Ruggedness - Equinox vs. AT Max

[L0S3R]

The armrest is poop just like the stock rod. I just ordered the Herke arm cuff from Steve like an hour ago.

http://www.stevesdetectorrods.com/product.php?id=EQACC-05


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I haven’t had a problem with my cuff yet. That looks pretty sharp though, might have to get 1 lol


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[MichiDigger]

Been all over Michigan from southern lower to copper harbor with the nox in the water to dry land no problems . Bagging coils in the winter to keep weight of snow off to 100 plus degree days no problems. Curb strip hunting with power lines 15 ft above me no emi issues pulling silver. It's been strapped to the front rack of my 4 wheeler for hundreds of miles in the U.P no problems. Sure it's break able but mine has been great!

Thinking it'll be a Nox. I've been waaaay overthinking this.

 

[MichiDigger]

I just got my Equinox tonight and the bolt/ armrest thread were “off” or something. The bolt would tighten before the armrest was tight to the stand and shaft (no I didnt get in a hurry and cross thread). I found that when I removed everything, and just screwed the bolt into the armrest it would stop too early still. I figured that it is not an alignment issue between the 3 pieces. It took forever but I finally got it to screw into just the armrest (being careful not to screw it in too far and break through armrest foam). It then took another eternity to put it all together and find that exact thread lineup. Not that big of a deal but I was planning on my wife and I trading off our metal detectors and she would need to adjust the armrest spacing on the fly while out in the field. The entire armrest assembly seems a little chincy for the price paid.




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Looking at alternative arm rests and shafts. Thanks!

 

[Pumptech]

JUST DO IT!! There will be a learning curve but once you get it, you will love it! I agree with everyone on the Equinox resale being high enough that you will not take a big hit if you decide to sell it afterwards.

 

[MichiDigger]

JUST DO IT!! There will be a learning curve but once you get it, you will love it! I agree with everyone on the Equinox resale being high enough that you will not take a big hit if you decide to sell it afterwards.

You own both, right? Not at all worried about learning curve. If you had to pick just one, guessing you’d go with the Nox?

 

[yooper69]

Thinking it'll be a Nox. I've been waaaay overthinking this.

Definitely!!

 

[metaladdict]

I own both At pro and Equinox, If I had to choose it would be the Equinox, it's just better.
However I didn't have to choose one, so both it is!

 

[MichiDigger]

I own both At pro and Equinox, If I had to choose it would be the Equinox, it's just better.
However I didn't have to choose one, so both it is!

That seems to be the common sentiment... Thanks!

 

[diggin4clad]

Buy one of each, use them both, and then keep the one you like better and sell the other one.

 

[metaladdict]

The Equinox cuff is delicate but so far no problems

 

[MichiDigger]

Buy one of each, use them both, and then keep the one you like better and sell the other one.

Wish I had the funds to do just that. That’s why I’m being so careful, bruddah.

 

[MichiDigger]

The Equinox cuff is delicate but so far no problems

Duly noted. Thanks!

 

[aklance]

This is my second post here. I am just getting into this hobby and I'll start detecting when the spring comes and the ground thaws. . I Have been wanting to get into this hobby for a long long time but I was always worried of wasting my money and buying the wrong detector for the job. A couple of weeks ago Costco had the discovery 3300 On sale for $85 so I bought one then I started reading the forums and watching the videos on how to use detecting tools and I decided that I would like to take a look at the nox 800 if possible. Our local mining supply place had three different Minelab detectors on sale. I brought a little vial with about one grain of gold dust in it to test the detectors. and the 800 detected it no problem. The 3300 could hardly break a tone on it even right against the coil. I also had that problem with the cuff not quite lining up right but I found it was so precision you had to have it aligned perfectly before you could get the screw in. I don't know if I'm going to find anything in the spring.but I know that the 800 is a tank compared to the 3300 and its capabilities are mind-boggling.The veteran discount was all I needed to seal the deal. I also bought the 6-inch coil for using in the creek beds around here where I live. I feel I have bought the best tools for the job. Now all I need to do is learn to use the machine.

Dave

 

[jmaclen]

hi aklance,

welcome to the Equinox gold prospecting world. There are a few of us out there, especially on Detector Prospector.

I can guarantee you that you will find tiny sub gram gold easily with the Equinox 800 especially using the amazing 6" coil. Mine will hit .1 gram pickers at 2" if they are fairly solid. It will hit really tiny ferrous and non-ferrous targets in Gold 1 and Gold 2. I usually notch out -9, -8 and -7 if I get too much ground feedback noise and run sensitivity around 18. Since you live and hunt in the Rockies like me, learn how to ground balance your 800 by doing a noise cancel and then switch to the next setting and do a push button ground balance. If you have small gold in your area running it with tracking ground balance on may not be the best way to prospect. If you are just after the big stuff (.25 grams and bigger, if there is any) there is nothing wrong with having tracking ground balance on. It's probably not a good idea to prospect for small gold by leaving the ground balance on zero in your area either. Get some small lead, brass and iron targets and practice with them. Any .25 to .5 gram lead fishing sinkers or bullet fragments are great to practice with since gold and lead will respond almost the same on the Nox 800.

Coin and jewelry, just use Park 1 default for awhile with 5 tones and lower the sensitivity a bit from default 20 if you get lots of short pops and clicks when you sweep over the ground that may or may not register as a target. That is probably ground mineralization noise or low frequency EMI. The Nox is plenty deep even with sensitivity at 18.

Have fun.

Jeff

 

[aeds151]

Good call on the 800. The Nox is a beast as far as the powerhead goes. First find on it today was a nickle.


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[aklance]

Thanks guys I am learning a lot from reading your info here and other sites.

Dave

 

[MichiDigger]

Minelab has sold a metric ton of Equinox detectors and they've been on the market for two years. I'm sure you'd hear more than a few reports if there was a problem so significant that it's necessary to take it into consideration. I certainly wouldn't characterize it as "a lot of reports".

With that said, I think the AT series has a better form factor for bushwhacking through the woods without the screen getting hit or caught on anything, as well as a better balance point for setting it down on uneven surfaces, such as rocky creek beds, without it falling over, etc... When I"m in a situation like that with the Nox where I think it's going to tip over I just go ahead and set it down sideways.

I haven’t had a problem with my cuff yet. That looks pretty sharp though, might have to get 1 lol


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I just got my Equinox tonight and the bolt/ armrest thread were “off” or something. The bolt would tighten before the armrest was tight to the stand and shaft (no I didnt get in a hurry and cross thread). I found that when I removed everything, and just screwed the bolt into the armrest it would stop too early still. I figured that it is not an alignment issue between the 3 pieces. It took forever but I finally got it to screw into just the armrest (being careful not to screw it in too far and break through armrest foam). It then took another eternity to put it all together and find that exact thread lineup. Not that big of a deal but I was planning on my wife and I trading off our metal detectors and she would need to adjust the armrest spacing on the fly while out in the field. The entire armrest assembly seems a little chincy for the price paid.




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Been all over Michigan from southern lower to copper harbor with the nox in the water to dry land no problems . Bagging coils in the winter to keep weight of snow off to 100 plus degree days no problems. Curb strip hunting with power lines 15 ft above me no emi issues pulling silver. It's been strapped to the front rack of my 4 wheeler for hundreds of miles in the U.P no problems. Sure it's break able but mine has been great!

As a former owner of both the Pro and NOX, I would go with the NOX. Like comparing an old muscle car to a new one....old may be cool/simple, but they can't touch a new one (handling, breaking, acceleration and speed). As far as waterproofing goes; I only had the detectors out in the rain, never under water. That said, neither one had a moisture issue.

I own both the AT Max and the 800. The Equinox 800 is not as durable as the Max. I have gotten to where I use the Equinox 10:1 to the Max. The 800 has found more than I could have hoped for with the Max and plenty deeper! It finds things in very common areas that others have not due to it's depth capabilities. The thing will pick up a staple at 12+ inches with the stock coil! The 800 is a beach machine for sure! I have used it in salt water plenty and it has been fine! I did have one coil break off at the ears but it a phone call and was replaced within a week. I have used it most every weekend for a year and should have changed the coil washers a time or two. If I were relic hunting in the woods, the Max is the go to machine. It is a brute that can take punishment. The noise factor on the AT is not as adjustable as the Max as far a EMI goes. I run both of them pretty hot. Sure you can turn down the sensitivity but then you lose depth. I like both machines but for different reasons and uses.

AT Pros drowned a lot the first couple of years. I had one of the ones that drowned, took it in the bay and water punched through the faceplate somehow.

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1......0.0..0.149.673.8j1......0....1.EqvX313OTNc

The AT Pro probably wins ruggedness at this moment because it’s been out a long time and plenty of time to work out manufacturing defects / issues. Personally, I’d be more focused on features that I wanted, as warranty and great customer service can overcome issues. Since Minelab moved their repairs away from Kellyco they have been great, so I’d call it a wash.

Exactly, good comparison

I had an AT Pro and AT Gold. My AT Gold control box completely broke off of the shaft when it tumbled down a rocky hillside about 10 feet. It was replaced under warranty. I have heard of this happening on these forums a few times.

I have over 2000 hours on the Equinox 800 in high mountain, woods, desert, extreme cold (below 20 F) and extreme heat (100+ F). I have submerged it in fresh water several times. I have not submerged it in saltwater. It has crashed a few times too when its clumsy user lost his footing. Happens too much at my age.....I have had a control housing cover on it when danger of cracking the screen was possible. I have always used an armrest cover. I did upgrade the shaft to one of the Steve Gross graphite shafts which I really like....thanks Steve.

I have had absolutely zero problems..........
If I did have a problem with the control housing, shaft or coil, Minelab would take care of it under warranty.


Jeff

The 'analysis paralysis' is over. A decision has been made and a machine is on order. Should be here by next Monday.

The clearcut winner was the Equinox 600.

Got a package from one of our forum sponsors that includes the 11" stock coil, 6" coil, and he was willing to swap out the Pro-Find 35 for the Garrett Pro-Pointer AT.

MUCH THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR ANSWERING QUESTIONS! All I need now is some decent weather...

 

[medicchief]

The 'analysis paralysis' is over. A decision has been made and a machine is on order. Should be here by next Monday.

The clearcut winner was the Equinox 600.

Got a package from one of our forum sponsors that includes the 11" stock coil, 6" coil, and he was willing to swap out the Pro-Find 35 for the Garrett Pro-Pointer AT.

MUCH THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR ANSWERING QUESTIONS! All I need now is some decent weather...

Enjoy! Be patient with the machine and good luck!

 

[MichiDigger]

Enjoy! Be patient with the machine and good luck!

Well, I'm fully committed now so no choice but to be patient. Lol. Gonna learn that machine like the back of my hand.

Hey - what's that... (looking at hand)

 

[L0S3R]

Well, I'm fully committed now so no choice but to be patient. Lol. Gonna learn that machine like the back of my hand.



Hey - what's that... (looking at hand)

Buy the Andy sabisch book on the equinox it’s amazing


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