Minelab Equinox owners - Question

Yes 50 tones 100% of the time.

I use 50 tones 99% of the time.

NASA-Tom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> How many of you guys are using "50-Tones" on the E
> QX?


Never , 1 tone or 2 99% I use my tone breaks and tone pitch to determine dig or no dig. Since I've been jewelry hunting at the same lake all year, it's dig it most of the time.

I like it that way. I hunt in the lakes for jewelry in 2 tone and shut the iron off. I decided to treat the Nox as water resistant now and hunt shallower with it. I use the Gold Kruzer deeper and want to get a Multi Kruzer or Anfibio Multi with the Nel Superfly coil.

Do the Multi Kruzer and Anfibio get the same depth using the same coil?

50 tones for me, 100% of the time...

Steve

The only way for me is 50 tones and do not run it any other way. Running 50 tones provides me with so much more information and nuances on the target(s) involved. One case in particular this Summer: I came across a target that ended up being multiple targets. Moving my coil ever so slowly, (BBS/FBS slow) I could hear the melody of tones as I scanned across the suspect target. I knew then there was something more than just one high conductor…. Tones were jumping and blending in with each other. I could hear the subtle differences in multiple high tones and with a very quick lower tone mixed in. Pulling out the plug, I exposed an iron nail approx. 3.5” long. I probed around in the hole with my pin pointer and located two merc dimes. I then thought back and now understood / connected to the tones I was hearing.

On a separate note, I truly wish Minelab would incorporate the tones like they had on the Sovereign. They were pure music to my ears in looking for treasure.

FYI: I exclusively/only use 50-Tones.

I only use 50 tones unless I am running prospecting modes.

50 tones 100% of the time

Interesting EMI solution.

[www.detectorprospector.com]

Now he needs to find some black aluminum foil.

NASA-Tom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> How many of you guys are using "50-Tones" on the EQX?

Exclusively.

This is really good to know. 50-Tones (by far) .....is the largest/most-popular choice of tones on the EQX.
THANKS guys!!!

Tom
I also use 50 tones!

NASA-Tom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> How are you guys doing with your 4th Gen (MUU-3) E
> quinox's? I suppose my biggest question is: What d
> o you dislike about the EQX? Would you like to see
> any changes/additions?
> You guys surprised as to 'how many' tilted (or...c
> ompletely on-edge) coins you are finding? Is 50-To
> nes 'warbling' nicely for you? You intrigued as to
> how deep the unit goes (even in trashy sites) when
> Target Recovery Response speed is on '2'......and
> you move the coil slowly?
>
> (((We are currently 'deep/vested' into improvement
> s)))

As far as software enhancements for the Equinox goes, my biggest annoyance is that there is no way to adjust the pinpoint volume relative to the detect volume.

To me pinpoint volume is way louder that the detect volume, even with the non-ferrous targets set to maximum 25.
This is to the extent that i don't want to use pinpoint mode for more than a few seconds due to it being uncomfortably loud (I sometimes fear for my hearing).

So I tend to keep the global volume as low as I can get away with as a result.
It would be nice to have some independent control over pinpoint volume.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/22/2021 05:16PM by TimR.

NASA-Tom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This is really good to know. 50-Tones (by far) .....is the largest/most-popular choice of tones on the EQX.
> THANKS guys!!!

Tom, while more tones will obviously convey more audio intel, it needs to be carefully implemented. I'll give you an example, we can clearly see from the sample set that responded on this thread that 50 tones is by far the most widely utilized tone option. BUT if we look at the F75 with it's DP (Delta Pitch) 99 tone mode, I bet the same survey of F75 users would find it to be the least popular tone option. Why? The tones are simply harsh and artificial digital sounding and quickly incite audio fatigue. I tried to like it, but simply put, the First Texas implementation of DP sucked.

Now look at something like the Sovereign, probably one of the better audio tone machines out there as far as tonal quality, and what does it have, something like 540 tones? I don't recall, but it's smooth audio was music to your ears when you got over silver or gold, it definitely let you know when you were in iron, the tones were first class.

Please encourage Minelab engineering not just keep the current audio on the next gen EQX, but improve it. While I personally feel it's quite good, I think if you were to compare it to say an Explorer 2 you will find that the EXP2 has a bit better audio nuance (it screams on silver, so too does the EQX, but in a comparison I'd still give a bit of an edge to the EXP2).

HH,
Cal (the original Cal

Cal_cobra Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> NASA-Tom Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > This is really good to know. 50-Tones (by far) .
> ....is the largest/most-popular choice of tones on
> the EQX.
> > THANKS guys!!!
>
> Tom, while more tones will obviously convey more a
> udio intel, it needs to be carefully implemented.
> I'll give you an example, we can clearly see from
> the sample set that responded on this thread that
> 50 tones is by far the most widely utilized tone o
> ption. BUT if we look at the F75 with it's DP (De
> lta Pitch) 99 tone mode, I bet the same survey of
> F75 users would find it to be the least popular to
> ne option. Why? The tones are simply harsh and a
> rtificial digital sounding and quickly incite audi
> o fatigue. I tried to like it, but simply put, th
> e First Texas implementation of DP sucked.
>
> Now look at something like the Sovereign, probably
> one of the better audio tone machines out there as
> far as tonal quality, and what does it have, somet
> hing like 540 tones? I don't recall, but it's smoo
> th audio was music to your ears when you got over
> silver or gold, it definitely let you know when yo
> u were in iron, the tones were first class.
>
> Please encourage Minelab engineering not just keep
> the current audio on the next gen EQX, but improve
> it. While I personally feel it's quite good, I th
> ink if you were to compare it to say an Explorer 2
> you will find that the EXP2 has a bit better audio
> nuance (it screams on silver, so too does the EQX,
> but in a comparison I'd still give a bit of an edg
> e to the EXP2).
>
> HH,
> Cal (the original Cal


Ole Original Cal-------right on to!!!!!!

D&P-OR Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Cal_cobra Wrote:

> > HH,
> > Cal (the original Cal
>
>
> Ole Original Cal-------right on to!!!!!!


Hey Del how's it going? Hope you and yours are doing well and keeping in good health these days! Are you snowed in yet in your neck of the woods? This is prime detecting time at most of my sites, but getting a wifey pass has been challenging ha ha

GL&HH
Cal - the original Cal

Tim...... you made it! Welcome!!! We will most certainly look into the pinpoint feature....... including Volume..... (and fade). Pinpoint does not get used often; yet, when it does....... it's paramount ..... AND ..... can convey even more data.

Brian..... Tones are paramount! We detect exclusively by tones/audio......................sooooooo.......... not to spill the beans; yet, there's a lot going on with audio conveyance, improvements, brainstorming and options. There's even stuff that detectorists have yet to think of........ yet; have already (recently) implemented. A lot can be done with A.I. (Artificial Intelligence)........ and 'audio' can be (and will......and.... already is) euphorically enhanced. More 'raw' audio data.......can REALLY 'convey'; yet, there is a point whereby "audio-fatigue" will ensue....if TOO much audio is thrown at the operator. "Some nuance"......yet; Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS) ..... needs to be presented. I have been experimenting/testing/data-collecting/analyzing a unfiltered (full-tones) absolutely raw data audio...... and WOW! EUPHORIC PINNACLE HEAVEN!!!!.......... but only for about 7-minutes. Then total fatigue! It's just TOO much raw data.
Yes....... in theory ..... DP is HEAVEN!..... yet; in the real World...... was sub-par. I tried MANY times to employ it...... and FORCE myself to learn it; yet, the audio data was too squirmy. A greatly improved clock-speed.....in concert with better target conductive lock-on. , . , . , . , . , . , . , ........ then coupled to a good 4-Tone, 5-Tone or the EQX's 50-Tone audio system would be MUCH better 'time-spent' by CDE's in their inventive booth.

NASA-Tom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Tim...... you made it! Welcome!!! We will most c
> ertainly look into the pinpoint feature....... inc
> luding Volume..... (and fade). Pinpoint does not g
> et used often; yet, when it does....... it's para
> mount ..... AND ..... can convey even more data.
>
> Brian..... Tones are paramount! We detect exclusiv
> ely by tones/audio......................sooooooo..
> ........ not to spill the beans; yet, there's a lo
> t going on with audio conveyance, improvements, br
> ainstorming and options. There's even stuff that d
> etectorists have yet to think of........ yet; have
> already (recently) implemented. A lot can be done
> with A.I. (Artificial Intelligence)........ and 'a
> udio' can be (and will......and.... already is) eu
> phorically enhanced. More 'raw' audio data.......c
> an REALLY 'convey'; yet, there is a point whereby
> "audio-fatigue" will ensue....if TOO much audio is
> thrown at the operator. "Some nuance"......yet; Ke
> ep It Simple Stupid (KISS) ..... needs to be prese
> nted. I have been experimenting/testing/data-colle
> cting/analyzing a unfiltered (full-tones) absolute
> ly raw data audio...... and WOW! EUPHORIC PINNACLE
> HEAVEN!!!!.......... but only for about 7-minutes.
> Then total fatigue! It's just TOO much raw data.
> Yes....... in theory ..... DP is HEAVEN!..... yet;
> in the real World...... was sub-par. I tried MANY
> times to employ it...... and FORCE myself to learn
> it; yet, the audio data was too squirmy. A greatly
> improved clock-speed.....in concert with better ta
> rget conductive lock-on. , . , . , . , . , . , . ,
> ........ then coupled to a good 4-Tone, 5-Tone or
> the EQX's 50-Tone audio system would be MUCH bette
> r 'time-spent' by CDE's in their inventive booth.

How about a full tones button off to the side? Not pinpoint, but just a button for full tones. Like you found a target in 50 tones or 5 tones and you'd like to check it in full tones to get every bit of information to your ears. Maybe to full tones button is also zero discrimination. ??

Cal_cobra Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> D&P-OR Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Cal_cobra Wrote:
>
> > > HH,
> > > Cal (the original Cal
> >
> >
> > Ole Original Cal-------right on to!!!!!!
>
>
> Hey Del how's it going? Hope you and yours are do
> ing well and keeping in good health these days! A
> re you snowed in yet in your neck of the woods? T
> his is prime detecting time at most of my sites, b
> ut getting a wifey pass has been challenging ha ha
>
> GL&HH
> Cal - the original Cal

The Equinox pinpoint button is a disaster near any moving salt water, and boy the water does not even need to move very much.

NASA-Tom,

Going WAY back to a post you made awhile ago, asking about our thoughts on a 100 kHz option, and needing a specific (6 x 10 maybe) coil; I didn't see anyone (nor did I) respond directly to that. I was too focused on trying to voice my desire for FE/CO and 2-D screen, as at LEAST an OPTIONAL hunt mode on any new M-IQ flagship (and I STILL hope that can be included, LOL).

Anyway, on to your 100 kHz question...I am totally unfamiliar with 100 kHz, and its benefits/drawbacks (I assume it's not a "deep" frequency, but that would not be the most important, obviously, for specifically an iron unmasker). But -- if it is a substantial improvement in "carpets of nails," SPECIFICALLY with square nails, I'd be ALL IN on that idea. I bought the 6" coil for the Equinox, specifically for what I thought would be improvements at a few specific sites in PA that are very old, and have yielded some really nice finds for me. One is a church, that burned several times since the late 1700s, and all of the square nails from each of the demolitions/rebuilds are all over the church yard, particularly as you get closer to the building. However, I was disappointed to find that if anything, the 6" coil "likes" square nails EVEN BETTER than the stock coil. While in general, that coil may offer some ability to separate that exceeds the ability of the 11" coil, that small (I believe you stated around 10%) improvement in separation is, for me, utterly nullified because of this coil's propensity to much more solidly, and much more often, call a square nail a "high conductor," as compared to the stock coil (and the stock coil is pretty bad about this, in the first place).

SO -- while I have no idea of a 100 kHz option would significantly improve this situation or not, and more effectively STOP a square nail from reading very "coin like" in many cases, then I would be HIGHLY interested in that. Again, these few sites are the WHOLE REASON I purchased the 6" coil, and yet because of the aforementioned characteristics, it's essentially a "no go" for me, in the very sites I purchased it for! So I would give a hearty two thumbs up, for a 100 kHz mode, and special coil, IF it would indeed bring a much improved ability to call a square nail IRON, while giving hints of co-located high conductors with "high-conductor" ID/audio hints...

Steve

steveg Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> NASA-Tom,
>
> Going WAY back to a post you made awhile ago, aski
> ng about our thoughts on a 100 kHz option, and nee
> ding a specific (6 x 10 maybe) coil; I didn't see
> anyone (nor did I) respond directly to that. I wa
> s too focused on trying to voice my desire for FE/
> CO and 2-D screen, as at LEAST an OPTIONAL hunt mo
> de on any new M-IQ flagship (and I STILL hope that
> can be included, LOL).
>
> Anyway, on to your 100 kHz question...I am totally
> unfamiliar with 100 kHz, and its benefits/drawback
> s (I assume it's not a "deep" frequency, but that
> would not be the most important, obviously, for sp
> ecifically an iron unmasker). But -- if it is
> a substantial improvement in "carpets of nails
> ," SPECIFICALLY with square nails, I'd be AL
> L IN on that idea. I bought the 6" coil f
> or the Equinox, specifically for what I thought wo
> uld be improvements at a few specific sites in PA
> that are very old, and have yielded some really ni
> ce finds for me. One is a church, that burned sev
> eral times since the late 1700s, and all of the sq
> uare nails from each of the demolitions/rebuilds a
> re all over the church yard, particularly as you g
> et closer to the building. However, I was disappo
> inted to find that if anything, the 6" coil "likes
> " square nails EVEN BETTER than the stock coil. W
> hile in general, that coil may offer some ability
> to separate that exceeds the ability of the 11" co
> il, that small (I believe you stated around 10%) i
> mprovement in separation is, for me, utterly
> nullified because of this coil's propensit
> y to much more solidly, and much more often, call
> a square nail a "high conductor," as compared to t
> he stock coil (and the stock coil is pretty bad ab
> out this, in the first place).
>
> SO -- while I have no idea of a 100 kHz option wou
> ld significantly improve this situation or not, an
> d more effectively STOP a square nail from reading
> very "coin like" in many cases, then I would be HI
> GHLY interested in that. Again, these few sites a
> re the WHOLE REASON I purchased the 6" coil, and y
> et because of the aforementioned characteristics,
> it's essentially a "no go" for me, in the very sit
> es I purchased it for! So I would give a hearty t
> wo thumbs up, for a 100 kHz mode, and special coil
> , IF it would indeed bring a much improved ability
> to call a square nail IRON, while giving hints of
> co-located high conductors with "high-conductor" I
> D/audio hints...
>
> Steve

Bummer along with a let down huh steveg? Out of all the detectors I have had the pleasure, deep nails were a 'hope getter'. High tone whisper all around.
It has been known for quite some time the 6" for the EQ was not much better verses the stock... .. . It's in this forum somewhere. You must not have gotten that message, sorry, bud.

Ozzie -- it's all good! I got the 6" coil way back when it first came out, before the "verdict was in" on it. So this isn't a "recent disappointment!" LOL!

But that 100 kHz thought that NASA-Tom threw out there is tantalizing...

Steve

basstracker........ are you referring to a continuous pitch (full variability) audio?

midalake......... yes. And it is not only the pinpoint mode that is highly reactive (crippled) near/around moving saltwater.

steveg........ This is a 'possible option' that could be looked at....... for potential implementation. Just an idea. Yes........ 100Khz is poor on depth. And..........actually..... 100Khz is highly resonant to iron; yet, BECAUSE of this.....it can also ID iron to a better magnitude. Reset clockspeed is also faster. Collectively..... these ideas could give a few percent greater iron working ability. Tackling iron inhibiting/crippling phenomena ..... is in such high demand.,.,.,.,.,.,., even to the point of unsuspecting order-of-magnitude.

NASA-Tom -- I appreciate the information and thoughts.

"Potential implication" of FE-CO/2D at least suggests it's not entirely "off the table:" I'd be quite pleased to have that option. As I mentioned, I don't know the "hows" and the "whys," but however it did so, FBS seemed able to fairly successfully keep the iron content of the dirt from "infecting" the CO portion of the ID of a target -- confining it largely to the "FE" side, thus leaving the "CO" portion of the idea relatively "clean" from the effects of iron that would otherwise bias a single-number VDI machine. Having this "numerical" or "visual" characteristic, while combined with the audio clues, helped me to be just a little more certain, pre-dig, of the "more likely composition" of a target than I can with a single ID.

Also, It's interesting that 100 kHz is highly resonant to iron, and yet could be "helpful." While obviously I can see how that resonance could allow better ID (that makes sense), I would have also thought that this would likely mean that target masking would be WORSE. It seems paradoxical; my brain would think that to unmask, you'd want to find frequencies that have LESS of an affinity for iron, so that other targets would have a better chance of being reported. But obviously, this must not be correct -- and I'm guessing part of that is the "faster reset speed" that would allow the improvement? Bottom line, if this frequency would help to more solidly/accurately call an iron target "iron" as opposed to "high conductor," and perhaps "see between" nails, then even a rather small improvement would obviously be quite welcome.

Finally, is there any work -- or hope that it could be possible -- on what has been mentioned many times, but again rather recently (by you, I think) regarding some ability to possibly infer "density" characteristics of targets, as a way to differentiate between a rectangular tab and a gold wedding band?

Thanks!

Steve



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/25/2021 02:07AM by steveg.

Only use 50 Tones. Would also be nice to have a big TID numbering system. Instead of 40 How about spreading it out over a 180 like the Sovereign or more?

Mike

Mike K Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Only use 50 Tones. Would also be nice to have a bi
> g TID numbering system. Instead of 40 How about sp
> reading it out over a 180 like the Sovereign or mo
> re?
>
> Mike


Personally I'm a fan of their 50 point TID system (goes from -9 to 40), it gets the job done. If they offered a more granular system, it would be great if it was a user selectable option so those that have already learned the 50 point system could continue using it.

Tom or Dew. Or anyone!
Does the Tarsacci have the same problem as the Equinox with near or moving saltwater?

Not IMO. The Nox can loose targets in the surf. It could be because of the auto GB. I manually set my GB on the MDT. The water is constantly moving... so black sand, flakes of non-ferr targets and just the salt water and air gap has its affects. The old explorer never like air gaps either.

Digging targets in the surf is better than a day at the gym. Exhausting!