Nox v. Deus: Which should I buy?

[abcoin]

I'm looking at upgrading from the AT Max. I need a machine that does well in old parks, yards and other urban/suburban areas (I only get out to fields occasionally).

So far, my research has focused on the Equinox (probably would go for the 800) and the Deus. Anyone here used both? If you could just buy one, which one would you pick?

 

[Dan'O]

i have had both and of the two I still have the Deus. l love my Deus and don't think I would ever part with it. Why? It works very well, even in the iron. As a matter of fact I think that if XP came out with a small coil for the dense iron debris that it could possibly dominate in that type of hunting. I like the adjustability which can take a while to learn. It's very light weight and due to its wireless coils and the option of having the controller in my pocket, on my arm or in the car and the coil options (small coil not withstanding), its hands down my favorite!

The NOX 800 was a good detector which could have been great - had I taken the time to learn and use it properly. I will most likely buy another one so that I can give it's just due. As you read the successes people have with the NOX 800, you have to recognize that it's a top notch detector that holds it's resale value very well. I did find that I really liked the 50 tone option when in areas that were not overly littered with modern trash. The 6" coil separates well, balances well and is great along sidewalks and driveways. I feel like the 11" stock coil is a little nose heavy for my liking.

 

[abcoin]

The ergonomics of the Deus, the all-wireless setup and the range of adjustments all appeal to me. The lack of a small coil is significant — I use the 5x8 coil on my AT Max all the time and love it for trashy parks.

Getting a Nox and adding a 6" coil might make more sense, though the build quality issues (broken coil ears, shaft problems, etc.) are giving me pause on that unit.

 

[JEF]

The 5x9 hf coil is a small coil that works great on the Deus and ORX. I have both the Equinox and the Deus. Since I got the Deus, the Equinox has mostly been sitting in the closet. The Equinox is now my wet weather detector and the Deus is my everyday detector.

 

[bigtim1973]

I have used both as well except I had the equinox 600. I am not going to get into all of the reason why I prefer the Deus. However I will tell you this.

The equinox is better balanced and lighter weight than the Garrett you are currently using using. You will also like the screen better too. It will separate targets better in trash too.

The Deus is just in a totally different class. I do not know how else to say it. To me it is the most advanced metal detector that is on the market currently. You do not need to buy a book or go to a class in order to use the Deus. Just read the manual and learn how to use the machine.

It is faster on recovery than th equinox. The multi q thing has been totally blown out of the water for most inland metal detecting. Unless you live in high mineralized ground conditions or if your going to be constantly searching on a salt water beaches then I would say try XP before the Equinox.

All in all the ORX is just as fast and goes just as deep as the Deus for less than the cost of the Equinox 800.

Yes it had less features to adjust than the Deus but it does not lack in performance at all.

I searched a house recently with my ORX. I found several wheat pennies and several clad coins.

I went over the same yard with my Deus and I did not find one single coin that I had missed with my ORX.

So the ORX is an awesome performer as well.

I guess you can tell already that I no longer have my Equinox and stuck with XP machines.

 

[Kickindirt]

Deus by far. Especially being the Eq can only really be classified as a water resistant detector anymore. All those that seem to water hunt with them are sending them back in. Just something to think about.

 

[IowaRelic]

Is the DEUS’ ID any good at depth? Can you rely on it or the ORX for deep coinage? I know they give great tonal information but how’s the ID compare to NOX at depth? I’ve never used either machine...

 

[bigtim1973]

Is the DEUS’ ID any good at depth? Can you rely on it or the ORX for deep coinage? I know they give great tonal information but how’s the ID compare to NOX at depth? I’ve never used either machine...

Yes it is to me in my soil. But target ID at depth is not accurate anyway. However it is a lot better than a T2 at depth if you want to go by another unit that would be considered a deep machine. It locks on better and the numbers do not bounce around so erractically as a bunch of other units will.

 

[IowaRelic]

Yes it is to me in my soil. But target ID at depth is not accurate anyway. However it is a lot better than a T2 at depth if you want to go by another unit that would be considered a deep machine. It locks on better and the numbers do not bounce around so erractically as a bunch of other units will.

If it’s more accurate at depth than the version 9.0/9.1 T.2’s with DST then I’d be more than satisfied. They have good ID IMO. I think the ORX with 9” HF coil would probably pretty awesome. Wonder if I can trade a multi kruzer with 4 coils for one !?

 

[bigtim1973]

If it’s more accurate at depth than the version 9.0/9.1 T.2’s with DST then I’d be more than satisfied. They have good ID IMO. I think the ORX with 9” HF coil would probably pretty awesome. Wonder if I can trade a multi kruzer with 4 coils for one !?

I do not know what T2 9.0 is but I have a T2 se.

Yeah it is deep enough for average stuff but target id still bounces around in boost mode on my 11 inch nickel in my test garden. Also it does not separate anywhere near as good as a deus either.

 

[IowaRelic]

I do not know what T2 9.0 is but I have a T2 se.

Yeah it is deep enough for average stuff but target id still bounces around in boost mode on my 11 inch nickel in my test garden. Also it does not separate anywhere near as good as a deus either.

Ahhh the feelings of buyers remorse. I was soooo torn between the kruzer or an ORX. I’ve made great finds with the kruzer but I’m liking trying out machines. ORX is probably in my future...I primarily relic hunt and most CW sites have been hit a lot.
Oh, and 9.0/9.1 is the SE with DST. One is DST off and one is DST on.

 

[abcoin]

Thanks for the feedback, all. @bigtim1973 @Kickindirt What are your go-to coils on the Deus? And which headphones do you use?

 

[Tony-Ok]

I think the only weakness of the Deus / ORX is they are not good in modern trash . I think XP needs to work on rejection of new trash items . The Nox series handles the modern trash with better ID.

 

[bigtim1973]

Thanks for the feedback, all. @bigtim1973 @Kickindirt What are your go-to coils on the Deus? And which headphones do you use?

I use the HF coil 9 inch round one. It is less prone to emi due to battery placement.

I use the ws4 back phones for a couple of reasons.

The light weight for hot weather and the puck can be removed and you can put an adapter on them and used any headphones like jolly Rogers or whatever with the correct jack adapter.

 

[jmaclen]

I own and regularly use both the Deus and the Equinox and I have owned the ORX. I really like the Deus and ORX and I really like the Equinox. They have their strengths and weaknesses and I try to use them to their strengths. They are very different detectors and I almost have to do a personality shift (just joking but not far from the truth) to use them effectively especially on the same hunt.

In modern aluminum trashy parks or parks with lots of semi rusty crown bottle caps, the full tones on the Deus and the silencer adjustments are very useful if you want to accurately avoid some of those targets. The ORX just doesn't have those two features so hunting in thick aluminum trash and lots of crown bottle caps can really get annoying in just three tones.

When I go to a park where most of the really good targets are at 6" or less I take the Deus. When they are 6" or more I take the Equinox. If I really want to clean out an area of a park of home site, I use both.

Contrary to what some have said on here, the Equinox Multi IQ has not been blown out of the water and works extremely well. Every one of the four Equinox detectors I have owned when set up properly will accurately identify deep targets well with correct tones and ID numbers all the way to the limit of detection that only slightly up average target IDs unlike all single frequency detectors I have tried or owned including the Deus and the ORX which up average quite a bit especially on low and mid conductors.

I hunt at least twice a month with several Deus experts that have owned their Deus since day one and are incredible with them. I am an intermediate level user. They make me bring my Equinox because they know I am willing and the Nox is able to go after the really deep targets that they might get a high tone on but no ID or nothing at all. That is fine with me and I usually come home with some great finds.

So If you have thick iron trashed sites and need extremely fast target recovery speed and extreme target separation you need the Deus.

If your area has lots of really deep 6" or deeper quality targets and you want or need to identify deep targets accurately before you dig them (where I often hunt we have some digging restrictions like no shovels in most parks) then you may need the Equinox.

The Equinox is not quite as fast as the Deus for sure. It will identify deep targets much better than the Deus in all soil conditions however and I have thousands of hours on both detectors and have no problem telling you the truth from my experience since I love really respect both detectors.

I have owned all of the coils made for the Deus/ORX. The 9" HF and the 9" X35 round coils are fantastic coils and can separate targets that you would need a much smaller coil for on other detectors. The 9X5" HF elliptical coil to me is a specialty coil for the thickest iron trash and for gold prospecting. I have used that coil in both situations. If I could only have one coil and I lived in an area with mild soil I would probably get the 9" X35 coil first since it has the lower frequency range and the boost feature on the lowest frequencies. In the same situation but with moderate to highly mineralized dirt I would get the HF 9" coil first and add a bigger coil later. For gold prospecting I use the 9X5" HF coil and the 9" X35.

If you want to submerge the coil or the whole detector and/or hunt in saltwater conditions or in high mineralization or if you hunt in really bad weather a lot, I would definitely get the Equinox. I have dunked all four of the ones I owned and they have never leaked. I have not had any coil problems either. So not everyones coil ears break and not everyones control units leak.

The Equinox stock 11" coil is excellent at target separation considering its size. I do own the 6" coil to and use it for the thickest trash situations and for gold prospecting.

 

[jmaclen]

So, the Deus and the Equinox are fantastic detectors. Depending on your hunting style, what machines you are used to and the places you hunt, one may be better for you than the other. The really good thing is that they are better than what you have, they have great transferable warranties and they hold their value very well incase you need to sell later.

 

[RichW]

I've had both. The only places I preferred the Nox was wet salt beaches and in the salt water. I prefer the Deus (x-35 9" coil) everywhere else including dry beach sand.

 

[JEF]

I have both the Equinox and Deus. I don’t believe that the Equinox is any better in the trash than the Deus. I dig just as much trash with the Equinox as I do with the Deus. I much prefer the sounds of the Deus over the Equinox. And the first time I took the Deus out my body said “Thank You “. It is such a pleasure to swing compared to the Equinox, and pretty much all other detectors out there.

 

[Kickindirt]

Both great machines. I absolutely loved the nox with the carbon fiber shaft setup and 6" coil. Swings like a breeze almost as light feeling as the deus. If ya get the deus get the ws4s and 9x5 Hf coil for heavy trash and the 9" X35 coil. Really only need the Hf coils if your gonna prospect but the 9x5 is a lazer in the trash and iron. If your a deep park hunter the 11" x35 will still go deep and ID well. Better then Eq 800 idk prob not but I can go ID and find deep coins with both machines in my old park. They really both do well at everything. If ya can get both machines. If I had to pick one it would be deus, can swing it all day and then some.

 

[abcoin]

Thanks all, I think I've decided on the Deus this time. I've been watching a lot of videos from XP and others and learning a lot about all the adjustments and how they can help you out at a range of different sites. The all-wireless setup and the ergonomics also won me over.