Minelab EQUINOX 800 Multi-IQ Metal Detector

The Minelab Equinox 800 processes six frequencies at 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 40 kHz simultaneously, not one at a time. Single-frequency detectors require you to commit to one frequency before entering a field, so targets that read clearly at a different frequency get missed or misidentified. The Equinox 800 calculates a target ID from all six returns at once and adapts to shifting ground mineralisation automatically. For detectorists upgrading from a VLF, that translates to fewer ghost signals in mineralised soil and more repeatable IDs on deep coins from the first outing.

What the Minelab Equinox 800 Does That Your Current Detector Cannot

• Runs 4 kHz in single-frequency mode. Large conductors like silver dollars and chains read more clearly at 4 kHz than at the 5–15 kHz range most VLFs offer. The Equinox 800 is the only machine in its price class with a 4 kHz option, and it is a meaningful edge on sites that have been heavily worked.
• Adjustable Iron Bias from 0 to 9. Iron Bias controls how aggressively the machine pulls ferrous readings toward a lower target ID. Set it low on a clean site to see exactly what the coil reads; set it higher on a trashy site to reduce iron falsing before a signal reaches your ears. No competing control at this price gives you this much dial-in over iron.
• 50 discrimination segments across a -19 to 40 target ID scale. Budget detectors give you a two-zone notch. The Equinox 800 gives you 50 individual segments, split between ferrous (-19 to 0) and non-ferrous (1 to 40), so you can notch a precise pulltab range while keeping the coin signal directly above it.
• Waterproof to 10 feet. The control box, shaft, and coil are all submersible to 3 metres. You can run it through a river crossing, dig in standing water, and work the surf zone at a saltwater beach with no protective housing needed.
• Eight custom search profiles. The Equinox 800 covers Park 1 and 2, Field 1 and 2, Beach 1 and 2, Gold, and All Metal modes, and saves user settings within each. Detectorists moving between beach and inland sites can switch a full saved configuration in seconds without rebuilding settings.
• Recovery Speed 1 through 8. Higher Recovery Speed shortens the processing window per target, which improves separation of two targets in the same footprint. On iron-dense sites, the Equinox 800 at Recovery Speed 6 or 7 finds coins that a machine with a fixed recovery rate moves past without a signal.

If you are deciding between the Equinox 800 and a higher-output option, see the Equinox 900 for expanded audio controls and a third search coil in the box.

What Comes in the Box

Every Minelab Equinox 800 ships from the factory with the full kit needed to detect on day one:

• EQX 11 double-D waterproof search coil (11 inch, included)
• ML 80 Bluetooth wireless headphones with aptX Low Latency
• WM 08 Wi-Stream wireless audio module
• Two magnetic charging cables (one for the control box, one for the WM 08)
• Adjustable armrest with arm strap
• Lower shaft, upper shaft, and carbon fibre control box arm
• Screen protectors (two included)
• 3-year manufacturer warranty on control box and coil, with a separate 6-month battery warranty

We also offer the Equinox 800 in bundle configurations that include a Pro-Find 40 pinpointer, carry bag, and additional coil options. Bundle details are listed in the variant selector above.

Field Use Guide

Below are starting settings for three common detecting scenarios. These are working baselines, not the only configurations the machine supports. For help finding productive sites near you, see our guide to finding detecting locations.

Parks and Urban Sites

Park 1 runs Multi-IQ with target ID weighting tuned for coin responses in mineralised, trashy ground. Start with Sensitivity at 20, Recovery Speed at 5, and Iron Bias at 4. If iron falsing increases, bring Iron Bias to 6. Notch out IDs 1 through 12 to cut most iron and foil without losing nickels (ID 13) or dimes (ID 26 to 29). Switch to 40 kHz single-frequency if Multi-IQ produces chatter near power lines or other interference.

Saltwater Beaches

Beach 1 is the correct mode for wet salt sand. Single-frequency detectors ground-balance poorly in salt because mineralisation shifts as the tide moves. Multi-IQ reads salt as a consistent condition across all six frequencies rather than a false target. Start with Sensitivity at 18 in the wet zone. Beach 2 adds heavier ground filtering for black sand. Keep Iron Bias at 0 on beaches to avoid suppressing low-reading gold jewellery.

Gold Prospecting

Gold mode runs high frequencies with a ground balance designed for heavily mineralised prospecting ground. Start with Sensitivity at 15 and increase as you read the local conditions. All targets produce a response in Gold mode since discrimination is off. Use Recovery Speed at 7 or 8 in shallow alluvial gravel with closely packed targets.

The Technology

Multi-IQ broadcasts all six frequencies simultaneously through the coil and processes the combined return signal to produce a single target ID. A single-frequency detector may give a different ID on the same target when ground mineralisation shifts between sweeps. The Minelab Equinox 800 reduces that variability because the ID calculation draws from all six frequency returns at once, producing repeatable readings on deep coins in mineralised soil.

Iron Bias is worth a separate note because most product pages skip it entirely. The control adjusts how the processor weights ferrous-range ID data before showing a final reading. At Iron Bias 0, the machine reports exactly what the coil sees. At Iron Bias 9, the processor pulls ambiguous IDs firmly toward the ferrous range, so a bent nail reading ID 18 on Bias 0 may display as ID 6 on Bias 9. A mid-range setting reduces unnecessary dig decisions on iron without masking non-ferrous targets at the low end of the scale.

Build, Display, and Audio

The Equinox 800 weighs 1.34 kg (2.96 lbs) with the EQX 11 coil mounted. The shaft extends to 144 cm and collapses to 112 cm for transport. The monochrome LCD includes a four-level backlight for low-light use. Audio runs through the built-in speaker, the ML 80 aptX Low Latency Bluetooth headphones, or the WM 08 Wi-Stream module with its 3.5mm wired output for use underwater. The internal 3.7V / 5000 mAh lithium-ion battery charges via the included magnetic cable.

Coil Options

The included EQX 11 double-D coil covers most scenarios. The EQX 6 (6-inch DD) is the right choice for high iron density sites: its smaller footprint improves target separation in tight, trashy ground. The EQX 15 (15-inch DD) extends detection depth on open land and beach flats where coverage speed matters more than separation.

Minelab Equinox 800 Specifications

• Technology: Multi-IQ simultaneous multi-frequency
• Single frequencies: 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40 kHz
• Search modes: Park 1 and 2, Field 1 and 2, Beach 1 and 2, Gold, All Metal
• Custom user profiles: 8 (two per mode)
• Target ID scale: -19 to 40 (50 discrimination segments)
• Iron Bias: 0 to 9 (user adjustable)
• Recovery Speed: 1 to 8 (user adjustable)
• Sensitivity: 1 to 25 (user adjustable)
• Audio tones: 1, 2, 5, 50 (user selectable)
• Waterproof depth: 3 metres / 10 feet
• Weight: 1.34 kg / 2.96 lbs (with EQX 11 coil)
• Length extended: 144 cm / 56.7 inches
• Length collapsed: 112 cm / 44.1 inches
• Included coil: EQX 11 double-D waterproof coil
• Audio included: ML 80 Bluetooth wireless headphones (aptX Low Latency)
• Wireless module: WM 08 Wi-Stream (included)
• Battery: 3.7V / 5000 mAh internal lithium-ion, magnetic charge cable
• Display: Monochrome LCD with 4-level backlight
• Warranty: 3 years on control box and coil; 6 months on battery
• Country of design: Australia

Why Buy the Minelab Equinox 800 From Serious Detecting

We are an authorised Minelab dealer, so every Minelab Equinox 800 we ship carries the full manufacturer warranty and comes direct from authorised distribution. Our team detects actively and can answer technical questions on mode setup, coil selection, and field use. Every order ships free with a 30-day return window. If you find a lower price on the same new-in-box unit at another authorised Minelab retailer, contact us and we will match it.