Electrician 14 Posted August 1 I finally have a decent budget for an MD, narrowed my choices down to 3 - 1. Garret ATX 2. Minelab Equinox 800 3. Minelab Gold Monster 1000 And I'm stuck ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Desertpilot 431 Posted August 1 What’s your mission set? Prospecting, relic hunting, coin shooting at a park? 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azdigger 1,418 Posted August 1 My opinion , for Gold...Gold Monster... For a mix, gold , coin , relic...Equinox all the way... Watch some of Bill's videos...they answer lots of questions. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllenJ 202 Posted August 1 Picking your first detector is hard, I remember doing it. Without knowing what you want to do with it though, any recommendation I would give would just be a guess. Let us know what you want the detector for and the areas you plan on using it, that'll give everyone a better idea of what would be the best for you. 4 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Electrician 14 Posted August 1 (edited) Uses: GOLD ONLY - No relic/coin hunting Where: Arizona deserts and mountains Edited August 1 by Electrician Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Desertpilot 431 Posted August 1 Easy then, I’d go with the gold monster. I have both the equinox and gold monster and like them both but prefer the gold monster when it comes to detecting nuggets. Plus the learning curve is really short especially if you watch Bills YouTube videos. 4 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Electrician 14 Posted August 2 Any info on the PI unit? Isn't it preferred over the VLF machines in areas like we have in Arizona (high mineralization)? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adam 2,859 Posted August 2 (edited) 1 hour ago, Electrician said: in areas like we have in Arizona (high mineralization)? Who told you that ? I use a Gold Bug II and it hates highly mineralized ground, but for some reason , I`ve found a few grams with it. Edited August 2 by adam 2 4 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nugget108 1,403 Posted August 2 Yep just a few grams, haha. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Electrician 14 Posted August 2 7 hours ago, adam said: Who told you that ? I use a Gold Bug II and it hates highly mineralized ground, but for some reason , I`ve found a few grams with it. Well, I can see that I'm in the wrong place. You must be related to Clay ... I'm out ... 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nugget108 1,403 Posted August 2 1 hour ago, Electrician said: Well, I can see that I'm in the wrong place. You must be related to Clay ... I'm out ... I think Adam was just making the point that even though its mineralized, you can still be VERY successful with a VLF. Just learn the machine. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Morlock 1,208 Posted August 2 I would go with the equinox simply because it gives you more options. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adam 2,859 Posted August 4 On 8/2/2019 at 3:43 AM, Electrician said: Well, I can see that I'm in the wrong place. You must be related to Clay ... I'm out ... Wow ! I try to share some wisdom ( not that I have much) , and now this ? 1 1 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LukeJ 1,550 Posted August 4 I've been a regular on this forum for at least 4 years now. I can't remember one time when someone posted gold found with a Garrett ATX. No doubt it (ATX) finds gold in the right conditions, but.... If you're only looking for gold, then a dedicated gold machine you should buy. GM1000. 4 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azdigger 1,418 Posted August 4 best advise would be to talk to Bill Southern or go see him.....he can advise. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BMc 657 Posted August 4 On 8/2/2019 at 4:43 AM, Electrician said: Well, I can see that I'm in the wrong place. You must be related to Clay ... I'm out ... That's just Adams way. His sense of humor may be a little different than you're used to. You have to read his posts for awhile to see where he's coming from . . . 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BMc 657 Posted August 4 On 7/31/2019 at 8:34 PM, Electrician said: I finally have a decent budget for an MD, narrowed my choices down to 3 - 1. Garret ATX 2. Minelab Equinox 800 3. Minelab Gold Monster 1000 And I'm stuck ... From what I've seen/heard/been told, the big draw on an ATX is that it's water proof. (Heavy?) and a decent PI (for the money) but not a superior, top of the line PI. More of a beach detector than desert. The Nox is quickly growing in popularity; not only with the multi-purpose crowd, but with Professionals, Instructors and users who dislike certain features of the Monster. Example(s): The (constant?) noise a Monster makes and the, "loud, shrill screaming sound it makes which is annoying and fatiguing to have to listen to it all day" The Monster discriminator seems to work on small iron trash, not well on large rusty metal (reads it as a good target) A common problem with detectors. The Nox seems to be able to handle mineralization pretty well. The multiple frequency concept is being credited (so I'm told), with smoothing out the threshold sounds and signals of normal ground noise. In a head to head competition, both the Nox and the Monster find gold. Most regular users appear to like both machines, ie; whichever one they own. Personally, I have only observed the Monster in the field finding gold. With the small coil, it's a vaacum cleaner. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Morlock 1,208 Posted August 4 Garrett used to be at the forefront of metal detecting technology but have fell by the wayside to minelab. Either the monster or the equinox will be your best option with the latter being my choice. If you're really serious about this hobby, no doubt you'll run into someplace where you wish you had a relic, coin detector. The equinox gives you that option as well as being a gold detector. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RogerR 4 Posted August 4 The NOx has to be charged with the whole machine sitting there while you sit waiting because you forgot to charge fully note before If battery goes bad you have to send the whole machine to minelab for new battery to be installed GM 1000 can buy extra battery packs or use the holder for alkaline batteries But why do they sell the control box separately don't they last that long or what Roger Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boulder dash 1,170 Posted August 5 On 8/1/2019 at 8:03 PM, adam said: Who told you that ? I use a Gold Bug II and it hates highly mineralized ground, but for some reason , I`ve found a few grams with it. A few hundred grams!! Ha ha 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
