Equinox 800 vs. 600?

I see 600s poping up for sale everywhere and 800s few and far between. I was wondering is there any difference in a pure performance stand point or is it just more bells and whistles? Anybody compared them side by side on a deep target? You have to hand it Minelab to offer the cheaper version first as most will more than likely upgrade.
My Nox question as it's the Hot New Kid in town.
That's an Eagle reference for You Youngun's. Ha!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/09/2018 02:50PM by Harold,ILL..

The way I read/see it is the 800 has the ability to run the higher single frequencies, has the wireless option as standard, few more tone and recovery setting options. Maybe a few others.

To me, if one is looking for a first wet sand/suds/salt water unit, then the 600 would serve the purpose since I do believe the Multi Frequency mode, performance wise, runs the same on both the 800 and 600 (with all other settings the same on both).

Even running in the dry sand. But The 600 cannot run in Gold mode with a higher single frequency for small gold purposes. So performance on small gold or for nugget hunting, the 800 would surpass the 600.

The way I see the Multi Freq hitting gold, it's probably not a deal breaker for most but there are those who would want the ability to run single freq at the higher ranges. .

If I had to get a Nox at this point, it would be a 800 since I do venture into the dry sand when beach hunting and would want to have that option of going into a higher single frequency. But if in the future, if the prices start going down on the 600's, ya never know !

So again it's back to the individual and what their needs are.

Yeah You would think when the 800s become more available the used 600s will be a steal at some point.
For a coin hunter who may venture into the water a handful of times a Year or wants a weather proof Detector would be getting a great deal.

I was thinking the 600 ran in 3 freq. when in Multi, and the 800 ran in 5 freq.

Flintstone Wrote:
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> I was thinking the 600 ran in 3 freq. when in Mult
> i, and the 800 ran in 5 freq.


I think it's all 5 Flint. I may be wrong though.

Flintstone Wrote:
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> I was thinking the 600 ran in 3 freq. when in Mult
> i, and the 800 ran in 5 freq.

Nope, exactly the same in Multi.

therover61 Wrote:
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> Flintstone Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I was thinking the 600 ran in 3 freq. when in Mu
> lt
> > i, and the 800 ran in 5 freq.
>
>
> I think it's all 5 Flint. I may be wrong though.

doesn't use the specific selectable frequencies while it Multi. It's completely different.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/09/2018 06:28PM by detectingMO.

Maybe on the really dry sand the high freq are good ... especially if u like a real threshold. But here at least in the gulf much moisture and park and field can get chatty. So unless u r hitting some sweet spots like the volleyball courts multi is good. What I like thou about the 800 is finer adjustments....and tweaks for the target tones and bins.

dewcon4414 Wrote:
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> What I like thou about the 800 is finer ad
> justments....and tweaks for the target tones and b
> ins.

That's some of the selling points on the 800 for me Dew.

I am in no rush, so I can wait on an 800. Most of my hunting is done in the Fall/Winter anyway.

Personally I feel that the 800 is well worth the paltry difference over the 800, BUT that said, one could make due with aq 600

Our own Steve H. wrote an excellent article that tells everything about the differences between the EQ800 and EQ600:

[www.minelab.com]

I just went to see what Steve wrote, and it still show's the 600 with 5, 10, 15. Multi Freq. and the 800 with 5, 10, 15, 20, 40. Even if the 600 don't have 20, 40 it still hunts with it? I just don't understand.

Flintstone Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I just went to see what Steve wrote, and it still
> show's the 600 with 5, 10, 15. Multi Freq. and the
> 800 with 5, 10, 15, 20, 40. Even if the 600 don't
> have 20, 40 it still hunts with it? I just don't u
> nderstand.

Both detectors use 5, 10, 15, 20, 40 in the multi frequency setting. In the single frequency settings the 600 can only use 5, 10, and 15 but not 20 and 40. The 800 can use 5, 10, 15, 20, and 40 in the single frequency settings. In other words, the 600 can't use 20 and 40 in the single frequency settings, but in the multi frequency setting they're both the same.

tabman



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/10/2018 01:06AM by tabman.

Higher mineral dirt faster speed setting on 800 unit has advantage.
Tone adjustment options on 800 model.
Prospecting mode on 800 model.
Backlight adjustability on 800.
Wireless headphones and head module with 800 package.

For some masked targets, faster speed setting with 800 model can sniff things the 600 will struggle moreso with or not alert at all.
I know this by doing actual head to head using 800 model finding things in speed 7 and 8 and listening to in speeds 5 and 6 and listening.

Some forgiveness too using 800 in locating some targets using speeds 7 and 8 vs using speed 3 on 600 unit.

tabman Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Flintstone Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I just went to see what Steve wrote, and it sti
> ll
> > show's the 600 with 5, 10, 15. Multi Freq. and t
> he
> > 800 with 5, 10, 15, 20, 40. Even if the 600 don'
> t
> > have 20, 40 it still hunts with it? I just don't
> u
> > nderstand.
>
> Both detectors use 5, 10, 15, 20, 40 in the mul
> ti frequency setting. In the single frequen
> cy settings the 600 can only use 5, 10, and 15
> but not 20 and 40. The 800 can use 5, 10, 15, 20,
> and 40 in the single frequency settings. In other
> words, the 600 can't use 20 and 40 in the single f
> requency settings, but in the multi frequency sett
> ing they're both the same.
>
> tabman


*** I AGREE WITH THIS. *** Multi Frequency uses various arrangements of 5, 10, 15, 20, 40kHz for the Park 1/2, Field 1/2 and Beach 1/2 Modes whether on the 600 or the 800. The 800 also has Gold 1/2. Both the 600 and 800 can use 5 ,10, 15kHz as single frequencies. Only the 800 allows using the 20kHz and 40kHz as single frequencies.

Rich -

------------------------------------------------------------------

Just one more good target before I go.

In addition to the advanced feature set, by Minelabs MSRP math, you also get $430 of great accessories included:

WM 08 Wireless Audio Module
Part No. 3011-0371 $259.00

Minelab Bluetooth / apt-X Low Latency Headphones
Part No. 3011-0370 $139.00

Screen Protectors (Set)
Part No. 3011-0379 $12.00

And an extra USB Charging Cable with Magnetic Connector
Part No. 3011-0368 $20.00

One could ditch the accessories and opt for the reduced feature set version of basically the same detector, employs the same technology on the cheap sans the advanced features. We're seeing just as many good EQ600 finds as we are EQ800 finds IMO, but that could get skewed once EQ800 users master the advanced features. Only time will tell I c@nn0t spe11 tonight



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 05/10/2018 02:45AM by Cal_cobra.

Flintstone Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I just went to see what Steve wrote, and it still
> show's the 600 with 5, 10, 15. Multi Freq. and the
> 800 with 5, 10, 15, 20, 40. Even if the 600 don't
> have 20, 40 it still hunts with it? I just don't u
> nderstand.

Dont trust a graphic made by marketing but rather the words of minelab engineers, testers, dealers, and nox users have been stating.

If you want to get technical multi doesnt use any of the specific single frequencies. Its its own animal...but identical on 600 and 800
.

I think it's a fairly simple decision. If you're going to have just one detector and hunt a variety of site types then the 800 is most likely the way to go.

Meanwhile, the 600 is one of the cheapest fully capable waterproof detectors out there, and as stated above, probably getting cheaper as 800's become more available.

If you have several detectors the decision is a bit more complicated, mostly dictated by budget considerations, because neither the 600 nor the 800 is the be-all end-all machine.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/10/2018 11:05AM by PhDtector.

According to Minelab's website, the statement below indicates that the Equinox is running much more then the stated frequencies.


Note that EQUINOX Series detectors also feature Multi-IQ technology which allows you to operate all available single frequencies plus more, simultaneously.

[www.minelab.com]

Excellent example of minelabs expertise in writing marketing Material which masquerades as technical information and reveals nothing

Rick Kempf
Gold Canyon AZ- where there is no gold

As a beach hunter, there is no difference in performance in the 600 vs 800. If I did nugget hunting, I would of gotten the 800 to get the gold all metal mode. I need multifrequency (beach 2 to be exact) for all of my detecting. The only reason the 800 would be worth it for me is if I wanted minelab wireless headphones and some more tone/backlight options. Now that I have the 600, I've never even turned the backlight on and I have my own bluetooth headphones. The 5 tones are perfect for me as I could get by with just two (iron vs non iron). I am glad they released two versions - they saved me $250 on options I don't need! Heck, I wish they had a $400 version with just beach 1 + 2 modes, no backlight setting, and no wired headphones!

_________________________________

Nox600, CTX, CZ21, Excal II and White's DF with 920i stealthscoop...I live and hunt at the beach in Wilm NC



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 05/10/2018 06:00PM by adamBomb.

lytle78 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Excellent example of minelabs expertise in writing
> marketing Material which masquerades as technical
> information and reveals nothing

YET compliments the release of what appears to be another fantastic metal detector -

Great stuff

[www.earthscan.co.nz]

lytle78 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Excellent example of minelabs expertise in writing
> marketing Material which masquerades as technical
> information and reveals nothing

All part of the hype, at no extra charge Yeah, I find it amusing when I run across debates over the Minelab advertising verbiage or its mostly meaningless explanations of the technology (the details of which ML is not about to divulge).

That said, the Nox is the latest wrinkle on Minelab's multifrequency technology, at a more affordable price point, and has all the modern features (light, fast, waterproof and wireless). I originally tried to get the 800, then settled for the 600, since it was immediately available; and so far that has worked just as well for the kind of hunting I do (coins). Of course, if you want the gold modes, you have to get the 800. Otherwise, the only difference that would matter to me is the 800's adjustable LCD backlighting. With the 600, your choices are off or bright--which I find much too bright. But, that's a minor gripe, as even near dusk you don't really need backlighting given the excellent contrast. I don't consider the slight difference in swing speeds important, as there are generally negative tradeoffs involved with the faster speeds, and I find the 600's max speed of 3 (which is 6 on the 800's max 8 scale) sufficiently fast. As for adjustable tones, even with the 800, I don't think tones are adjustable if you use 50-tones. I've switched over to using 50 tones for everything, for maximum information, so the 600 is also just as good there.

The 800 does come with BT headphones and the wireless module. But, you don't need the wireless module unless you have a favorite pair of non-wireless headphones you want to use (and even there you can buy a BT LL wireless module for $20-$30); and you can buy BT Low Latency headphones that are probably better than those supplied with the 800 for less money.

Thanks a lot guys, I have a gold detector, but don,t get to AZ. anymore. If the 600 is just like the 800, without the extras, then I will be getting the 600. I do get to the beach one or two times a year. Thanks for the help, flintstone

I’m happy with my 600 so far, but as a beach detector, I plan to pit it against a 20 or so year old CZ6. So far, the CZ is much smoother and less prone to interference and falsing. The CZ seems to be deeper on large targets and less sensitive to tiny ones. Now I have 3 - 5 days at a Chesapeake Bay beach with nobody to bother me. Tests on “natural” and buried targets will be fun.

Rick Kempf
Gold Canyon AZ- where there is no gold

lytle78 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I’m happy with my 600 so far, but as a beach detec
> tor, I plan to pit it against a 20 or so year old
> CZ6. So far, the CZ is much smoother and less pro
> ne to interference and falsing. The CZ seems to b
> e deeper on large targets and less sensitive to ti
> ny ones. Now I have 3 - 5 days at a Chesapeake Bay
> beach with nobody to bother me. Tests on “natural
> ” and buried targets will be fun.

Yes keep us informed as be intresting to see how The CZ stacks up against the Nox.