Minelab Equinox 600 Review

9.2/10
Very Good
Metal Detector
  • Country AU
  • Released 2018
  • Warranty 3 years
  • Additional
    coils
  • Headphones included

Best for

  • Coins
  • Relics
  • Beach

Minelab generally offers pretty cool products, and Minelab Equinox series is not an exception. Each Equinox metal detector is equipped with Multi-frequency technology, and this is the main advantage of the series. Yet, Equinox 600 is a real powerhouse available for a reasonable price. Minelab Equinox 600 is a simpler model than its bigger brother, the 800 model, however, the customer will definitely have proper quality provided. There are some feature differences between the two, but the user seaking Minelab Equinox 600 gets all the perks and a bonus in the form of budget-friendly cost. So, to make sure Equinox metal detector is exactly what meets your requirements, find out more about it here.

Rating Explanations
All Purpose
10
Key Features
8
Easy to Use
9
Durability
10
Price
9
9.2/10
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Reviewed by
Michael Moore
Pros
  • lightweight design
  • waterproof index IP 68 allowing to submerge the tool to the depth of up to 10 feet
  • three single frequencies plus Multi-frequency mode plus pinpoint mode
  • custom search modes
  • 3 years warranty
  • compatibility with wireless headsets
  • DD coil
  • updatable software
  • several additional compatible coils
  • budget-friendly price
Cons
  • no wireless headset in the kit
  • not adjustable length
  • Technology: Multi-IQ
  • Number of frequencies: 4
  • Frequencies: 5 kHz / 10 kHz / 15 kHz + Multi
  • Search Coil: 11"
  • Search Coil Type: DD
  • Waterproof: Up to 10 feet (IP68)
  • Updatable Software: Yes
  • VDI (Target ID): Yes
  • Search Modes: 3
  • Search Mode Types: Beach / Field / Park
  • Ground Balance: Automatic / Manual
  • Pinpoint Mode: Yes
  • Audio Tones: Multi-tone
  • Batteries: Lithium-Ion
  • Length (min-max): 48"-56"
  • Weight:3 lb
  • Warranty: 3 years

Minelab Equinox 600 Features

Multi IQ technology

Allows to comb the location with several frequencies at the same time, with high recovery speed, so the user can spot many different targets on different depths.

4 Frequencies + Multi

The user can apply one operating frequency at a time for specific type of targets, or multi frequencies for best search productivity.

DD Coil

The most efficient configuration of the coil for especially mineralized soils and locations with lots of trash.

Manual Ground Balance

Auto mode tracks the level of mineralization on its own, while manual mode allows the user to tune the machine for better sensitivity.

Wireless Headphones

Compatible for better mobility of the user.

Waterproof

Up to 10 feet is enough to search near the coast and near the river banks.

Noise Cancellation

Automatically shifts the operating frequency to minimize noise and chatter from electromagnetic fields on the location.

Updatable Software

The detectorist can update the software and improve their machine’s performance by simply downloading new version online

Minelab Equinox 600 Overview

Equinox 600 is a high quality and reliable all-purpose metal detector. It offers the treasure hunter all the benefits of a well-known and respectable brand, including comfortable, well-balanced and lightweight design, adequate user experience, and stable performance. There are tons of features, despite the fact that this model is a younger brother in the series. The tool is suggested to be used by seekers with low to medium experience in the hobby. The learning curve will not be very steep, though, due to the fact that the machine was created with user’s comfort in mind. On the other hand, due to some innovative approaches, even a complete newbie is likely to take advantage of this instrument, and spot some cool finds right away. To assess the item properly, find out more about its tech specs, features, and also what are its differences from Minelab Equinox 800.

New Features

Control Panel 600 All Seg On 500pxThe main innovation applied to the series, which means to the model 600 as well, is the Multi frequency technology. This is a true breakthrough in the field of metal detecting, because it allows to comb the location with several frequencies at the same time. The equipment in this mode spots all kinds of objects, on all kinds of depths, because lower frequencies work deeper and with larger items, while higher frequencies spot smaller items on smaller depth well. With Multi frequency technology, the user does not need to check the location two, three, four times in a row switching the frequencies, to make sure they did not miss a potentially valuable item.

Another useful feature is compatibility with wireless headset, which makes search more comfortable for the hunter. Plus, it is also worth noting that the tool is fully isolated and can be submerged to the depth of 10 feet, making it even more multi-purpose, all-terrain and versatile.

 

Search Modes

The tool has three search modes – Park, Beach, and Field. These modes allow the user to set the most optimal indications for the most various locations. The Park mode offers special pre-set conditions of search that have higher discrimination against trash, and the relevant ground balance. The Field mode has sensitivity proper for field soils, a different depth and discrimination, etc. The Beach mode offers lower sensitivity for trash plus salt water is taken into consideration. The tool is fully submersible, so it will show stable performance on the seashore or on the riverbank.

The best thing about search modes in this tool, though, is the fact that each search regime has options for two Custom modes set and saved by the user. It means that the treasure hunter can tune the tool more precisely within the certain conditions, save the tuning, and turn it on automatically for similar conditions any time. So, eventually it is possible to get nine search modes plus Multi frequency.

Park

Ideal mode for metal detecting in public lands like parks, gardens, along the roads, etc. It is also suitable for trashy locations.

Beach

Special mode for search on wet sand, along the river banks, and along the coasts. Allows to hunt mostly for jewelry.

Field

Search mode for jewelry and artefacts, especially in the fields, that is, in less trashy locations and less mineralized soils.

Minelab Equinox 600 Features

Minelab Equinox 600 has the following tech specs and features:

All these features make this piece of equipment really worth your attention. As it becomes obvious, the item is equipped with all necessary features for productive and successful search. At the same time, it does not require extreme experience in the hobby, because half of the settings are automatic, and another half are pretty easy to make head or tail of. With these specs, Equinox 600 seems to exceed a lot of products available out there on the market, and yet, it is available for reasonable money (so you don’t need to sell your kidney). The best feature is, of course, its Multi frequency, so we have to discuss it separately.

Multi-IQ Technology

The feature of Multi Frequency is available due to the so-called Multi-IQ technology. Multi IQ is Multi-Frequency In-phase and Quadrature Synchronous Demodulation. The main principle of its functioning is the following: when combing the location with one frequency, the field of the coil can change due to the amount of trash and especially due to changes in soil mineralization. Therefore, while the hunter uses the same frequency, the tool may not perform with the same stability throughout the location. Multi frequency means piercing the ground with several frequencies at the same time. While some of these frequencies will be impacted by pieces of trash or by high level of soil mineralization, other will not be impacted and will comb the location properly, maintaining the stability of search.

This means that each frequency in the Multi-IQ tool compensates for those that are impacted by potential barriers. The field of the coil is kept stable and efficient. Lower frequencies will reach the deepest possible levels of the soils, while higher frequencies will spot smaller objects. Thus, buying a tool with Multi-IQ technology, the hunter gets both stable and at the same time sensitive detector.

The Kit

The Minelab Equinox 600 kit includes:

There are also compatible coils and other accessories available for the kit.

Differences Between Equinox 600 and Equinox 800

There are kit differences and feature differences between the two models within this series. The kit differences include: no WM 08 module provided in the kit for Equinox 600, despite the fact it is compatible; wired headphones for 600 and wireless for 800.

The feature for model 600 differences include: not adjustable backlight (only on and off), no quick switch from one search mode to another, not adjustable threshold, not adjustable noise reduction, no “Gold” search program, only three speeds of response (compared to 8 in the 800 model), more primitive audio capabilities, three operating frequencies (compared to five in 800 model).

These are the differences between the two. It becomes obvious, however, that the main perks remain the same – Multi frequency, waterproof isolation, design, and updatable software.

Conclusion

Minelab Equinox 600 is a great all-terrain all-purpose instrument for detecting a wide range of objects. If offers stable performance on land and underwater, has several truly groundbreaking features aimed to enhance the treasure hunting process, and all setting and tuning seem to be adequate and reasonable. In other words, this is a great reliable machine without any additional fluffy nonsense that only adds cost to it. It promises to be a perfect choice for hunters with low to medium level of expertise, and due to smart combination of features, it is likely to bring finds even to a complete newbie.

9.2/10

Minelab Equinox 600 ✅ Great all purpose detector for a good price

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Garrett ACE Apex

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Garrett AT Max ✅ The best for coins and relic hunting

Nokta Anfibio Multi

Nokta Makro Anfibio Multi ✅ Perfect all-round multi frequency detector

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Author

Michael Moore

Hi detectorists! I’m Michael Moore, founder of this website, and a dedicated treasure hunter since 2013. If you want to be posted about the most recent news and updates in metal detecting, releases, and trends, subscribe!

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