Waterproof metal detectors are all the rage right now.
However, Minelab has always proven to be the crème de la crème of the metal detector market.
One of the most outstanding coin detectors that they have is the Equinox 800.
If you are a detection enthusiast, this innovative, multi-frequency technology device is everything you need.
Its outstanding performance and quality, coupled with the positive reputation of the Minelab brand, makes it one of the best there is today.
But what exactly makes the Minelab Equinox 800 metal detector tick? We explain this metal detector’s features and answer some of the frequently asked questions to help you make a choice.
Contents
Minelab Equinox 800 Design and Performance
The Minelab Equinox 800 performs exceptionally well. It has four detection modes; field, park, gold, and beach, all calibrated to ensure the ideal considerations when metal detecting a specific terrain.
The park detection mode is suitable for recreational areas, while the field mode is best for detection in places such as historical fields.
If you would like to explore on the beach or in salty conditions, you should get the beach mode activated.
The gold mode is best used in prospecting gold in goldfield location.
Each of the detection modes will allow two custom profiles, making it a total of eight. You need to save your favorite settings on each mode and use it when you see fit.
There are a few limitations to the Equinox 800.
For instance, its Li-on battery has a 12-hour runtime. The metal detector has many features that work simultaneously, which means the battery can run out quickly.
Thankfully, it charges quickly, even when it is completely flat.
You can power the metal detector with a USB cable and with a high capacity charger. It takes approximately 4 hours for it to charge fully. You cannot use it underwater when it is connected to a power bank.
Minelab Equinox 800 Features and Benefits
1. Multi-Frequency Technology
This technology makes the detector excellent at what it does.
There are five frequencies that you can use simultaneously.
Alternatively, they can be used singly, for instance, when you want to polish a single target or in noisy environments where chatter is not eliminated.
Every mode has various frequency selections. It is possible to customize two profiles for every detection mode.
2. Adjustable Threshold
Some people like to detect the weakest signals and hear the hum to tell the good from junk items.
For such people, the Threshold Level Adjustment will work for them.
At 0, there will be no silencing of rejected targets, and it is recommended for high trash areas.
The default threshold for gold is 11 and significantly improves weak signals.
There is the Threshold Pitch that allows greater control of the audio response. This also helps to get the most comfortable pitch.
3. Auto, Tracking, and Manual Ground Balance
It has a range of ground balance from -9 to 99. The Gold mode has a Tracking Ground Balance as the default, while the others have default settings of 0.
Ground balance needs adjustment, and you need to redo the ground balance if you move to a different detection mode.
It is possible to use the manual ground balance. You can also use the automatic ground balance that will allow the detector to regulate the best parameters for soil conditions.
Tracking Ground Balance detects and moves over highly mineralized soils and adjusts the ground balance. Tracking Ground Balance mode is best for Beach custom profile 2 in saltwater and gold.
4. Adjustable Recovery
Recovery speed is the time it takes for a metal detector to recover and detect a different target after an item has been detected.
It is one of the key features that a buyer looks at when getting a metal detector.
Fast recovery is essential because slow speeds may mean that you miss an excellent object when there are multiple items in an area, mostly trash. This is not the case with the Equinox 800. This gadget features eight recovery speeds.
Higher recovery speeds will encourage faster swings and little to nil ground noise.
If you look at your swing rate and slow down, you can accurately target and maintain depth during detection.
Minelab Equinox 800 Pros and Cons
Pros
- Two custom search profiles for each mode that let you save your favorite settings
- Maximum performance thanks to the simultaneous multi-frequency
- Waterproof design that makes the detector fully submersible
Cons
- A limited battery runtime that is limited by the numerous features of the detector
- Using the Equinox 800 can be challenging, even for intermediates and experts
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the Minelab Equinox 800 waterproof?
The Minelab Equinox 800 is waterproof and can be submerged in water. You can detect in rivers and at the beach. However, you cannot submerge it in water if it is charging with a USB.
2. Is the Minelab Equinox 800 good for saltwater?
Yes. The Equinox 800 can be used in saltwater when on the Tracking Ground balance mode on Beach custom profile 2.
3. Can the Minelab Equinox 800 detect gold?
Yes. The Equinox 800 can detect gold. It’s gold detecting mode has high single frequencies, including 20 and 40 kHz. Therefore, it can detect gold in highly mineralized soils.
4. How deep can the Minelab Equinox 800 detect?
The Equinox 800 has been reported to go to depths of up to 15 inches. This depth range can extend to between 16 and 24 inches, depending on the different factors determining depth detection.
Conclusion
The Minelab Equinox 800 is a cut above the rest when it comes to metal detectors. While it may be challenging to use the first few times, once you understand the details, it won’t be easy to put this machine down or trade it for another detector.
It has outstanding performance both on land and in water.
Apart from all these positive attributes, it comes at a friendly price. You do not have to break the bank to get a metal detector that beats the rest performance-wise.