I've seen many times on T-Net about detectors that have "Paid" for themselves. You know fella's, I have never thought of any detector I've owned in that way, this has always been a great hobby and "time out" for me, and a different or "better" detector was simply another tool (a bigger, better, cooler tool) to mess around with. Cost? You buy what you can afford, no matter what it is. I do not think anybody who "metal detects" is going to skip paying bills or forgo eating in order to buy ANY detector. OK, having said that, what was this thread about? Right, "Minelab Equinox Testers". Nope, were still waiting, don't know if the guys who pre-ordered have even received them yet.