There's quite a difference between a V-540 Pro Pack to get the wireless headphones and the 9X12 DD coil and 5X8 DD coil and the EQ-800.
What do you consider to be "real cheap", and why would the make an upper-end model to compete with the EQ-800 if it wasn't reasonable close and competitive in price?
If you wanted "real cheap" or 'bargain-price' for a water unit, you could have snagged a Simplex + and saved some $$$.
I have been using the Turkey-made FORS CoRe, FORS Relic, Racer, Racer 2, Impact, Multi-Kruzer, Anfibio Multi, and the Gold Plus and Racer Gold prospecting units, as well as 4 different Pinpointers since January of '15 w/o any major concerns. I don't antipathy any with their pending SMF.
Monte