Decided on the Equinox 900

[GaryB]

I've been swinging an XTerra 705 since Minelab came out with them about 13 or 14 years ago. It's a good machine but the technology that went into it has been surpassed by leaps and bounds. It's been around the block a time or two so it wouldn't sell for much in the current market that'll soon be flooded with used Nox 600 & 800 machines. It'll make a good loaner to get a newby interested in detecting.
I've watched a ton of YouTube videos of the Manticore, XP Deus II, Nokta Legend, and the Nox 600, 800, 700, & 900 as well as downloading and studying the user manuals for all of them.
The Legend was my initial choice mostly due to it's current price but there are enough negative reviews to send up a red flag. The Deus II seems a bit complicated and the Manticore might have a few issues o work out. The Nox 600 & 800 got ruled out for their build quality issues. The 700 is a stripped down version like the 600 so I went for the 900.
I ordered it from a dealer in cowboy country using the military discount and got it for $934.15, free shipping, free Minelab hat, finds bag, and carrying case for the machine. The Cowboy dealer doesn't charge sales tax and for me that's the equivalent of another 8% off the MSRP. I'm looking forward to putting it through it's paces when it arrives.

 

[Confetrit]

Best of luck to you with the Equinox 900. This will give you something to look forward to.

 

[D&P-OR]

I've been swinging an XTerra 705 since Minelab came out with them about 13 or 14 years ago. It's a good machine but the technology that went into it has been surpassed by leaps and bounds. It's been around the block a time or two so it wouldn't sell for much in the current market that'll soon be flooded with used Nox 600 & 800 machines. It'll make a good loaner to get a newby interested in detecting.
I've watched a ton of YouTube videos of the Manticore, XP Deus II, Nokta Legend, and the Nox 600, 800, 700, & 900 as well as downloading and studying the user manuals for all of them.
The Legend was my initial choice mostly due to it's current price but there are enough negative reviews to send up a red flag. The Deus II seems a bit complicated and the Manticore might have a few issues o work out. The Nox 600 & 800 got ruled out for their build quality issues. The 700 is a stripped down version like the 600 so I went for the 900.
I ordered it from a dealer in cowboy country using the military discount and got it for $934.15, free shipping, free Minelab hat, finds bag, and carrying case for the machine. The Cowboy dealer doesn't charge sales tax and for me that's the equivalent of another 8% off the MSRP. I'm looking forward to putting it through it's paces when it arrives.

Whgat are the "negatives" about the Legend that you consider sent up a red flag?

 

[GaryB]

Whgat are the "negatives" about the Legend that you consider sent up a red flag?

I didn't say "negatives", I said negative reviews.

 

[D&P-OR]

I didn't say "negatives", I said negative reviews.

Same thing----negatives (features/performance) culminate into "negative reviews".--------What are the substance of the negative reviews you have seen?

 

[fwcrawford]

If you are as impressed as I was going from the XTerra to the Equinox, you are going to be highly impressed.
The XTerra line is still a great detector though.

 

[jim tn]

HH jim tn

 

[John77]

I've been swinging an XTerra 705 since Minelab came out with them about 13 or 14 years ago. It's a good machine but the technology that went into it has been surpassed by leaps and bounds. It's been around the block a time or two so it wouldn't sell for much in the current market that'll soon be flooded with used Nox 600 & 800 machines. It'll make a good loaner to get a newby interested in detecting.
I've watched a ton of YouTube videos of the Manticore, XP Deus II, Nokta Legend, and the Nox 600, 800, 700, & 900 as well as downloading and studying the user manuals for all of them.
The Legend was my initial choice mostly due to it's current price but there are enough negative reviews to send up a red flag. The Deus II seems a bit complicated and the Manticore might have a few issues o work out. The Nox 600 & 800 got ruled out for their build quality issues. The 700 is a stripped down version like the 600 so I went for the 900.
I ordered it from a dealer in cowboy country using the military discount and got it for $934.15, free shipping, free Minelab hat, finds bag, and carrying case for the machine. The Cowboy dealer doesn't charge sales tax and for me that's the equivalent of another 8% off the MSRP. I'm looking forward to putting it through it's paces when it arrives.

You got the carry case, finds bag, & Minelab hat also? Just bought a Equinox 900 yesterday, using the ML15NOBUNDLE military discount code $934 I didn't get any of the swag, that usually comes with purchase of a new detector, Because I was using the military discount, Is what I assumed. I emailed them a copy of my DD214, & after they looked at it, they emailed me, telling me to use the code at checkout. It saved me $164.85.

 

[GaryB]

Yes, $934.15, free shipping, no sales tax, and the free stuff

 

[John77]

I've been swinging an XTerra 705 since Minelab came out with them about 13 or 14 years ago. It's a good machine but the technology that went into it has been surpassed by leaps and bounds. It's been around the block a time or two so it wouldn't sell for much in the current market that'll soon be flooded with used Nox 600 & 800 machines. It'll make a good loaner to get a newby interested in detecting.
I've watched a ton of YouTube videos of the Manticore, XP Deus II, Nokta Legend, and the Nox 600, 800, 700, & 900 as well as downloading and studying the user manuals for all of them.
The Legend was my initial choice mostly due to it's current price but there are enough negative reviews to send up a red flag. The Deus II seems a bit complicated and the Manticore might have a few issues o work out. The Nox 600 & 800 got ruled out for their build quality issues. The 700 is a stripped down version like the 600 so I went for the 900.
I ordered it from a dealer in cowboy country using the military discount and got it for $934.15, free shipping, free Minelab hat, finds bag, and carrying case for the machine. The Cowboy dealer doesn't charge sales tax and for me that's the equivalent of another 8% off the MSRP. I'm looking forward to putting it through it's paces when it arrives.

You got the carry case, finds bag, & Minelab hat also? Just bought a Equinox 900 yesterday, using the ML15NOBUNDLE military discount code $934 shipped. I didn't get any of the swag, that usually comes with purchase of a new detector, Because I was using the military discount, Is what I assume. I emailed them a copy of my DD214, & after they looked at it, they emailed me, telling me to use the code at checkout. It saved me $164.85.

Ip

Yes., $934.15 out the foo

Ya I got the $934 price, with Free shipping & no sales tax. But no extra swag, like the Minelab detector case, finds bag, or anything like that. I'm fine with that, because I saved $164.85 & I already have a few cases & stuff. I just thought that was cool you got the swag also.

 

[John77]

Yes, $934.15, free shipping, no sales tax, and the free stuff

Ya that's awesome they gave you the extra swag. They didn't give me any extras.

Yes, $934.15, free shipping, no sales tax, and the free stuff

 

[Mark kus]

It’s a great detector build quality alone makes it a step above the 800 I’ve had mine a little over a week already found 6 silvers and it preforms great the tones are definitely different and I prefer Park 1 so far good luck.
Mark

 

[BigTony]

You got the carry case, finds bag, & Minelab hat also? Just bought a Equinox 900 yesterday, using the ML15NOBUNDLE military discount code $934 I didn't get any of the swag, that usually comes with purchase of a new detector, Because I was using the military discount, Is what I assumed. I emailed them a copy of my DD214, & after they looked at it, they emailed me, telling me to use the code at checkout. It saved me $164.85.

That’s a cool perk for your service!

 

[RichW]

It’s a great detector build quality alone makes it a step above the 800 I’ve had mine a little over a week already found 6 silvers and it preforms great the tones are definitely different and I prefer Park 1 so far good luck.
Mark

I feel exactly the same way. Impressed with the build quality . First time out today and it performed very well. The expanded ID range is great and I really like park 1.

 

[Mark kus]

I feel exactly the same way. Impressed with the build quality . First time out today and it performed very well. The expanded ID range is great and I really like park 1.

Yep I concur it is a greatly improved detector especially fit and finish.
Mark

 

[jayhop]

I got mine yesterday. Took 4 hours to change.
I did a quick run through my test garden, I think it may be deeper than the 800 by a little. It will definitely give a two way signal with good ID on my 10 and a half inch dime. I'm pretty sure the 800 will only hit it one way. I will do some testing tonight against the 800 and Deus II.
The shaft will twist even when tight, and the shaft to coil fit is very tight, a little too tight in my opinion.

 

[sgoss66]

I got mine yesterday. Took 4 hours to change.
I did a quick run through my test garden, I think it may be deeper than the 800 by a little. It will definitely give a two way signal with good ID on my 10 and a half inch dime. I'm pretty sure the 800 will only hit it one way. I will do some testing tonight against the 800 and Deus II.
The shaft will twist even when tight, and the shaft to coil fit is very tight, a little too tight in my opinion.

jayhop -- do the Minelab cam locks not have a thumb-screw adjustment for clamping tension? If they do, are you saying that event tightening the adjustment screw, you can't get the clamping tension adjusted to the point where the shaft stops twisting?

Steve

 

[Mark kus]

I got mine yesterday. Took 4 hours to change.
I did a quick run through my test garden, I think it may be deeper than the 800 by a little. It will definitely give a two way signal with good ID on my 10 and a half inch dime. I'm pretty sure the 800 will only hit it one way. I will do some testing tonight against the 800 and Deus II.
The shaft will twist even when tight, and the shaft to coil fit is very tight, a little too tight in my opinion.

Yes the coil fit is tight possibly to prevent people from over tightening it with the screw you need to give the canes a few twists to tighten them up mine are fine after tightening the cams a few turns .
Mark

 

[jayhop]

jayhop -- do the Minelab cam locks not have a thumb-screw adjustment for clamping tension? If they do, are you saying that event tightening the adjustment screw, you can't get the clamping tension adjusted to the point where the shaft stops twisting?

Steve

I did tighten the thumb screws. I will try tightening them more tonight, but I thought I had the cams pretty tight. I hope it doesn't happen but I can imagine someone breaking those cams trying to get them tight enough that it doesn't twist.

 

[sgoss66]

I did tighten the thumb screws. I will try tightening them more tonight, but I thought I had the cams pretty tight. I hope it doesn't happen but I can imagine someone breaking those cams trying to get them tight enough that it doesn't twist.

Interesting. Thanks for sharing that info...

Steve