Minelab EQUINOX 900 Metal Detector Overview
The Minelab EQUINOX 900 runs Multi-IQ simultaneous multi-frequency and also lets you pick one of six single frequencies: 4, 5, 10, 15, 20 or 40 kHz. Onboard you get Park, Field, Beach and Gold modes with two profiles each plus an All Metal shortcut, recovery speed 1 to 8, sensitivity 1 to 28, 119 target ID segments from -19 to 99, Iron Bias 0 to 9, Auto, Manual and Tracking ground balance, and Auto, Continuous Auto and Manual noise cancel. The EQUINOX 900 is IP68 rated to 5 m (16 ft), weighs 2.8 lb (1.27 kg) on its three-piece carbon-fiber shaft, and runs on a built-in 3.7 V, 5100 mAh lithium-ion battery with a typical runtime of about 12 hours, charged through a magnetic USB connector. The box holds the EQX 11 and EQX 06 coils with skidplates and the ML 85 low-latency wireless headphones, and Minelab covers the control box and coil for 3 years.
If you are shopping for the discontinued EQUINOX 800, the EQUINOX 900 is the current model we recommend in its place. Our EQUINOX 800 vs 900 guide covers what changed.
EQUINOX 900 vs. EQUINOX 700: Which Should You Buy?
The EQUINOX 900 and the EQUINOX 700 share Multi-IQ, the 119 segment target ID, the IP68 16-foot rating, the EQX 11 11 inch coil and the ML 85 wireless headphones. The EQUINOX 900 adds the Gold mode, 20 and 40 kHz, wider recovery speed and Iron Bias ranges, manual noise cancel and the EQX 06 6 inch coil in the box.
If you hunt clean parks and beaches on the preset profiles, the EQUINOX 700 covers that ground for less money. For iron-heavy relic sites, finer recovery speed and Iron Bias control, or gold country, we recommend the EQUINOX 900. For ferrous and conductive information on every target, step up to the MANTICORE and its 2D target ID map.
EQUINOX 900, Best For:
- Relic hunters on iron-heavy homesites who want recovery speed to 8 and Iron Bias to 9
- Detectorists who want two coils in the box, including the 6 inch EQX 06 for trash and tight spots
- Part-time prospectors who want a Gold mode and 20 and 40 kHz single frequencies
- Hunters who move between parks, fields, beaches and goldfields with one detector
EQUINOX 700, Best For:
- Park, field and beach hunters who mostly use the preset profiles
- First-time multi-frequency buyers who want IP68 waterproofing to 16 feet
- Coin and jewelry hunters who do not need a Gold mode
- Buyers who want the EQUINOX platform at a lower price than the EQUINOX 900
Key Features That Matter in the Field
Recovery speed and Iron Bias do most of the work in trash. A faster recovery speed helps the detector separate targets that sit close together, at the cost of some depth. A lower Iron Bias means digging more iron but less chance of rejecting a questionable non-ferrous target, while a higher setting cuts down on misleading signals from rusty bottle caps.
Park 1 is the starting point for tot lots, fairgrounds and old picnic areas, and it rejects target IDs 1 and 2, the foil range. Park 2 accepts all non-ferrous targets with a faster recovery speed, which is worth trying if you are hunting gold jewelry. Field 1 is a reasonable choice for general detecting in fields, and Field 2 is worth trying for smaller targets in more contaminated ground. For reference on the -19 to 99 scale, Minelab gives a US quarter a target ID of 89.
Audio runs through the built-in speaker, wired 3.5 mm (1/8 inch) headphones on the socket with its waterproof cap, or low-latency wireless audio to the included ML 85 headphones. Ferrous volume (0 to 25) is set separately from target volume, and vibration can mark ferrous targets and tone regions. Software updates install over the charging cable; see our EQUINOX 700 and 900 software update guide.
Where the Minelab EQUINOX 900 Performs Best
Beach 1 is our starting point for dry and wet sand; Beach 2 is meant for more demanding saltwater conditions, including shallow water and surf, and runs lower transmit power. Both run Multi-IQ, and Minelab gives residual salt a target ID of 0. In black sand and other extreme conditions the detector reduces transmit power automatically. For underwater audio, Minelab specifies its 3.5 mm waterproof headphones.
In gold country, Gold 1 (normal ground) and Gold 2 (difficult ground) use Minelab's prospecting audio with a true threshold and start in Tracking ground balance, with Multi-IQ, 20 or 40 kHz. Minelab notes that hot rocks typically read negative and small gold often reads 1 or 2. The EQUINOX 900 is not equivalent to a dedicated gold detector such as the GOLD MONSTER 1000 or the GPX 6000, but it covers gold country for someone who also hunts coins, relics and beaches.
Coils and Accessories That Fit the Minelab EQUINOX 900
The Minelab EQUINOX 900 uses Minelab's EQX coils, and the same EQX coils fit the EQUINOX 700. All three are Double-D and waterproof: the EQX 11 11 inch round (1.12 lb, 510 g) and the EQX 06 6 inch round (0.66 lb, 300 g) that come in the box, and the EQX 15 15 x 12 inch elliptical (1.46 lb, 660 g). We use the EQX 06 in urban parks, old fairgrounds and cellar holes where the 11 inch coil has trouble isolating targets among iron, and in our experience the EQX 15 covers long, open stretches of beach and field faster. The EQX 15 also comes as a coil and lower rod kit. Each Minelab coil comes with its coil cover, and replacement EQX 06, EQX 11 and EQX 15 covers are in this collection. MANTICORE M-series coils do not fit the EQUINOX 900.
For other sizes, we also carry Coiltek NOX coils made for the EQUINOX, from a 10 x 5 inch elliptical up to 18 inch. Here you will also find replacement shafts, armrest, battery pack, charging cable, screen protectors, control box covers, carry bags and the WM 09 wireless audio module. EQUINOX 900 bundles add the EQX 15 coil, the PRO-FIND 40 pinpointer, a Minelab backpack or a carry bag. The PRO-FIND 40 is waterproof to 3 m (10 ft), less than the EQUINOX 900's 5 m (16 ft).
MANTICORE vs. EQUINOX 900 vs. EQUINOX 700 Comparison
The MANTICORE, EQUINOX 900 and EQUINOX 700 are all simultaneous multi-frequency and IP68 rated to 16 feet. The two EQUINOX models differ in single frequencies, the Gold mode, recovery speed, iron and noise controls, and what comes in the box.
| Feature | Minelab MANTICORE | Minelab EQUINOX 900 | Minelab EQUINOX 700 |
|---|
| Technology | Multi-IQ+, plus 5, 10, 15, 20, 40 kHz | Multi-IQ, plus 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40 kHz | Multi-IQ, plus 4, 5, 10, 15 kHz |
| Search Modes | 10: 5 All-Terrain, 4 Beach, 1 Goldfield | All Metal, Park 1 and 2, Field 1 and 2, Gold, Beach 1 and 2 | All Metal, Park 1 and 2, Field 1 and 2, Beach 1 and 2 |
| Custom Search Profiles | Custom user search profile | 8, plus User Profile button | 6, no User Profile button |
| Target ID | 2D map, 0 to 99 with ferrous indication (100 conductive, 50 ferrous segments) | -19 to 99 (119 segments) | -19 to 99 (119 segments) |
| Sensitivity | 1 to 35 | 1 to 28 | 1 to 25 |
| Recovery Speed | Up to 8 | Up to 8 | Up to 3 |
| Iron Control | Custom ferrous limits | Iron Bias 0 to 9 | Iron Bias 0 to 3 |
| Noise Cancel | Auto, Continuous Auto, Manual | Auto, Continuous Auto, Manual | Auto, Continuous Auto |
| Tones | 1, 2, 5 tones; 1, 2, 5 regions; All Tones | 1, 2, 5, All Tones, Depth; ferrous and non-ferrous tone break | 1, 2, 5, All Tones, Depth; ferrous tone break |
| Display | Full color LCD | Monochrome LCD, red backlight | Monochrome LCD, red backlight |
| Included Coil(s) | M11 11 inch DD round | EQX 11 11 inch DD round + EQX 06 6 inch DD round | EQX 11 11 inch DD round |
| Wireless Audio | Low-latency, ML105 headphones in the box | Low-latency, ML 85 headphones in the box | Low-latency, ML 85 headphones in the box |
| Vibration | Proportional | Ferrous and tone region | Ferrous |
| Waterproof (control box and coil) | IP68, 5 m (16 ft) | IP68, 5 m (16 ft) | IP68, 5 m (16 ft) |
| Weight | 2.9 lb (1.3 kg) | 2.8 lb (1.27 kg) | 2.8 lb (1.27 kg) |
| Battery | 3.7 V, 6800 mAh Li-ion, built in | 3.7 V, 5100 mAh Li-ion, built in | 3.7 V, 5100 mAh Li-ion, built in |
| Warranty | 3 years control box and coil | 3 years control box and coil | 3 years control box and coil |
Read our EQUINOX 700 vs 900 comparison guide and our MANTICORE vs EQUINOX 900 comparison guide for a closer look at the features that separate these detectors.
Why Buy the Minelab EQUINOX 900 from Serious Detecting?
- Free Shipping on Orders Over $99: Your Minelab EQUINOX 900 ships at no extra cost across the continental US.
- Authorized Minelab Dealer: Showroom in Ypsilanti, Michigan, full 3-year manufacturer warranty and product registration support.
- Help Before and After You Buy: Our staff answer setup, coil and EQUINOX 900 questions by phone or email.
