X-terra Elite to Equinox 900 or wait for Manticore/Deus II - W. Coast Beach Hunting

[DudeDoubloonYoutube]

Hey everyone,

Been planning to eventually move up to a Manticore, Deus II, or maybe even wait to see what Minelab releases next year. But I was just offered an Equinox 900 for half off, which makes it really tempting.

I’ve been swinging the X-Terra Elite for a year now, and honestly it’s been one of the best bang-for-the-buck detectors. For those who beach hunt, especially on the California coast or similar conditions, is the performance jump to the 900 noticeable enough to justify grabbing it at a massive discount?

Curious to hear from folks who currently hunt beaches with the 900 — or anyone who upgraded to the 900 from a lower Minelab model. How are you feeling about its performance these days? Would you take the deal or keep waiting for a Manticore/new release?

 

[SouthFLdigger]

The Elite and 900/700 series are about neck and neck in the depth department with more stability on deep targets for the 700/900. I don't think you'll need an upgrade, the Manticore however from the testing I've seen is about 2-3" deeper than the 900 in wet salt

 

[DudeDoubloonYoutube]

Thats a great price! One thing about metal detecting the beach, there is a good chance it will pay for itself.

Honestly, most hunters now days are fresh drop hunters so targets are not going to be insanely deep and just about any of the newer top machines will find those types of targets.

Someday I may upgrade My main machine ......
View attachment 2236743

That's a good looking dinosaur right there.

 

[OBN]

The reality for me has been… not much of anything on the beaches I’ve tried in the last 10 years…. Sure, the occasional pocket change or ring or something but I ALWAYS do better in schools or other places

For sure its location, location. location.. be it land or sea. Sadly the beaches don't work out but seems like you have done very well with the options you have had.. I know I have a good olde friend in Charleston SC who years ago moved there for the Civil War treasures and he has done well. Talked to hm the other day and he said he needs to come up here, in the Bay,... to find gold. So it can be tough..

 

[surfnturf]

Congratulations if it doesn’t leak you scored large! worked my 900 inside and out for the last six months because I wanted to teach my 10 year-old how to use it and I fell in love! It’s so easy just to learn what it’s telling you And it’s so good on small sensitive targets not to mention quarters at 20 inches in black sand. How much more do you want to dig? this is a fantastic Detector light and easy to detect! My cost @ 900$ it has payed for itself x3!!! two thumbs up! 🏴‍☠️

 

[surfnturf]

PS dig everything🤪

 

[TORRERO]

For sure its location, location. location.. be it land or sea. Sadly the beaches don't work out but seems like you have done very well with the options you have had.. I know I have a good olde friend in Charleston SC who years ago moved there for the Civil War treasures and he has done well. Talked to hm the other day and he said he needs to come up here, in the Bay,... to find gold. So it can be tough..

I was stationed in Charleston in the Navy, 1992, I remember hunting Battery Park downtown and the Citidel, lots of early coins, and a few Large Cents. 3 slave tags that I remember, not from that park btw. (I don’t have them anymore sadly)
Now Battery Park has a “No Metal Detecting” sign 😂 🤷🏼‍♂️ oh well… I got a flying eagle cent and large cent there in my day…
OH THE MEMORIES 😭

 

[Paul Revere’s Ghost]

Hey everyone,

Been planning to eventually move up to a Manticore, Deus II, or maybe even wait to see what Minelab releases next year. But I was just offered an Equinox 900 for half off, which makes it really tempting.

I’ve been swinging the X-Terra Elite for a year now, and honestly it’s been one of the best bang-for-the-buck detectors. For those who beach hunt, especially on the California coast or similar conditions, is the performance jump to the 900 noticeable enough to justify grabbing it at a massive discount?

Curious to hear from folks who currently hunt beaches with the 900 — or anyone who upgraded to the 900 from a lower Minelab model. How are you feeling about its performance these days? Would you take the deal or keep waiting for a Manticore/new release?

Religious user of whites pi and bought an Elite in June I think. Haven’t used the whites since. Found 31 rings by the time those two storms came up the coast and sanded everything in. Bumped into a guy and we hunted together for a few weeks. He was swinging a manticore. I came up with more and better finds every day except one. I LOVE the manticore. It’s a ring magnet. Paid for itself quickly. ❤️