Hello from Madison County, Mississippi

[eeWill]

I'm just getting into the hobby and still researching detectors! I currently have an old Whites Coinmaster 2900/D Trooper, but I think it's time for an upgrade.

Would love to get advice from anyone willing to give as far as site research and detector recommendations. I'm currently leaning towards either a Garrett AT PRO, or maybe the MAX depending on budget constraints.

Anyway, hello everyone!

William

 

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[dts52]

Welcome from Connecticut!
My personal opinion is to go for the AT Pro. This machine has been tried and tested. The only downside is that it HATES salt water (if that’s even a concern for you). Good luck!
HH
dts

 

[eeWill]

Thanks! Good to know about the AT Pro. I'll have to keep that in mind. Do you know if the AT Max has the same aversion to saltwater? I know from research that a multi-frequency detector is really the way to go, but they are all looking out of my budget range at the moment. Most of my detecting will be done on land, but I do make a beach trip once a year and stay for a week. It would be nice to hunt the beach while I'm there.

 

[RustyGold]

Welcome to TreasureNet Will. Maybe research the Minelab Equinox 600 for a better beach detector. Good luck On the hunt and the purchase of a new detector.

 

[eeWill]

RustyGold, Will do! Does the 600 perform well on land too?

 

[RustyGold]

RustyGold, Will do! Does the 600 perform well on land too?

You bet it does. It’s truly an all terrain detector. If you want the gold mode like for nugget hunting then you may need to look at the Equinox 800.

 

[RustyGold]

Here’s a great comparison on the Equinox 600 vs the 800.
https://www.minelab.com/usa/community/treasure-talk/equinox-600-vs-equinox-800

 

[eeWill]

Not planning on any nugget hunting. Relics, coins, and jewelry mostly. Probably have save a few more pennies to jump above the AT Pro, but may be worth it.

 

[against the wind]

Welcome to the forum from Port Allegheny, Pennsylvania
Minelab Equinox 800

 

[CalReg]

Welcome from San Jose, CA! Whatever MD you decide on, have fun and happy hunting!

 

[vpnavy]

Welcome Aboard William! Take a look at Forum:Mississippi for information (i.e., clubs, etc.) directly related to your state.

 

[eeWill]

Thanks everyone! I'm leaning more toward the Minelab Equinox 600 at this point. I can't wait to get out there. It looks like I have some research ahead of me too! Not being originally from this area, I'm not aware of it's older history. Should be fun.

Found the Mississippi Forum but it looks really slow over there!

 

[dts52]

Not planning on any nugget hunting. Relics, coins, and jewelry mostly. Probably have save a few more pennies to jump above the AT Pro, but may be worth it.

Watch this website for used detectors. They’re usually much more affordable than a new machine.
dts

 

[eeWill]

Will definitely watch this site for used equipment. I'm always a little leery of buying used equipment online. Probably because ebay burned me one too many times. Still, I saw a past post by someone I would have jumped on. Never know. Thank you for the help and suggestions!

 

[Wildcat1750]

Welcome to TNet!

 

[TreasureCatto]

Welcome William from Texas

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[dts52]

Don’t mention it. If anyone has been burned by a seller on this website, I haven’t heard about it. eBay is another story. I quit them years ago.
HH
dts

 

[AllmetalDetectorist]

Thanks everyone! I'm leaning more toward the Minelab Equinox 600 at this point. I can't wait to get out there. It looks like I have some research ahead of me too! Not being originally from this area, I'm not aware of it's older history. Should be fun.

Found the Mississippi Forum but it looks really slow over there!

Hey there. If you’re looking for an Equinox 600, I recently purchased one for $650 and it just got here. Long story short, I bought the 600 first but while I was waiting for it to arrive saw a better deal on an 800 and couldn’t pass it up. I live in Picayune, MS. It is barely used and comes with the wired headphones, Andy Sabisch’s book on the Equinox, and I’m also throwing in a coil ear stiffener that I have a spare of. Asking $625 for it.

Now that I put my sales pitch out there, there are some cons to the Equinox. It is very coil heavy and not very balanced which means that after a while your arm, shoulder, and wrist will be sore. The control handle is also not the most ergonomic design that I’ve used on a detector. It really hurts my hand. I do have small hands so that may be a factor.

I also own the AT Pro. I have used it in the beach water. It can be chattery but with the right settings, it’s not as bad.

 

[A2coins]

Welcome to tnet from MI.......Tommy