Minelab EQUINOX 900 Multi-IQ Metal Detector with 11 in and 6 in Coils

The Minelab EQUINOX 900 is a waterproof Multi-IQ metal detector for coins, relics, jewelry, beaches and gold prospecting. Multi-IQ is Minelab's simultaneous multi-frequency technology, and the EQUINOX 900 also lets you pick one of six single frequencies: 4, 5, 10, 15, 20 or 40 kHz. It has four search modes, Park, Field, Beach and Gold, with two profiles each, and Minelab rates it IP68, submersible to 5 meters (16 feet). Minelab ships it with two search coils, the EQX 11 11 inch and the EQX 06 6 inch Double-D, plus ML 85 low-latency wireless headphones. For the rest of the range, see our Minelab metal detectors.

Who the Minelab EQUINOX 900 is for

What we appreciate about the EQUINOX 900 is that it combines serious detecting capabilities with a relatively lightweight, straightforward design. We recommend it to experienced coin, relic, beach and jewelry hunters who want more flexibility than the Minelab EQUINOX 700, particularly if they occasionally prospect for natural gold.

Compared with the 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. We would not suggest that the 900 automatically finds every coin deeper than the 700; what you get is more flexibility.

How Multi-IQ and the single frequencies work on the Minelab EQUINOX 900

Instead of operating at one selected frequency, Multi-IQ processes multiple frequencies simultaneously. Minelab recommends Multi-IQ in every mode, and Multi is the default frequency in every profile. Multi-IQ is not exclusive to the EQUINOX 900; the EQUINOX 700 uses it too, with the same 119 Target IDs and 5 meter waterproof rating.

The EQUINOX 900 gives you six single frequencies, two more than the EQUINOX 700 (4, 5, 10 and 15 kHz). Frequency choice depends on the mode. Park and Field offer Multi-IQ and all six single frequencies, Beach runs Multi-IQ only, and Gold offers Multi-IQ, 20 and 40 kHz. Minelab recommends a noise cancel after every frequency change. Its manual gives the cases where a single frequency can help: 4 or 5 kHz if you are searching only for larger high-conductive targets at great depth, and 20 or 40 kHz if you are hunting only very fine gold jewelry at shallow depth. In mineralized ground, single frequencies cannot effectively separate the target signal from the ground signal, while Multi-IQ still detects at depth.

Minelab EQUINOX 900 settings that matter in the field

• Recovery speed (0 to 8): set per profile. A slower recovery speed may give stronger responses from deeper targets on clean ground, and a faster speed helps the detector distinguish targets that sit close together; faster settings can weaken some deeper target responses and reduce Target ID accuracy. Minelab's manual explains why speed matters around iron: a strong ferrous response can mask the response of a good non-ferrous target next to it. On an old homesite with heavy iron contamination, we adjust it for the target density.
• Iron Bias: available in Multi-IQ, set per profile, and adjustable up to 9 on the EQUINOX 900 (the EQUINOX 700 stops at 3). 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, Tracking): the range is -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, holding the button runs a continuous auto cycle for changing interference, and the EQUINOX 900 adds Manual noise cancel. Sensitivity runs 1 to 28, against 1 to 25 on the EQUINOX 700. Minelab recommends the highest stable sensitivity setting; power lines and electrical equipment can make a detector noisy, so run Noise Cancel and then Ground Balance before lowering sensitivity.
• Target ID (-19 to 99): 119 values, -19 to 0 for ferrous and 1 to 99 for non-ferrous, and you accept or reject each one. Minelab's example is a US quarter at 89.
• Audio: Target Tones 1, 2, 5, All Tones and Depth, with adjustable tone pitch, tone volume and four adjustable tone breaks, plus adjustable threshold level and pitch.
• Lighting and vibration: a red display backlight with High, Medium and Low settings, a keypad backlight, a flashlight in the control pod and handgrip vibration you can set per tone region. Backlight and flashlight shorten battery life.

The eight Minelab EQUINOX 900 search profiles

• Park 1 (General and Coins) and Park 2 (Fine Jewelry): Park 1 has a lower-frequency weighting and rejects Target IDs 1 and 2, the foil range. Park 2 has a higher-frequency weighting, accepts all non-ferrous targets and runs a faster recovery speed with All Tones audio.
• Field 1 (Coins and Artifacts) and Field 2 (Fine Coins and Artifacts): both reject Target IDs 1 to 4. Field 1 has a lower-frequency weighting. Field 2 has a higher-frequency weighting and a faster recovery speed; Minelab aims it at small coins that are deep or on edge.
• Beach 1 (Wet and Dry Sand) and Beach 2 (Underwater and Surf): Beach 1 for dry sand, wet sand and shallow water; Beach 2 runs lower transmit power for wading and a submerged coil.
• Gold 1 (Normal Ground) and Gold 2 (Difficult Ground): both with a high-frequency weighting and Tracking ground balance; Gold 2 lowers the recovery speed for depth in difficult ground.

Every profile can be changed and reset to Minelab's factory settings. The User Profile button saves a copy of your current settings so you can return to them, and the All Metal shortcut switches off discrimination so every target is heard.

Gold prospecting with the Minelab EQUINOX 900

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 are designed for natural gold nuggets, particularly in mineralized ground, where small nuggets give weak signals and the soil creates unwanted responses. Gold mode uses Minelab's prospecting audio with a true threshold: instead of relying on conventional target tones, the audio tells you about a target through changes in pitch and volume. Minelab notes that hot rocks typically give negative Target IDs and that small gold often reads 1 or 2.

In Gold mode you can choose Multi-IQ, 20 kHz or 40 kHz. For dedicated nugget hunting, see our gold detectors.

Beach and water hunting with the Minelab EQUINOX 900

The EQUINOX 900 combines Multi-IQ with dedicated Beach modes and full waterproofing. On an ocean beach the sand changes from dry to wet as you approach the water, and wet salt sand is challenging because conductive saltwater gives a strong ground response. Beach 1 is for dry and wet sand; Beach 2 is meant for more demanding saltwater conditions: wading, surf and a submerged coil. In Beach mode Minelab gives residual salt a Target ID of 0, and the detector automatically reduces transmit power in black sand and other extreme conditions, showing a Beach Overload indicator. See our beach metal detectors.

Minelab rates the EQUINOX 900 IP68, submersible to 5 meters (16 feet), so you can start in dry sand on a swimming beach, move into wet sand and search shallow water, rivers and ocean shorelines within that rating. A waterproof detector does not mean every included accessory can go under, though. The ML 85 wireless headphones that come with it are not waterproof, and wireless audio is not suitable for underwater transmission. To hear the detector underwater you need waterproof headphones; Minelab specifies its own waterproof headphones for underwater use. 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.

Relic hunting and old homesites with the Minelab EQUINOX 900

We recommend the EQUINOX 900 to experienced relic hunters. Imagine searching an old homesite with heavy iron contamination: we would use the smaller 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.

One mistake to avoid with the Minelab EQUINOX 900

Avoid excessive Iron Bias on an old homesite with heavy iron contamination. The higher the setting, the easier it is to miss a non-ferrous target lying among the nails.

Minelab EQUINOX 900 weight, battery and build

Minelab lists the EQUINOX 900 at 1.27 kg (2.8 lb). The three-piece carbon fiber shaft extends to 144 cm (56.7 inches) and collapses to 61 cm (24 inches). The display is a monochrome LCD with a red backlight.

The 3.7 V, 5100 mAh lithium-ion battery is built into the handgrip. Minelab's manual 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; the magnetic USB charging cable is in the box. Minelab recommends a full 6-hour charge before first use. You can detect while running from a power bank, but not underwater. Minelab's manual says replacement batteries are supplied and fitted by a Minelab authorized service center. Software updates install over the same magnetic cable.

What is in the box with the Minelab EQUINOX 900

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

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.

Every EQUINOX 900 package we carry, with coils and accessories, is in our Minelab EQUINOX 900 collection.

Coils and accessories that fit the Minelab EQUINOX 900

Search coils: Minelab includes two coils with the EQUINOX 900, the EQX 11 11 inch and the EQX 06 6 inch Double-D. Minelab also makes the EQX 15, a 15 x 12 inch elliptical Double-D (part 3011-0464). See our metal detector coils.

Headphones: the EQUINOX 900 has a built-in speaker, a waterproof 3.5 mm (1/8 inch) headphone socket with a dust cap and Minelab low-latency wireless audio. The ML 85 headphones in the box pair with the detector and also work wired with their audio cable. Minelab also lists the ML 105 headphones and the WM 09 wireless module as compatible; the WM 09 lets you use your own 3.5 mm headphones wirelessly. A wired plug must be under 9 mm (0.35 inch) across to fit the socket. For underwater use, choose Minelab waterproof headphones. See our metal detector headphones.

Pinpointing: the EQUINOX 900 has a pinpoint function and a 5-level depth indicator that Minelab calls a guide only. For recovery in the hole, see our handheld pinpointers.

Minelab EQUINOX 900 or EQUINOX 700

Both the EQUINOX 900 and the EQUINOX 700 use Multi-IQ, have the same 119 Target IDs, are waterproof to 5 meters and come with ML 85 wireless headphones. The 900 adds the dedicated Gold modes, the 20 and 40 kHz single frequencies, more recovery speed control, a wider Iron Bias range, more advanced audio customization and the included 6 inch coil. For someone primarily searching parks, fields and beaches for coins and jewelry, we think the EQUINOX 700 is an excellent choice. We recommend the 900 when you specifically want the extra coil, Gold mode, additional single frequencies or expanded adjustment range. Our EQUINOX 700 vs 900 review goes deeper.

Minelab EQUINOX 900 or MANTICORE

The Minelab MANTICORE suits an experienced detectorist who wants more sophisticated target analysis, especially in challenging iron-contaminated locations: its Multi-IQ+ platform, two-dimensional Target ID map and Ferrous Limits give additional ways to evaluate complicated signals. The EQUINOX 900 is lighter, costs less and already includes both an 11 inch and a 6 inch coil, so for a versatile detector without learning the MANTICORE's more elaborate target-analysis system, we recommend the 900. Our MANTICORE vs EQUINOX 900 comparison covers the differences in detail.

Minelab EQUINOX 900 specifications

Our advice: choose the EQUINOX 900 when you want a high-performance all-around detector with an additional coil and gold-prospecting flexibility, and the MANTICORE when advanced target interpretation is the priority. For how it compares across Minelab's lineup, see our guide to the best Minelab metal detectors.

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