Ytcoinshooter
Well-known member
Though I’ve been silent of late on the forums I’m still swing my EQX800 as my primary unit.
My 2¢ After approx 18 months of use, I’m pretty happy but know it’s shortcomings ...
Re durability. Received mine in March 2018 and there’s no long winter layover as we are sunbirds. It has at least 15+ hours submerged in salt water without any issues. A thorough warm fresh water bath followed every immersion. My conclusion is For saltwater wading I prefer my modded Excalibur 2 skipping iron or one of my PI’s if digging it all. The Equinox is killer deep over wet salt saturated sand. I plan to use my EQX in fresh water when I finally get to a special spot. I have other freshwater discriminating detector choices but I need to see what I left behind. Coil ears are fine because my norm is to place a rubber washer on the outside of each coil ear with a hard nylon washer on top of the rubber one then thread the nylon bolt through. This spreads ands cushions the torque of the wing-nut at the same time locks the coil better into position. I started doing this over a decade ago wading and land detectors, replacing the old fashioned loop supports. I still keep the supports around for use on weighted coils (PI Diver). I run an aftermarket CF rod and locks with a choice of arm-cuff swaps. My stock rod did not wobble, I hated the cam locks trapping silt & I saved weight. Another mod is a no rot cross chest strap for hands free scoop and shovel work without setting the detector down. It’s not a bungee thing but a way to let go without dropping it or having it get away in the water. It has a nylon swivel snap hook at each end and attaches to a cable tie I loop through the arm-cuff slot or spare cuff mounting hole depending...
Though I have not contributed or commented in a long time I think one of my findings during EQX ownership may help someone. Ya must try my coil ear saver mod, match the diameter of the thin rubber and nylon washers together and it’s a sinch. Always tighten wingnut against one of the nylon washer with the rubber ones sandwiched against the ears. I’m looking forward taking my EQX 800 to Pound the Ground 2!
HH-Bruce
My 2¢ After approx 18 months of use, I’m pretty happy but know it’s shortcomings ...
Re durability. Received mine in March 2018 and there’s no long winter layover as we are sunbirds. It has at least 15+ hours submerged in salt water without any issues. A thorough warm fresh water bath followed every immersion. My conclusion is For saltwater wading I prefer my modded Excalibur 2 skipping iron or one of my PI’s if digging it all. The Equinox is killer deep over wet salt saturated sand. I plan to use my EQX in fresh water when I finally get to a special spot. I have other freshwater discriminating detector choices but I need to see what I left behind. Coil ears are fine because my norm is to place a rubber washer on the outside of each coil ear with a hard nylon washer on top of the rubber one then thread the nylon bolt through. This spreads ands cushions the torque of the wing-nut at the same time locks the coil better into position. I started doing this over a decade ago wading and land detectors, replacing the old fashioned loop supports. I still keep the supports around for use on weighted coils (PI Diver). I run an aftermarket CF rod and locks with a choice of arm-cuff swaps. My stock rod did not wobble, I hated the cam locks trapping silt & I saved weight. Another mod is a no rot cross chest strap for hands free scoop and shovel work without setting the detector down. It’s not a bungee thing but a way to let go without dropping it or having it get away in the water. It has a nylon swivel snap hook at each end and attaches to a cable tie I loop through the arm-cuff slot or spare cuff mounting hole depending...
Though I have not contributed or commented in a long time I think one of my findings during EQX ownership may help someone. Ya must try my coil ear saver mod, match the diameter of the thin rubber and nylon washers together and it’s a sinch. Always tighten wingnut against one of the nylon washer with the rubber ones sandwiched against the ears. I’m looking forward taking my EQX 800 to Pound the Ground 2!
HH-Bruce