How To Avoid Digging Trash & Iron With The Minelab Equinox 800

This video is a study on how to avoid digging trash like small aluminum, bottle caps, and iron nails with the Minelab Equinox 800.
This video should be paired with my blog post on this topic which goes into great detail on tips and tricks for the Minelab Equinox 800.
Blog Post Link:
nwdetectors.com/blogs/news/ho...
I use the 15” inch coil in this video, and although TID numbers report higher with this coil, the tips and techniques still apply, it makes no difference whether you’re using the 11” inch or 15” inch coil on the Equinox.
Give us a call or email if you need free advice or troubleshooting.
Post a comment if you want any specific tests done!
Come and check out our metal detecting shop! We have gold prospecting equipment, accessories, and any detector you want!
nwdetectors.com

[@rrandles1084]

I just picked up the 800 at a pawn shop almost brand spanking new for $500!!!!!

[@bobbyshort1222]

I have watched this video about four times in the past week and put your demonstrations to use. Then and dug to verify to get the hang of it. These types of videos are few and far between and I have grown tired of the regular "dig and show" vids, but this one carries a lot of merit and value. I appreciate the time and effort you have put into bringing this to us. I did pretty well this past weekend and plan to implement this into my evaluation practice. Subscribed and liked. Thanks again

[@charleshardcore215]

Soooo true

[@cliffordblack5103]

I learn more on your videos than any others I've seen thank you and good luck.

[@Nwdetectors]

Thank you so much Clifford! Happy hunting!

[@WayIntoAdventures]

Thank you for making this video! It's really helpful.

[@Nwdetectors]

Thanks for watching!

[@Calling1776]

Thank you, I appreciate you making this effort I learned some things

[@ethanguidry312]

Very kind, helpful, and useful channel! Just subscribed

[@Nwdetectors]

Thank you so much!

[@gobstoppa1633]

BY the time u decided wether to dig or leave, iv already got the find out, so think il stick to the old system cheers, hopfully the tech will improve later on to save more labour, but its negligable at this stage. again cheer,s"

[@Nwdetectors]

Hi Michael, I agree with you, if I hunted at the pace you see in the video it would take me forever, but that’s not actually the case here. So the reason why I go so slow in this video is because I’m taking a lot of time for users to see the numbers, and to explain the system I use. If I actually filmed the speed at which I make my decision and dig, it’s much much faster than what you see in this video. However, I have learned to slow way down and be more patient over the years, and it’s rewarded me where many others have been before🙂

[@charleshardcore215]

Cutting edge stuff!!! I'm in your debt ! so interesting 👊

[@Nwdetectors]

Wow thank you! I’m so glad it helped!🎉 Happy hunting!!😊

[@jaykay8570]

Can't have a 1940 Rosie! Thanks for the vid. Very informative. Been using an etrac and ctx... just ordered an Equinox. I dunno... not sure if I can make the jump. Time will tell.

[@Follower_of_The_Word]

Thanks, I’ve been using my Nox for 2 years and your demonstration validated some of my experiences with strange signals. I hunt in multi and cross-check with either high or low frequency depending on the VID. By the way, your turns are 90-degrees, not 45.

[@Nwdetectors]

Roger, thank you so much, that’s wonderful to hear! And my apologies about the degrees mistake- duh!😅🤦🏻‍♂️. Don’t forget there is a blog article link in the video description that should be paired with this video- I would love to hear your thoughts on that too!

[@debe8110]

@@Nwdetectors Have you had any new tricks since this video came out? what is your opinion on low signals? what is your opinion on iffy signals? I watched a video where they were finding buffalo nickels when iffy and i'm like what? Al Also what is your opinion on how to find more rings I feel very sad and hopeless and I want to find more rings? Also what pieces of trash can you not avoid?

[@rimaseniorsadaraka2626]

very educational video bro' thank you, take care, happy hunting.

[@Nwdetectors]

Thank you so much Rima! I really appreciate it🙏🏼😊. Let me know if these tips help with your hunts😊!

[@Binladen1739]

very usefull video demostration . one question how many tones are you using ?

[@metaldetectingmickyuk2538]

Very interesting Buddy i give it a go soon thanks :)

[@Nwdetectors]

Awesome let me know how these tips work for you!👍🏼😊

[@petekbleeepingaustralia8720]

Mate 👍 kool to watch other detectorists methods 👍

[@ethanguidry312]

I got the 800 for Christmas

[@IowaSheepdog]

Much like Roger, when using my Nox 800 I hunt in multi with some discrimination. Then I will cross check with no discrimination and single frequencies and dig according to the VID and tones. Even though my Nox is a nice and light machine I’ve been using my CTX-3030 more than the Nox because I can see both the iron targets and good targets on the display at the same time along with the tracing patterns.

[@Nwdetectors]

Michael, I want to grab the CTX again too, I just did a blog post on the CTX vs. the Equinox! I love both, but yeah, the ability to see multiple objects on the screen is an incredible advantage I miss, and I think it might be a touch deeper in some scenarios how about you?

[@IowaSheepdog]

@@Nwdetectors Yes, definitely a little deeper. Especially with the 17” on it. Both detectors have their place for sure in my collection and I’m glad to have some versatility. Sometimes I’ll take both with me for the day. My E-Trac was only pulled out one time this year, but I still would have trouble parting with it.

[@bal2202]

Great video... Subscribed..

[@Nwdetectors]

Thank you Brent!! Happy Hunting🍻

[@Northwoodsdetectandadventures]

Great vid

[@Nwdetectors]

Thank you so much! Happy hunting🙏🏼🍻👍🏼

[@sandman4224]

I dug 310 silver coins last year and 89 so far this year (all in parks and schools) and multi frequency is a far better option until the EMI is unbearable. I made a guess at every one of the questionable targets and was right each time. I've used 15 kHz for deeper targets in a clean field and it will get deeper silver but for general park hunting stick with the multi. In my experience 95 percent of the time digging the questionable signal means it is not a good target.

[@VegasDtech]

sandman.. when the emi is unbearable how do you combat it with your NOX? I have all but stopped using it favoring my cheaper backup because the non-stop noise is brain over load and gyves me a headache

[@geneschwartz1975]

To keep control unit clean I'm using cell phone waterproof pouch. Just cat off top part of it. Find proper size.

[@riche4you1975]

You can get a faceplate vinyl front skin from ebay and a printed flexible screen bumper, with the both it protects really well.

[@riche4you1975]

I just brought one of these but the tone I get is like a fast 3 or 4 bleeping if its a coin or rubbish in front of it, the only difference is tone pitch on the type of metal, so I end up digging everything:(

[@carltonbauer2779]

"Iron Halo" sounds like a Christian metal band name.

[@TECGRAY]

I'm currently working a field that is loaded with trash and iron . Its a older home site but its so trashy I'm thinking about moving on to other areas because I can't seem to get my 800 dialed in well enough to find any of the coins being masked by all the trash. It as if the people that lived there just burned everything and then plowed it all through their backyard and field behind their house. The old home and out buildings are long gone but the only thing that's left is tons of their metal garbage . The only thing I found not trash is a rein guide and a few horse shoes and I know the home site and area holds coins but I can't seem to find them. I have tried all settings and modes in multi with little success. I'm going to give 15 a try and hopefully this will break the curse of the trash farm. :)

[@Nwdetectors]

Thomas, I hope this technique works for you! It’s done wonders for me in really noisy trashy spots! Cheers and good luck🍻🙏🏼😁

[@ericpine4844]

A good tip I saw was to dig it all to clear the area. Then repeat! Sounds like work, but it sounds like it might be worth it on a site like that.

[@plugsfordays648]

When Are you going out next? I’m in west Linn . My. Buddy bought the nx 800 from Bob . I’ve got the AT PRO and would like to see if the nx 800 is my next machine . My buddy is making me think to never buy that machine lol . Have a great day

[@Nwdetectors]

Hey Plugs! Sorry for the delayed reply I haven’t been on youtube for a few months due to a wrist injury I took a detecting break. I’ll be back out this summer and I’ve got a Nox vs AT Max video coming out soon. Give us a call at the shop- my name is Keph, I’m Bobs associate, I’d love to hunt!

[@plugsfordays648]

@@Nwdetectors you got it . I’ll be in contact. I found a 1922 silver peace dollar about a month ago in SE Portland

[@IndianaTones]

If I go to a park with a lot of target and trash and want to find a deep silver dime what is the best setting?

[@Nwdetectors]

Hey Indiana Tones! Thanks for checking out my channel🙏🏼 I just subbed you! So I don’t claim to know a best setting... I just show these videos because these are the tricks and settings that have helped me tons. However, things may be different for you because of soil conditions, ground mineralization, etc.. That said, I always hunt park 2, nothing notched out, no iron bias, 20-21 sensitivity, horseshoe button (iron volume) on so I can hear the iron, iron volume low so I can hear it but it doesn’t blow my ears out, and I hunt in 15kHz and cross-check all my targets by switching to multi-frequency if I think I have something good. If your in a trashy park the tips in my video and blog post are critical for avoiding a ton of iron and aluminum, especially using 15kHz and cross checking in multi-frequency, it will give away aluminum trash a lot of the time. Here’s the link to the detailed article I wrote: nwdetectors.com/blogs/news/how-to-avoid-digging-iron-trash-with-the-minelab-equinox-800. Thanks again for watching and happy hunting buddy!😊👍🏼

[@davecostin7300]

Good video! I think you're turning 90 degrees...perpendicular..?😉

[@MermaidTreasureHunter]

at about 20:30 you say the target reveals itself and you move on without showing us what the target is? What if it was something amazing being masked? I am a beach hunter so you can imagine I am very interested in avoiding pull tabs and bottle caps, but, don't want to miss out on the gold. Thanks, cricket

[@Nwdetectors]

Hey! So i checked that part you were talking about. When I turn 90 degrees (it was a long day and for some reason my brain and mouth weren’t communicating and I kept saying 45🤦🏻‍♂️) you will notice the signal completely decays to iron grunting. This is a clear sign that the target is 90 percent going to be a nail. Upon closer examination, you can turn 90 degrees again, and again, and the signal should decay more. Also, if you switch back to multi, or any other frequency, you will most likely notice more signal decay (intermittent or straight iron signals), this again is telling you to walk away, it’s iron. That said, the beach is much different. Especially black sand beaches, fresh or salt water. There is so much masking with black sand and iron, it can really make signals sound sloppy. But again, I always listen for a solid consistent tone trying to come through. The more I detect the more I’m able to hear the subtle difference between iron and a good masked signal. Iron signals have a sort of “twang” to them, they are louder, and yet show deeper depth bars despite being loud. They also are almost never consistent when one turns 90 degrees several times on them. At this point I’m Rarely tricked- with the exception of bent nails, man those things sound good! I hope that helps! Happy beach hunting!🍻

[@stu3775]

I noticed alot of guys using the bigger 15" coil on the nox.

[@SPOOKYJJJ]

In multi when i see it jumpy and dip down to a - (negative) it most likely junk. thoughts?

[@Nwdetectors]

Interesting, I’m going to try that! I’ll get back about that- thank you🙏🏼😊

[@stevebaretta1]

Would digging a target that has steady numbers in both frequencies be the best to do so as to cut way down on digging trash?

[@Nwdetectors]

S Miller, thank you for watching! To answer your question, yes, steadier numbers in multi and single is always a good sign! I believe I talk about ‘how’ jumpy the numbers are being is a good clue. For instance, if it’s within 10 digits then it’s probably still a good target (high 20’s to 30’s). But also how the numbers jump gives a lot away. For instance if it dramatically jumps from high 30’s to mid 20’s it’s usually a big junk piece of metal, and the audio will sound audibly louder. Whereas if the jumpiness of the numbers is more evenly distributed: “25, 24, 29, 30, 27, 25, 24, 29, that to me is usually the way a deep wheat penny or a medium depth copper penny behaves. Silver tends to be less jumpy but still can be depending on other influences. Both multi and single will report this way. However, as seen in the video, when multi and single frequency are way apart, with single showing high 20’s 30’s and multi showing below 14, then it is almost 100% trash or mixed metal. My point in the video is also just to show how useful using these two frequencies in conjunction can be at revealing what targets tend to be so that you can call it before you dig it, and ultimately be a little more picky and conserve energy😊

[@midwesttreasureandrelicrec7914]

If you have done any nail board testing with square nails or Rusty Nails you will see a lot of times they give the same exact signal that you're saying is trash by turning 90 degrees. take a silver dime and throw at 3 in square nail an inch from it and swing in a cross pattern you'll see what I'm talking about.

[@Nwdetectors]

Thank you I will give this a try!

[@kenhickey7579]

What size is your disc

[@Nwdetectors]

Hi thanks for watching! I use the 15” inch coil🙂

[@WilliamR-nt5ek]

some guys used the new 4 kHz to check it... they don't hunt in that freq. per say... but use it to to test the signal

[@Nwdetectors]

William, 4kHz is great for cross-checking, but most of the time I use 15kHz because it just seems to see through iron and be quieter in my hunting conditions. How about you? Cheers🍻

[@KB-ks8jv]

I love to learn wtg good information

[@Nwdetectors]

Thank you Ken! I appreciate that🙏🏼😊

[@LobsterClawzRecovery]

I noticed you both do not ground balance NOR do a noise cancel when you make changes in the settings; specifically, Minelab recommends, "Noise Cancel should be carried out whenever the frequency setting is changed." Or even if you adjust the sensitivity. Any reason? Try pumping the coil up/down/up/down... while in all-metal mode and watch for negative numbers - even sporadically, as that's a nail, small iron scrap, a bobby pin, or a bottle cap. Keep FE/F2 low and watch your display instead.

[@Nwdetectors]

Hey LobsterClawz! Thanks for watching! I’ve experimented with what you refer to in other videos and it doesn’t seem to make any difference in depth, but I do frequently ground balance when I’m hunting. I’m going to look into this more though so thank you for bringing it to my attention. Happy hunting!

[@LobsterClawzRecovery]

@@Nwdetectors I think at the end of the day, and as you know, this is a very low frequency, VLF detector - not a pulse induction, PI detector . VLF detectors will always be more susceptible than PI detectors to environments where there are hot rocks, ironstone, or similar . A lot of people that debate the use of ground balance - I do not use it - mostly because I don't have noise issues in most locations - clearly, some people may need to use it. When I do have noise issues, it tends to be EMI-related and then I have to just I only have to adjust the sensitivity. It is prudent to rerun the noise cancel after you do make a change in sensitivity. Best of luck. Let me know how it works for you ?

[@essencemusic384]

Multi is designed to give more accurate readings. Therefore just wondering why you searched in single frequency first and then in multi mode. Surely this was predictable hence having the multi-mode to sort this issue? Why not just use multi when not looking for anything specifically?

[@Nwdetectors]

Essence Music, thanks for watching and commenting! In my hunting conditions, single frequency is actually quieter and falses less than multi. Multi tends to false a lot in numbers 10 and below, whereas single falses less and falses in high numbers (sliver/wheat range). Just for my heads sake I hunt in single for the quieter experience, and cross check in multi. In another one of my videos single was deeper than multi on silver, so I’m not concerned about losing good targets. Also, multi gets tricked by aluminum, whereas single frequency gives it away, they compliment each other when you use them to cross-check, and at this point I can actually call out almost all aluminum scrap and other trash before I dig it, I don’t know of any other detector that can tell the difference between gold and aluminum so well! How about you? What settings and techniques have helped you? Cheers!🍻

[@benelmana2015]

Never have that problem with my dfx

[@daviddrailgarrison9794]

It beeps I dig it dig it all you might be surprised

[@Nwdetectors]

David, you’re absolutely right, I am definitely surprised sometimes. But these days the ol’ body wears out faster than I’d like so I try to find more tricks to avoid digging so much trash. As I get tired I’m definitely more picky😅 What kinds of sites are you hunting?😊

[@jaystrongbow9435]

The "dig it all" theory is a waste of time. Use all metal, quit digging iron and use that extra time to find repeating, consistent signals with some depth. Ya, you might miss a few good targets a year, but you will ultimately find more when digging quality signals, not wasting time on crap signals

[@Rave_OnBuddy]

Use a smaller coil. Set your iron bias. Swing a bit slower.

[@Cogzed]

Have you found lots of gold nuggets in your years of metal detecting?

[@Nwdetectors]

Hey! I’m actually just getting into gold detecting and prospecting and learning a ton from my boss Bob who owns the metal detecting shop. He’s been prospecting for 20+ years and he’s great. I’m just a sponge right now trying to soak up and learn as much as I can. I’m the coin and relic guy when it comes to helping people, but no matter what I’m always learning, it’s a process😅 Thank you for your comment and happy hunting🍻

[@iurunner34]

I dont know why you dont just hunt in Multi and check with 15. It seemed like Multi told you not to dig 15 khz false positives more often than 15 was able to pick something good out.

[@Nwdetectors]

Hey Derek! Thank you for watching and commenting! So actually in my ground multi falses in low numbers (l0 and below) and is generally noisier than single frequency. Whereas when I switch to single frequency, the machine is much quieter, and falses in high tones, but less than multi. So for my poor heads sake, I hunt in the quieter single, and cross-check with the multi. Neither is better than the other, but they compliment each other, and I’ve become good with this technique I barely dig any aluminum anymore, and I can guess way more often what the target is before digging it. I’ve never used any other detector that could give away scrap aluminum, so this has saved me a massive amount of time and energy😍

[@metaldetectingmickyuk2538]

Ps ive sub your channel :)

[@Nwdetectors]

Thank you MDUK!! I’m going to sub you too👍🏼😊

[@tomfoil5590]

You mean 90 degrees, right? You keep saying "When I turn 45 degrees." But you're turning a quarter of a circle, which is 90 degrees.

[@therrienmichael08]

He's turning 45.

[@carltonbauer2779]

@@therrienmichael08 Looks like 90°

[@therrienmichael08]

With a 49 minute video I didnt think I had the attention span to watch again but he starts right away with the "45 degrees". More than 45 but less than 90 lolol.

[@carltonbauer2779]

@@therrienmichael08 lol, understood !

[@neilsbluesky8027]

Hi, any reason you always had Iron (horseshoe) detecting? Do you not trust it? Thnx ;)

[@Nwdetectors]

Hi Neils, sorry for the late reply I had a wrist injury that set me back over the winter. I use the iron Horseshoe because I want to hear my iron at all times, it’s a huge giveaway as to whether the target is iron or not. For instance, how repeatable is the signal? Does the signal decay as you pass over it, turn 90 degrees on it, or switch frequencies? These are all questions I ask when I’m curious about a target. I also turn my iron volume down in the master controls so that it doesn’t blast my ears out but i can hear it audibly. Cheers!

[@plugsfordays648]

You can’t avoid digging trash . Ever ! Just dig it all . If your avoiding trash your not digging

[@randyluna551]

Not if you have an Etrac

[@rverm1000]

Showing good targets would be more helpful

[@glenntracy5819]

You must miss alot of stuff hunting just in frq 15

[@benelmana2015]

It take and hour tonpull trash

[@ThelifeandtimesofBarneyTaylor]

Your machine looks like mine. dirty 😎

[@masonb4620]

You should always dig iffy signals. Dig it all

[@benelmana2015]

Your saying you are fack with this

[@lewis1141951]

The Nox is a dig all machine , not great for sherry picking coins ! CTX , E trac and the Rutus Alter 71 are what you need for coin hunting !

[@guitawrizt]

*_Are You dipping this unit in Mud ?_*

[@Nwdetectors]

Omg! Hahaha, here in Oregon it’s muddy! I know, she’s a dirty one🤣🤦🏻‍♂️

[@jimbeck553]

@@Nwdetectors where in Oregon

[@ericmoore9278]

Bro, you turned 90° every time... Smh...

[@Loriba]

I just wish we could hear your voice louder than the tone not the other way around. Painful to follow this

[@keithlucas6035]

I have never used any real new metal detectors like this one your using but if I had to listen to all of what your machine was blasting out I would not buy it . How a metal detector can go from -5 to 32 is is just crazy . If it did that to me I would not dig it that is up down up down. So as far as me buying one after watching you I'd say no way .

[@benelmana2015]

Everything sounds good with this stupid detector

[@benelmana2015]

Thats why you find the coin because Is a trash picker

[@benelmana2015]

Look at my diss

[@benelmana2015]

Please say it is apiece a shiii

[@benelmana2015]

Need my money back

[@bradmook1979]

Learned some things. But dude, clean your gear.