clarafication

[fuzzy535]

been doing some reading on the new Equinox, on the 800 they mention that it has Gold detection mode, but not listed on the 600. i understand that their are 2 more frequency available on the 800. but does this rule out gold rings on the 600? or is gold detection mode more for nuggets, flakes and what not? liking the 600 and the projected cost since im not a gold prospector.

 

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[TrinityBigfoot]

Others may jump in with a more descriptive answer. The 800 has a few additional features that include the 20 & 40kHz frequency. This feature is by no means required to find gold. This will help with finding smaller items including gold and gold nuggets. Gold rings will absolutely be findable with the 600. The 600 appears to lack many of the adjustments that come on the 800. If you can afford the additional cost of the 800, it comes with the wireless module and headphones.

 

[fuzzy535]

ahhh yes, wireless head phones are a plus. one thing i was looking for too. so if its only couple hundred more then that covers the cost of a good set of wireless headphones, the 800 is the better deal..

 

[sgoss66]

fuzzy --

Trinity is correct. The lack of a "gold mode" on the 600 is in no way to be construed as saying that the 600 won't find gold rings, etc.

Gold PROSPECTING mode, is what the 600 lacks. Gold prospectors generally run high-frequency machines (19 or so kHz, or higher), frequencies more capable of detecting tiny, low-conductive targets (such as gold flakes, tiny nuggets, etc.) This is what is lacking from the 600 -- NOT the ability to find larger gold items, such as rings, etc.

Steve

 

[RustyGold]

Both should be able to find gold jewelry equally.

 

[cudamark]

The 800 should be better able to find small stud earrings and small link chains due to the extra (higher) operating frequencies.

 

[HighVDI]

One of the more overlooked features the 800 has vs the 600 is all the tone options. That, with the wireless setup and gold mode is worth the extra $250.00 IMO.

 

[vferrari]

Minelab just recently announced a change to the Gold Mode algorithm for the 800. It was originally only going to run single frequency (20 or 40 khz) and based on field testing, Minelab has changed the default to Multi IQ (all 5 frequencies) with more weight/preference given to the higher frequency signals. Interestingly, this was the result of folks being able to capably find small gold using Park Mode 2 and Field Mode 2 which are also Multi IQ with emphasis towards the higher frequencies (though the Gold Mode Multi IQ algorithms 1 and 2 are better optimized for this than Park 2/Field 2 are now). Note also, that Multi IQ uses all 5 frequencies for both the 600 and 800 models, you just cannot select individual 20 and 40 khz frequencies in single frequency mode on the 600. Otherwise, the Park 2 and Field 2 modes are identical on both the 600 and 800, so you can find small gold with the 600, just not optimized as in Gold Modes 1 and 2.

Other 600/800 differences beside lack of the Gold Modes and lack of individually selecting 20 and 40 khz:

600 does not have personal profile save mode which allows you to save the current search profile with the press of single button (though you can save custom profiles in each of the two slots for each search mode). This is accomplished with a dedicated faceplate button which only exists on the 600 (minimizing the chances that you can eventually just SW upgrade the 600 to be identical with the 800).

600 does not have manual noise reduction mode selection only automatic.

600 does not come with Bluetooth AptX low latency headphones nor the WM08 wireless module that lets you make your favorite wired headphones wireless for the Equinox (this extra hardware alone probably makes up for most of the 600/800 price differential). Only lower-end wired heaphones provided with the 600.

600 does not allow adjustable non-ferrous tone breakpoints or non-ferrous tone pitch or volume adjustments and does not allow threshold pitch adjustments.

600 has fewer discrete recovery speed levels (3) vs. the 800 (8) and fewer Iron Bias levels (3) vs. the 800 (9).

Probably missing some other differences but the $250 premium for the 800 seems to definitely be worth it IMO.

The Minelab site discussion blog that has a more detailed description of Multi IQ and how it is implemented in the various Equinox detection modes is linked in this Tnet thread: http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/equinox/565990-equinox-treasure-talk-3-a.html#post5665710