This is the detecting gear that I use most often:
- Minelab CTX 3030 Metal Detector
- Minelab E-Trac Metal Detector
- Garrett AT Pro Metal Detector
- Fisher F5 Metal Detector
- Fisher F2 Metal Detector with 4″ Sniper Coil
- Garrett MasterSound Headphones
- Garrett ClearSound Headphones
- Garrett Pro-Pointer AT
- 31″ Sampson
Ball Handle Shovel
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Ozarks
Metal Detecting the Ozark Mountains 
Very good write-up. I certainly love this website.
Continue the good work!
Thanks, glad that you like it!
Hello there, You’ve done a fantastic job. I will definitely digg it and personally recommend to my friends.
Awesome, glad you like the site!
Great site you have here but I was curious about if you knew of any user discussion forums that cover the same topics discussed in this article?
I’d really love to be a part of group where I can get advice from other experienced individuals that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks!
I might try out the AT PRO what do you think about it? I saw you have one.
For the money the AT Pro is very hard to beat based on features and functionality. The waterproof feature makes it a great detector for almost every detecting environment from water hunting, to creek-side, to back on land the AT Pro, aka ALL-Terrain Pro is exactly that. If you would like more info or are in the market for an
, check it out on Amazon.com
AT PRO Metal Detector
Excelent work on the site.
Thanks, Larry. Appreciate the kind words. What machine are you swinging?
Good Day.
So .. So it appears the Minelab Equinox 600/ 800 are putting all under $1000.00 detectors to an early death for any new purchases. But I have a bigger question. What, if any, new detectors are coming out to rival the EQ series?? Is everybody so tight-lipped, or is there really nothing better going to quickly come from other manufacturers? After all, Garrett still says their AT Max is “New”. But really, aside from wireless, it’s relatively old technology, and not in any way price competitive to the EQ’s.
Going back to The EQ series .. non-servicable, by the consumer, battery? Oh man, how many bad lithium batteries I have had over the years for my cordless yard tools, no matter who made them. All batteries eventually go bad. I am not sold on any design when a consumer can not do simple battery replacement. Please give a detailed response about your thoughts on any serious adult currently looking to buy a sub $1000.00 detector. Thanks. Keep this site going!!
PS .. I’m in Mtn Home. Between two rivers, and two lakes. Love the Ozarks. One of the best places to live in the USA
Hi Thomas, thanks for the comments and questions etc. I’ll try to answer going down the list 🙂
“So .. So it appears the Minelab Equinox 600/ 800 are putting all under $1000.00 detectors to an early death for any new purchases”
In my opinion, it’s a bit early to come to that conclusion, but I’d agree that the Minelab Equinox Metal Detector Series appears to be gaining traction among detectors in it’s price range.
“But I have a bigger question. What, if any, new detectors are coming out to rival the EQ series??”
Rival it? Well, none that I can speak on specifically, but I can tell you that in the price range, there are current detectors available that certainly perform very well and would serve new and veteran detectorists very well in the field.
Again, just my opinion, but there are a few detectors that still hold their own in that price range. The Garrett AT Pro holds it’s own every time I take mine detecting. I also run a Minelab CTX 3030, and owned an E-TRAC too… Having said that, I still use my AT PRO half of the time, and it impresses me all the time! Some of my very best finds, ever, were made with mt AT PRO, have a look at some of my finds, most of the good ones were found with the ATP. From what I am seeing and hearing from actual users, including myself, the XP Deus, AT PRO,and Minelab E-Trac STILL deserve a spot in any detecting arsenal, for that price range and less.
Since I haven’t used an Equinox, but have tested the AT PRO with the Minelab XTERRA series, I can infer that the Equinox is a fast processing detector with great target separation, and reportedly unmasks targets well, and is waterproof.
I think the jury is still out if the Equinox has set any standards in it’s price range, other than to fill a need between the Minelab E-Trac and Minelab CTX 3030…
As far as their outlandish statement that it would “obsolete all vlf detectors” Well, we haven’t seen any proof of that happening, so it stands to reason the other detectors in it’s price range are still holding their own and will for a long time in the future.
“Please give a detailed response about your thoughts on any serious adult currently looking to buy a sub $1000.00 detector.”
I just did that, but in the price range an AT PRO/MAX, XP DEUS and the Minelab ETRAC (a bit slower processor but silver killer) are machines that can be had for under $1000 if a person calls a dealer and negotiates a price. Shop around…
As stated though, it appears that the Equinox Series is filling the role of a Minelab with a fast processor and good unmasking abilities. Minelabs have rightly earned a reputation as great choices of metal detectors.
One thing everyone has to take into consideration, and that is no matter what metal detector you buy, you have to learn it. Buying the newest detector, or a detector with tons of bells and whistles when starting out isn’t always the best choice for a couple of reasons. One, as stated, no matter what detector, you have to learn it. And two, if you are unsure if you will stick with the hobby, it might not be best to spend alot of money on a new detector…maybe get one under $1000 and see if you’re even gonna stick to it or not. On the flipside, the train of thought is get what you can afford… you still have to learn that metal detector.
In short, my opinion is that there are detectors currently on the market that can do everything the Equniox series can do, but that from what I have seen and read, the Minelab Equinox metal detectors are great choices of detector for both new and veteran detectorists alike.
Appreciate you checking out my blog, and hope some of that made sense…thanks!