After weeks of speculation the Minelab Equinox series was just announced. To be honest I wasn’t really sure what to expect. It seems like every time Minelab puts out another all-purpose detector it is more expensive than the last. The explorer series, then the E TRAC and don’t forget the CTX 3030. Of course you have the X-Terra series in there as well but I think with all the speculation, many of us believed Minelabs response would be to the XP Deus. The Deus has been a hot machine with its multiple frequencies, completely wireless, super lightweight and lightning fast reaction to targets.
I have been a big fan of Minelab Metal Detectors for a long time. To me it seemed like Minelabs popularity really sky rocketed with the introduction of the E-Trac. The explorer series were all great machines but at least for me it seemed like the E-Trac sky rocketed them to the top. The introduction of the CTX 3030 was a day to remember. I recall seeing it for the first time and reading about it and being blown away, not just how innovative it was with its carbon fiber shaft, built in GPS and many new features to the metal detecting world but also that hefty price tag!
I expected the same this time around. Minelab is known for their innovation so I expected to be blown away. What I wasn’t expecting was a price tag in the mid-line price range!
3 Detect Modes (Park, Field, Beach)
4 Frequency Options (5kHz, 10kHz, 15kHz, Multi)
Wired Bluetooth Headphones Supplied
4 Detect Modes (Park, Field, Beach, Gold)
6 Frequency Options (5kHz, 10kHz, 15kHz, 20kHz, 40kHz, Multi)
Bluetooth Headphones and WM 08 Wireless Module Supplied
Personally, I believe they made an excellent move. If this metal detector performs like we’ve grown accustomed to from Minelab Metal Detectors I think this one will revolutionize the industry. Minelab has been bringing us cutting edge technology all the way back since the Explorer XS was introduced so many years ago and I have to say I’ve never been disappointed yet.
Brandon Neice released a video from Detectival already showing the Equinox 800. He said a few things that really caught my attention. 1) he said that it was super-fast which was no surprise, I think most of us thought Minelab would be shooting for a detector with a much faster recovery time in answer to The XP Deus. 2) and this one really got me. He said he liked it better than his CTX 3030 and it will be his #1 machine now with the CTX taking up the number two slot. If you’ve ever swung a CTX 3030 this is huge!
If this machine lives up to the hype it should leave the other manufactures panicked and scrambling but time will tell. If it lives up to the Minelab name and what we’ve come to suspect from them with a shockingly affordable price… it’s going to be exciting times!
Expected retail prices are:
Minelab EQUINOX 600 – USD 649
Minelab EQUINOX 800 – USD 899
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