Equinox 800! Because it's light weight, easy to understand controls, fast recovery speed if you need it, very deep, great presets that with tweaks can even be made better depending on the setting, bang for dollar spent incredible, water proof/water resistant, it's a top notch coin machine and a relic machine rolled into one. Wow how many other detectors can do so many things so well? Answer it's the only one that can. To me it's a no brainer.
"For life" is hopefully a long time and is longer than the shelf life of many detectors. VLF detectors thankfully have definitely improved through the years just as easy to get, quality targets have decreased. Also, I personally have moved too many times to count and no one detector would have been the best for everywhere that I have lived. So no recommendations will be coming from me unless the OP is willing to stay put wherever they are for the rest of their life and is willing to share that location and its detecting conditions with the rest of us on here.
"For life" is hopefully a long time and is longer than the shelf life of many detectors. VLF detectors thankfully have definitely improved through the years just as easy to get, quality targets have decreased. Also, I personally have moved too many times to count and no one detector would have been the best for everywhere that I have lived. So no recommendations will be coming from me unless the OP is willing to stay put wherever they are for the rest of their life and is willing to share that location and its detecting conditions with the rest of us on here.
'Life' changes. Asked this in 1971 and I would have maybe picked a Compass Yukon 77B, later maybe a 77 Auto, or it might have been a White's 63-TR or perhaps my Garrett Hunter BFO. I would have given it some thought ... back then. But 'Life Changes'. and so did the detectors I liked at used at the time. From '77 into '81 maybe the Garrett 15 kHz GroundHog or the 50 kHz American S2 TR-Disc. units that found me a LOT of good targets.
They worked fine and hunted a lot of places I enjoyed, and while I also had other detectors those where what I liked and used the most back then, ... but 'Life Changes' and in July of '83 Tesoro brought out their Inca. It was a terrific slow-motion, quick-response detector that opened the doors to much more enjoyment, as well as excellent finds, in so many ghost towns and other old places I hunted that it was time for a 'Life-Changing' moment that has lingered right to today.
I read other's ideas and selections, and figure what they like or could put up with for times to come is great, for them. But for me, there is not one single detector pick I could make because none are perfect and more-than-one is the best way to go to complement what you use and where you hunt.
Any of what are in my current Detector Outfit could be put to use for most anything I do, regardless of where I go in the future. The Silver Sabre ↨0MAX, Bandido II µMAX, Simplex +, ORX or Apex. Any of them would work for me for the rest of my Life .... unless thing change. I could change or detector design and mobility could change. 'Life Changes.'
But for now, a quick answer is I could be satisfied with my Garrett Apex w/'Ripper' and 'Raider' coils for a long while.
Monte
My goodness. Even my fellow hobbyist are taking this post the wrong way.
the question is, what machine would you choose if you had to pick one from now on and give your opinion.
The question is not, why is your machine better than mine and also, it is not let me in on your honey holes.
Good grief, I can already tell there has been an increase of old farts or maybe it is just the same old farts that has always been here pissing and moaning.
Oh yeah I forgot, this is the "friendly metal detecting forum" isn't it??
It should be called the "not so friendly metal detecting forum" or even the " old fart forum"
So some have said they are not going to take the time to go into all the reasons why you would choose a particular model but, you have enough time to sit on your butt and write a detailed personal statement paragraph, that has also been legally notarized by your local county clerk, with two witnesses, on why you are not partaking in the conversation!!!
For real???
bigtim1973,
the original poster may have asked an innocent question with no intent of starting a detector war. That's fine. I am not trying to be unfriendly or anything else. I am just not going there since I have seen what can happen on this forum when the "wars" start.
I know, it isnt a battle, it is just a question of what you want to use.
I know the general idea you had in mind, but I also know a lot of readers, some who responded, have had a limited amount of detecting time, have used a small number of detectors and/or might only have one, and experience with only one make or model. Then, too, we have a lot of readers who have been influenced by marketing as well as comments made by a lot of folks who lean strongly toward only one popular current mode, that being the Minelab Equinox 800.Underworld: said:Yeah I guess I should have said "At this point in time" Thank you for the post, you certainly tried out your fair share of detectors!
My choice might be 'interesting' to some because the Garrett Apex lacks an excessive number of adjustments, or many have been using foreign-made detectors for a while and might think Garrett is far behind. Then, too, it's because a lot of people haven't handled the Apex, or enough, to get to know its strengths and limitations. I have.Underworld: said:And very interesting choice.
My goodness. Even my fellow hobbyist are taking this post the wrong way.
the question is, what machine would you choose if you had to pick one from now on and give your opinion.
The question is not, why is your machine better than mine and also, it is not let me in on your honey holes.
Good grief, I can already tell there has been an increase of old farts or maybe it is just the same old farts that has always been here pissing and moaning.
Oh yeah I forgot, this is the "friendly metal detecting forum" isn't it??
It should be called the "not so friendly metal detecting forum" or even the " old fart forum"
So some have said they are not going to take the time to go into all the reasons why you would choose a particular model but, you have enough time to sit on your butt and write a detailed personal statement paragraph, that has also been legally notarized by your local county clerk, with two witnesses, on why you are not partaking in the conversation!!!
For real???
And again, all things considered, at this point in time.. you could only choose 1 detector to take with you, for all areas and terrain types. Your call, your opinion, based on experience etc..
Happy hunting all!