I’m cheap! I have been using the same metal detector, a Minelab SE, for years. It never failed me. But it was getting pretty long in the tooth, and I kept seeing advances in detecting technology. I’m not getting any younger either, having retired last year, and I have been holding out for a new detector that would be lighter and easier to use than my old SE. I read the literature and talked to friends, and they told me about the Equinox. I watched the videos, and I liked the rock solid target ID. I’ve hunted for years, and learned to use sound as much as or more than a meter/display. Those really deep targets always required the finesse of a skilled operator, and the meters, etc. only worked well on the shallow stuff. I took a trip to a local park to search for deep coins with a friend who used an Equinox. He was calling out 19, Indian, and he was spot on! I heard the right sound with my detector, but my ID was sketchy. His Equinox was solid, and I was guessing! I gave in, and finally bought one, an Equinox 800, since I prospect occasionally, and this gave me all the options I wanted. I’ll skip to my last detecting trip with my friend Keith. We have been detecting off and on for years together, and we always had a good time, plus some great finds. The weather in Indiana was exceptionally warm just after Christmas, and Keith suggested we visit an 1890’s era reunion site. It had been worked really hard, but had produced some great 1800’s coins, including even some bust silver. Our original expectations were pretty low, but we hoped we might find a couple shield nickels, Indian cents, or a seated dime if we concentrated long enough. The field was being used as a livestock pasture, and the cattle had eaten the grass down to the nubs. We smiled, this was great! I hate swinging in high grass. We could expect a couple inches more depth. We began detecting in earnest. As usual, Keith, using his Nox 800, found the first coin, a nickel 3 cent. I scored an Indian cent a few minutes later. Things were looking up, but I gradually lost my excitement. Another hour passed and no more coins… Keith left me to go to the local store for a sandwich. I had eaten breakfast on the way, so I stayed behind to hunt. I ranged all over the field, and found nothing! Discouraged, I returned to the area closer to the farmhouse. Just about the time I was starting to think about other sites, I finally heard a nice high tone just off the front edge of the coil, and saw a number in the high 20’s. It seemed to be coming from underneath a small woody plant the cattle wouldn’t eat. I chopped the weed so I could sweep right above the target. Sweet! I saw a 31, when I swept directly over it. Before I had a chance to dig it, I saw Keith’s car top the hill. I waited for his arrival; I wanted to share the moment. I motioned to Keith to come right away. Keith grabbed his detector. He swept the target and declared silver quarter. I prayed it wasn’t a beer can or farm trash. I cut a plug, pulled it out, and saw that the signal was still in the bottom of the hole. That was good. Another round of cutting, and I managed to pull out a clod of dirt from the bottom of the hole. I could clearly see part of the coin embedded in the clod. It wasn’t a quarter, it was a Barber half! The Nox scored again! I had no idea how good the find was. After a little wash from a can of pop I brought with me we could make out the date, 1892, and the mintmark, O, on the reverse. I had found the rarest Barber half in the series. WOW After the shock of my best find ever, I moved back out into the field, ready for anything. I wasn’t quite prepared for my next experience though. I had moved a little further out in the field and found a couple hot spots. First to come out was a couple Indians and another 3 cent piece. Then I found a seated quarter, almost on the surface. Next, just as I located another target, I heard someone approaching me from behind. I figured it was the farmer, so I stood up to turn around and greet him. No, it wasn’t the farmer! It was a whole group of inquisitive heifers. I had an audience! The bravest one walked right up and stared at me. It reminded me of detecting the park in the summer and the kids who would sometimes shadow me. I found myself wanting to talk to them. At least they were polite; they stayed back about 20 feet and watched intently. Not a peep from them! I wish the park kids would behave so well. Keith took his camera out and snapped a couple photos while I continued with my detecting. I looked up a bit later, and they were gone. Curiosity satisfied, I suppose. I ended up with a couple nice photos of them anyway. What a day!
Mark - Indiana, USA
