Thanks Monte, appreciate the comments.

Some ramblings of thought here.

For me, the equinox 800 is a different beast altogether than my FBS detectors. There are Minelab'isms that carry from the FBS series, but the 800 has a different performance feel in action than my Etrac and previous Explorer XS. (I've not used the CTX 3030 nor the X-Terra) It is more than just being faster.

I like your comments about figuring out what we want in a detector. Not always easy to know what we should want in a detector. Lots of people and companies trying to persuade us in one direction or another. Lots to wade through (literally) as we look.

I think I have a pretty good little array of detectors myself; Racer 2 / Fors CoRe / Etrac / 800 . Throw in a Garrett Carrot to pinpoint with, a lesche digger to dig with and an original CoinPopper for the surface finds and I'm sitting right.

It is common in our culture to mimic those who are having success at what it is we want to be successful at. HOW TO books on how so and so became successful at Real Estate, in Sports and so on. I've been trying to take a page out of the book of Monte and Gregg for Ghost Towning as they are successful (in my eyes) at what they do. This only goes so far though, for while I can stand on their shoulders in the choice of equipment, settings and location selection, I still have to acquire the expertise with the equipment. This takes time and effort. Expertise is one of those things that is worked for and earned with experience, not bought off the shelf.

Other examples? Sure, there are other successful detectorists out in my general neck of the woods. I think of Tom (CA) and CalCobra (Brian). Tom is a die hard Explorer II guy, carries an original Bandido as backup. Brian runs a modern Mutli-Kruzer and Equinox 800. Think he may still have his Racer 2, not sure. Both are very successful (in my eyes) as to the type of hunting we have out here in the West. Old California (Paul) has all sorts of detectors he swings, most likely modified to his liking. Brian (Zincoln) is swinging a White's V3i and does VERY well with it. Steve Herschbach isn't far away in Nevada, was/is a tester for the Equinox 800 and has lots to offer as well.

What I am getting at is there are lots of different approaches in equipment selection, but I believe all of these guys are expert with the equipment they've chosen. Something to work towards with my new acquisitions.

Best of luck out there.


Rich (Utah)

Minelab Etrac & EQ800
Nokta FORS CoRe
Tesoro Bandido & Bandido 2 µMax
White's MXT & XLT

Garrett ProPointer AT



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/08/2018 07:23PM by Rich (Utah).