News — equinox 900

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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Gold Search Modes on the Minelab Equinox 900 & MANTICORE detectors

If you are not keen on spending several thousand dollars on a Pulse-Induction “gold-specific” metal detector, and would prefer to get an “All-Rounder” (coin/relic/gold) detector, at a fraction of the cost, that is lightweight, with discrimination & pinpointing capabilities - that you can use on beaches, and/or in parks, and/or in the bush including in gold-bearing terrain, or underwater – then Minelab have several great new options for your consideration.

Minelab recently released two new detectors - the Equinox 900 and the MANTICORE.

Both these 'VLF' detectors feature Simultaneous Multi-Frequency technology, including operating frequencies of between about 5 and 40 kHz, as well as the options of selectable single frequencies.

These two new Minelab detectors have a significant number of segments of Discrimination Scale. The Equinox 900 has 119 Target ID numbers (from -19 to 99), and the Manticore has 100 Target ID's numbers (from 0 to 99). By comparison the older Equinox 800 only has 50 Target ID numbers.

Interestingly, the Equinox 900 detector kit also includes two Double-D coils (the 11 inch, and 6 inch coils), whereas the Manticore currently only has an 11 inch Double-D coil available. Having  the Equinox 6 inch Double-D coil  is an advantage in terms of hunting small (sub-gram) gold nuggets, particularly in trashy areas (e.g. on old goldfields and nearby bush camps), and also in confined spaces to swing (e.g. in narrow gullies, including those highly vegetated, and areas covered in boulders or fallen timber etc.).

Both these new detectors also include excellent, low latency, wireless (Bluetooth) headphones. They also both feature a built-in Lithium-ion battery (within the handle), a built-in speaker, and LED flashlight (for nighttime use). They both only weigh about 1.3kg (The Minelab GPZ 7000 detector weighs about 3.3kg).

All new Minelab detectors have a 3 Year Warranty.

Both these detectors also have Search Modes suited for gold nugget prospecting.

The Equinox 900 has two gold search modes – designated as ‘Gold Profile 1’ (for “Normal Ground”) and ‘Gold Profile 2’ (for “Difficult Ground”), whereas the Manticore only has one gold search mode – designated as ‘Goldfield - General’ (suitable for benign to moderately mineralised ground).

Minelab explain these different Search Modes for the respective new detector as follows:

Equinox 900

“Gold Profile 1* — Normal Ground Gold 1 is suitable for searching for small gold nuggets in ‘mild’ ground. Most goldfield locations have a variable level of iron mineralisation that will require an ongoing Ground Balance adjustment, therefore Tracking Ground Balance is the default setting. The audio Threshold Level and Threshold Pitch is optimised for hunting gold nuggets. Gold 1 Multi-IQ processes a high frequency weighted multi-frequency signal, while ground balancing for mineralised soil.

Gold Profile 2* — Difficult Ground Gold 2 is best for searching for deeper gold nuggets in ‘difficult’ ground conditions. Gold 2 has a lower Recovery Speed, which will increase detection depth. However, more ground noise in more heavily mineralised grounds may result. Tracking Ground Balance is the default setting. The audio Threshold Level and Threshold Pitch is optimised for hunting gold nuggets. Gold 2 Multi-IQ processes a high frequency weighted multi-frequency signal, while ground balancing for mineralised soil.”

Minelab also state that when using the Equinox 900 in either of the two gold search modes, the user could typically expect the detection of gold nuggets to have a positive Target ID number, with a low number.

“Difficult Gold Areas — Hot Rocks ‘Hot’ rocks are commonly found in gold prospecting locations. These are rocks that are mineralised differently to the surrounding ground. A highly mineralised rock buried in mildly mineralised ground would be considered to be a hot rock. Hot rocks can easily be mistaken for gold nuggets. The Target ID can assist here, with hot rocks typically having a negative Target ID number and gold having a positive ID in the very low conductive range.”

Manticore

“Goldfield – General: suitable for small nuggets in benign to moderate soil mineralisation conditions.

Goldfield General Mode is for gold prospecting. Generally, gold nuggets are found in remote goldfields where the ground is often mineralised and targets are more sparsely distributed. For Goldfield General Mode, the default Audio Theme is set to Prospecting, providing a 'true' threshold tone which maximises sensitivity to weak target signals. When a target is detected, the signal volume and pitch vary proportionally to the strength of the target signal. Most goldfield locations have a variable level of iron mineralisation that requires constant Ground Balance adjustment, therefore Tracking Ground Balance is the default setting. Goldfield Mode is suited to finding smaller surface gold nuggets (and some larger deeper ones) in mineralised ground.”

Typical Target ID Numbers/Air-Depths for Gold Nuggets Recent air-depth testing (non-buried target) using both detectors (set on only medium Sensitivity), and with both coils used on the Equinox 900 - upon a very flat (5mm diameter) 0.27gram (sub-gram) nugget indicated air-depths of about 2 to 3 inches, with Target ID numbers in the range of about 15 to 20.

A sub-gram nugget detected using the Equinox 900 + Minelab Equinox 6-inch Double-D coil.

Equinox/Manticore Target ID numbers for gold nuggets can vary depending on several factors, including the size & shape of the nugget, and also gold purity, including the amount of any other metals present like silver & copper. Larger nuggets (more than a few grams) can indicate Target ID numbers of up to within the range of about 30 to 50.

It makes me wonder …..

(i) Will there be a future upgrade for the Manticore? to provide an additional gold search mode? i.e. similar to the ‘Gold Profile 2’ search mode on the Equinox 900 – that “is best for searching for deeper gold nuggets in difficult ground conditions”.

(ii) Will the proposed  Minelab M8 elliptical Double-D coil (8’ x 5.5” size) on the Manticore  detector provide increased depth capability in terms of detecting sub-gram gold? - compared to the Equinox 6 inch (‘EQX06’) DD coil on the Equinox 900 detector.