The problem here is I don't really have a point EXCEPT folks keep trying to praise a stupid machine. I have never posted that my CZ's do better than the Excal, nor have I posted that I am a better detectorist because of my finds.
iF someone really wants a machine that will do land, fresh water, wet salt beaches and saltwater as far as I know there are only TWO choices. The Equinox and the CTX.
When I type in caps I don't consider it yelling. i think of it as emphasizing what I want to say. I think of yelling when your whole post is in caps and I never do that.
I am here to help others. PERIOD. Not cram any machine down someones throats. This is a hobby. For everyone to enjoy the way they feel is right for them. Nothing more, nothing less.
The Equinox is a solid mid level machine. I won't argue that. It is not better than the E-Trac V3I, or the CTX, but it was not meant to compete with them. It was developed to take away from the mid level machines of other manufactures. Especially the At-Pro and At-Max.
If there is one hobby I know well, it is archery. Men have egos and sometimes those egos need feed. I AM NOT IMPLYING THAT IS THE CASE WITH THE OP OF THIS THREAD. But never the less, I see it all the time. Guys buy the fastest and most unshooter friendly bows just to brag on how fast it can shoot and disregard the fact the couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with it.
Detectors are no different. To some, it is about the prestige of owning a detector that is highly praised and talked about. Once the new is wore off, they are on to the next greatest detector and the cycle starts again.
Like in archery, there are bow buyers and there are bow shooters. Same applies in metal detectors. Some buy detectors and deck them out with all the accessories but never really use them much. They spend a lot of time talking about it but less time using it.
Then you have those who's detector looks like someone ran over it. It is beat up and tape is holding it together and it shows the characteristic marks of heavy use. They don't have to lock their truck doors anymore because nobody is going to steal it.
In competitive archery or other similar sports, 5% of the people win 95% of the time. I believe it is the same in detecting. Even though people use and find things with their detectors, there is a small group who really know more about detectors and detectoring than most everyone else. They have spent the time and effort, have studied and learned to a level that others will never reach.
In these forums, it isn't difficult to identify the guys who are at the higher levels. These forums can be really helpful and a person can gain valuable knowledge to help them become more proficient with their detectors. With my archery background, I have learned to use these forums to my advantage by learning from the right people and apply it to my detecting.
Some people with 20 years of detecting experience only have 1 years experience 20 times. While others with 20 years experience actually have 20 years of knowledge.
Scuba, don't get too caught up into things you can't control. There is some useful info in this thread but there is also a lot of nonsense. Chew up the meat and spit out the bones. Set your discrimination on high and weed out the trash.