Minelab EQUINOX 900 Metal Detector with EQX 15 Coil

The Minelab EQUINOX 900 with an EQX 15 coil is the detector in Minelab's standard box, with its EQX 11 and EQX 06 coils, plus Minelab's EQX 15 15 x 12 inch elliptical Double-D coil. The 900 is a waterproof Multi-IQ detector for coins, relics, beaches and gold prospecting, with four search modes including Gold and six single frequencies. It suits experienced coin, relic, beach and jewelry hunters, particularly if they occasionally prospect for natural gold.

What is in the box with this Minelab EQUINOX 900 bundle

Minelab's standard contents for the EQUINOX 900

• Minelab EQUINOX 900 detector with three-piece carbon fiber shaft
• EQX 11 11 inch Double-D round Smart coil with skidplate
• EQX 06 6 inch Double-D round coil with skidplate
• ML 85 low-latency wireless headphones
• Screen protector
• USB charging cable with magnetic connector
• Getting Started Guide

This Minelab EQUINOX 900 bundle also includes

• Minelab EQX 15 15 x 12 inch elliptical Double-D coil (Minelab part 3011-0464)

What the add-ons in this Minelab EQUINOX 900 bundle do

EQX 15 coil: a 15 x 12 inch elliptical Double-D that Minelab describes as waterproof, alongside the EQX 11 and EQX 06 from the EQUINOX 900 box. On an old homesite with heavy iron, we use the EQX 06 to work carefully between the nails, and on a cleaner field we switch to the EQX 11 for better coverage. See our metal detector coils.

About the Minelab EQUINOX 900

What we appreciate about the EQUINOX 900 is that it combines serious detecting capabilities with a relatively lightweight, straightforward design. Compared with the Minelab EQUINOX 700, it adds more sensitivity adjustment, more single-frequency choices, a dedicated Gold mode and the smaller EQX 06 6 inch coil alongside the standard EQX 11.

Multi-IQ processes multiple frequencies at the same time. Minelab recommends Multi-IQ in every mode, and it is the default in every profile. The EQUINOX 900 also lets you pick one of six single frequencies: 4, 5, 10, 15, 20 or 40 kHz. Park and Field offer all six, Beach runs Multi-IQ only, and Gold offers Multi-IQ, 20 and 40 kHz.

Minelab EQUINOX 900 search modes and key settings

• Four modes, eight profiles: Park 1 (General and Coins) and Park 2 (Fine Jewelry), Field 1 (Coins and Artifacts) and Field 2 (Fine Coins and Artifacts), Beach 1 (Wet and Dry Sand) and Beach 2 (Underwater and Surf), Gold 1 (Normal Ground) and Gold 2 (Difficult Ground). Every profile can be changed and reset, the User Profile button saves a copy of your settings, and the All Metal shortcut switches off discrimination.
• Recovery speed (1 to 8): we adjust it for the target density: faster where nails sit close together on an old homesite, slower on cleaner ground with widely separated targets. Faster settings can weaken some deeper target responses.
• Iron Bias (up to 9, Multi-IQ only): Minelab suggests higher settings for dense iron and crown caps, and lower settings when you do not want to miss non-ferrous targets among iron.
• Ground balance: Auto, Manual and Tracking, range -9 to 99. Park, Field and Beach start in Manual and Gold starts in Tracking.
• Noise cancel and sensitivity (1 to 28): Auto Noise Cancel picks from 19 channels, and the EQUINOX 900 adds Manual noise cancel.
• Target ID and audio: 119 Target IDs from -19 to 99, with each one accepted or rejected; a US quarter reads 89. Target Tones 1, 2, 5, All Tones and Depth, with adjustable tone pitch, volume and tone breaks.

Beach, water and gold with the Minelab EQUINOX 900

Minelab rates the EQUINOX 900 IP68, submersible to 5 meters (16 feet). Beach 1 is for dry and wet sand, and Beach 2 is meant for wading, surf and a submerged coil; in Beach mode Minelab gives residual salt a Target ID of 0. The ML 85 wireless headphones are not waterproof, and wireless audio does not work underwater, so for underwater audio Minelab specifies its own waterproof headphones. Keep the dust cap on the headphone socket when you submerge without headphones, and do not take the detector underwater while it is charging, running from a power bank or fitted with an aftermarket shaft.

The Gold 1 and Gold 2 profiles of the dedicated Gold mode are one of the reasons we recommend the EQUINOX 900 over the EQUINOX 700 when you occasionally prospect for natural gold. They use Minelab's prospecting audio with a true threshold, and Minelab notes that hot rocks typically give negative Target IDs while small gold often reads 1 or 2. For dedicated nugget hunting, see our gold detectors.

Where the Minelab EQUINOX 900 works well, and where it does not

Parks, fields, old homesites, freshwater and saltwater beaches and occasional prospecting for natural gold are all within its range. On an old homesite with heavy iron contamination, we use the 6 inch coil to work carefully between the nails and adjust recovery speed for the target density; on a cleaner field, we switch back to the 11 inch coil for better coverage. For someone mainly searching parks, fields and beaches for coins and jewelry, we think the EQUINOX 700 is an excellent choice.

Minelab EQUINOX 900 battery, weight and build

The three-piece carbon fiber shaft collapses to 61 cm (24 inches) for travel, and the battery built into the handgrip gives approximately 12 hours of typical use, less with the backlight or flashlight on. Charging from flat takes about 5 to 6 hours with a USB charger of more than 2 A at 5 V, and Minelab recommends a full 6-hour charge before first use. You can detect while running from a power bank, but not underwater, and Minelab's manual says replacement batteries are supplied and fitted by a Minelab authorized service center.

One mistake to avoid with the Minelab EQUINOX 900

Avoid excessive Iron Bias on an old homesite with heavy iron contamination. Minelab suggests lower Iron Bias settings when you do not want to miss non-ferrous targets among iron; adjust recovery speed for the target density and work between the nails with the 6 inch coil instead.

Minelab EQUINOX 900, EQUINOX 700 or MANTICORE

The EQUINOX 700 shares Multi-IQ, the 5 meter waterproof rating and the ML 85 headphones, but the 900 adds the Gold modes, the 20 and 40 kHz single frequencies, recovery speed up to 8, Iron Bias up to 9, more audio control and the 6 inch coil. Both have the same 119 Target IDs. We recommend the 900 when you specifically want the extra coil, Gold mode, additional single frequencies or expanded adjustment range; we would not suggest that it automatically finds every coin deeper than the 700. The Minelab MANTICORE suits an experienced detectorist who wants more sophisticated target analysis, especially in iron-contaminated locations, with Multi-IQ+, a two-dimensional Target ID map and Ferrous Limits. The EQUINOX 900 is lighter, costs less and already includes both an 11 inch and a 6 inch coil. Choose the EQUINOX 900 for a high-performance all-around detector with an additional coil and gold-prospecting flexibility, and the MANTICORE when advanced target interpretation is the priority.

Minelab EQUINOX 900 specifications

Minelab covers the EQUINOX 900 control box and coil with a 3-year warranty in the USA. Serious Detecting is a family-owned, authorized Minelab dealer with a showroom in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and our staff help by phone or email.

For our full EQUINOX 900 guide, settings advice and comparisons, see the Minelab EQUINOX 900 collection.

Serious Detecting bundle (added free at checkout):

• Lil' Digger Double Serrated Shovel
• Serious Detecting Finds Bag with 42 inch Waist Belt
• Serious Detecting Carry Bag
• Serious Detecting Cap
• Double Serrated Hand Digger with Belt Holster