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The MANTICORE Beast

One of the newest Minelab metal detectors is the MANTICORE – which was only recently released in early 2023.

The MANTICORE is the new big brother to the also-newly-released Equinox 900.

The MANTICORE is a high-performance metal detector featuring ‘MULTI-IQ PLUS’ Simultaneous Multi-Frequency technology. It also features an advanced two-dimensional target identification (ID) mapping system on the display screen (which is different to the ‘Target Trace’ mapping system on the now decade-old-plus Minelab CTX 3030 detector).

The different Audio Themes available, and also the range of adjustability of the Target Tones (in terms of Regions, Volume & Pitch) to create customised discrimination patterns is great, especially for targeting particular targets e.g. various coins.

It is very lightweight (nearly half of the weight of a CTX 3030) - due in part to the 3-piece carbon fibre shaft that collapses down to a very compact length of about only 2-feet (63cm). It is very comfortable to use due to the ergonomic handle and a super-quick-adjustable ‘Scorpion’ armrest.

It is waterproof to 5 metres, with an IP68 rating.

It also has 10 different/specific Search Modes for the three typical detecting locations of ‘ALL-TERRAIN’ and ‘BEACH’ and ‘GOLDFIELD’.

The All-Terrain High Conductors search mode is a high-powered search mode, and it provides a MULTI-IQ PLUS based mode that can achieve an operating frequency range from even lower than 4kHZ, and up to 40kHz.

The Pinpoint Mode is also very good for quickly narrowing down the location of a buried target – with the Pinpoint Bar visualisation on the display screen being very simple to understand (A separate pinpointer device can also be very handy at  times too).

Typical battery runtime varies from about 7hrs (set on All-Terrain High Conductors search mode) up to about 10hrs (set on other search modes such as All-Terrain General). Battery charging time is approximately 7hours. For extended trips away, where battery charging is difficult/unlikely, it is possible to run the MANTICORE (only in dry conditions) whilst plugged into a portable power bank (connected using the supplied USB charging cable). As an approximate guide, a fully-charged power bank of say, about 5000mAh capacity, can provide up to about an extra 8hrs of use (Caution: DO NOT run the detector underwater, or during rain, or in a wet/salty environment when connected to the power bank).

The MANTICORE kit includes a round 11” ‘Smart’ DD coil, and high-quality low-latency wireless (Bluetooth) headphones contained within a zippered storage case, type USB-A charging cable, and five spare screen protectors, and it costs AU$2,499.

Minelab also plan to release a larger coil - an elliptical 15x12” Smart DD coil (also waterproof to 5metres depth) for those seeking greater ground coverage, and also more detection depth (the release date & cost has not yet been released by Minelab).

The MANTICORE detector (similar to the CTX 3030 and the GPZ 7000 detectors) contains software that can be updated if/when Minelab releases such updates in the future.

After using both the Equinox 800 and 900 detectors (I was impressed by the capabilities of them both, including them each having a ‘GOLD’ search mode), I have subsequently used the MANTICORE in the bush (on mineralised ground littered with both ferrous & non-ferrous trash), and also on the beach in both wet and also dry sand. WOW!

Check out some of my finds (of coins & jewellery) after unleashing the MANTICORE for only several days.

Operation, and Maintenance Tips:
1.    Avoid handling the detector, and touching the screen, with chemicals or solvents, including sunscreen, insect repellents etc.

2.    When changing the Search Mode, or the Frequency setting, do a continuous auto noise cancel – that is, press & hold (“long push”) the auto noise cancel button until the noise cancel channel on the screen settles on a single value, and then release the button. Also use Tracking Ground Balance - as it continuously monitors the ground signal and adjusts the ground balance to ensure it is always set correctly. When ground balancing, pump the coil in an up-and-down vertical motion, and then sweep the coil horizontally and low from side-to-side – in order to obtain a better scan-read on a greater area of ground (This ground balancing technique also works well for the GPX 6000 and GPZ 7000 pulse-induction detectors).

3.    Regularly inspect the coil for any damage, and very carefully/gently remove the coil skid plate to clean out any dust and soil that may possibly congregate over time.

4.    Immediately after detecting at the beach or in saltwater, rinse all parts of the detector with fresh water. Avoid wiping the detector to remove sand as this may cause the sand to scratch the detector.

5.    After detecting in a dusty environment, you can use a soft bristle brush to gently clean the coil and detector.

6.    Ideally, fully charge the Lithium-ion battery after each day of use. If the detector battery is not used for extended periods, then ideally it should be fully charged at least every 3 to 4 months to maintain a high level of battery capacity and hence detector performance.

7.    If/when transporting a power bank and/or the USB charging cable for field trips – it is always best to store it in a waterproof & dust-proof bag (I use a plastic clip-seal bag, including when it is stored within my padded carry bag).

****************************************************************************************************************************************  MANTICORE  SOFTWARE  UPDATE   AVAILABLE

 As of mid-June 2023 Minelab released  a Software Upgrade for the MANTICORE detector.

https://www.minelab.com/anzea/manticore-software-upgrade

What is new?

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