Thomas Dankowski's Metal Detecting Forum

Hi
Since the mid-90s, I've been a loyal Minelab user, Swinging models from the Sovereign up to the well-loved Equinox 800. However, the game changed for me when I received the Deus 2, a thoughtful Valentine's Day surprise from my wife. This led me to part ways with my trusty Equinox 800, marking the end of my journey with Minelab devices—for now.

I've been following discussions and feedback on the Manticore, especially from fellow detectorists whose opinions I hold in high regard. To me, it appears that the Manticore and Deus may excel in some situations and not the other. So pretty close in performance. Perhaps I am wrong?

This brings me to a crossroads: to invest in a Manticore or to wait for Minelab's next detector. Conversations with Minelab representatives hinted at an upcoming flagship that would surpass the Manticore, not intended as a CTX replacement. Yet, the timeline remains unclear. My dilemma isn't about affordability but about making a wise investment in technology that genuinely elevates the detecting experience beyond what my current Deus 2 offers.

I'm reaching out to this very knowledgeable community for your thoughts, opinions, and any insights you might have. Has anyone heard more about Minelab's future plans? Would the Manticore be a significant upgrade, or is patience the key here?

I appreciate your time and look forward to your valuable perspectives.
HH

First........ Minelab does not sleep! Multiple PhD folks at Minelab ...bring new/innovative product(s) to market...... at a more accelerated rate....VS....other entities. And...... we are trying to be MUCH more connected with the community/customer...... as of late.

Secondly........ the Manticore does have a slight lead in performance over the D2; yet, there is "personal cost effectivity" that comes into play.....as to weather it is 'cost effective' to drop nearly $2K for a Manticore...... if you already have a Deus-2. Some logic must prevail! If there was a significant difference.,.,.,.,., I would be recommending: By all means.

Thirdly (and sometimes underestimated) ...... that must be taken into play: Minelab has a very specific/distinct: audio intelligence signature. , . , . , . that you may be VERY accustomed to...........and 'might' have a hard time with the transition over to another brand/platform. Years of "nuance intelligence" .... is hard to forsake.

Thank you Tom. Sage advice as usual. It was a lot of work to learn French after speaking Australian for so many years haha.
That is mostly because the Deus audio feedback is much different than I was used to.
All that aside, I've made some wonderful finds with it since picking it up. I think for the moment I'm going to be patient. Unless I feel a strong urge to splurge.
Thank you again