Best for
Minelab Equinox series features two products, model 600 is for treasure hunters with small to medium experience, while Minelab Equinox 800 model is a professional level metal detector. Equinox 800 is literally stuffed with cool tech specs and features, and those seeking Minelab Equinox 800 will not be disappointed.
Each Equinox metal detector has one clearly distinctive feature – it offers Multi-frequency mode. This makes both products highly efficient, stable, and sensitive, but 800 model provides more options for the user. To find out more about it, check some Minelab Equinox 800 reviews like our full and comprehensive review offered below.
Allows to scan the location with several frequencies simultaneously, with high recovery speed, which enables the user to spot many various targets on various depths.
The detectorist can use single operating frequency for particular type of targets, or several frequencies for maximum search productivity.
The most efficient shape of the coil for highly mineralized soils and highly littered locations.
Four preset search modes including one Gold mode, and two custom modes offer a wide range of tools for search.
Allows the user to adapt the settings manually to decrease sensitivity to mineralization in soils, while increasing productivity.
Allows to shift the frequency to avoid noise and false signals from electromagnetic interference or ferrous metals in soils.
Compatible with wireless headphones for improved mobility.
Waterproof - up to 10 feet, allowing some shallow diving and proper for the majority of water bodies.
Upgraded versions of the software are made available to the users without additional fee, enabling them to enhance the machine’s performance
Currently, it is fair to state that Minelab Equinox 800 can offer the most adequate price to quality to technical specifications ratio compared to a bunch of other similar products on the market. In addition, it enjoys totally positive feedback from numerous buyers all around the world, plus experts also comments positively on the item. It all makes Equinox 800 a very attractive tool to buy.
The tool was created with application of the newest and groundbreaking technologies, sine this is a 2018 novelty. Technologies offered by Minelab in this model of the series made it one of the most popular and one of the best metal detectors in 2018 and 2019. Despite the fact that this model was recent on the market, it immediately started to enjoy trust from the customers and huge demand. This has probably happened firstly, because of the brand’s positive reputation, and secondly, because of technical specifications provided in the item.
Equinox 800 is an all-terrain and all-purpose machine than shows a highly efficient and stable performance in any conditions. Users state that is shows the best results when searching for coins and relics, plus the tool is very efficient during the beach search.
A clear LCD display with large digits of VDI is visual and convenient, so you’ll be able to see all the information you need to search, right on the screen. Search modes and the operating frequency can be changed instantly by pressing the dynamic and continuous detection.
You can:
One of the most important features of Equinox 800 that has to be discussed separately in the Multi-IQ technology that allows the hunter to comb the location using Multi-frequency mode. In contrast to single-frequency machines (which are the majority on the market), Multi-frequency is a unique feature that means the machine can create coil field with all frequencies available at the same time. This enables the tool to comb the location with low, meduim, and high frequencies simultaneously, providing a much higher efficiency of metal detecting. Multi-frequency removes the necessity to check the same location several times with different frequencies out of fear to miss an important and valuable find. Talking particularly about Equinox 800, it has five single frequencies – 5, 10, 15, 20, and 40 kHz – plus the Multi-frequency mode using all those frequencies together.
Other cool features available in Equinox 800 are high quality discrimination of ferrous metals and trash, combined with considerable depth of reach. This machine is able to find both large and small objects on different depths.
And eventually, the tool is totally waterproof, its index of isolation is IP68, which allows the user to submerge it to the depth of up to 10 feet. Together with great discrimination and Multi-frequency stuff, the 800 model of the series becomes a perfect choice for underwater search.
The instrument has four search modes, which may seem pretty few compared to other machines on the market. However, remember about the Multi-frequency thing that makes this model as variable as one can desire for such price. In addition, the model provides two customizable search regimes for each preset search mode. This means that eventually, the user gets 12 search modes, and this sounds much better than four, doesn’t it?
Ideal for detecting jewelry and artefacts. The use of “Multi-IQ” in this mode will help the user to find a target within the widest range of sizes.
Excellent performance in areas of recreation with a high amount of trash. The use of “Multi-IQ” mode is the most versatile for detecting coins and jewelry.
Perfect if you need to search on dry sand, wet sand, or underwater. The beach mode works only in “Multi-IQ”.
Handy for finding gold nuggets. In this mode, high single frequency of 20 or 40 kHz. That’s why this metal detector is one of the best for gold.
In addition, the model provides two customizable search regimes for each preset search mode. This means that eventually, the user gets 12 search modes.
Multi-IQ technology is Simultaneous Multi-Frequency In-phase and Quadrature Synchronous Demodulation. This technology enables the tool to use all frequencies available for the coil, at the same time, thus creating a multi-frequency field piercing the ground. Lower frequencies reach deeper and locate larger items, while higher frequencies search closer to the surface and spot smaller items.
The main benefit of the Multi-frequency is, firstly, an eliminated necessity to comb the location several times switching the frequencies, out of fear to miss a valuable target, and secondly, enhanced stability of performance. The point is, highly littered and highly-mineralized soils interfere with the field of the coil, impacting its ability to spot objects efficiently, or distorting the indications. With Multi-frequency applied, weaker performance due to frequencies under the impact of soil mineralization is compensated by those frequencies that continue to operate well. This means that the tool does not lose it depth and sensitivity, and gains in stability of operation.
Sometimes, a single metal detecting machine with the option of multi-frequency provides more variability than several machines, or several replaceable coils for a machine, because it uses a number of frequencies simultaneously.
*Equinox wireless headphones 800 wireless Module WM-08 USB Charging cable with magnetic connector. Protective cover for the screen of the user’s Guide.
New Minelab Equinox 600 and 800 software has already been finished and tested. This was an expected event, since there are certain bugs and glitches in the initial version of the software. On the other hand, it is yet unclear whether current owners of the 600 and 800 machines should bother with downloading the upgraded software.
Now, when the software is upgraded, all new Minelab Equinox 600 and 800 metal detectors will be released with the updated version (starting from October 2019). Devices with version 1.0 that were left in storage will also be updated by the manufacturer.
If you own one of those metal detectors, it is totally up to you. You can download the new version and update the device if you want to.
The foremost task of this update is to fix the bugs in the previous program. It is unclear whether all the actual glitches were addressed – perhaps the company left some room for software version 3.0.
Now, the actual changes are as follows. After the upgrade, Minelab Equinox 600 will have an adequately backlit display, and the level of brightness can be tuned from the lowest to the brightest. This might actually be helpful, since backlit display is annoying if cannot be regulated.
The second considerable chance is a better feature of Ferrous metals indication. With this feature, the metal detectorists will be able to identify ferrous metals better, and differentiate between worthy and unworthy objects more comprehensively.
Objects containing iron are pain in the ass for all treasure hunters, so little surprise Minelab decided to target this problem specifically while upgrading their new metal detectors’ software. Hopefully, this works.
To update software on already purchased Minelab Equinox, one needs Internet connection and PC. The metal detector should be connected to the PC via USB. The upgraded software can be downloaded and processed using Minelab Update Utility program.
First of all, you have to download the MUU. Next, connect the metal detector to your PC via USB cable. Turn the metal detector on, with its attached on as well.
The MUU has to recognize your metal detector and identify the software version. In case you are eligible for the update, the program will tell you so. Press “Install” to download version 2.0.
To download and install new software, you will need around a minute or so. When installation is complete, the metal detector should reload automatically. After that, MUU will inform you that the process was successful, and you will be able to switch it off.
Please keep in mind that you can’t update more than one metal detector at a time. Do not turn on, or disconnect the metal detector from PC during the installation. If you have custom settings, they will not be affected by the update.
This is the main info on upgraded software for Minelab Equinox 600 and 800. To find out more about it, we will have to wait for more feedback from detectorists around the world.
For owners of one of the machines from the Equinox series by Minelab, there are many accessories and coils available for enhanced user experience. Minelab Equinox coils will provide the user with versatility and functionality without the need to invest into another metal detecting device. Minelab Equinox 800 coils will add functionality, flexibility and additional features to the same device (by the way, you can check out the Minelab Equinox 800 review here). Equinox coils cost less than another full-fledged metal detector, and yet buying one or several for spare parts or for enhanced experience is a very smart move.
Having a spare coil is wise because you may face the problem of glitches or coil damage right on the location. Accessories, in their turn, help to improve user experience, keep the device protected, and make operation more convenient.
While Minelab Equinox series offers high quality product for metal detecting, the user will always benefit from additional frequencies and features provided by the coil. Instead of purchasing another machine, though, it makes sense to buy a spare standard coil and maybe one or two additional ones, for wider possibilities during the treasure hunting. The point is, sooner or later each detectorists strikes a complicated location where very specific technical characteristics are needed for successful search. This is exactly where additional coils come in handy. Also keep in mind that Minelab provides original protective cases for all search coils, so no worries about potential damage.
This item is six inches in diameter and weights 300 g. The Minelab 6″ DD Smart Coil is waterproof and shows extraordinary sensitivity to small objects, especially during shallow search. It is able to comb highly trashed locations very carefully, and provides seamless performance even on complicated locations.
This 11 inches item weights 510 grams together with protective skid plate. This Minelab 11″ DD Smart Coil is very good for general search, as it smartly balances weight, level of sensitivity, and ground coverage. This is a good option for a spare coil. It is also waterproof so underwater search or wet beach treasure hunting are not a problem.
This coil is elliptical, with size of 15 x 12 inches. Also DD waterproof type. Minelab 15″ DD Smart Coil is the heaviest from the whole series, weighting 600 g, but it provides incredibly thorough and accurate combing combined with wide ground coverage. Best functionality is guaranteed in open space locations. The item offers great depth of reach as well.
There is also a bunch of accessories available for the Equinox series by Minelab. These include:
A lot of stuff to choose from for enhanced user experience.
Download Minelab Equinox 800 User’s Manual
How much are Minelab Equinox 600 and Equinox 800 different from each other? Is there a factual difference between them? Does it make sense to buy a more affordable or a more expensive model of the series?
The differences can be divided into two aspects: different features and different equipment.
Minelab Equinox 800 is currently one of the most frequently bought metal detectors on the market, and obviously for a good reason – or rather a bunch of reasons. In addition to providing the Multi-frequency technology, it has a considerable amount of additional settings, making it tunable and customizable for almost any locations and search conditions. Those treasure hunters who has enough expertise to make head or tail of all the manual settings will be able to immediately take advantage of this outstanding machine.
Minelab Equinox 800 ✅ The best all-round metal detector
Garrett AT Max ✅ The best for coins and relic hunting
Nokta Makro Anfibio Multi ✅ Perfect all-round multi frequency detector
Garrett ACE Apex ✅ Best easy to use multi-frequency metal detector
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!
Special Offers for DetectHistory users!
We will email you the best offers and discounts on metal detectors!
Done! Check Your Email.
If you don't see anything from us right away, don't worry! It may take a couple of hours but your treasure is on the way!
If you still have some trouble, please check out the «Promotions» and «Spam» folders or contact us on the contact page.
«Sometimes, good targets sound like iron, and vice versa »
