Equinox 800 vs ctx 3030

[Andy Sabisch]

The quote on the several other blogs and Facebook posts is that this will be Brandon's #1 detector over the CTX 3030 . . . does anyone really believe that the same company that builds and still sells the CTX 3030 as well as the E-Trac will release a detector at 1/3 the price that outperforms either of the two models that are still selling well?

Minelab - like all other manufacturers - is looking at what is being released and release that they need to compete. Wireless is the only way people will want to go so having that option on the Equinox as well as the AT Max is a must. Quest Metal Detectors developed their detectors a few years ago and the Equinox looks quite similar in form to that and the Quest has wireless built in . . no module required.

If the Equinox was a hybrid of the unique BBS or FBS circuitry, that would have been stated in the literature. After all, White's has had multi-frequency for nearly 20 years starting with the DFX and carried over to the V3i / VX3 platforms.

The launch was hyped for months much the way the AT Max was which is yet to ship. The videos from the UK on the Minelab show that the features are not fully locked in which means that release to the public is down the road. It is a solid marketing strategy since people will now hold off buying what is available to see what might be available - human nature.

Knowing Minelab since the origins of the company, I am certain it will be a solid performer but if you are expecting it to replace your E-Trac or CTX 3030 or make finds comparable to those two units at the price they are marketing it at . . . well, take a deep breath and reground yourself.

Andy

 

[sprchng]

Possibly , but there's a lot less air in the sails of the Deus and Turkish machines this morning.

 

[therover]

Bowie...glad to see you posting !

Minelab marketed their 23-30-50-100 or however many frequencies based on the harmonics used (as far as what I have read on many posts and articles). CZ's have had 2 frequencies for almost 3 decades.

Whatever the case, I do believe at least 2 frequencies are needed to have above average performance on wet,salt sand due to the ability to balance out the salt conductivity (Mark Rowan explains it really well in the DFX videos that Whites put out).Two or more frequencies used is the best way since a single frequency unit would have some issues and not be an optimal unit in that arena. You can use single frequency units in wet, salt sand ( I have used my MXT Pro in the wet, salt sand and it does well but it won't do better than my CZ;s, E-Trac, etc.) but you would be better off with a multi freq unit.

So even if these new units are not FBS or BBS, if it have the ability to use 2 or 3 in combination and can be used in wet, salt sand and outperform single frequency units, it's a winner with all the other features it will have.

Imagine if Minelab slaps on a better warranty then some of the other manufactures out there. That would up the ante even more.

 

[Southwind]

What I find funny is that the Equinox has shot to the top as far as discussions on the forums. Why is pretty simple. It owes the all this excitement to the reputation the E-Trac and CTX has built. The idea of a E-Trac II has been on the wishlist of many a Minelab fans for a long time. IF the Equinox can match the performance of the E-Trac/CTX then it will sell like hotcakes.

 

[MEV]

Just looked at a video and they Say you can.use all frecuencys at the same time. Does it means it's just like ctx 3030?

 

[bugg]

to the etrac or ctx, it will be a big seller. Minelabs are known for excellent ground handling abilities, depth, and discrimination. Now package that into a detector that weighs a tad bit more than the Deus, is water proof to 10 ft, and a wide range of frequencies, and you have a winner.

 

[Andy Sabisch]

But if it is close in performance, selling it 1/3 the price will kill the CTX and E-Trac sales. What do you tink is going to happen to the XTerra line with this unit coming out? And the Safari is another unit that will be challenged on price alone.

Time will tell but it will take a lot to match the hype that has been played up on this release

 

[dewcon4414]

But Andy, MLs be talking about reducing the number of detectors. This ..... if it lives to the hype, would certainly be a step in that direction. I agree..... the price sure makes you go WOW with what it SEEMS to offer. I like simple on the beach...... something the Xcal is..... but its a really slow recovery machine and on the dry sand...... well there are just other machines a lot more capable at finding smaller gold. Its a wait and see for me....... but you are right, they would be cutting their own throats with the CTX. Sooooo common sense tells me, this may be a machine Gary D may have to sell us.

Dew

 

[GazinUK]

Someone posted elsewhere that if you had a deus and CTX then you needed nothing else, well minelab have given you the option of changing the deus for one of their own.

 

[Mr. Carolina]

So Andy: I should have Charlene take me off the waiting list and lay lo awhile?

 

[Andy Sabisch]

No what I am saying is that to expect CTX 3030 performance from an $899 detector is a stretch . . new technology (not BBS or FBS), light weight, submersible (hopefully better than the CTX 3030) and wireless makes this a game changer for Minelab in that price range - the one that Garret has dominated for years with the AT series. The AT Max will provide users with features that the Equinox does not and vicea versa . . . I can see the XTerra line being phased out much like they did with the Eureka when the Gold Monster was released . . . progress always benefits the end user and this will be no exception

Andy

 

[Daniel Tn]

Minelab has lost a lot of money in sales to other manufacturers that are offering a lot of detector for the lower price. Garrett being one of them. My thinking on this subject is different I guess. What can the CTX/eTrac really do that a $500 machine can't do? The truth is...not a whole lot. I've owned almost all of them and have the CTX now for the sole purpose of coin shooting and salt water beaches. Where the rubber meets the road, there isn't a lot of difference in depth, ID, etc on land than other machines out there, past and present. The only reason I prefer the CTX for salt water beaches is that it is one of very limited machines available with multi freq and that is water proof. Otherwise, I have a 20 year old Bandido II uMax that is just as deep on land as the CTX on coins and relics, when it has a similar sized DD coil mounted on it. You don't get the target ID feature but hey, most of us know that once something is deep and or masked by iron, the IDs are gonna be off anyway and you are still faced with a beep/dig situation.

There will still be people that want the CTX and eTrac...just the same as there are some that prefer the eTrac or Explorer to the CTX. Each person will have what they consider to be better in their mind. The only reason I personally have the CTX over the eTrac is the water proof feature. The rest of it, I couldn't care less about. For some, it may be something as simple as the way the detector sounds vs the other...similar to how some like the "silver warble" of the original Explorer vs the eTrac/CTX. I think Minelab's thinking on it is this...which do we stand to make more profit on...selling 3 CTXs for $2,400 each or selling 100 Equinox machines for $800 each. Very smart play IMO on their part. They know the CTX is and always will be a specialty machine that MOST detectorists will not buy or can afford. The majority of detectorists are going for competitors units in that $500-800 price range. IMO, they have set the bar really high for those other manufacturers by offering this new platform. They have gone directly at XP, Garrett, and Nokta and by combining two features, have brought a lot to the table.

 

[MI-AuAg]

I see some promise for this machine in the beach/water hunting realm for sure.

I have curiosity as to what it's gold nugget shooting capabilities may be since it can operate in single 20 and 40 Khz frequencies. Not sure how it's ground balancing system or programming will do in that realm? It could make it a more all around machine for people who do the usual coin/jewelry/relic PLUS nugget shoot. CTX isn't a nugget shooter.

I believe for sure, it will challenge most of the newcomers in that price range, like the Impact, and AT Max. It appears to be a nice package, in that price range.

From my initial observations, I don't anticipate getting rid of my CTX for the Equinox, no compelling reason. Time and testing will tell, as to the Equinox's abilities. A lot of people getting a bit ahead of themselves. Performance is always the true measure! Not much out there right now from unbiased and knowledgable detectorist's to make an informed judgement.

 

[Miser67]

I live in Florida. If this lightweight detector can truly work in the wet salt sand in multi-frequency mode without chattering and give me target id at a depth comparable to coil size, I will buy one without question.

 

[Southwind]

Where the rubber meets the road, there isn't a lot of difference in depth, ID, etc on land than other machines out there, past and present.

Here we totally disagree. I have also used just about every detector on the market for the last 10 years and in my soil the E-Trac easily stomps the others in target ID accuracy at depth. In fact, I'd say it is that reason the E-Trac still to this day is a top seller.

True, in some soils this may not be the case, but, from what I've seen, for the vast majority it is the case.

Now, the $10k question is how does it do on that small odd gold the E-Trac & CTX do a poor job on. I do like the 40 kHz single frequency choice. I know there is a big difference in my DFX on small odd shaped gold when I switch to single 15 kHz. You can see the difference here. [video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu5_ygs_5L4[/video]

 

[brother steve]

I agree with Andy they are not going to shoot themselves in the foot. They are trying to compete with Deus and Garrett. Does the new machine have exchange 2 so we can customize programs to our conditions. The ctx is in a league of its own .

 

[nagov]

Hmmm so light.......does it float?

Cliff

 

[dewcon4414]

If this is the Xcals equal in the water... yet has single freq abilities then I see a good beach machine choice. Remember the XcL isnt that much more.

 

[masterjedi]

I have a full dressed Etrac and CTX with all of the coils. I will just buy one of these too to see how it performs. I like the lightweight feature.

 

[Des D]

Minelab has lost a lot of money in sales to other manufacturers that are offering a lot of detector for the lower price. Garrett being one of them.

"Daniel.......shhhhhhhss.....you might be accused of making up your own facts and get a Codan financial report to read!!!! Lol...

But I and I'm certain others would be inclined to agree!"