Pinpointer and Headphone connectivity: Deus 2. I really like how the MI-6 pinpointer pairs with the remote and can be controlled by the remote. I also appreciate how the headphones automatically connect with the remote when the remote is powered on and off.
One final thought regarding the Deus 2āthe back phones. I donāt like them. On-the-ear design just doesnāt make it at the beach. Ambient noise such as wave action and the crowd over comes the back phones by a wide margin. To me, theyāre uncomfortable to boot. Yes, I tried the after market full cover headphones on my Deus 1 a few years ago wherein you slide the WS-6 āpuckā onto the headphones. I just didnāt like that set up...I guess Iām just more of a purist in that regard. So Iāll be among the first on the list for XPās WSA II XL over-the-ear headphones when they become available in the May-June time frame. I do like the fact that if you wanted to, you can control the Deus using just the WS-6. I much prefer using the remote however.
So what does all this mean for me? The Deus 2 will be my primary detector...but I wonāt be selling my Equinox 800s any time soon. The Equinox is still a very good detector...and much better since I modified it with Steve Gossā outstanding shafts.
Please keep in mind, that as I always say, these thoughts of mine may be worth just as much to you as you paid for āem. In the end, itās only the view from my foxholeā¦.
Last edited:
