EQ 800 or 900 or Manticore

[GroundScanner]

I’m itching for a new detector. I want it to be my go to detector for everything. Park, common, relic, beach, gold, you name it. I’m looking for Multi frequency, waterproof, and fast recovery and deep. I had at one time a EQ 800 and never gave it any time before I sold it. I was thinking the Manticore but the settings is over whelming and I’m not sure how to use all the settings. I hear EQ 900 and Manticore false on iron quite a bit. I know all detectors at a degree will false also on iron. With all you guys that had the EQ 800, was it a huge upgrade for the 800 to 900 or to the Manticore? What’s your opinion? Alsp the rechargeable battery’s in these units. Do they hold up for years or ? I have been reading and catching up. I been out for awhile and lots of new detectors came out. Looking for something to grow with. I’m thinning down a few single frequency detectors and just want a couple good ones. Thanks Chris

 

[markinswpa]

First, rechargeable batteries haven't been a problem. My 800 which I used for almost 5 years, ( March of 18 to Dec. of 22 averaging 80 - 100 hunts a year) still holds a good charge. The 900 I used for a little over a year without any battery issues. Didn't care for the machine and sold it. Now the Manticore, which I've used for a year now, only had it out about 40 + times does have a short run time & long charge time. Too remedy that I added an R&B battery pack. I have read a few posts where someones battery died and they had to replace it.

As far as setting up the Manticore, IMO the user interface is quite simple. I consider myself a techno dummy and had no problems figuring it out. Plus there are tutorials to help. If you had an 800 you won't find it too difficult.
It does love iron as did the 900. Its up to you to learn whats trying to tell you. I can cherry pick with it all day long but its those iffy /mixed signals where the Manticore shines. Unmasking is fantastic. And running a high recovery speed with the 9 in. coil the depth is quite respectable. After a couple hundred hours on it I'm think I'm starting to gel with it.

So IMO the Manticore is my first choice, no on the 900. The 800 is still a formidable machine and in that price range I wouldn't rule out the Legend. That is a fine machine as well. Good luck with your choice.

 

[LawrencetheMDer]

Had 4 800s and used 15" coil. Drowned 3 of them. Have 1 800 for back-up now but will not hunt in water with it since out of warranty. Replaced with Manticore for past 2 yrs, also with 15" coil. I'm very pleased with the Manticore, have found lots of gold and very small gold. Few days ago found 18k white gold tennis bracelet with 7ct of diamonds (hope to post later), retail of $12,000!!! It was about a ft down on the blanket line on a VERY HEAVILY HUNTED beach - actually one of the most hunted beaches in the world. I am absolutely certained that numerous MDers had gone of the same target but missed because of the small links and depth. I am also convinced that the bracelet was buried in the sand for safe keeping and subsequently lost (burying valuables at the beach - about 5% of people do it and lose it, and 14% put valuables under the towel and forget them).
My main gripe with Manticore is the poor audio quality of the signals. Being hearing poor, I use Underwater Boost, under Settings, in order to obtain a clear signal I can hear. It will false with heavy iron or rusty screws, sometimes, but may be due to my broad acceptance range. Haven't drowned the Manticore, so far.