bigtim1973:
SO what are your thoughts on the Vanquish? ... I like the Vanquish 540.
I bought the first 540 Pro Pack, anticipating some of the weaknesses it might have, but with an open mind to what level of design quality, comfort and in-the-field performance it might provide. I was correct in that I found the weakness in 10-15 minutes after I had it assembled. Then I took it detecting for a week, isolated the strengths and weaknesses it had, and determined it was a good 'fit' in my Detector Outfit. The following Monday after it arrived I sent it to Minelab USA for a service tech to check out my concerns and see if they might have any way to correct a performance glitch.
After I sent it in for service, I ordered another brand new Vanquish 540 Pro Pack. Why? Because, for me and my search needs, there are a number of applications where the 540 will satisfy me with both of the search coils. I do not like to fuss around with search coil changes afield, and haven't since the latter '70s, preferring to keep each detector in my outfit with the only coil I plan to use with it mounted full-time, although there are a few exceptions and I do have some Accessory Coils, but get in that tote very seldom.
Also, I do the vast majority of my detecting using a smaller-size search coil due to the very dense trash and also building rubble, brush, etc. that is confining. For that I use a 5" to 6" diameter search coil. In fringe-areas at the old sites I search, or for some common urban Coin Hunting places where I might want to use a mid-sized coil, then I opt for something like a round 7" Concentric or an elliptical, such as a 5X8 DD or 5X9½ DD. I very seldom use a search coil larger than that except for a beach, a large open park, a plowed field or pastureland, etc. I have little use for larger coils because of my age and health limitations to handle a heavy or awkward device.
But there are exceptions and the Vanquish 540 is one of two in my Outfit that are that exception. The 540 and 9X12 DD make a very comfortable match-up for me and when I evaluated my first 540 with that coil, I was rather impressed with how long I was able to hunt without fatigue! I admit that I was mainly attracted to the looks and performance of the 5X8 DD and that's the main-use coil that will stay at-the-ready on one V-540 in my vehicle on a daily basis. I have two or three detectors that are always ready on the back seat for anything I might chance upon, and the 540 w/5X8 DD is one of them. The other 540 will keep the 9X12 attached and ready-to-grab when I want to cover a more open environment with sparse targets to deal with.
Does it have a faster process than the Equinox did? ... 'Faster process' can mean different things. The Teknetics T2 series have one of the faster 'processors' and, sometimes, can hit-and-recover very, very quickly leading one to believe they are about the best when it comes to handling a very littered site. But a 'fast processor' only goes so far because there are other factors involved, such as also handling Discriminated or rejected targets and then recovering fast-enough to then respond to an accepted target. I have a few Test Samples I use to evaluate a detector and see how 'fast' they might be, and then I test them in a challenging environment. Some fall way short of performance even though they appear to be 'fast.'
The Vanquish 540 displays a quicker response-and-recovery in the Coin mode and a slower response and recovery time in the Relic mode. Those provide a bit of performance 'edge' for hunting in a high-target area compared with performance for a more open area where masking targets are minimal and better detection depth can be achieved. The Jewelry mode is a quicker response, more like the Coin mode, but with some characteristics of the Relic mode.
I see the Vanquish has 4 AA batteries. I kind of like that better. ... I definitely like that. The 540 comes with 4-AA NiMH rechargeable batteries and charger, and I keep 4-AA alkaline batteries on-hand when I am out detecting just in case the rechargeable batteries trail off before I'm finished detecting. I like that option.
So what are some of your experiences that have used both? ... I haven't owned an Equinox 600 or 800, and one reason is I tried a couple my friends use and I didn't like the 'feel' of the detector package. The Vanquish has a much more adjustable design and also is more comfortable. I had the expectation than the Vanquish would have two weaknesses. It relied solely on the Multi-IQ technology and lacked the ability to select a single operating frequency. Also, it lacked operator selected Automated GB or Manual GB. I noted the glitchy design in some modes with the Equinox if using the default '0' GB setting and that similar approach is used with the Vanquish. For the best all-around performance with the Equinox, it is always better to adjust the Ground Balance for the hunt site. Use the Automated 'coil pumping' method or do a Manual GB.
Lacking that ability, the 'glitch' I refer to is related to the default controlled GB setting and might not be adjustable. It is either done by an internal trimmer or two, or it is designed in 'software' and I'll know if that is the case tomorrow. My first V-540 I sent off to the service tech is due to be returned tomorrow and I'll review their comments. My guess it is a 'software' issue and they can either correct it, or all the Vanquish 540's will be the same. I know my 2nd new 540 displayed the very same issue.
However, I learned how to deal with it and still get very favorable performance from this affordable Vanquish model, and so far using it afield has been rather enjoyable and w/o issue. All I need to do now is decide which of the factory programs I prefer for the types of sites I'll hunt using the two different search coils, then on that model I'll adjust the desired Discrimination notches I'll accept (all but the first two) and then 'Save' that primary mode and Disc. setting in the 'Custom' mode. Thus, the detector and coil will always be good-to-go when I grab it.
I do not beach hunt so the waterproof thing is the least important. ... I only hunt a freshwater beach now and then, and I don't swim, or dive, but am prepared for an accidental fall or detector drop into the water, so for those applications I use a Simplex+. Most of my detecting time is working old homesteads, townsites, abandoned and forlorn school, church or dance hall sites, and other places well away fro urban city life. However, I do spend a little time Coin & Jewelry Hunting in-town just for a change now and then. I have settled on thinning out a lot of detectors and adding two or three in so that I now have 9 units in my Regular-Use Detector Outfit, and two of those I am pleased to have are my two Vanquish 540's.
Monte
