Equinox 800 Plus

[Slimpickins]

If Minelab would repackage the Nox 800 in the same control pod as the 900 and use the newer carbon fiber shaft that the 900 has, I’d buy one. I prefer vdi of 0-40. For a bonus it would be less apt to leak while detecting in the water. If they don’t want to mass produce it, it would be nice if they could offer this upgrade for us Nox 800 owners. I’ve been enjoying this now for 4 years and would definitely like to upgrade to a more robust exterior if they offered the upgrade or just buy the 800 + new

 

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[LawrencetheMDer]

I get the feeling that the 800+ would cost more than the 900, because of reduced demand.
As for the number of VID numbers, I recently bought the Manticore w 99 VID numbers vs 49 for my 5, yes 5, 800s (drowned 3, gave 1 to sister, still have 1). On the 800, most nickels came in at "13" and most tabs at 14-15 (separation of 1 or 2). On the Manticore, most nickels (see below) come in at "27", and most tabs at "32" (separation of 5!). If the 900's 99 VIDs are as distinct as the 99 VIDs on the Manticore, the expanded VID range allows for better target separation and better discrimination.
I had the choice recently to upgrade to the 900 or Manticore from the 800. Although I decided on the Manticore, you can't loose with either choice,
BTW, Bought the Manticore in late Feb, 2024 and it has paid for itself already, here on the colder than usual west coast of Florida!
Manticore Nickels

VID​	Number​	Percent​
25​	1​	1.8​
26​	7​	12.7​
27​	39​	70.9​
28​	6​	10.9​
29​	0​	0.0​
Total=​	55​	​

Manticore Tabs

​	Manticore​	​
​	VID Decade​	Percent of Tabs​
​	1-9​	3.03​
​	10-19​	6.06​
​	20-29​	19.70​
​	30-39​	57.58​
​	40-49​	16.67​
​	50-59​	0.00​
​	60-69​	0.00​
Mean=​	32​	100.00%​

 

[cudamark]

If Minelab would repackage the Nox 800 in the same control pod as the 900 and use the newer carbon fiber shaft that the 900 has, I’d buy one. I prefer vdi of 0-40. For a bonus it would be less apt to leak while detecting in the water. If they don’t want to mass produce it, it would be nice if they could offer this upgrade for us Nox 800 owners. I’ve been enjoying this now for 4 years and would definitely like to upgrade to a more robust exterior if they offered the upgrade or just buy the 800 + new

Once you get used to the expanded VDI, it's a non-issue. Don't let that stop you.

 

[Slimpickins]

I wrote them an email April 11 asking if they would consider an upgrade for the 800 replacing the control pod with the 900 housing. Is it possible this could be a DIY kit with precise instructions. One would think if Minelab wants to maintain Brand loyalty, the Marketing staff would consider this. We all know that their claim the 800 is waterproof to 10 ft. is not true for many not all. Regardless, for those of us who have had the pod replaced under warranty when the control pod was only a few inches below water feel cheated. I don't know where the Equinox were manufactured but obviously quality control and testing was non existant in their rush to production. I'm sure I'm not the only Equinox 800 owner who feels this way. Who knows. Maybe something good will develop from this inquiry

 

[bigscoop]

The problem with all VDI & Target separation is that it is extremely susceptible to error. Per example, even signal strength (strength of the return) can have an effect on VDI and separation is only possible where enough separation exist. If two targets are touching each other then the detector will see the item as a single target and you'll end up with an average, or the machine VDI will often bounce around. So, when in doubt always dig, and since most of the time we're on a beach where the digging is easy, "Dig it anyway."

Another example are the various alloys used in the manufacturing of gold jewelry items and the different percentages of the alloys in each item, not to mention the item's shape, size, and overall density. This allows for an extremely wide range of VDI returns, and at times even unstable returns.