This is EXACTLY it! I own both and I would hate to give up either one. Each machine has its time to shine. In my opinion, as a proud owner of both machines, is that the only thing the Deus is missing is Minelab's Multi-Q technology. Otherwise, it is a much better machine in just about every way (again... this is MY opinion. Yours may vary)
You were told wrong. I mean, yeah... you can find stuff... good stuff... with either, and in any situation. I can also drive a screw with a hammer.
I think more correctly I was misinterpreted because I don’t give wrong advice.
The Deus is slightly lighter, but, unlikely to make that much of a difference depending on the coil you use. If you have a sketchy shoulder, use a sling or get one of Steve's detecting rods with a counterweight if you find it's too nose heavy with the larger coils.
You’re not guilty of anything significant - I simply wanted to point out that saying that switching between Deus and Equinox will not significantly change your finds count/quality over the long haul should not be interpreted as meaning they do the same thing. It is a nuanced but important point. Like I said, you can be successful with either of those excellent detectors under most situations. However, there are some specific situations where Deus will outperform Equinox and vice versa. That is what tells you that they don’t simply do the same thing and why having both detectors in your arsenal, if possible, can give you an edge.
That sounds like exactly the advice that I would have given (although, as usual, worded much better!) I also own and use both detectors, and recently managed to convince my detecting partner to add a Deus to her arsenal (Equinox 800).I think more correctly I was misinterpreted because I don’t give wrong advice.
The context of the advice is important. Felix asked if it was worth the trip to sell the 800 and get a Deus as he was frustrated with his lack of quality finds. What I said is that 1) Deus is my preferred relic machine for several reasons but primarily because of its ergonomics, performance in iron and high mineralization soil (which defines the conditions in which I most frequently hunt), and expressive audio. 2) I was pretty clear in saying that I thought the Equinox and Deus complimented each other because the Deus excelled at things the Equinox didn’t and vice versa. They both have high versatility. That makes it hard to choose a clear favorite, I will use whichever of the two is best suited to the conditions at hand. I can afford to own both, so I do. I think an experienced detectorist can be successful at a productive non-salt-beach site (Equinox rules over Deus in salt water and wet salt sand) with EITHER detector. 3) Finally, what I told Felix is that if he dumped the Equinox and went with the Deus that it would not result in a step change increase in finds over the Equinox based on what I knew about Felix site conditions and target prospects, so it was not worth the trip to trade one for the other in his specific case, especially when you factor in the significant price delta between Deus and Equinox.
At the time I was providing my recommendations, the Nox 5x10 coil was not in existence. It is truly a game changer and under certain high target density circumstances closes the ergonomics, target separation, and iron performance gaps between the two detectors.
None of the above should be interpreted to mean “they pretty much do the same thing”. That is a gross, blanket over simplification of a complex “it depends” subject. Context and situation specific details matter in regards to when one should be chosen over the other for the task at hand.
Bottom line, I recommend owning both if you can afford to and have to detect sites with widely varying conditions and target types because owning both pretty much covers all the bases. I don’t really think it is worth the trip to sell or trade one for the other unless you only detect in situations that favor one over the other (e.g., exclusively salt beach hunt, you are better off with Equinox, exclusively hunt highly mineralized high iron sites, then Deus May give you the edge.)
Hope that sets the record straight and helps the OP and anyone pondering trading or selling one for the other.
Very good info here. If I find a really good producing spot I hit the spot with one machine several times then switch machines. It doesn't matter which direction you go you'll always find more.
Were you two on equivalent frequencies, recovery/reactivity rates, sensitivity, ground balance, and other settings that affect depth? I own both machines, and to be honest, I have no idea what are equivalent settings.
