Minelab Equinox 800
The Minelab Equinox range offer some of the top metal detectors on the market today. They offer exceptional performance for their cost and they are one of the few brands considered to be the go-to machines for anyone serious about the hobby.
Equinox 800 Review
The Minelab Equinox 800 is a great option for both beginners and experienced detectorists. It’s been a top-selling detector on the market for some time, and for good reason. As the mid-level machine in the range, it offers fantastic performance at an affordable cost.
One of its standout features is its innovative simultaneous multi-frequency (Multi-IQ) technology, which allows the detector to excel in all types of terrain and conditions without the need to switch coils or constantly adjust settings. Minelab was the first to market with this technology, and competitors are still catching up.
The Equinox 800 is also waterproof, making it suitable for use in various environments such as land, beaches, and even underwater. It offers excellent performance in all of these settings, making it a versatile option.
In terms of performance, the Equinox 800 has excellent depth, target separation, and a user-friendly interface. It’s easy to use, but also allows for fine-tuning for those who enjoy tweaking settings. There’s also a wealth of information and guides available online due to its popularity.
While the Equinox 800’s performance is impressive, there are some design and build quality issues to consider. It’s not the lightest or most portable option, and some features are missing that you might expect from a top-end machine. Additionally, there have been reports of issues with the coil lug attachment breaking in the field.
Overall, the Minelab Equinox 800 is a fantastic machine that offers incredible performance at a reasonable price. It’s a versatile option with a few minor issues to keep in mind. If you’re looking for even better performance without any issues, check out the Equinox 900. For similar performance on a budget, consider the Equinox 600. You can also see our comparison chart for the models in this range.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Exceptional performance
Truly all-terrain capability
Easy to use
Simultaneous Multi-Frequency technology
Tried and tested in the field
Plenty of guides and information available
Cons
Some reports of build quality issues
Missing a few modern quality-of-life features
Range Comparison
Equinox 600 | Equinox 800 | Equinox 900 | |
|---|---|---|---|
Retail Price | £649.00 | £929.00 | £1,129.00 |
Weight | 1.3kg / 2.9lb | 1.3kg / 2.9lb | 1.2kg / 2.6lb |
Composition | Plastic shaft / Not Collapsible | Plastic shaft / Not Collapsible | Carbon Fiber Shaft / Collapsible |
Extended Length | 1440mm | 1440mm | 1440mm |
Collapsed Length | N/A | N/A | 610mm |
Technology | Multi-IQ | Multi-IQ | Multi-IQ (Tuned) |
Waterproof | 3 Metres | 3 Metres | 5 Metres |
Detecting Modes | 3 – Park, Field & Beach | 4 – Gold, Park, Field & Beach | 4 – Gold, Park, Field & Beach |
Operating Frequencies | Multi-IQ (5kHz, 10kHz, 15kHz) | Multi-IQ (5kHz, 10kHz, 15kHz, 20kHz & 40kHz). | Multi-IQ (4kHz, 5kHz, 10kHz, 15kHz, 20kHz & 40kHz). |
Target Identification | 50: -9 to 40 with ferrous indication | 50: -9 to 40 with ferrous indication | 119: -19 to +99 with ferrous indication |
Sensitivity | 1 to 25 | 1 to 25 | 1 to 28 |
Target Tones | 1, 2, 5, All Tones | 1, 2, 5, All Tones | 1, 2, 5, All Tones, DP (Deep) |
Depth Indicator | 5 Levels | 5 Levels | 5 Levels |
Torch / Flashlight | No | No | Yes |
Screen Backlight | Yes (White) | Yes (White) | Yes (Red) |
Handgrip Vibration | No | No | Yes |
Battery | Internal Rechargeable Lithium-ion | Internal Rechargeable Lithium-ion | Internal Rechargeable Lithium-ion |
Battery Runtime | Approximately 12 Hours | Approximately 12 Hours | Approximately 12 Hours |
Charge Time | Approximately 4 Hours | Approximately 4 Hours | Approximately 4 Hours |
* There is also the Minelab Equinox 700 available in the range (£799). For ease of comparison we have opted to leave this out. It essentially offers the features of the Equinox 600 with the improvements of the Equinox 900.
