Need help choosing a detector

[Detectornado]

Hi everyone, my first post here! After reading hundreds of posts and watching YouTube videos online for the last 6 months I've decided to choose one of the following detectors: Legend, Deus 2 or the Manticore. I have very little experience in metaldetecting. The only experience I have is 4 months searching on the saltwater beach with a Makro Racer 2 in 2017. Unfortunately I had to stop and now 6 years later ready to start again. My biggest problem is that I can't visit a metal detecting dealer to see and feel the different models.

The only place I'm going to metal detect is the saltwater beach (the Netherlands / Holland) looking for coins and jewelry. I don't plan to go in the water (waist, diving). I live about 8 minutes from the beach (by bike) so portability is important to me (backpack and go).

These are the configurations I like with their corresponding prices:

- Nokta Legend (WHP): 600 euro (nokta offer valid until march 31, 2023 or while supplies last)

- XP Deus 2 (WSA2 + RC): 1450 euro

- Minelab Manticore: 2000 euro

As you can see the Deus 2 is 2.5x times more expensive than the Legend and the Manticore almost 3.5x times. Unfortunately no discounts are possible. If there are no differences between the three models for my situation (searching on the saltwater beach) then I'll look at the other criteria (weight, warranty etc.). If one of the detectors is better but cost 2x to 3x more then that's no problem. So price is not really a problem.

Some specs I found online (mainly focused on weight and dimensions):


Nokta Legend

Weight: 1.4 kg / 3.0 lbs
Collapsed Length: 63 cm / 25 inch (with coil?)
Warranty: 3 year
Headphones: Bluetooth aptX Low Latency


XP Deus 2

Weight:

- S-Telescopic + Remote + 9" coil = 865 g / 1.9 lbs
- S-Telescopic + Remote + 11" coil = 990 g / 2.2 lbs
- S-Telescopic lite + Remote + 9" coil = 800 g / 1.8 lbs
- S-Telescopic lite + Remote + 11" coil = 925 g / 2.0 lbs
Collapsed Length: 58 cm / 22.8 inch and 65 cm / 25.6 inch (equipped with a 9" coil)
Warranty: 5 year
Headphones: WSA2, WSA2 XL


Minelab Manticore

Weight: 1.3 kg / 2.9 lb
Collapsed Length: 63 cm / 25 inch (with coil?)
Warranty: 3 year
Headphones: Minelab ML-105


Some positives and negatives:

Nokta Legend:

+ price (much cheaper than the Deus 2 and Manticore)
+ Bluetooth aptX Low Latency headphones compatibility

- weight (heaviest of the three)


XP Deus 2:

+ weight (much lighter than the other three models)
+ 5 year warranty
+ choice for a small headphone (WSA2)
+ backpack 240 perfect fit for deus 2 (portability)

- menu learning curve?


Manticore:

+ color screen
+ navigating menu

- only one headphone option


Of course there are more pros and cons between these detectors and these can only be answered by people who own these detectors. I really want a high end detector (no vanquish, simplex etc..). Tips and suggestions are welcome!

 

[CalReg]

While I don't own any of these machines, the Legend will be the closest to just turn on and go. The others will require a learning curve. Once you're up to speed, based on what I've read, the Manticore and the Deus 2 are ultimately better MD'ers. The question you have to ask yourself is, "are they 3 times better than the Legend?"

 

[Pastor Bob]

I would look at a Minelab 600 or 800 used. They are excellent beach machines. Light weight and proven plus you can get them for around $500.

 

[jmaclen]

I would go straight to an Equinox 700 or 900 and skip the Equinox 600 or 800 due to the many flooded Equinox control units, broken coil ears, broken arm cuffs and poor stock shaft system. The Equinox 700 and 900 redesign has addressed all of those earlier faults. No reports of leaking 700s and 900s that I have seen or heard about so far. The Legend also has a great collapsible shaft system and there have been no reports of leaking. Deus 2 is an outstanding detector but its lower shaft torque and antenna wire system for even shallow coil submersion are negatives for some beach scenarios.

 

[Ludlow6]

I agree with one of the other reply's. Go with a proven equinox 600 or 800. Used or new and you can always move up to the Manticore after its proven and a few software updates later. If you were just doing dirt I would say Legend is your best move. Xp are good machines. I myself use an ORX as my backup detector. But my Nox 800 has been killing the beach for years with no problems.

 

[oldkoot]

I would go straight to an Equinox 700 or 900 and skip the Equinox 600 or 800 due to the many flooded Equinox control units, broken coil ears, broken arm cuffs and poor stock shaft system. The Equinox 700 and 900 redesign has addressed all of those earlier faults. No reports of leaking 700s and 900s that I have seen or heard about so far. The Legend also has a great collapsible shaft system and there have been no reports of leaking. Deus 2 is an outstanding detector but its lower shaft torque and antenna wire system for even shallow coil submersion are negatives for some beach scenarios.

I agree with this completely, there are just to many documented build quality issues on the Nox 600 and 800 to over look I would take a legend or Nox700 or 900 before I would spend my hard earned money on detectors that have proven to have way to many build issues

 

[robby4570]

If you want good depth and a machine that will do dry sand as well as water, consider the Minelab Excalibur. It's pricier than what you listed but not by much. It's more versatile than any you've listed and a tested platform with years (in fact decades) of success stories behind it.