Manticore or 900

[Joe77]

Is there a significant difference between the manticore and 900 as far as performance?
Thanks Joe

 

[AstralDruid]

here we go again !!!!....
Thanks Joe

 

[vpnavy]

...difference between the manticore and 900 as far as performance...

I moved ya from HELP! over to METAL DETECTING FORUM > BRANDS for more exposure.

NOTE: Forum HELP! contains guides tutorials on how to use the new TreasureNet.com software.

 

[AstralDruid]

I think the difference comes down to, do you want the machine to try and give you some sort of graphic display of what it is detecting?.... If that is important then the Manticore is for you, at a price.. I am an Equinox user, not a fan boy,, absolutely hated it for the first year or so,, but stuck with it and have had some good results.. I know someone who has a manticore and we have searched together,, he wasn't finding anything that i couldn't find, but could get an abstract image of the target, which he swiftly learned to ignore. I used his machine for a limited time, liked the build and easy enough for a Nox user to adapt to the machine,, but really couldn't see the advantage provided by the machine.. Saying that, i don't see the improvement with the new series of Equinox either, i like the gadgets added, vibration, shafts etc... but in reality it doesn't do anything extraordinary compared to the previous versions..
So.... My answer to your question would be , not much difference between the two, nor in fact between those two and the older generations of the Equinox.

AD

 

[Joe77]

I think the difference comes down to, do you want the machine to try and give you some sort of graphic display of what it is detecting?.... If that is important then the Manticore is for you, at a price.. I am an Equinox user, not a fan boy,, absolutely hated it for the first year or so,, but stuck with it and have had some good results.. I know someone who has a manticore and we have searched together,, he wasn't finding anything that i couldn't find, but could get an abstract image of the target, which he swiftly learned to ignore. I used his machine for a limited time, liked the build and easy enough for a Nox user to adapt to the machine,, but really couldn't see the advantage provided by the machine.. Saying that, i don't see the improvement with the new series of Equinox either, i like the gadgets added, vibration, shafts etc... but in reality it doesn't do anything extraordinary compared to the previous versions..
So.... My answer to your question would be , not much difference between the two, nor in fact between those two and the older generations of the Equinox.

AD

Thanks for your help answered was well appreciated

 

[metalman2024]

I think the difference comes down to, do you want the machine to try and give you some sort of graphic display of what it is detecting?.... If that is important then the Manticore is for you, at a price.. I am an Equinox user, not a fan boy,, absolutely hated it for the first year or so,, but stuck with it and have had some good results.. I know someone who has a manticore and we have searched together,, he wasn't finding anything that i couldn't find, but could get an abstract image of the target, which he swiftly learned to ignore. I used his machine for a limited time, liked the build and easy enough for a Nox user to adapt to the machine,, but really couldn't see the advantage provided by the machine.. Saying that, i don't see the improvement with the new series of Equinox either, i like the gadgets added, vibration, shafts etc... but in reality it doesn't do anything extraordinary compared to the previous versions..
So.... My answer to your question would be , not much difference between the two, nor in fact between those two and the older generations of the Equinox.

AD

I heard, haven't used my Manticore yet, ground unfortunately is frozen solid here,, that it falses on iron, what I don't know yet is, does it detect a washer as a non-ferrous target and shows it up as a circle on the baseline? If it does, it is just an expensive detector that really has little advantage over a Legend say or even an Ace 300 (I had one, it detected circular objects and called them coins, but usually came up as bottle caps and washers). I do understand and agree to the above, to ignore the visuals on the Manticore because gold can be missed that way.

 

[Deleted member 140734]

I have owned and put quite a few hours on both. I believe the Manticore is better at noise reduction. You can put more power to the coil with the Manticore, and I do running my sens 28 - 30. With the Nox 800 and 900 I mostly hunted by tone. I like the Manticore visuals. No way I would go back from it. The 900 was a big step up from the 800 tho.

 

[Tesorodeoro]

I’ve heard that the Manticore would be getting a prospecting program (maybe a small bedrock coil) and that it would be pretty decent at hunting those sub gram nuggets at 3-5”

I’m looking for a detector to do that as well as work great as a coin machine that goes deepish and a relic detector . Am I day dreaming?

 

[Tesorodeoro]

I have owned and put quite a few hours on both. I believe the Manticore is better at noise reduction. You can put more power to the coil with the Manticore, and I do running my sens 28 - 30. With the Nox 800 and 900 I mostly hunted by tone. I like the Manticore visuals. No way I would go back from it. The 900 was a big step up from the 800 tho.

What the heck are you doing with 3 similar detectors? Gotta have the latest or do you do testing/reviews?

 

[Deleted member 140734]

What the heck are you doing with 3 similar detectors? Gotta have the latest or do you do testing/reviews?

I started metal detecting around five years ago. First bought the White's Spectra V3i. I liked the machine and found many nice objects with it. But my gripe was the lack of weatherproofing. I go out in the rain and snow and around wetlands where I could drop and fry it. Plus, it was kind of clunky and didn't break down nicely into my field pack. The electronics carried the White's legacy but in an outdated chassis.

I bought the Nox 800 and really liked it and it also produced great finds. But it picked up a lot of noise. I spent the money on Steve's fiber rods and bought the Nox power pack. I was interested in the Manticore as soon as it was announced. I laid down the complete cost to get in line to obtain one. But it seemed to me like a bit of a PR stunt. A retailer had my money for several months with no solid ship date. It reminded me of the Microsoft Windows vaperware incidents, waiting for delivery of announced upgrades. I really saw it as a way for Minelab to fend off potential XP buyers, which were available and getting great reviews. I almost purchased one. And I'm sure I would be happy with one.

Instead I got my money back from the Manticore, lost my place in line, and bought the 900. I was certainly happy to get some extra cash back. I liked the 900 and if there was no such unit as the Manticore would be happily using it today. I had all three coils for the 800 and was happy they were transferable. I have found the stock coils to be the best for me. I liked the concept of the large coil and felt it may have fished out some depth and small objects, but swinging that for an 8 hour day was a bit tiring. Especially hiking an hour in and out of sites with a backpack. I jokingly called the 15" the toilet seat.

One of my biggest tests is hunting with the Manticore next to the only big cell tower in my region. It was placed smack dab in the middle of a 1700s farm with cellar pits and small colonial cemetery close by. The 800 was nearly unusable. The 900 was a step up, taming the noise. The Manticore is a vast improvement, the only sacrifice being dropping my sens down to 25 rather than the preferred 28-30. I've noticed the same thing around power trunk and transmission lines. I don't even force cycle the Manticore noise rejection to get it to quiet down next to the tower. Usually I am in the woods so noise is not really an issue. But when I do get near town, I become aware of it.

One of my Minelab gripes is between the 25 and 35 pin pointers. The newer red 35 keeps syncing with my detector and driving me nuts beeping, having to hit the power button to get it to disengage. But this could be the cost of running the detector hot.

I honestly can't go into the weeds discussing the finer points of iron rejection. My colonial sites have such minimal debris fields that I will dig up most solid hits. Yes, I look at some big iron, but I often find it interesting. I will sometimes collect a long beautiful hand forged spike and I photograph all of horseshoes to document styles and ages. I like seeing iron pot shards. Seeing nails lets me identify age ranges, and frequency lets me know if a structure was there. Nails were a form of colonial currency. I'm not picking through nail beds. I'm convinced the colonials reused the nails or melted them back down.

The Manticore has produced small silver at 6-8" depth including trimes, reales, dimes, and half dimes. Solid tones at depth. It has identified finds from sites that I previously hit hard wit the 800 & 900. But in all fairness, we know how that works. You can hit a site at different pass directions and weather conditions or luck and keep pulling things up. Can't just credit the machine. I will say that of all of the large cents, draped and liberty heads, and even Indian heads, I pretty much know what it is before I dig. The size and shape of the coin on the right center line, as advertised. The only thing wasting my time are pre-1960 shotgun shell bases. The paper rots off and are a perfect round brass disc. But I can't notch out that range without losing something good.

I do like the technological side of detecting equipment and want to experiment. But I don't believe in collecting machines as they quickly become closet relics. I gave the 800 to a youngster who didn't have money and was excited by the hobby. I sold the 900 at at third of my cost and it was in mint condition. The way I look at it, my time is precious. When I go out detecting I want the best machine that I can afford in my hands to best increase my chances of finding what I am after. Yes, I would buy a Manticore upgrade tomorrow if it were available.

 

[Tesorodeoro]

I do also dig big iron and find it interesting, but I’m also searching for a 8 grain nugget.

You sound like your a metal detecting manufacturers dream customer, or a dream buddy for someone that needs a cheap literally brand new detector and company.

No insult intended.

I’ve got well 43 years experience if you count the summer weekends spent helping grandpa carefully dig modern coins from schools and campgrounds. I’ve gotten a bit more selective in where I search now.

 

[Deleted member 140734]

I do also dig big iron and find it interesting, but I’m also searching for a 8 grain nugget.

You sound like your a metal detecting manufacturers dream customer, or a dream buddy for someone that needs a cheap literally brand new detector and company.

No insult intended.

I’ve got well 43 years experience if you count the summer weekends spent helping grandpa carefully dig modern coins from schools and campgrounds. I’ve gotten a bit more selective in where I search now.

Since I will use a detectors for many hours before moving on or up, I feel that metal detecting is a cost effective hobby. You make the initial investment and you are ready to go. The only consumable item is the 9 volt battery for my pin pointer.

I do like staying within a company line so that I can actually experience and see the incremental improvements advertised. And buying within their product line contributes to their R&D. I also like product familiarity.

I have already sold more than a couple of thousand dollars in valuable coins and artifacts found with my detectors. I have many valuable pieces that I am still holding on to and am sure to find many more. My first few years I have sold more than $2k in artifacts alone. The GW button shown as my avatar sold for $1,200. I have sold two very nice 1700's draped bust cents in excellent condition. I have a 1787 CT copper in very good condition that supposedly has a known population of 40-60 pieces. I'm not sure what it is worth because I can't find another example that has been sold. In the 1970's someone I know found a rare New England silver that sold for $50k at the time. It has recently resold in auction for more than a million. And Captain Kidd buried treasure a short boat ride away from me. Although that was recovered, who knows what else is out there? I have by recouped my equipment investments. I do have some regrets selling my GW Inaugural button, it was a fine one. But I bought one of my detectors with it. and it motivates me to find another.

I wish we had gold in my area to find. We have plenty of quartz everywhere. But I do find colonial and early 1800's gold jewelry, and that is gold is exciting on more than one level. Nuggets are definitely beautiful objects aside from weight alone.

 

[Tesorodeoro]

I was merely commenting on the fact that it appears that you have bought a detector nearly every year since you have been detecting. That was the basis of my comment of being a dream customer.

Nothing wrong with that. I’m jealous.

My grandfather bought two detectors that I know of over his numerous decades of swinging. My dad a half dozen. Most recently in the last 16 years I’ve bought 2 detectors. Before that one was passed down to me.

I drool over some of them, but always talk myself down.

I have no doubt that you can “pay” for a detector. I’ve done it with relics once then again with gold.

 

[metalman2024]

Is there a significant difference between the manticore and 900 as far as performance?
Thanks Joe

I wouldn't know myself because I don't have an Equinox 900 to compare with my Manticore

 

[Tesorodeoro]

All my detectors pay for themselves 0ver and over with gold nuggets. Even my first Tesoro. I just ordered detector number 10. Paid for with gold nugget money. I don’t still have all of them. But I do still have my nox 900. It works great for tiny bedrock gold. Gold Kruzer is my favorite nugget only vlf. Smokes the rest when it comes to reliability and ground handling capabilities. No bump sensitivity at all and super hot on tiny gold. Half the price too. My gpx 4500 is great but it’s heavy and is only going to wear a big coil and be a specialized targeted deep big gold machine now. Just ordered an Axiom. Hopefully the Axiom will be my main nugget hunting machine now

I agree. Pretty difficult to beat a GB2 on the small shallow gold and I do use it for relic/coin. There are better detectors for hunting the trashy spots.

I bought the Gold Racer. Much better discrimination, but not as sensitive on the small gold and not able to handle the hot ground as well. Wasn’t too impressed with the build quality. Assumed Nokta was a similar build quality beings it’s the same company in Turkey.