Excited about new Equinox

[Chuck M]

I currently use the Vanquish 540 pro pack and absolutely love it but I been thinking about upgrading. I will be looking hard at the newly released Equinox 700 & 900. From what I see they really upgraded the quality and I see they improved performance. I'm now looking for the price and looking forward to many reviews.

 

[ohio fred]

I currently use the Vanquish 540 pro pack and absolutely love it but I been thinking about upgrading. I will be looking hard at the newly released Equinox 700 & 900. From what I see they really upgraded the quality and I see they improved performance. I'm now looking for the price and looking forward to many reviews.

Just starting seeing sign of a 700 and 900 did not know if this was true still don't know ,just starting see word after Manticore release. Have wait and see.

 

[jim tn]

Just starting seeing sign of a 700 and 900 did not know if this was true still don't know ,

It's true! Its' on their web site. HH jim tn

 

[Grunter]

If ML reallly came out with a Nox 700 and Nox 900 IMHO it's a kick in the teeth to current Nox owners.

 

[Chuck M]

If ML reallly came out with a Nox 700 and Nox 900 IMHO it's a kick in the teeth to current Nox owners.

Not sure why fixing some of the Equinox issues are a kick in the teeth. Equinox owners have been complaining about coil ears breaking, leaking and etc. They fix the issues and you call it a problem, I just don't understand your thinking.

 

[jayhop]

Not sure why fixing some of the Equinox issues are a kick in the teeth. Equinox owners have been complaining about coil ears breaking, leaking and etc. They fix the issues and you call it a problem, I just don't understand your thinking.

I know this wasn't directed at me but I definitely understand.
The thing is that they didn't fix the problems. People with the 600 or 800 still have those problems and now they are stuck with detectors that they will almost have to give away if they want to sell them.
So give away your 600 or 800 and spend more money on a machine of hopefully is of the same quality that you should have gotten when you bought the 600 or 800.
To fix the problem, they should allow you to trade in the 600 or 800 for a decent trade in value on a 700 or 900.

 

[Donna(NJ]

I dont think Id trust Minelabs quality on the new 700 & 900 til they have been out for at least 6-12 months.
Im sure there wont be that much difference in performance between the old & the new.

The ears on my coil broke just after a year. The battery died after 3 and 1/2 years. Replaced it and it died after 6 months.
Replaced again and it didnt work at all. Only way to fix was to replace control unit. $350 plus shipping back and forth = $400.
Machine was never submerged. Now it's collecting dust.

Bought the Deus 2 for beach hunting with 5 year warranty. Ive owned the Deus 1 for over 10 years and not one problem.

Although my Deus 2 doesnt run as smooth as the Minelab on my ocean beaches, it sure is a lot easier to swing and I dont worry about
it falling apart in the next few years.

Have been a Minelab user for over 20 years as it was the only machines that would run in the wet salt environment other than a Fisher CZ20.
Times have changed and Im very happy with my Deus 2 at the beach. Plus she does very well on land !!!!

HH
Donna(NJ)

 

[Mark kus]

I dont think Id trust Minelabs quality on the new 700 & 900 til they have been out for at least 6-12 months.
Im sure there wont be that much difference in performance between the old & the new.

The ears on my coil broke just after a year. The battery died after 3 and 1/2 years. Replaced it and it died after 6 months.
Replaced again and it didnt work at all. Only way to fix was to replace control unit. $350 plus shipping back and forth = $400.
Machine was never submerged. Now it's collecting dust.

Bought the Deus 2 for beach hunting with 5 year warranty. Ive owned the Deus 1 for over 10 years and not one problem.

Although my Deus 2 doesnt run as smooth as the Minelab on my ocean beaches, it sure is a lot easier to swing and I dont worry about
it falling apart in the next few years.

Have been a Minelab user for over 20 years as it was the only machines that would run in the wet salt environment other than a Fisher CZ20.
Times have changed and Im very happy with my Deus 2 at the beach. Plus she does very well on land !!!!

HH
Donna(NJ)

I have a Deus 2 also and they should have addressed a few issues also the darn thing tips over useless foot on back crappy lower shaft which can be fixed with a legend lower carbon shaft
no detector is perfect i'm sure they improved on all the issues ..
Mark

 

[Chuck M]

I know this wasn't directed at me but I definitely understand.
The thing is that they didn't fix the problems. People with the 600 or 800 still have those problems and now they are stuck with detectors that they will almost have to give away if they want to sell them.
So give away your 600 or 800 and spend more money on a machine of hopefully is of the same quality that you should have gotten when you bought the 600 or 800.
To fix the problem, they should allow you to trade in the 600 or 800 for a decent trade in value on a 700 or 900.

I hear and understand what you're saying but do car and any other product makers do such, I don't think so. Just like anything else, you continually improve your product. I know several Equinox 600 and 800 owners who never had any issues. Anyway I hear you, happy hunting and best of luck to you.

 

[daveyG]

Never had a single problem with my 800, I got it about 3 months after they came out. I don't water hunt, so that may make a difference i dont know.

 

[Chuck M]

Never had a single problem with my 800, I got it about 3 months after they came out. I don't water hunt, so that may make a difference i dont know.

From what I see most don't have issues. I have several hunting buddies who own the Equinox and they never had any issues as well.

 

[jayhop]

I hear and understand what you're saying but do car and any other product makers do such, I don't think so. Just like anything else, you continually improve your product. I know several Equinox 600 and 800 owners who never had any issues. Anyway I hear you, happy hunting and best of luck to you.

I'm not trying to get into a back and forth, but car manufacturers do recalls all the time. The shaft, arm cup, coil ears and housing are all different on the 700 and 900. Why did they change them if there are no problems with the 600 and 800?
I don't know what kind of detecting people do with the Equinox that they haven't had problems? But I bet they don't hunt swamps, cotton stubble, bean stubble, woods or under water. Not much or for any extended period of time anyway.
I don't mean to offend you or anyone else so don't take this personally. The issues with the Equinox that I and many others have had is a real sore spot with me.

 

[sgoss66]

I have read all these posts, and I totally get everyone's points. I have both a 600 (barely used) and an 800 (used HEAVILY since I got it -- have had it since Feb. 2018, when they were first released), and I've NEVER had an issue (don't hunt underwater, but otherwise that machine has NOT been "babied.") That said, there have been a TON of people who HAVE had issues with their Equinoxes, and the leakage issues, and coil-ear issues, are REAL. SO, I totally get the frustration.

With that said, I do have to give "kudos" to Minelab for addressing these issues -- the coil-ear issue, the "crappy/wobbly shaft" issue, and the leakage issues have all been addressed. These were the three main complaints with the EQX, and Minelab has addressed each one of them. YES -- those of us who bought Equinoxes expected to get machines without the coil ear issues and the leaking issues IN THE FIRST PLACE, no doubt about it. For SOME of us, we DID get that (again, my machine has been flawless). But, many did not what they bargained for, and had to deal with one (or more) failures. So I get the frustration. BUT -- at the same time, I also appreciate that Minelab is "listening," and seeking to improve.

It seems to me that what Minelab should do, is this (and if it were ME, and MY company, it's what I'd do). I'd offer ALL current Equinox users an incentive of some sort. Say, 15% off retail price -- an incentive to upgrade IF YOU ARE INTERESTED. For me, my 800 is still going strong, no issues. So, for me, having the option to KEEP USING my still perfectly functioning Equinox, OR upgrade to a new/improved one at a nice discount, seems fair. I would be very happy about that.

BUT, for ANYONE who had to return their Equinox for either coil-ear breakage, OR leakage -- i.e. they had to have warranty work done -- I would offer THESE customers an even LARGER discount. If you have a 600, and had to have warranty work done, you'd be offered a 700 at, say, 33% off. If you have an 800, and had to have warranty work done, you'd be offered a 900 at 33% off. The 33% discount would be a "mea culpa" on the part of Minelab; in my opinion, they should say something like this -- "We are sorry you experienced a failure of your Equinox, which was ultimately due to a manufacturing defect on our part; while we replaced your unit or coil under warranty, we still realize that it's a frustration and a hassle to have experienced the failure. We apologize for that. With that said, have corrected these manufacturing defects in our new 700/900 Equinox line; please consider our offer to upgrade your 600/800 at 33% off of the MSRP, as an apology from us, to you."

To me, that would score Minelab some real points with customers, removing some of the "bad taste" from the mouths of those EQX customers who had to deal with product failures.

Steve

 

[Mark kus]

This guy has both manticore and equinox 900
He’s in RI
Mark

 

[jayhop]

I have read all these posts, and I totally get everyone's points. I have both a 600 (barely used) and an 800 (used HEAVILY since I got it -- have had it since Feb. 2018, when they were first released), and I've NEVER had an issue (don't hunt underwater, but otherwise that machine has NOT been "babied.") That said, there have been a TON of people who HAVE had issues with their Equinoxes, and the leakage issues, and coil-ear issues, are REAL. SO, I totally get the frustration.

With that said, I do have to give "kudos" to Minelab for addressing these issues -- the coil-ear issue, the "crappy/wobbly shaft" issue, and the leakage issues have all been addressed. These were the three main complaints with the EQX, and Minelab has addressed each one of them. YES -- those of us who bought Equinoxes expected to get machines without the coil ear issues and the leaking issues IN THE FIRST PLACE, no doubt about it. For SOME of us, we DID get that (again, my machine has been flawless). But, many did not what they bargained for, and had to deal with one (or more) failures. So I get the frustration. BUT -- at the same time, I also appreciate that Minelab is "listening," and seeking to improve.

It seems to me that what Minelab should do, is this (and if it were ME, and MY company, it's what I'd do). I'd offer ALL current Equinox users an incentive of some sort. Say, 15% off retail price -- an incentive to upgrade IF YOU ARE INTERESTED. For me, my 800 is still going strong, no issues. So, for me, having the option to KEEP USING my still perfectly functioning Equinox, OR upgrade to a new/improved one at a nice discount, seems fair. I would be very happy about that.

BUT, for ANYONE who had to return their Equinox for either coil-ear breakage, OR leakage -- i.e. they had to have warranty work done -- I would offer THESE customers an even LARGER discount. If you have a 600, and had to have warranty work done, you'd be offered a 700 at, say, 33% off. If you have an 800, and had to have warranty work done, you'd be offered a 900 at 33% off. The 33% discount would be a "mea culpa" on the part of Minelab; in my opinion, they should say something like this -- "We are sorry you experienced a failure of your Equinox, which was ultimately due to a manufacturing defect on our part; while we replaced your unit or coil under warranty, we still realize that it's a frustration and a hassle to have experienced the failure. We apologize for that. With that said, have corrected these manufacturing defects in our new 700/900 Equinox line; please consider our offer to upgrade your 600/800 at 33% off of the MSRP, as an apology from us, to you."

To me, that would score Minelab some real points with customers, removing some of the "bad taste" from the mouths of those EQX customers who had to deal with product failures.

Steve

You said it much better than I did. Very well put.
And for those that would say "Minelab covered the repairs under warranty, and quickly" .
Yes they did if the detector was still under warranty. But even those repairs or replacements are only warranted for three years from the original purchase of the detector. Not from the replacement or repair date.
The warranty on my replacement coil only lasted about 6 months.
And after the 3 year warranty you are out of luck.
Thanks

 

[Donna(NJ]

You said it much better than I did. Very well put.
And for those that would say "Minelab covered the repairs under warranty, and quickly" .
Yes they did if the detector was still under warranty. But even those repairs or replacements are only warranted for three years from the original purchase of the detector. Not from the replacement or repair date.
The warranty on my replacement coil only lasted about 6 months.
And after the 3 year warranty you are out of luck.
Thanks

I have read all these posts, and I totally get everyone's points. I have both a 600 (barely used) and an 800 (used HEAVILY since I got it -- have had it since Feb. 2018, when they were first released), and I've NEVER had an issue (don't hunt underwater, but otherwise that machine has NOT been "babied.") That said, there have been a TON of people who HAVE had issues with their Equinoxes, and the leakage issues, and coil-ear issues, are REAL. SO, I totally get the frustration.

With that said, I do have to give "kudos" to Minelab for addressing these issues -- the coil-ear issue, the "crappy/wobbly shaft" issue, and the leakage issues have all been addressed. These were the three main complaints with the EQX, and Minelab has addressed each one of them. YES -- those of us who bought Equinoxes expected to get machines without the coil ear issues and the leaking issues IN THE FIRST PLACE, no doubt about it. For SOME of us, we DID get that (again, my machine has been flawless). But, many did not what they bargained for, and had to deal with one (or more) failures. So I get the frustration. BUT -- at the same time, I also appreciate that Minelab is "listening," and seeking to improve.

It seems to me that what Minelab should do, is this (and if it were ME, and MY company, it's what I'd do). I'd offer ALL current Equinox users an incentive of some sort. Say, 15% off retail price -- an incentive to upgrade IF YOU ARE INTERESTED. For me, my 800 is still going strong, no issues. So, for me, having the option to KEEP USING my still perfectly functioning Equinox, OR upgrade to a new/improved one at a nice discount, seems fair. I would be very happy about that.

BUT, for ANYONE who had to return their Equinox for either coil-ear breakage, OR leakage -- i.e. they had to have warranty work done -- I would offer THESE customers an even LARGER discount. If you have a 600, and had to have warranty work done, you'd be offered a 700 at, say, 33% off. If you have an 800, and had to have warranty work done, you'd be offered a 900 at 33% off. The 33% discount would be a "mea culpa" on the part of Minelab; in my opinion, they should say something like this -- "We are sorry you experienced a failure of your Equinox, which was ultimately due to a manufacturing defect on our part; while we replaced your unit or coil under warranty, we still realize that it's a frustration and a hassle to have experienced the failure. We apologize for that. With that said, have corrected these manufacturing defects in our new 700/900 Equinox line; please consider our offer to upgrade your 600/800 at 33% off of the MSRP, as an apology from us, to you."

To me, that would score Minelab some real points with customers, removing some of the "bad taste" from the mouths of those EQX customers who had to deal with product failures.

Steve

Wishful thinking but I dont see Minelab giving discounts for defective machines. I replaced the battery after 3 years and 7 months after, the new battery died. Minelab said there was only a 6 month warranty on replacement battery. I bought another battery as the code said BF, battery failure. Replaced battery and machine still didnt work. Only option was to replace control unit for $350 plus shipping !!! I can buy a complete, used machine, for a bit more money. The fact that the cost to repair is out of sight is what really ticks me off. I spent close to $100 in batteries and still have a non-working machine. To spend $700 for a machine and only get 3 1/2 years out of it, really sours me on trusting another Minelab. Who's to say the new will be better ??? If they truly fixed the KNOWN problems, then they should fix the broken machines even though out of warranty. Factory recall !!!!!! Will be a long time till I buy another Minelab.

 

[robinb]

Never had a single problem with my 800, I got it about 3 months after they came out. I don't water hunt, so that may make a difference i dont know.

It does, a lot have suffered leaks.
Also weak coil ears, repaired many many times of people who have owned them.

 

[Coin Rescue Inc]

My 600 has been sitting in the closet for two years. Just not my idea of a go to detector. Too many problems like a sticky on-off switch and great at identifing bottle caps as coins. I did find one gold ring at a beach water's edge once but not much else worthwhile that I recall.
There seems to be too much hype on the new machines lately. If you think about it, people bragging on metal detecting internet chat pages is the only advertising avenue left for manufacturers.
TV or Magazines are no longer usefull to the targeted audiences. Get one well known personality praising the newest detector and everyone wants one.

 

[sgoss66]

Wishful thinking but I dont see Minelab giving discounts for defective machines. I replaced the battery after 3 years and 7 months after, the new battery died. Minelab said there was only a 6 month warranty on replacement battery. I bought another battery as the code said BF, battery failure. Replaced battery and machine still didnt work. Only option was to replace control unit for $350 plus shipping !!! I can buy a complete, used machine, for a bit more money. The fact that the cost to repair is out of sight is what really ticks me off. I spent close to $100 in batteries and still have a non-working machine. To spend $700 for a machine and only get 3 1/2 years out of it, really sours me on trusting another Minelab. Who's to say the new will be better ??? If they truly fixed the KNOWN problems, then they should fix the broken machines even though out of warranty. Factory recall !!!!!! Will be a long time till I buy another Minelab.

I hear you. I get your frustration. I don't blame you one bit. And yes, those "discounts" I mentioned, are absolutely "wishful thinking." I was just offering an opinion of what I thought Minelab SHOULD do, to begin to repair some of the damaged relationships they now have, with some of their customers -- damage that is totally justified.

Steve

 

[Mark kus]

My 600 has been sitting in the closet for two years. Just not my idea of a go to detector. Too many problems like a sticky on-off switch and great at identifing bottle caps as coins. I did find one gold ring at a beach water's edge once but not much else worthwhile that I recall.
There seems to be too much hype on the new machines lately. If you think about it, people bragging on metal detecting internet chat pages is the only advertising avenue left for manufacturers.
TV or Magazines are no longer usefull to the targeted audiences. Get one well known personality praising the newest detector and everyone wants one.

Too bad they are killer detectors around the water I water hunt also but don't submerge mine long..
Mark