The only reason I really bought it is that it is using technology that is different than anything else out there and priced in the heart of the workhorse machine range ($500 - $900US). Plus I was looking for a high performing general purpose machine that is waterproof.
Multi IQ gives the solid, deep target ID (similar but perhaps not as deep as FBS a la CTX 3030 and eTrac) but the recovery speed that rivals the Deus - the fastest machine out there, and unlike FBS or other multi frequency techs, also is designed to hit hard on mid conductive targets like gold and brass (important for relic hunting). It IS technically a VLF machine but lumping it in that category is just a technical label.
Why is a different tech important? Well first of all, it has to work and I think plenty of testing and now experience with actual users has proven it works.
Does it have to work better? Not necessarily. It just has to do things differently. That is called technical performance diversity and it is the reason I hit a site with multiple frequencies and modes. Fortunately, my Deus enabled be to do that because it can operate at different frequencies and different audio modes. The Equinox will operate at all those frequencies simultaneously (with the exception of some of the very high frequencies the Deus white HF coils can operate at). This will enable it to see some things the Deus might miss and that is a good thing. I can hit the site with it in a few different modes, each mode being like a different detector because the frequency spectrum is different with each mode. And then, if I have the time and inclination I can hit the site with the Deus at 56 to 74 KHZ.
I am primarily relic hunting and the separation vs. depth is a key attribute because we are typically trying to recover targets from thick iron (the remnants old long since vanished home sites or encampments). It is a constant balancing act depth vs. separation. Deus and Equinox are the only machines that I am aware of where you can have fine control over reactivity/recovery speed to be able to adjust this balance to your needs.
Your post talked about key performance metrics (depth, price). But what you didn't talk about is why depth is important to you. The first question any detectorist should ask themselves when contemplating a new machine is what does it bring to the table consistent with their style of hunting (beach, relic, coin shooter, prospector, meteorite hunter, jewelry recovery) [or does it bring a new type of hunting to the table - e.g., you can now get in the water or go to a wet beach] and type of targets they are focusing on (ferrous, mid-conductors, high conductors) and sites they will typically be using them on (white sand, black sand, sandy clay, high mineralization, dense modern (mid-conductive) trash, dense iron trash). Frankly, depth is the last thing I look at. It is practically a meaningless performance metric without the above context. No established manufacturer is going to put out a machine that doesn't have decent depth capability. What you want to know is what type of conductive targets it will hit hard. Is it mainly just high conductors like the CTX, can you cherry pick from the trash, can you separate in iron, can you have control over filters. Then environmental features: is it amphibious, how deep, is it rugged, facilitate wireless so you can avoid snagging cables, good EMI rejection, good ground balance options with good ground balance performance for any type of site? Ergonomic factors: Weight, balance, straight forward user interface without confusing terms and deep menus that have you pressing buttons all day?
Noxtradamus has met all of the above criteria for me on paper and what I have observed from users I trust. Now if I can just get it off the Fedex truck that has had it held hostage since Friday night I will be happy.
Also agree on the shipping and handling stuff, but bigboy's has it $899, done!
