Minelab Equinox: Iron Bias Explained

[@MentalMetal]

Hope you got something out of this video. What is your preferred Iron Bias settings? Did I get this right or am I completely off my rocker? Let me know! Thanks for watching!

[@davidhunn5926]

Very informative! Before watching this video I literally had NO idea about iron bias! Thanks!!

[@MentalMetal]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dirtypawsdetecting8182]

Ive had my equinox for a couple years now, and never adjusted the iron bias. Never understood it. Changed my bias in park 1 to 2 now. Thanks for the explanation.

[@MentalMetal]

Glad to help!

[@philbateson7966]

Greetings from the U.K😊. Really enjoyed your video and found your explanation very useful. Now i know what Iron bias does. Thanks. 👍👍👍

[@MentalMetal]

Glad it was helpful!

[@OP-Taylor]

Excellent series on the Equinox

[@MentalMetal]

Thanks Brian, looking into doing something with changing tones next.

[@dwa3093]

I just got the new 700, its my 1st Equinox so I'm learning

[@MentalMetal]

Congrats you got a great machine.

[@airosasco3639]

Nice tutorial Scott on a sometimes misunderstood setting. I run my 800 iron settings at “0”. I truly believe this is optimum for coin shooting old sites where the dig it all mentally exists. Otherwise I run my iron bias at “0”. Lol

[@countrysiderussell8003]

BOOM. Prayers brother. What doesn't kill yeah makes you stronger. Thanks for sharing

[@MentalMetal]

Thanks my friend. It was tough month for sure.

[@StevenPendleton]

That phone produced a nice looking video!! Good information!

[@MentalMetal]

Yes its a cool phone for sure. Thanks for watching. Appreciate the comment.

[@michellerichardson3907]

Please keep doing these test there soooo. Important sir

[@MentalMetal]

I will Michelle thank you for the support.

[@matthewsummers1697]

Very informative. You're becoming a legend my friend.

[@MentalMetal]

Haha I'm not sure about that but thanks!

[@setheddy7517]

Thanks so much. Never realized it would knock coins right out.

[@MentalMetal]

Yep there is a fine line so be careful.

[@michaelthompson342]

G'day from Australia. Great presentation. I'll give it a go. Subbed.

[@MentalMetal]

Thank you and welcome!

[@scotdolly5144]

Great info. I've been running on 4 I'll trying going lower. Thanks Scott.

[@MentalMetal]

Trying using 0 for awhile and see if you notice a difference. But 2 is safe.

[@scotdolly5144]

I will definitely try that. Thank again Scott. Very helpful videos.

[@MentalMetal]

Thanks Scot glad you are finding them helpful.

[@danielt879]

Thanks for this video , I've been detecting about 7 months and have a nox 600. I've never really messed about with the settings except I always use beach 1, no matter where I am... After seeing that on another video. I do find a lot of targets, but now would like to have a look a tweaking it a bit to see if I cam find more 😀 I'm going to try the iron bias at 1 on the 600 and see how I do with that. Thanks again. Really explained well.

[@MentalMetal]

Glad you got something out of it. Remember I wouldn't go any higher than 2 on the 600 that would be equivalent to 4 on the 800 and anything after that it gets sketchy and you start to miss stuff. Thats my opinion though.

[@danielt879]

@@MentalMetal Thanks again. I'm gonna get out for a couple of hours later, so will have a play with the iron dias then. 😀

[@stephenward3865]

Oh man.. I've had 100's of 1 way signals which I've not dug as I've put it down to big iron giving off false signals. I've just checked IB & it's at 6 - XXXXX ! Thanks for the great video Scott.

[@MentalMetal]

Glad to help, drop it down to 4 and see what happens. I think you will be shocked.

[@JLLove]

Great explanation. I’d like to see comparison of the Fe and F2 options.

[@MentalMetal]

Noted! I could probably do something on it. Thanks for the idea.

[@stephenmunt1624]

I have the 600 model. I have a question. I use the field mode 2 all the time as I find quite alot of fine items like think buttons but in this mode would I be missing out of other items.? Thank you

[@MentalMetal]

Field 2 is meant for smaller jewelry. It hits better on the those items but you won't miss out on coins etc.

[@chuckbrown1182]

Can you do the same test using the F2 iron bias? The F2 function may work better when the iron is a nail.

[@joestagner7817]

Just got a Equinox 600

[@LostBoysRecovery]

Good vid scott ! the phone takes some good footage u got! the white balance is alot better on the phone then the camera

[@tkcenterline1]

Great job. Just got my nox 800. Came from a Whites V3I

[@MentalMetal]

I think you'll enjoy the nox once you give it some time.

[@baneverything5580]

My Vanquish 340 has auto high iron bias and I just used it for the first time a few days ago. Couldn`t resist an open box deal I saw and instaordered. I got a solid 29/30 signal right away and dug a huge rusty nail but when I checked the hole with my pinpointer a quarter was there. I was in coin mode with iron discriminated out which has the highest recovery speed. So I switched it to all metal mode to see what happened and the yard was a sea of iron grunts. Mosquitoes and the heat were so bad I had no time to really test the machine (it was aggravating!) but did find 24 shallow modern coins (mostly very fast in the gravel driveway with the pinpointer after locating groups of them with the detector) from the 80s/90s, a Schrade pocket knife in good shape, a couple of fishing weights, some high tone nuts, 22 bullets, and a few pulltabs. Not sure about the history of this lot but it seems to be a trash dump. Lots of huge objects that were still detectable after lifting the coil several feet off the ground. I basically only dug shallow decent targets due to constant mosquito attacks. My best find was a giant persimmon tree loaded with fruit that should ripen in a few weeks. I was testing a Bounty Hunter Pioneer 202 a couple of years ago I received as a gift and found a Walking Liberty half dollar so I had my eye on the Vanquish and Simplex to get more depth and saw the great deal and got the Vanquish. If teenagers hadn`t gotten everybody banned from the old swimming areas I`ll bet I could make money with the Simplex in the ancient swimming holes here. But now everything is posted.

[@MentalMetal]

Yeah things are different today. No doubt.

[@bartleylitts3112]

Great video! I've also found #2 on Iron bias is best for every day digging.

[@MentalMetal]

Totally agree!

[@jgdevoe]

Interesting with the Pennie’s but why didn’t you test with iron? Isn’t that what bias is supposed to eliminate?

[@tedyoh7394]

I have the same phone, almost the same shirt so thumbs up today! Now onto the word Bias...I hate the word because it can be used in the same sentence and mean the exact opposite thing.....in the case of the NOX....I think they are using the term Iron Bias as a rejection to iron, not an acceptance to iron....or Iron Bias is an Iron rejection filter for the NOX.....hence if you run more filters at a higher settings you miss more masked targets

[@MentalMetal]

See we do think and dress a like, I need to get you into one those Huk shirts :-)

[@cmplugs4456]

Great video!Very informative.

[@MentalMetal]

Glad it was helpful!

[@william1863]

What about the iron bias on the minelab 900 ? Please state if you bought one. 👍

[@MentalMetal]

I have several videos on the 900 but yes I have one. They combined FE and F2 together so you only have FE on the 900 now.

[@jimmymalone3494]

Interesting video i enjoyed it

[@MentalMetal]

Awesome 👌

[@jimmystrader9862]

New to the hobby and even newer to my 800. This video really helped me understand the iron bias. Thanks!

[@MentalMetal]

Glad it was helpful!

[@addictedtobedrock5282]

Thanks for the explanation with this detector. I run a GPX 6000 for gold and also recently bought a equinox 800 for small gold and general detecting. So far I’ve had some frustrations learning the 800, lots of noises and the VDI is odd to me right now.

[@MentalMetal]

Keep at it, it will start to make sense. I also own a GPX and the 2 compared together are as different as night and day. I am curious on your GPX settings I've been considered putting together a video to help demystify the GPX. What do you think?

[@addictedtobedrock5282]

@@MentalMetal yes sir, I agree completely. I have been running my GPX6000 in the auto 1 and auto 2 with threshold on depending on the ground I’m working. I see many people on KZbin running theirs in manual modes but I have been happy with the two auto choices and find small gold with it down to 1/10th of a gram and smaller. The GPX can get grouchy with EMI but a quick noise cancel and ground balance cures it normally. Although, she doesn’t like to run within 50’ of any other detector. As for the equinox, it will find the smallest gold flakes ever but can be a bear to figure out so far for me. Everyone loves the equinox so it must be the operator, time and practice will tell. Thank you for the excellent channel and looking forward to more vids. 👍🏻

[@MentalMetal]

ahh I was wondering what you were hunting for. We use the GPX for iron invested sites searching for civil war relics specifically around Culpeper, VA. Thanks for the info.

[@4178529]

No frills---a pleasing video ! Do 0ne on ground balance please .

[@MentalMetal]

I had one ready for you. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGTdqJWwrrChoqM

[@jessestone3915]

What about the FE 2 settings and its difference cheers great video informative

[@MentalMetal]

Coming soon

[@jerrydineen2827]

Thanks for sharing Scott. Even I've had my 800 for about three years I there is always that ah - ha moment when you're explaining things!

[@MentalMetal]

Right on!

[@peggyhiggins1069]

Thanks again for another good tutorial. Sorry you had a crappy June and may the rest of the year be drama free! 😬😳🤷‍♀️

[@MentalMetal]

I hope so too! Thank you!

[@gregorydobson4307]

Great video Scott, hello from the u.k. p.s liked the intro music, kind of recognized it from somewhere.

[@MentalMetal]

Thanks Gregory and hello from this side of the pond.

[@IAGoldProspectors]

I had my iron set to zero. And that's probably where I'll keep it. I used to have a AT Pro and that machine favorite iron. Had a hard time finding silver with the AT Pro, I loved that machine it was great on quarters new quarters then I started by buying Minelab detectors. With the equinox 600 and 800 you don't hear any hype about the AT Max anymore.

[@MentalMetal]

I think the NOX really pushed out most of the other detectors in than range of machines. You can't beat the performance.

[@jamesmutters8741]

I'm so excited. I should be receiving my first detector today. The equinox 600. This is very helpful information. What is a good way to get permission from people to search their land?

[@MentalMetal]

I'm excited for you. Hopefully you used our friends from Fort Bedford Metal Detectors. There is section on my website that goes over permissions there should be a vide linked there as well. mentalmetaldetecting.com/how-to-start-metal-detecting-today/ Good luck with the 600.

[@TheFoxygrandpa69]

Yeah I hunt with no iron bias on my 600. And if I'm relic hunting and want to find iron I hunt full metal mode. The machines automatically iron bias even on 0. I also believe the iron bias is more helpful in terrain than has a lot of iron in the soil.

[@jadefurman2840]

Thank you so much; I've been needing this! I'm hunting a 160 year old amusement park on the shore of a midwest lake. Sooooo many rusty nails masking some sweet history. Been using beach 2 for both wet and dry sand. I know beach settings are multi frequency so they can't change recovery speed, but I'm curious about hunting this in field 2 with iron bias at 1 or 2. Any thoughts?

[@MentalMetal]

If you are hunting for relics then I would use Field 2 anyway, to me it just favors relics better. Start out at 1 or 2 but increase as you need it. But keep in mind there is a trade off. I would probably increase the recovery speed and try keeping the Iron Bias low.

[@offthebeepinpath]

Hey I'm sure you know this already, but on the off chance you weren't aware, while you're in the FE setting you can hit the ✓/+ button which switches the machine from FE Iron Bias to F2 (Updated Iron Bias) However like yourself, I like to hunt with no more then four, and usually I have it cut off completely.

[@MentalMetal]

Thanks I forgot about it because I never use it but you are right. Thanks for pointing that out.

[@offthebeepinpath]

@@MentalMetal NP I went from a 100$ bounty hunter last year, got hooked,and bought an equinox 800. A year later and I'm still learning how to use it 😅

[@MentalMetal]

It takes some time to learn but its well worth it. I'm still learning about it.

[@G5ranch]

Great info to know. Thanks

[@MentalMetal]

Glad it was helpful!

[@barrypearce504]

Thanks good shout

[@MentalMetal]

Any time

[@benadam8435]

Thank you

[@MentalMetal]

my pleasure

[@datrooster4112]

My own personal preference, i don't set bias higher than 2. Because i have missed masked targets at 4. What i don't get is the tone breaks. I know this is a big question but..... could you possibly do one on the tone breaks. The coin program you shared works great for coins! Just wanted to understand why it works so well. I feel if i had a better understanding of why i could adjust it for a jewelry program. Ty for the great info you been putting out.

[@MentalMetal]

Don I will definitely look into doing something on tone breaks. However, Park 2 is set specifically in favor of jewelry. Consider trying it if you haven't.

[@datrooster4112]

@@MentalMetal i do use park 2 and field 2, feild 2 in my area is a lil more stable to me. Can't wait to see it!! Great vids hopefully things level off for you. Thanks for looking into it

[@MentalMetal]

Thank you I appreciate it.

[@mikeedrich8256]

What about F2? How does that work? Mike

[@MentalMetal]

Thanks Mike I have something planned for that stay tuned.

[@4178529]

Youv"e made a controversial subject plain and simple ! Thanks.

[@MentalMetal]

Thanks glad it helped.

[@brettellis1837]

Wonder how it works on Aussie one two dollar coins ie= 6% ally copper ect.???.

[@MentalMetal]

Great question I wish I knew.

[@brettellis1837]

@@MentalMetal so if ya look at the 800 with ADVANCED SETTINGS NOT 5 NOW BUT 6 WHY F2=9. ON ALL OTHERS LIKE TARGET TONE VOLUME AJUST. ECT..

[@brettellis1837]

@@MentalMetal that ally at6% was changed 1984 one dollar came out so it = 22 the 2.00 coin had manganese added so it =21 but rock solid on advanced settings must be done first .

[@guitawrizt]

*_Gonna have to have a 'long talk' with that Dawg one day._*

[@zanzibarlandshop]

Do you think the Iron Bias amount should be adjusted differently between coils? It's something I thought of while watching your video. I mainly use a 6" but yesterday I decided to tweak the IB to a lower amount than usual and I found a few coins I know I swung by earlier. I want to return with my 15" now and during your video I had the idea that maybe the default Ib setting works well for the 11" which is why Minelab used an IB number of 6. But, on the flip side, here you are with an 11" and advocating for nothing higher than 4 so maybe coil makes absolutely no difference? I am thinking out loud here! Thanks for the video.

[@MentalMetal]

Sorry for the late response life got in the way. I think you have asked a great question and one that I will test and do a future video on. I honestly don't know the answer. My instincts tell me it shouldn't matter but all coils are different so it just might make a difference. I have the 15" Equinox, the Stock 11" and the 5x10 Coiltek. I may do your test this weekend. Thanks for the question.

[@zanzibarlandshop]

@@MentalMetal looking forward to it!

[@offthebeepinpath]

Did you use the s21 the entire time? If that's the case I need to get on it. I have the same phone the ultra

[@MentalMetal]

Yes it was done with the S21 but the slow motion shots were taken with another camera. The S21 is really good though. I would get a n USB type mic. Thats how I use it.

[@decoman100]

GREAT TUTORIAL ...I ALWAYS USE MY IRON BIAS ON 3 ON MY NOX 800

[@MentalMetal]

Awesome Thanks!

[@MrMarcellolsilva]

I believe using recover speed is enough . I never used iron bias! Am I wrong?

[@MentalMetal]

The less Iron bias the better but don't go over 4. Thats what I found out to work best for me.

[@markheninger5739]

Hey Scott, have you heard about the coil ears breaking. I think the Nox will be my next detected. Also is the 800 a heck of a lot better then the 600. Kind of a dumb question, but you know what I mean.

[@MentalMetal]

Yes I've heard about it but it hasn't happened to me thankfully. You can pick up a support piece for them that will solve that problem. As far as the 600 vs 800. I really like the 800 for the extra features and I feel its worth the extra $$$. You can get about 75% of the features with the 600 so many stick with the 600 but I would go the 800 route. Give Keith a ring over at Fort Bedford or check out my Kellyco link in the description. I also did a comparison between the 2 machines over on my website: mentalmetaldetecting.com/minelab-equinox-600-vs-800-is-there-a-big-difference/

[@markheninger5739]

Thank so much. Love the channel. Been watching since Greg and you got started. Thanks again. I’m going to your web site. Take care and keep bring the good content.

[@MentalMetal]

Dang Mark thats a LONG time ago. I appreciate the loyalty. You should join us over on Patreon as well. I do a lot more stuff over there.

[@markheninger5739]

@@MentalMetal send me the link, please

[@MentalMetal]

Sorry Mark its hard to figure who I have and haven't responded to so my apologies for the delayed response. Here is the link: www.patreon.com/mentalmetaldetecting You will have direct access to me over there if want to chat or give me some ideas on what you want to see etc.

[@Whadaa72]

Wow I'm like dang it. My machine automatically picks 7 in field 1 which i like. Im going to check this out. Thankyou

[@MentalMetal]

Should only be 6 unless you changed it to 7 unless they did something I"m not aware of.

[@Whadaa72]

@@MentalMetal sure wish you would have started at zero in the settings. Now I'm really liking the iron bias because of your video. A little different out here in Idaho compacted clay and mega iron everywhere

[@GarysMetalDetecting]

Making My rounds, take care.

[@MentalMetal]

Thanks same to you!

[@oldArmyVet]

I like 3 iron bias the best in yards

[@MentalMetal]

Thanks! If that works for you then use it, I think this setting will depend on the ground conditions.

[@mr.rogers5586]

I turn on iron bias and I get a lot of nails and bottle caps with the Nox 800.

[@datrooster4112]

Those u shaped nails are just evil lol

[@MentalMetal]

Yes they are LOL. Thanks for watching.

[@robelproton4934]

nice

[@MentalMetal]

Thanks

[@bibliophile2707]

This is why I keep the iron bias at 0.

[@MentalMetal]

You def get more depth at 0

[@Whadaa72]

Why not run it on zero?

[@MentalMetal]

You certainly can I just wouldnt any higher than 4 IMO.

[@leeduncan5819]

forgot the f2

[@MentalMetal]

Yep I didn't go over in this video but did in this one. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eorbeoOAZ9h7pK8

[@Mr16829]

Set iron bias at 0 for best results. Any other settings you could miss good targets.

[@MentalMetal]

Yep you are probably correct.

[@thomasnappo6309]

Stick with Stock settings...let the machine do all the work..

[@MentalMetal]

Then you can get the best performance. You are setting up to hunt like everyone else would. A few tweaks and you will edging out others.

[@horseman528]

I'll just stick with my AT Pro. I'm a simple minded person who doesn't like to fiddle with all that stuff.

[@MentalMetal]

Nothing wrong with that at all. Just enjoy yourself and have fun. The AT Pro is a great machine and I still use mine.

[@jgdevoe]

Maybe the diff between FE and F2.

[@MentalMetal]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eorbeoOAZ9h7pK8