'Detector Talk' about the EQ-800 & 900 and the Legend. ???
| January 23, 2023 09:08PM |
|
I had an interesting discussion about the detector manufacturers who are alive and active today, and the topic of 'updates' as well as product comparisons. I was trying to get 'opinions' from them as one is a Minelab-only user with an early Equinox, and the others have, or have had, the EQ-800 and now the EQ-900. Then there were the two who had a Nokta Legend Pro Pack.
The Minelab Equinox 800 definitely grabbed quite a following and has been around now for several years. Really caught the attention of consumers when it came to comparisons and who might have anything to compete. For the most part there wasn't anything until Nokta introduced the Legend.
So, out comes the Legend, which was obviously designed to compete with the Equinox 800, and with the features it has and the added changes from the updates, those who use the Legend said they felt it was better in several ways than the EQ-800. So, up until very recently, the SMF detector market offered the well-known and proven Equinox 800 and the Nokta Legend as the top two models with a lot of desired operator adjustments and close in-the-field performance.
Then, just as we finally had an entry to compete and give folks a pick between the EQ-800 and Legend, Minelab shock things up for consumer as well as manufacturers with the introduction of the Equinox 900. Those who had or have an '800' and got a '900' said they note the difference in performance and prefer the 900's build quality and performance over the 800 and have no reason to part with their new 900.
The Legend owners, also able to compare performance using 11" and 6" DD coils with the Equinox 800's they had, or have, feel that with the updates they are satisfied with the Legend and the performance is usually as good, if not better, than the 800. And, with a little more hunt-time, they will learn it better and think it offers a bit of performance that is just a little bit better.
They note the build quality was better than the 800, and with some updates it might offer more than the 800s, but that brought up the question of how close the deign and performance is to the new EQ-900?
In the end of our little group discussion all with those various models did say they were satisfied with the performance afield, be it the 800, 900 or Legend. One key point mentioned was that a lot of us are on a budget and the Legend offers a lot of quality build and performance for the $$$ invested. The other thing we all agreed on, without a doubt, is that we are a little tired of the snow, the high winds we are having, and the cold that also arrived. We all wished 'winter' would stay in the mountains and ease up on folks here in the lower elevation. Spring weather can't arrive soon enough.
Also, it did leave me thinking about acquiring a new detector. I might not need one, and my health might keep me from using one, but sometimes the urge is there.
It was just five of us so I'm looking for others comments about these three models and the two manufacturers.
► Do you have, or recently had, any of these three models?
► What are your comments about build quality, especially comparing with other models?
► What type(s) of hunting do you feel any of these models show their strengths?
► What Tone ID do you prefer, and how does it compare to the others?
► What is your opinion about the Visual VDI read-out by comparison?
► If you have owned or used two or more of these models, what are any weaknesses?
Just curious because the 'new detector trend' seems to lean towards a top-end (by manufacturer) SMF, and today, the only real offerings with similar design shape and features are from Minelab and Nokta. Yes, there is the XP Deus 2, but none of us have had one so it wasn't part of the discussion.
Monte
"Your EYES ... the only 100% accurate form of Discrimination!"
Stinkwater Wells Trading Post
Metal Detector Evaluations and Product Reviews I'm now 'back home' in Farr West Utah monte@ahrps.org ... or ... monte@stinkwaterwells.com 503-481-8147 Detector Outfit: A selection of my chosen makes and models, with the best coils mounted for the tasks I'll take on. F-19 .. Racer .. Vanquish 540 .. FORS Relic .. Silver Sabre µMAX .. Bandido II µMAX .. XLT Pinpointers: Garrett AT Pro-Pointers .. Headphones: 'Hornet' .. MS-3 Z-Lynk .. ML-80 *** All working well today to make memories for tomorrow. ***
The Minelab Equinox 800 definitely grabbed quite a following and has been around now for several years. Really caught the attention of consumers when it came to comparisons and who might have anything to compete. For the most part there wasn't anything until Nokta introduced the Legend.
So, out comes the Legend, which was obviously designed to compete with the Equinox 800, and with the features it has and the added changes from the updates, those who use the Legend said they felt it was better in several ways than the EQ-800. So, up until very recently, the SMF detector market offered the well-known and proven Equinox 800 and the Nokta Legend as the top two models with a lot of desired operator adjustments and close in-the-field performance.
Then, just as we finally had an entry to compete and give folks a pick between the EQ-800 and Legend, Minelab shock things up for consumer as well as manufacturers with the introduction of the Equinox 900. Those who had or have an '800' and got a '900' said they note the difference in performance and prefer the 900's build quality and performance over the 800 and have no reason to part with their new 900.
The Legend owners, also able to compare performance using 11" and 6" DD coils with the Equinox 800's they had, or have, feel that with the updates they are satisfied with the Legend and the performance is usually as good, if not better, than the 800. And, with a little more hunt-time, they will learn it better and think it offers a bit of performance that is just a little bit better.
They note the build quality was better than the 800, and with some updates it might offer more than the 800s, but that brought up the question of how close the deign and performance is to the new EQ-900?
In the end of our little group discussion all with those various models did say they were satisfied with the performance afield, be it the 800, 900 or Legend. One key point mentioned was that a lot of us are on a budget and the Legend offers a lot of quality build and performance for the $$$ invested. The other thing we all agreed on, without a doubt, is that we are a little tired of the snow, the high winds we are having, and the cold that also arrived. We all wished 'winter' would stay in the mountains and ease up on folks here in the lower elevation. Spring weather can't arrive soon enough.
Also, it did leave me thinking about acquiring a new detector. I might not need one, and my health might keep me from using one, but sometimes the urge is there.
It was just five of us so I'm looking for others comments about these three models and the two manufacturers.
► Do you have, or recently had, any of these three models?
► What are your comments about build quality, especially comparing with other models?
► What type(s) of hunting do you feel any of these models show their strengths?
► What Tone ID do you prefer, and how does it compare to the others?
► What is your opinion about the Visual VDI read-out by comparison?
► If you have owned or used two or more of these models, what are any weaknesses?
Just curious because the 'new detector trend' seems to lean towards a top-end (by manufacturer) SMF, and today, the only real offerings with similar design shape and features are from Minelab and Nokta. Yes, there is the XP Deus 2, but none of us have had one so it wasn't part of the discussion.
Monte
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