Minelab Equinox 900
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 900 Review
The Minelab Equinox 900 is the top of the line in the Equinox range and is considered one of the best metal detectors on the market. Building on the success of the Equinox 800, Minelab has made improvements to the design and added new features to make it even better. The new telescopic carbon fiber shaft makes it more portable and comfortable to use, while the improved build quality ensures durability in the field. Quality of life features like a torch, better backlight and vibration function make it even more user-friendly.
Under the hood, the Equinox 900 has even better depth and target separation, as well as an improved range of target identification. Its innovative simultaneous multi-frequency (Multi-IQ) technology is among the best in the industry and allows the detector to excel in all terrain and conditions without the need to switch coils or continuously adjust settings. However, some users report that the extra sensitivity does come at the cost of the stability of some signals.
With its waterproof design, the Equinox 900 can be used in a variety of environments, including land, beaches, and even underwater up to 5 meters. It offers exceptional performance and is easy to use, but also offers the ability to fine-tune settings for more experienced users. With its huge popularity, there is a wealth of information and guides available online.
Overall, the Equinox 900 is a fantastic piece of equipment that offers exceptional performance and is unlikely to be replaced for many years. It’s on the higher end of the hobby in terms of price, but you truly get what you pay for. It’s the editor’s choice and widely recommended by detectorists around the world. If you’re looking for a similar detector at a lower budget, check out our reviews of the Equinox 800 or Equinox 600, and see our handy comparison chart for the models in this range. For detailed technical specifications, please visit the Minelab Website.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Fixes build issues and missing quality of life features
Exceptional Performance
Truly all-terrain
Easy to use
Simultaneous multi Frequency Technology
Tried and tested
Lots of guides and information available
Cons
On the pricier side
Higher sensitivity at the cost of some stability
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.
