Field Test Minelab Equinox 800
Treasure Hunting magazine|July 2018

For many months, the detecting scene has been buzzing about the arrival of an innovative new machine that promised to challenge most of the high-end detectors that currently dominate the scene. It seemed everyone was eager to hear more about the Minelab Equinox detectors, including myself.

David Stuckey
Field Test Minelab Equinox 800

My colleague, Julian Evan-Hart, suggested some time ago that one of these machines might become available for me to field test for Treasure Hunting magazine – I was filled with trepidation. As I’m getting on in age, I often wonder if I can embrace such rapidly evolving technology. After all, I still use a tiny pay-as-you-go flip-phone!

Then suddenly, a couple of weeks ago, Julian informed me that an Equinox 800 was coming my way for a field test – and that it was due to arrive the following day! It came as no surprise to me that I should get a text from my wife, whilst I was at work, informing me that a ‘massive’ package had arrived in the post. When I got home, I eagerly unpacked the machine to see what the new Equinox looked like. Looking at it in its box I was suitably impressed by the compactness of it all (Fig.1). In no time I had it unpacked and had managed to put it together, without even having to consult the manual – it was that straightforward.

The first thing I noticed was the incredible lightness of the machine compared to my own one. The Equinox weighs in at just 1.34kgs (2.96lbs). As I unpacked the rest of the box, I looked for the instruction manual. There wasn’t one. Instead there was an A4 folded sheet which gave basic instructions on what-was-what on the control panel. Instructions, it turned out, have to be downloaded from the Minelab website. This was perhaps my first frustration; it’s a necessity to have an instruction manual with you when you take a machine out for testing for the first few times, and I was due to take it out the following day! It wasn’t practical for me to download the instructions and print off reams of pages to take with me. I had little option but to take the folded sheet and try to work out the basics for myself.

Denne historien er fra July 2018-utgaven av Treasure Hunting magazine.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra July 2018-utgaven av Treasure Hunting magazine.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA TREASURE HUNTING MAGAZINESe alt
New Detector Network – ‘A Treasure Unearthed for Detectorists'
Treasure Hunting magazine

New Detector Network – ‘A Treasure Unearthed for Detectorists'

www.detectornetwork.com is a new online platform that has recently been launched for both beginners and experienced detectorists to share their finds, advice and learn even more about this exciting hobby.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2020
Only a Bit of Lead
Treasure Hunting magazine

Only a Bit of Lead

As in common with most people, when asked if they have found anything, the reply can often be “Oh, only a bit of lead.”

time-read
5 mins  |
September 2020
My Great Uncle Joseph's Anglo-Saxon Sword
Treasure Hunting magazine

My Great Uncle Joseph's Anglo-Saxon Sword

My Great Uncle Joseph’s Anglo-Saxon Sword

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2020
Roman Lead Ingot Update
Treasure Hunting magazine

Roman Lead Ingot Update

I would just like to update readers of Treasure Hunting magazine with some further information about the Roman lead ingot I found back in September 2019.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2020
The Westbury Sub-Mendip Roman Hoard
Treasure Hunting magazine

The Westbury Sub-Mendip Roman Hoard

The Westbury Sub-Mendip Roman Hoard

time-read
7 mins  |
September 2020
The Family Hoard
Treasure Hunting magazine

The Family Hoard

It was the end of the second week of the school summer holidays in 2019.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2020
Remembering the 1970s
Treasure Hunting magazine

Remembering the 1970s

Remembering the 1970s

time-read
10+ mins  |
September 2020
No More Moon Boots?
Treasure Hunting magazine

No More Moon Boots?

In more than four decades of detecting, the weather and varying soil conditions have all had a huge influence on the level of my enjoyment of this noble hobby.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2020
My A-Z of Detecting
Treasure Hunting magazine

My A-Z of Detecting

Part 1: A-G

time-read
10+ mins  |
September 2020
Lost and Found?
Treasure Hunting magazine

Lost and Found?

There have been several instances over my long detecting career where, not only has it has been a delight to be able to help people who have lost things, but also a great thrill when such losses are returned to their owners. I have several memories of such occurrences.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2020