If you are looking for an accurate metal detector, then the Minelab Equinox 600 should be your last bus stop.
The Minelab Equinox 600 is a metal detector equipped with multiple frequency technology, which brings a unique advantage to the table amongst other metal detectors in the market.
With this technology, you have the optimum opportunity to find diverse kinds of treasures.
The Minelab Equinox 600 is used for gold prospecting, treasure hunting, and countermine operations. And for that fair, reasonable selling price, it’s a real powerhouse.
In this review, you will find all you need to decide if the Minelab Equinox 600 meets your requirements. The review will cover its description, features, benefits, pros, and cons.
Contents
Minelab Equinox 600 Metal Detector Review
There has never been a time in the history of multi-frequency functionality that manufacturers in the world have been set to a high standard until the Minelab Equinox 600 emerged in the market.
This model is frequently mentioned in every list of top detectors due to its high-performing, multiple terrain compatibility, and budget-friendly price.
The features of the Equinox 600 make it a spectacular piece of equipment profitable for successful and productive search. Operating it for the first time does not require a keen level of expertise or extreme experience because many of its settings are automatic.
Features and Benefits
In this section, I’ll intimate you with some of the features the Minelab Equinox 600 metal detector offer and their benefits:
Multi-IQ
In my opinion, if there is any reason you should go for the Equinox 600, it should be for this feature.
What is multi-IQ technology?
It is a different method of simultaneous multi-frequency metal detection. That is, you are not switching from one frequency to another for your detection, but two or more frequencies are being received, transmitted, and processed concurrently. You are certain to achieve more precise target ID accuracy at depth with this feature.
There are four frequencies with which the Equinox 600 operates. They include single frequencies (5 kHz, 10 kHz, and 15 kHz), multi-frequencies (5 kHz, 10 kHz, 15 kHz, 20 kHz, and 40 kHz). You should note that the 20 kHz and 40 kHz cannot be used singly, but the option becomes available in the multi-IQ mode.
With the multi-IQ feature expressing itself through your search-coil, both small and large targets cannot elude you.
Waterproof
This is a vital feature for hunting around water or for submersion intentions; the headphone socket on the detector’s control box is made to be waterproof. For submersion, however, you cannot use the Equinox 600 with a wireless headphone.
You can also use the Equinox 600 to find treasures as deep as 10 feet (3 meters) below the surf.
Wireless Audio
The Equinox 600 comes with custom wired 1/8″ headphones, which can be used right away by simply connecting it directly to the 1/8″ headphone socket on the detector’s control box.
However, in the modern world, with the advent of wireless charging, iPods, etc., the Equinox 600 comes up-to-date with its wireless headphones compatibility.
While the device is Bluetooth and wireless compatible with the Minelab’s ML 80 headphones, any other third-party headphones are well compatible with the metal detector.
Manual Ground Balance
The default mode of the Equinox 600 is on an auto mode that tracks the level of mineralization on its own. On the other hand, the manual mode allows you to adjust the device to suit your need for better sensitivity.
DD Coil
The default coil that comes with the Equinox 600 is an 11″ Double-D Smart search-coil accompanied by a skid plate. Nevertheless, you can upgrade your search-coil with other coil options compatible with the detector:
- EQX 06 – a 6″ round Double-D search-coil for hunting in areas filled with trash and sensitive to small targets. It also works well in difficult terrain.
- EQX 11 – an 11″ round Double-D search-coil appropriate for general hunting.
- EQX 15 – a 15″ by 12″ elliptical Double-D search-coil for hunting unique treasures at maximum depth. It also works well for open and large spaces.
Noise Cancellation
This automatic feature shifts the operating frequency to quell chatter and noise from electromagnetic fields in your hunting terrain.
Updatable Software
The Equinox 600 metal detector has upgradable software. The updates are easy to download from Minelab’s website, with which you can upgrade your detector. There are different software for different detectors; visit the site, and choose your detector’s appropriate software.
How? Download the software to your computer. Then, connect the detector to the computer; an “install” window will pop up on your computer, and you can go on from there. Now, should the newest software upgrade be incompatible with your needs, you can undo the upgrade and roll back to the previous version. You will find this option of “Restore a previous update version” in the Minelab update area.
Design and Appearance
The Equinox 600 seems to look like the Equinox 800 in appearance, but its differences lie in its features.
The equipment is not super lightweight, so you should expect that it would feel a bit heavy after a period of prolonged usage. The equipment is designed with a five-level depth indicator. It is also quite lengthy; hence, it shouldn’t pose a problem for tall users.
The Minelab’s Equinox 600 has a sleek, rugged construction that allows you to enjoy long hunting in any environment. It also comes with rechargeable batteries; you don’t have to worry about being left high and dry while you’re on the field.
The Minelab’s Equinox 600 comes in a kit package, and the kit includes:
- Minelab Equinox 600 metal detecting machine
- USB charging cable
- Multi-language screen protectors
- Wired headphones (note: not waterproof)
- User’s Guide
Performance
The Minelab Equinox 600 comes with pre-configured settings, which in themselves are excellent. You could find virtually all types of metals with multiple frequencies at work. Noise won’t be a bother because of its automatic Noise Cancel. You could also take advantage of its auto ground balancing (or tweak it to your taste with the manual option) and its adjustable threshold.
The Equinox 600 has four tone options: 1, 2, 5, and 50, affording you the advantage of adjusting tone and volume shift between ferrous and non-ferrous items. In the same vein, there are three levels of detection speed, and yes – adjustable. For instance, you’re likely to get more accurate results on close, adjacent targets if you compromise on the depth and vice versa. In all, you could fiddle with the settings until you find the right balance for a particular terrain.
How to Use the Minelab Equinox 600
The device comes in disassembled form, so you would have to set it up, although quite simple to do so. It does not require tools to assemble out of the box. You should fully charge the battery immediately after – it takes about four hours to charge from 0 to 100%. Now, the lithium-ion battery can degrade if left unused for a long time; hence, the manufacturer recommends that you charge the Equinox detector at least once every quarter. It would be best if you replaced the battery every few years. Interestingly, with a portable power bank, you can charge the Equinox 600.
Once your device is fully charged, select the appropriate detection mode, set noise canceling, but just before you begin hunting, familiarize yourself with the detector by simply reading the manual carefully. You would want to get acquainted with the icons on the LCD screen; icons such as user profile, audio connectivity, battery status, tracking ground balance, backlight, pinpoint, detect modes, sensitivity discrimination, frequency display, beach overload indication, depth gauge, and target ID. All these are needed in achieving a maximum result with the detector.
I know you’re in a hurry to put that detector to work, but just before you take it out to the hunting site, I’ll recommend that you work it through a field test first. Set it up and take it to your backyard, where you must have placed several types of coins, metals, and jewelry, and test the detector. That way, you get to be familiar with the sights and sounds of the detector.
Noteworthy are the different settings for different modes (which I have dubbed “terrain” for comprehensibility sake earlier in this review). All the modes – field, park, and beach – have two settings. The Field 1 setting is for coins and artifacts, while Field 2 is for artifacts and fine coins. Park 1 setting detects general treasure and coins, while Park 2 detects fine jewelry. Beach 1 setting is used for dry or wet sand, while Beach 2 for surf and underwater hunting. You can switch back and forth from multi to single-frequency by simply pressing the frequency button. You can operate the field and park modes in either the multi or single frequencies, but you can only operate the beach mode in multi-frequency mode.
There are special conditions where advanced settings will be required, like difficult soil conditions, for instance. In such cases, having your user manual at hand will help a great deal for reference.
Pros and Cons of Minelab Equinox 600
Pros
- Updatable software
- Lightweight design
- Budget-friendly price
- Several additional compatible coils
- Multi-frequency mode (in addition to its three single frequencies)
- Waterproof
- Monochrome LCD
- 10 feet (3 meters) deep functionality
- Compatibility with wireless headsets
- Custom search modes
- DD coil
- In-built battery
- Long battery life (up to 12 hours)
- 3 years warranty
Cons
- Wireless headset absent in the kit
- Length can’t be adjusted
FAQs
1. Is the Minelab Equinox 600 waterproof?
Yes, Equinox is waterproof; you can fully submerge it in water, and you don’t have to worry about possible damage. The Minelab Equinox 600 is ideal for detecting in diverse kinds of waters – beach, rivers, lakes, streams, name it.
2. Is the Minelab Equinox 600 good for saltwater?
It’s not enough to know if the Minelab Equinox 600 is waterproof. The next most important question is, does it function properly underwater? Yes, and that includes saltwater. In fact, it works exceptionally.
3. Can the Minelab Equinox 600 detect gold?
If the need to detect gold nuggets is a seldom activity for you, then the Minelab Equinox 600 is an okay fit. It serves to detect gold well, better than other multi-purpose detectors you might find in the market. However, Equinox 800 might be a better fit if detecting gold nuggets is what you do regularly. Equinoxes’ key difference is that the Equinox 800 has a gold mode with enhanced performance on detecting small gold nuggets.
4. How deep can the Minelab Equinox 600 detect?
The Minelab Equinox 600 can detect up to 3 meters deep.
Wrap Up
The Equinox 600 could be generally considered a perfect fit (of a detector) for hobbyists, whichever skill level you may belong to. Whether you’re an expert or an intermediate user, you will find its multiple features interesting to play with and do a lot with. At the same time, it may not be as advanced (in user settings) as its counterpart – Equinox 800, you wouldn’t need the upgrade if you don’t do a lot of fine-tuning. Besides, the nodes now on the Equinox 600 are so exceptional that adjusting the settings may be unneeded at the end of the day.
If you were a beginner user, though, you may find it quite intimidating to take full advantage of the Equinox 600; however, the manufacturer has designed the detector in such a way that you could learn the ropes easily as you make use of the device. Nevertheless, you are unlikely to employ all its high-tech and advanced user settings for the hobbyist you are.
The Equinox 600 is budget-friendly compared to its Equinox 800 counterpart; hence, you could get yourself a 600 and upgrade with a smaller search-coil and (or) headphones and still save some change.
The Minelab Equinox 600 is applicable for various terrains; praises are due to its six custom search profiles – two per its three detecting modes.
I will unequivocally recommend the Minelab Equinox 600 if you were looking for a complete metal detector at an affordable price.