I’m thinking of upgrading from a 540 Vanquish to a 600 Equinox. Is the difference worth it?

[Jamie Rullestad]

I’m growing quite fond of this little hobby, and my Vanquish 540 is serving me quite well.
It does bear asking, however, if I were to consider moving up the food chain to the Equinox 600, would that be a good move?

Could anyone give me a quick contrast and compare on the two?

 

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[Terry Soloman]

Wait for the Nokta Legend, you'll thank me!

 

[Jamie Rullestad]

Wait for the Nokta Legend, you'll thank me!

Thanks Terry. Your advice has been a tremendous gift to me so far, and I have no reason to doubt you now.

I guess I’ll be waiting, and getting by fine with the little 540.

 

[MackDog]

If you can wait for the legend then wait for the reviews and comparison video

 

[Bart@Big Boys Hobbies]

The Equinox 600 has quite a bit more power for depth and better target ID. Obviously being waterproof to 10 feet helped quite a bit too. Minelab has hit a home run on the equinox series. They are very very hard to beat. Feel free to call us if you'd like to go over the differences. Be glad to help you.

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[ARC]

Wait for the Nokta Legend, you'll thank me!

I presume by this statement that you have had some "hands on" this new detector Terry ? ? ?

 

[Terry Soloman]

I presume by this statement that you have had some "hands on" this new detector Terry ? ? ?

Can't comment Arc, however, you can hold me to my statement!

 

[ARC]

Can't comment Arc, however, you can hold me to my statement!

You know i will

 

[Hddeuce03]

Yes, I own both. The 540 is my backup/wife's detector, and I have the Equinox 800. The 800 is much better.

 

[GoDeep]

Yes, I own both. The 540 is my backup/wife's detector, and I have the Equinox 800. The 800 is much better.

No doubt the 600/800 is better in many ways, but Is the 800 deeper? I thought i saw Calabash did a video on the 540 and it it hit all his deep targets in his garden just like his earlier 800 tests did? I'm sure for the sake of sales they'd like you to think one is deeper.

 

[ColonelDan]

"Better" is oft times in the eye of the beholder as the old saying goes. My personal assessment is that the Equinox series is more refined, flexible i.e. "tailorable" Both are solid performers but as you "grow" in this hobby, you'll learn to appreciate the added capability to tune in the Equinox series more so than the Vanquish series.
As for the Legend, I know little to nothing about that detector. Obviously, Terry has better insight on that one and has been a solid source of information in the past so the decision rests solely on your shoulders.

As I always say, that's just the view from my foxhole...

 

[KSXP2]

I was on the fence about either getting a 540 or a Nox 600 and watched several comparison videos. What I saw was the 540 was very good in depth but nowhere near as good in target separation. Also, the Nox is waterproof which is important to me. As far as the Legend goes, I'm sure outperforming the Nox 800 was the main goal and if they succeed then look out! Minelab better have something in the works to step it up.

 

[LawrencetheMDer]

Just bought my second 800 w free 15" coil (why I bought it) and also own the CTX 3030 and Excal II. For small gold like very small chain links, studded ear rings, very sml and light gold rings (< 0.5g), you just can't beat the Equinox series. I find gold that other machine simply don't see. I'm also impressed with the accurate identification of American coins (1c, 5c, 10c, 25c), in the 80-85% region. My CTX 3030 is gathering dust and it cost 3x more than the 800! The 600 is also right up there and hard to beat.

 

[Huda]

Just bought my second 800 w free 15" coil (why I bought it) and also own the CTX 3030 and Excal II. For small gold like very small chain links, studded ear rings, very sml and light gold rings (< 0.5g), you just can't beat the Equinox series. I find gold that other machine simply don't see. I'm also impressed with the accurate identification of American coins (1c, 5c, 10c, 25c), in the 80-85% region. My CTX 3030 is gathering dust and it cost 3x more than the 800! The 600 is also right up there and hard to beat.

Hi LawrencetheMDer,
When you say the equinox series is great for small gold such as earrings, is that just your 800 or is that the same for the 600? We've lost my mum's tiny gold pendant in the back garden and in the past two weeks I've delved into the world of metal detecting to buy the best one to find it. I wanted to buy the Equinox 800 as it seems like the one, but it's a bit pricey so was thinking if the 600 is just as likely to be successful?

Thanks, I know I'm replying to a really old post lol

 

[KSDirtfisher77]

Hi LawrencetheMDer,
When you say the equinox series is great for small gold such as earrings, is that just your 800 or is that the same for the 600? We've lost my mum's tiny gold pendant in the back garden and in the past two weeks I've delved into the world of metal detecting to buy the best one to find it. I wanted to buy the Equinox 800 as it seems like the one, but it's a bit pricey so was thinking if the 600 is just as likely to be successful?

Thanks, I know I'm replying to a really old post lol

The 600 & 800 I've heard is a good machine. I have the Nox900 & the Manticore & they are both great machines.

You might look at the new Xterra Elite Combo pack. It's a dang good detector too. Plus it comes with 2 search coils.

If I was to look in the back yard for mama's gold I would want the smaller 8" coil. Better separation, among a few other reasons.