Minelab Equinox 800 Metal Detector Review

This Minelab Equinox 800 review is based on research and other peoples reviews. I haven’t been lucky enough to get my hands on one yet but I will update the moment I do.

I’ve contacted Minelab to see if we can get one for testing here at Detector Reviews.

The Equinox 800 is the latest Minelab Metal detector that has everyone talking and is receiving very mixed reviews. Some are swearing by it and some are not impressed. It seems to me thought like you have two teams the die hard Minelab fans and then you have the die hard XP Deus fans. The Deus fans are the ones that seem to be not receiving the detector well.

It features brand new tech that allows multifrequency.

Minelab have not scrimped when it comes to the build of the Equinox with it’s sleek and innovative design. This is sure to be a metal detector you will be proud of and are going to want to show off.

For the price of this machine, you’re going to get a whole lot of power, features, and performance! There are rumours of this machine dominating the market.

There is of course also the baby brother of the Minelab Equinox 800 available, the Minelab Equinox 600. Details of the difference between the two can be seen further down this page.

There’s huge anticipation and excitement about the Minelab Equinox 800. Many are even selling up their detecting gear just to raise the funds for one!

I’ve recently spoken to a Minelab Equinox 800 owner and Mark has told me that it’s the best metal detector he’s ever had with it already finding him countless artefacts and coins. He explained that once you get the hang of it (read the manual thoroughly he said) it really is a very powerful and well performing machine.

Minelab Equinox 800 Appearance

Upon opening the box you’ll be presented with 2 parts of the shaft, the lower and upper, the coil, the armrest and the control box. Assembly is very simple.

You connect the lower shaft to the coil using the wing nut and rubber washers provided, loosen the switch locks and attach the upper shaft to the lower shaft, connect the armrest to the upper shaft, wrap the coil wire and attach the coil to the control box. That’s it. You’re assembled and ready to feel the power of the Minelab Equinox 800.

It has an internal rechargeable battery powered by a USB connection. You can plug this into any standard USB port, attach the magnetic charger connector to the rear of the detector and the LED status will flash steadily. Charging is complete when the LED stays on.

The control box has a very large LCD screen and just 8 buttons.

For comfort, the forearm cup has a layer of sponge padding and the grip on the shaft also has padding where you hold it.

The weight of the Minelab Equinox 800 is approximately 1.34 kg.

Minelab Equinox 800 Buttons & Modes.

The power button is located to the side of the LCD screen at the top left. Below that is the brightness button for adjusting the backlight on the LCD screen.

To the right-hand side of the LCD, you have the wireless symbol which allows you to pair devices like wireless headphones wirelessly and below you have the user profile button for setting up custom detect modes.

On to the main buttons, located bottom center of the control box. Detect mode illustrated with a detector icon. This button allows you to toggle through different preset detector modes, park, field, beach, and gold. Below that is the horseshoe icon this is for putting the Minelab Equinox into the all-metal mode.

In the dead centre of the control, the box is the button to enter the settings, and the plus and minus symbols either side will allow you to customise the settings. Inside the settings menu the following options can be found. Noise cancel, Ground Balance, Volume, Threshold, Tones, Accept or reject, Recovery speed, Tone Volume, Threshold pitch, Tone pitch and Tone break.

Below the settings is the pinpoint mode button, to the right the frequency settings, and above you have accept or reject which is used in conjunction with notch discrimination.

The LCD screen is very large allowing the Minelab Equinox 800 to display numerous indicators and data which is very very handy. Battery status, sensitivity, Target ID, Wireless status, Bluetooth status, Depth indicator, Tracking, The current mode you are in, Frequency, and much more!

1. Park Mode: Preset mode that has been set up and optimized for use in conditions with a high trash content.
2. Field Mode: Perfect fine-tuned preset mode for searching for fine jewelry items and relics.
3. Beach Mode: For underwater use and dry and wet sand.
4. Gold Mode: Best used for gold prospecting.
5. Custom Mode: Using the user profile button you can set up your detector to exactly how you like it and then save the profile.

Minelab Equinox 800 Features

The Minelab Equinox 800 is literally packed with features.

Simultaneous multi-frequency at 5khz, 10khz, 15khz, 20khz, 40khz.  You don’t even have to change between the frequencies as the detector simultaneously changes between them all as you are detecting.

If you aren’t sure about what the frequencies do or mean in a nutshell the lower the frequency the larger the object and higher the conductivity of the metal and the higher is for smaller items with lower conductivity. This feature literally increases your performance and productivity huge amounts.

Waterproof up to 3 meters. The Equinox 800 is fully submersible so it’s perfect for streams, rivers and lakes.

High-speed wireless audio for the use of wireless headphones, meaning no more tripping over cables and missing signals.

Minelab Equinox 800 Reviews

So far so good and everything looks good on paper, but what are people actually saying about the Equinox 800?

This machine excels in highly mineralised, trashy areas. One user reports going back to a field that was littered with hot rocks and iron that had been searched to death the previous month and having a very productive day. Recovering numerous targets that were missed previously by many other metal detectors.

First gold was struck with the Equinox on UK soil, over in Scotland. Again in a very contaminated field. They found a 22ct Victorian Gold sovereign around 6 – 8 inches in the ground.

No real solid reviews on the depth capabilities as of yet with the detector being so new to the market but a lot of rumours of a very good depth range. They also speak of the unbelievable recovery of the machine.

So far this is all we can tell you about the Minelab Equinox but we will be sure to continue updating this review once we get our hands on it and once we know more.

You can buy the Minelab Equinox 800 from a couple of different places overseas and it’s available from the links below from trusted sources. You won’t find this in any stores on the high street just yet but don’t despair it is coming very soon.

Minelab Equinox Release Date

At present nobody is 100% sure of an exact release date for the Minelab Equinox 800, Minelab has been very vague but we will be sure to add it and let you know when Minelab announces officially.

Through research, though we have found that the estimated release date for the Minelab Equinox 800 is late January 2018.

*UPDATE* After what seems like a lifetime and much controversy, Minelab have now started shipping the Equinox 800 to their suppliers in the US. Once the suppliers receive the Minelab Equinox they will be shipping to customers who have pre-ordered.  You can expect your Minelab metal detector to arrive…..soon. Sorry guys that’s all I have got. I wouldn’t like to speculate.

There is a backlog of orders that are being caught up on. So again I reiterate if you are going to place a pre-order at one of the metal detector retailers then be sure to contact them first you could still be waiting a rather long time.

Minelab Equinox 800 Tests

All I have seen is controversy surrounding this machine. Largely because of the time it has taken Minelab to catch up with manufacture & shipping. It seems that the Minelab Equinox is largely becoming the Marmite of the detecting world. It’s a love-hate thing.

I’ve got to say they have created a huge buzz and a lot of excitement but as you know many people had started to get frustrated and annoyed by late January 2018.

There has been many disputes and arguments on Facebook too with some mocking the new machine, could this be partly jealousy perhaps? To be honest, it’s mainly coming from the XP Deus users, they are a very defensive bunch *tongue in cheek*

There have also been fake pictures made of it bursting into flames and a rumour of a recall. None of which is true.

UPDATE** Some have now got their hands on a machine early for pre-testing. So what tests are out there?

Minelab Equinox 800 Coke Test

The first I have seen is a “coke” test. Coke has a high carbon content and for some reasons plays hell with signals on most detectors.

After somebody decided to start a rumour on Facebook stating that because of how it discriminates against this coke it will also discriminate against small cut hammered coins. They decided to disprove this theory.

So how does the Equinox 800 behave? In the following video, you will see how the machine totally rejects the coke, but when a small cut hammered silver is placed between two pieces of coke. She simply sings!

Where to buy the Minelab Equinox 800

At present, you won’t find the Minelab Equinox 800 stocked in the US detecting shops, it is only available to buy pre-order via some of the more reputable metal detector distributors Joan Allen, Leisure Promotions, etc

Distribution has just begun and there is a backlog of orders. Before you pre-order be sure to inquire where on the waiting list you will be placed.

Buy The Minelab Equinox 800

You can either pre-order or just wait for one to pop up on eBay there’s a few listed if you’re in the US but seem to be very rare in the UK at the moment.

The last eBay listing for a Minelab Equinox 800 sold for £910 buy it now. So if you want to get yours you’re going to have to be quick in the future and be prepared to pay top whack for one.

Buy The Minelab Equinox 600

The Minelab Equinox 600 is now readily available from a few outlets and marketplaces.

So you won’t need to pre-order you can get click and collect or next day delivery. The prices seem to be holding steady so you can expect to pay around £680 for the Minelab Equinox 600.

Minelab Equinox 600 vs the 800

The baby brother of the 800 is, of course, the Minelab Equinox 600. So what are the differences between the two?

Let’s have a look. (click the photo to enlarge)

I’m just going to touch on this subject as I intend to write a Minelab Equinox 600 Review soon enough.

So what does the 800 have that the 600 doesn’t?

• The 600 does not include the “Gold mode” (doesn’t run in 20 / 40 khz as the 800 does)
• No user profiles.
• The Equinox 600 has no manual over-ride for noise cancellation. Only runs in auto whereas the 800 has a manual option.
• The threshold pitch is fixed
• No wireless headphones included.
• On off on the backlight as opposed to Low, medium, high on the 800

To summarise there is not much of a difference between the 600 and the 800. It’s my belief that it’s pretty much going to be just as powerful as its big brother.

Minelab Equinox 800 Pro’s & Con’s

Minelab Equinox 800 Product Specifications

Minelab Equinox 800 Video’s

Minelab Equinox 800 Depth Tests

Minelab Equinox 800 Manual

You can download a PDF copy of the Minelab Equinox 800 User Manual here – User Guide Manual

Update Full English Minelab Equinox User manual is now available for download – Full English Manual