Just an opinion

[Coin-Saver]

It seems that there is a lot of people upset with the late roll out of the Nokta Legend. Some seem to be good with it. I have the equinox 800 and have no intention of buying anything new until I am able to get the time I need on this machine.

I personally hope that the legend does compete with the Nox. Even if it isn't quite as good but just close enough. I think this would be great bar to be set for the competition. With the release of the Deus 2 and the legend (Soon hopefully)

I think if the legend is anywhere close to the Nox, at a little over $600 it will put Minelab in an awkward position. If they rely on the Nox as it is to out sell the competition They my lose sales to new customers to Nokta because of the Legend being cheaper.

Then you have the other side of the coin... The Deus 2 at $1500 or so. It seems many are already talking of selling their Nox for a Deus 2. I realize that at this point that is just talk because it will have to get into a lot more hands for the masses to decide that.

I guess my point in all of this is if both of those machines pan out and are what people have been told, I see it as Minelab will have no choice but to offer something to compete with the Deus 2 for around the same price. Otherwise I see Minelab taking a hit on the mid range detector sales in the future.

Minelab, if your listening you better pay close attention to what veteran detectorists are saying about things that need to be changed. Just upgrading the shaft to carbon fiber and making a stronger arm cuff (Although is well needed) won't justify a $200 price increase. That would only put you closer to the price of the Deus 2 and I don't see that as helping sales at this point

They obviously won't lower the price of the Nox, And to me doing upgrades that should have been done in the beginning and charging more (At this point) would seem a bad move.

I just wanted to know what people thought. Do you think Minelab will sit on what they have with the Nox (Provided the other two are as good as advertised) or will they step it up and WOW us with new technology that will make the Deus 2 cringe at $2,000 or less?


I hope Minelab sets the bar on this one. Time will tell on any of it I guess.

Any thoughts?

 

[mh9162013]

I heard someone say the prices of the 600s and 800s will GO UP over the next few months. I find that hard to believe, but I guess anything's possible.

Don't worry, I'm confident that Minelab has a new SMF machine in the works. Maybe it'll be a CTX 4040 or an Equinox 1000. But the only real question is when it comes out. I don't think the timing of the Legend and Deus II is surprising to Minelab. I'm sure they knew this was coming for a while now.

Until the Legend and Deus II are readily available and we all have a good idea of where they stand up to the Equinox 600/800, I think Minelab will stay quiet.

Assuming the Legend and Deus II perform as expected, maybe Minelab releases a software update later this year and early next year tease their new machine (with a ship date of late 2023)

 

[Diabolik]

I heard someone say the prices of the 600s and 800s will GO UP over the next few months. I find that hard to believe, but I guess anything's possible.

Don't worry, I'm confident that Minelab has a new SMF machine in the works. Maybe it'll be a CTX 4040 or an Equinox 1000. But the only real question is when it comes out. I don't think the timing of the Legend and Deus II is surprising to Minelab. I'm sure they knew this was coming for a while now.

Until the Legend and Deus II are readily available and we all have a good idea of where they stand up to the Equinox 600/800, I think Minelab will stay quiet.

Assuming the Legend and Deus II perform as expected, maybe Minelab releases a software update later this year and early next year tease their new machine (with a ship date of late 2023)

I just bought a new 800 last week and the dealer did confirm the prices would be going up again, but I did not ask how much. So many things have gone up I guess I’m not that surprised.

I agree with you. Minelab was first to market with the Equinox so one has to think they are probably already working on their next release. I also don’t think the Equinox is likely going away anytime soon. My 600 has still been producing great finds where I hunt so until that stops, I’ll stick with what I got. I only bought the 800 because I am at the point that I wanted access to the additional features the 800 offers.

Performance aside, I believe Minelab got the controls and interface right with the Equinox. I had a Simplex and really liked it, but had a hard time clicking with that machine. I picked up a Vanquish 540 and after a couple of hunts I felt like I totally clicked with it. Moving to the 600 and now the 800 was an easy transition.

Definitely an exciting time for the hobby. Seeing all of the new detectors and technology come to the market is good for everyone.

 

[markinswpa]

Coinsaver, heres my thoughts, yeah I know, Who cares ? But you ask.

I have stated this before, when Minelab came out with the Equinox it was addressing what users had been asking for. An affordable, lightweight, waterproof machine. And for the most did just that, and introduced it with a new technology too boot. Unfortunately a little too flimsy and quality control was lacking. No excuse but they had switched manufacturing to a third world country and more than likely there was a lack of structuring and communication at that time.
And I've said this before, Multi-IQ is a cow that has already been milked by Minelab. Just look at how many have sold. My thoughts are Minelab are already developing the next best thing and are content to let the others play catch up with the feeling the Equinox will continue to hold its own in the marketplace till such time. My fear, the next Minelab will be in the 2 to 3 thousand dollar range and still 3 to 5 yrs. out. I hope I'm wrong. What I don't get is metal detectors are not like fridges or cars where sooner or later everyone will need one. And yet they spend millions on research and development and marketing for a finite market. Only so many mdr's out there.
I think if N M ever finishes their tweaks the Legend it will be a great machine. However when compared to the Equinox, just a less expensive clone at best that will appeal to people who don't want to spend a 1,000 on a multi- freq machine. I think it will edge out the 600 but struggle to keep up with the 800. In the last update we were told they added 2 more modes to park and field. So I guess just like Park 1 &2 and Field 1&2 on the Equinox and when challenged on a manual Iron bias settings we were told we don't need them. Really ? I use my IB settings, not alot but I like being able to adjust when I feel it could help. I think you will see IB either in the first release or shortly after only because N M listens to the customers and also so they can say it has all the same settings and modes as the 800 which was the machine they were targeting. I'm sure it will find its niche in the market place.
The other machine, The Deus ll I think may just bump the Equinox off the top but at a cost. Many don't have or want to spend 1500 on a detector and will appeal to a much smaller segment of the mding population. However from what I've seen so far, XP has taken Multi-freq a little further and with an almost infinite amount of settings and adjustments. And although there is no such thing as a one and done detector I think the Deus ll will be the closest so far. Time will tell.

I really like my 800s. Have been hunting with it for almost 4 yrs. now. But my eyes are open and soon my wallet. The question is, as I suspect for most, its not so much about what I found but, what did I miss ? And that thought is always in my mind. Good luck, Mark

 

[DiggingThePNW]

Coinsaver, heres my thoughts, yeah I know, Who cares ? But you ask.

I have stated this before, when Minelab came out with the Equinox it was addressing what users had been asking for. An affordable, lightweight, waterproof machine. And for the most did just that, and introduced it with a new technology too boot. Unfortunately a little too flimsy and quality control was lacking. No excuse but they had switched manufacturing to a third world country and more than likely there was a lack of structuring and communication at that time.
And I've said this before, Multi-IQ is a cow that has already been milked by Minelab. Just look at how many have sold. My thoughts are Minelab are already developing the next best thing and are content to let the others play catch up with the feeling the Equinox will continue to hold its own in the marketplace till such time. My fear, the next Minelab will be in the 2 to 3 thousand dollar range and still 3 to 5 yrs. out. I hope I'm wrong. What I don't get is metal detectors are not like fridges or cars where sooner or later everyone will need one. And yet they spend millions on research and development and marketing for a finite market. Only so many mdr's out there.
I think if N M ever finishes their tweaks the Legend it will be a great machine. However when compared to the Equinox, just a less expensive clone at best that will appeal to people who don't want to spend a 1,000 on a multi- freq machine. I think it will edge out the 600 but struggle to keep up with the 800. In the last update we were told they added 2 more modes to park and field. So I guess just like Park 1 &2 and Field 1&2 on the Equinox and when challenged on a manual Iron bias settings we were told we don't need them. Really ? I use my IB settings, not alot but I like being able to adjust when I feel it could help. I think you will see IB either in the first release or shortly after only because N M listens to the customers and also so they can say it has all the same settings and modes as the 800 which was the machine they were targeting. I'm sure it will find its niche in the market place.
The other machine, The Deus ll I think may just bump the Equinox off the top but at a cost. Many don't have or want to spend 1500 on a detector and will appeal to a much smaller segment of the mding population. However from what I've seen so far, XP has taken Multi-freq a little further and with an almost infinite amount of settings and adjustments. And although there is no such thing as a one and done detector I think the Deus ll is the closest so far. Time will tell.

I really like my 800s. Have been hunting with it for almost 4 yrs. now. But my eyes are open and soon my wallet. The question is, as I suspect for most, its not so much about what I found but, what did I miss ? And that thought is always in my mind. Good luck, Mark

This is exactly how I feel mark.

 

[Coin-Saver]

Last year when I was researching detectors, I wanted something that I could grow into and could use for years if need be. I looked at the CTX 3030 but the price kinda turned me off. It seemed that The Equinox 800 was the best Technology for the price at the time. So that was the direction I went thinking that Minelab will come out with a new technology in the future. But yes, who knows how long that will be.

New technology will definitely be more expensive especially if it's leaps and bounds over the competition. There is no doubt that Minelab is working on that now. Price will always be an issue for people but I would rather them price it a bit higher and make the quality better than everyone else. It would be worth it to not have to upgrade things on a new detector.

For now I will learn the 800 and wait to see what Minelab comes up with in the future. No doubt the 800 will do everything I need it to do

If I was a relic hunter I might have looked at XP. If it was just finances I would have likely went with the Nokta simplex. What little I have used the 800 I really like it. I just hope Minelab steps it up. I don't even mind that they take their time I just hope it's worth the wait.

 

[Cfmct]

Coin-saver if you are happy and enjoy using the NOX then what does it matter if others say they are going to sell? I have a Excal blue 1000 that I won't part with it no matter what comes out the blues came out in 1998 I believe mine was made in Ireland...

I bought a Nox over a year ago and its a good detector... a couple weeks ago it found 2 platinum rings, 4 gold and 7 silver... just because new technology comes out doesn't mean my technology is outdated...

I'll be keeping my detectors my next detector is going to be PI.

 

[metaladdict]

Minelab has no worries.

 

[mh9162013]

Coin-saver if you are happy and enjoy using the NOX then what does it matter if others say they are going to sell? I have a Excal blue 1000 that I won't part with it no matter what comes out the blues came out in 1998 I believe mine was made in Ireland...

I bought a Nox over a year ago and its a good detector... a couple weeks ago it found 2 platinum rings, 4 gold and 7 silver... just because new technology comes out doesn't mean my technology is outdated...

I'll be keeping my detectors my next detector is going to be PI.

You sound like John Edmonton!

 

[IDXMonster]

This is exactly how I feel mark.

X2. To me it is always about…”What did I miss?” Great post Mark.

 

[OBN]

Coinsaver, heres my thoughts, yeah I know, Who cares ?

I agree, Who Cares.. Enjoy what you have and keep digging the treasures. When that new tech hunter comes thru and pulls some amazing stuff you missed then it's time to take notice. And I'm not saying a few silvers, I mean a handful.

 

[John-Edmonton]

You sound like John Edmonton!

Well, that's good! A bit of reality is good medicine!

 

[Cfmct]

You sound like John Edmonton!

I just tell it like it is

 

[Trashfinder]

I have an Etrac that I have no intentions of selling. I have a V3i that I have no intention of selling and a CZ3D I wont be selling, also a F75 that I probably will hang on to as well and not sell. I even have my original Gold Mountain Boss vlf/Tr machine I bought in something like 1979 or 1980 that I won't sell. It doesn't mean they are the best machines, it just means I like them a lot!

But as a land hunter I often run across permissions where I only get one shot at, or two trips at the most. For me at least that is why I will always have the machine that gives me the best opportunity to walk away from that place feeling like I left little to nothing behind. And for those places I always grab my Nox 800 as I found it to be an even better unmasker for my spots than my deus. My record so far is 6 nails and a wheat penny in the same plug and I dig pretty small plugs around 6 to 8 inches across.

I have the Deus 2 on order as well, from what I have seen so far I think it has a shot to best my Nox 800 in unmasking, time will tell.

I think the Legend will come close to the Equinox series but won't unseat them but will find a niche due to customer service and build quality. Deus 2 appears set to top the Nox for now, but I think Minelab has been sitting on a CTX replacement for some time now and will only release it after XP Deus 2 is proven, and dips into the NOX's domination of the market. They had no need for it's release as the Nox series sales have been fantastic.

So if your a Minelab fan just wait till Deus 2 sales make a good dent into Nox sales and you will see the new CTX machine but I also think it will probably be somewhat pricey over $2000 is my guess.

 

[Coin-Saver]

Coin-saver if you are happy and enjoy using the NOX then what does it matter if others say they are going to sell? I have a Excal blue 1000 that I won't part with it no matter what comes out the blues came out in 1998 I believe mine was made in Ireland...

I bought a Nox over a year ago and its a good detector... a couple weeks ago it found 2 platinum rings, 4 gold and 7 silver... just because new technology comes out doesn't mean my technology is outdated...

I'll be keeping my detectors my next detector is going to be PI.

It doesn't matter (to me anyway).

This was more about what people thought the future would hold in detectors and technology. I still wish I had kept my Mxt. If nothing else to see what can be found with a newer detector that it might have missed.

 

[Cfmct]

It doesn't matter (to me anyway).

This was more about what people thought the future would hold in detectors and technology. I still wish I had kept my Mxt. If nothing else to see what can be found with a newer detector that it might have missed.

I still have my MXT Pro... a friend of mine who got out of the hobby had a lot of extra parts for it as well lower rods, hardware PP switches a lot a new screen etc


With the MXT in relic mode and the small SEF 6x8 coil its just as deep as the 10 inch DD I hunted to death a permission then invited a friend with his Nox to see if I missed anything yeah I did a couple wheaties and a modern button...

it was a great permission 20 silver, 12 IH pennies 10 buffalo nickels and a V nickel plus 134 wheats no pull tabs or bottle caps... lots of relics as well...

 

[longbow62]

I have an Etrac that I have no intentions of selling. I have a V3i that I have no intention of selling and a CZ3D I wont be selling, also a F75 that I probably will hang on to as well and not sell. I even have my original Gold Mountain Boss vlf/Tr machine I bought in something like 1979 or 1980 that I won't sell. It doesn't mean they are the best machines, it just means I like them a lot!

But as a land hunter I often run across permissions where I only get one shot at, or two trips at the most. For me at least that is why I will always have the machine that gives me the best opportunity to walk away from that place feeling like I left little to nothing behind. And for those places I always grab my Nox 800 as I found it to be an even better unmasker for my spots than my deus. My record so far is 6 nails and a wheat penny in the same plug and I dig pretty small plugs around 6 to 8 inches across.

I have the Deus 2 on order as well, from what I have seen so far I think it has a shot to best my Nox 800 in unmasking, time will tell.

I think the Legend will come close to the Equinox series but won't unseat them but will find a niche due to customer service and build quality. Deus 2 appears set to top the Nox for now, but I think Minelab has been sitting on a CTX replacement for some time now and will only release it after XP Deus 2 is proven, and dips into the NOX's domination of the market. They had no need for it's release as the Nox series sales have been fantastic.

So if your a Minelab fan just wait till Deus 2 sales make a good dent into Nox sales and you will see the new CTX machine but I also think it will probably be somewhat pricey over $2000 is my guess.

I agree. I'm more than happy with my Equinox 800's. The only new machine I want in my hands is that CTX replacement.

It doesn't matter (to me anyway).

This was more about what people thought the future would hold in detectors and technology. I still wish I had kept my Mxt. If nothing else to see what can be found with a newer detector that it might have missed.

Some people are acting like the Deus II will open sites back up like the Equinox did on some sites. If you've hit a site really hard with an Equinox, Etrac, or CTX in my opinion it's going to take a monster of a detector to pull anything else out. I think the Equinox for the money is the best detector out there. I have a buddy that still has a Deus II on preorder as of now. We plan on taking it back over some places to see what it can do.

 

[jmaryt]

I agree, Who Cares.. Enjoy what you have and keep digging the treasures. When that new tech hunter comes thru and pulls some amazing stuff you missed then it's time to take notice. And I'm not saying a few silvers, I mean a handful.

yup! that's about it! most of us keep bangin' the sites that have produced so well for us over the years, knowing there is more to be found.we all want 800's,vanquishes,deus2,and legends to find what's left! lets face it!..we will never stop lookin' until we get "planted!" it's been a great ride!..bring 'em out, enough guys will buy 'em and give "enough "solid" reviews (sales) to keep the manufacturers designing better equipment over time, that will find even more!

(h.h.!)
j.t.