Merrill, your my favorite RU-vid detector. The way you rate detectors and test them is great. Your videos are always enjoyable to watch. Please keep up the good work. Because of you I bought the legend and that machine absolutely made an difference for me. Yes I might be missing things that the manticore or D2 might find. But I still go out to extremely hammered spots and pull out old coins, might not be silver but I don’t care it’s awesome to me. Thanks again for all you do.
I know your tied up on the MANTICORE (new toy) but what’s you opinion on Notka coming out with an update soon and the 2 new coils. I’ll probably pick up the 9x6.
The green thing on your rear view mirror indicated that the automatic glaze reduction is on. There is another small hole next to it that senses light. If you're driving at night and light falls into it, the mirror will slowly darken.
@@MetalDetectingNYC you can test if it's properly working using a flashlight in one hole and covering the other (the one is facing to the front of the car), and vice versa. The effect takes a few seconds.
In my 1994 Audi the mirror wasn't changing if there were street lamps and it wasn't really dark. I put a small piece of tape over the back sensor facing the hood and then Sharpied over that a bit to make it more sensitive. That might be worth trying.
Honestly this thing could perform exactly the same as my Nox 600 and I’d still want it. The expanded target ID and the 2D chart can potentially save so much time, which just means more time spent digging actual good signals.
Being from New England, it takes a lot for me to say this about a New Yorker, but I thoroughly enjoy watching your channel. I've watched just about every detecting channel on youtube over the years, and yours is hands down my favorite.
@@MetalDetectingNYC Well I'm a bona fide Southerner from NC and I enjoy your banter and colorful coverage of these MD machines and detecting as well. I'm chomping at the bit to have the type of finds you consistently have when detecting. And yes, my rear view mirror does nothing the same as yours.
I'm waiting to see how well this one does, I run the 600, and I have been pulling 1700's items out of the same spots for the last 3 yrs, I have never hunted out a spot yet! I truly believe the nox 600 would have found that ring as I dug plenty of rings that deep or deeper, will see if there's a big enough difference for the extra $$$ HH Merrill 😁 look forward towards your thoughts on this machine 😉
It’s not just the depth though, the question is how would that ring have looked and sounded with the Equinox? Definitely looking forward to a direct comparison of the same signals with both machines
I got a Manticore on pre-order here in Canada, hopefully it be waterproof. Last summer I went in a river after 4 years of being waterproof, I got water in the control box, but was able to dry the inside of it and it work again. But now I don’t trust it get in the water, so that’s why I am getting the Manticore and hopefully the coil attachment is better than the nox because I broke those too. Appreciate the effort to give us some great info about the Manticore.
I don't know what you are trying to say. If you detect for some time you wil notice that targets do appear, all sorts of reasons, maybe the ring was lost last year, gold is heavy and sinks fast, so who knows? We have fields here where people are searching for 40 years, and still coins are being found. If you watch your video again, you wil see that you don't overlap your swings, and only dig high numbers (gold can come in very low), but by overlapping you are still able to mis targets if your swing speed is not in line with your settings, or you settings are not sensitive to the target, which happens to all of us. I found tons of stuff that people claimed they pounded, and they probably did.I found tons of stuff on fields that I had pounded myself. Moral of the story we all miss stuff, weather we like to admit it or not. A new machine may respond/sound different on some targets, making you dig other targets. A 20 year old Tesoro can make you do the same, but the newer machines are more advanced of course. Weather conditions can have huge impact on your finds rates, damp soil, wet soil, dry soil, foggy weather, etc etc can make your finds rates real low on one day and real high two weeks later. If you would have taken your other machines, swinged them over your undug holes, and could not hear any these targets at all, you might would have a point. I know a girl who never detected, bought a Garrett Ace 150, wanting to try her machine so went into the public park in front of here house, one of her first targets was a medieval gold coin... Is the ace 150 better then the Manticore, you tell me ;-), in this case it was, pure luck is a huge factor in this hobby also.
Nothing you said in this comment is untrue. But if you think a Garrett Ace 150 can outperform or is as good as the Manticore or my Deus II, in my opinion, you are wrong. How do you know that medieval coin was not dropped recently, most likely it was, or masked by something?
I have been detecting for 18 years. I started out with a Garrett Ace 250, later the GTI 2500, and then migrated to the Minelab SE Pro. I currently have and use three detectors: the SE Pro, the E-Trac, and the Equinox 800. Living in New England, and strictly pursuing historical artifacts, I have two types of sites predominantly available: fields, and cellar holes. Both present unique challenges and demand not only different settings and methods, but also different coils. Coils are often not talked about, eclipsed by subjects such as recovery, visual target ID, and POWER. The Minelab SE Pro and E-Trac have better options in terms of coils, and if you explore what aftermarket options are out there, you'll find a veritable number of coils of various dimensions. In trashy areas I've had to turn down recovery speed on the 800 to 4, which pretty much turns it into an SE Pro, and while I love the ergonomics and weight of the 800, it has a bit of a blindspot when it comes to spotting small silver among the trash and iron, even with the small coil. The SE Pro, with its Ferrous/Conductive numeral display, seems to not suffer as much as the 800 from this phenomenon and provides more information. My point is that I would have very joyfully and willingly purchased a Manticore if they had a small coil for it in the box, and had incorporated the Ferrous/Conductive numeric system from the SE Pro and the E-Trac. Nothing I've seen or heard justifies purchasing a machine that does the same thing my 800 and SE Pro do, only differently.
Yes, I would not suggest bringing an equinox into the water. It only took me about four equinoxes to learn this lesson. I know they’re supposed to be good for so many feet under the water, but because I’m in such a high elevation, I figured that was calibrated at sea level then I thought on my third one that it was being caused by me blowing into the back speak to remove water so that I could hear it better now I just don’t take them in the water. I love the way they sniff silver but I don’t like to see the fish swimming in them.
I wonder why Minelab did not incorporate into this detector (or even the Equinox for that matter) their coil wire-through-the-shaft design like they did on my Safari. It is such a helpful feature for not getting snagged when you're wading through the brush. Still, getting that gold ring at 9" was a pretty good feat. Of course, we all know that many things factor in when digging a good deep target regardless of what detector one uses. So I just don't know if I can justify for myself the higher cost of the Equinoxes or the Manticore, which is why I opted for upgrading to the Nokta Legend recently. In any event, I enjoy your videos so keep them coming!
I can only afford a Vanquish 340 but I`m very happy to have it. I was looking at it and the Simplex then saw an open box deal for 30 off so I immediately ordered. I have no transportation and am on disability and nobody has hobbies anymore so nobody wants to go detecting. I have a fun Bounty Hunter Pioneer 202 with target ID but hunted a very old home site in the woods all day and found nothing. They`re designed for shallow coins and rings and few places like that exist here anymore since people switched to credit cards and sitting inside gaming. I did find an old Walking Liberty half dollar at my sister`s house while testing the Bounty Hunter but my nephew`s dog constantly barking and steady traffic going by made me vow within 2 minutes of testing the Vanquish to never detect there again. I can`t understand someone allowing a dog to act that way and doing nothing about it. He`s too busy gaming and growing his Dr Pepper gut to drive 3 miles to a sandy beach at a popular freshwater swimming area to metal detect. I would be using an electric bike to do so if it were safe to be on a Louisiana road and not a death sentence.
I'm a hold on the Manticore until I see and read more about performance in Colonial House sites Meryl. There is some question with carpet Iron made from colonial square nails that surround our sites in the Northeast. Its super early days yet and I'm not giving a thumbs down, I just need to be sure on this because of the price tag! I will be watching closely mate 😁 There is intense interest around this machine, but not enough video footage yet. Pesky work eh mate lol!
EXCELLENT video...I am so on the fence RE Manticore...8 or 9 inches...yes/no/maybe...$1600 bucks...ooooooo... I think I can easily say I am equally interested in the 900...AND...I'm still in love with my 800...what a mess!!
It's easy for me to decide, I'm 77 yo and don't have time to wait. I need the best before I can't get around anymore. It has to be better than the 800. My Deus II is better than the 800 in my opinion.
I absolutely love watching your videos they're very informative and I appreciate your light sense of humor. Hopefully after Christmas and the three kids are all taken care of maybe I can get my hands on an equinox 900!!!!
Super excited about the manticore, thanks for all your efforts and great videos,I can’t wait to get my manticore and I’m still planning on the legend too after your gold necklace air test. I’m interested in seeing how the manticore performs with the same chains.
Super video again Merrill as always!, but the way you test this new Minelab Manticore is interesting, how well more power ,more depth more exact signals, ya we're very excited and interested , i have 2 Excalibur 2,1 600 Equinox, do i need a Manticore hell ya, keep us updated Mr Merrell
its so refreshing to see your videos specially if you test detektors ... im just not sure if you are Statler or Waldorf but the internet and specially youtube surely can use more people like you which try toi find the truth and not just bend over for traffic and likes :D keep up the great work and greetings from bavaria
Another GREAT video Merrill. I am selling off one of my ham radios (another hobby). I don't have cheap hobbies!! Anyway, I am selling it for a newer metal detector. I have an E-Trac that has served me well for the past 10 or so years. I think when I bought it new from KellyCo, I paid $1700 for the detector, bag, digging tool, Garrett Pinpointer (black), and a garret treasure book. I am getting a little older and have two bad shoulders. So......the E-Trac is getting quite heavy now. It's always been heavy, but it is such a great machine that I didn't notice it as much before my shoulders and back wore out. The original NiCad battery only lasts about 2-3 hours of "heavy" hunting now, so that's all I am able to hunt with the E-Trac. I am a "have to have the best" kind of hobbyist, with everything. So, I am between the Nokta Legend, Equinox 900, DEUS II, and the Manticore. I would even consider the Nox 600 or 800 if not for the water issues. Thanks for all of the great comparison of ability vs price vs value videos. And, which machine is actually the "BEST" one for the time spent digging. There are plenty of great places here in eastern North Carolina to hunt. From the eastern plains, to the beach to the Civil War farm fields. Looking forward to a new machine. Thanks again Merrill.
I will for sure keep following your tests of the Manticore . My Nox 800 has paid for it's self in finds the 2 years I have used it so I would have a hard time putting it up to learn a new machine.
Lol! We have a Jeep that uses that rearview mirror setting. You will definitely notice it's use if you have a car behind you with bright lights at night time. It's meant to be used like the flip lever on the rearview to reduce the glare. My son just started driving and he turns it off every time he gets in the drivers seat. You know what's really dumb is some of these ads showing someone filling their cars gas fuel tank opening with a Crown Royal bottle.
Have had a few of your videos pop up recently and I like that. Great personality and a str8 shooter. I now subscribed and dropped a couple losers ! Nice early review on the Manticore.
Merrell thanks for what you do! To be fair to the other detectors it would be nice once you found a signal with the manticore again to see if the other detectors would have picked it up by trying them right there! Thank you
The biggest point that you brought up in your video when you compared the Nox to the Manticore is the Target ID. That's the one thing I said from day #1 using the Nox was that the scale was way too narrow. I have used the Nox 600 for over 4 years and found some amazing things, but.....I have since purchased the Legend and am really liking that the ID goes up to 60. I think that was a HUGE downfall on the Nox. Either way AWESOME video's, love watching them.
Love your channel! The only criticism that I have is that in the beginning of the video when you first started hunting, you simply turned the machine on and had at it. Sensitivity appeared to be at 20 which is no where near what the Manticore should be able to do, and also you did not perform a noise cancel which is critical to get the most sensitivity / depth out of the machine - the more sensitivity the more depth you will get! In fairness, you did say that you were trying to figure things out, but you still got the goods!
Hi there, my Toyota has one of those green lights on the mirror and it made me wonder what it was before I turned it off and was dazzled by someones mislined headlamp behind me. Then I turned it on again and it works a treat.
I appreciate your dedication to the hobby and your efforts in sharing your knowledge. Keep "plugging" away with the Manticore. Awaiting your future findings... especially under salt water.
If had an Equinox 800 for three years. Admittedly I'm a slower learner but I am still learning things about the detector. Two times using a new detector is not enough. Try doing this same video after about a year of study and use. Unless of course your just an ace!
Hay Merrill, you got a merc and a deep gold ring. So, I can say again, I'm glad I preordered my Manticore. I'll keep watching until mine arrives. Until then, keep sending videos my way. Thanks, Merrill, you're the BOMB.
Merrill thanks for the great vids! i would like to point out a few things with the minelab lineup though. I run a Vanquish 540 and my buddy runs a nox 800. The 40 VID segments on these machines are way too small. Neither of us can tell if we are digging a penny, dime or quarter. It bounces that much. Ive been detecting for 25 years and im convinced the 'great finds' coming from minelab are partially due to you having to dig everything because of the congested range on the ID scale. going to 100 segments like the older Whites machines was sorely needed. That said, i probably am going to pony up for a 900 or Manticore next year. The depth is amazing on these machines but im waiting for some sort of fix for the ferrous issue. Calabash digger has documented what i have already know is an issue with minelab....the love of iron. both my buddy and I have the same problem...iron ringing in as a high tone. The 2d display looks awesome in theory but from the videos i've watched is quite erratic and will need some tweaking.....Blessings to all my friend! John
There are two parks I have hunted a bunch with my NOX 800. Going back with my Deus II, I have dug a lot of silver coins that the NOX 800 missed. I sold my NOX 800. For me, the Deus II is that much better.
Do you think as good as these new detectors are that hunting out sites become much more plausible? I've found so much stuff at sites people told me I'd be wasting my time then walk out of there with a couple seated dimes and other silver.
Thanks Merrill, you convinced me to give up my beloved Nox 800 which has been such a wonderful detector. I sprung for the new Manticore from Kellyco. They are taking pre-orders, and I'm like 240 on the list! It's supposed to be available around February, give or take. Know anyone who wants an 800 with 11 and 15" coil?
I have a lot of experience with the 3030. If that machine is used properly. She can pull up a ring 18 inches deep thats tiny. In black sand, salt water. Now I just found that minelab released the manticore. What gives? How does it compare?
Another outstanding video with alot of insight Merrill!!! 👍 I had my name on list for the Manticore but since have elected to go the 900 route!! I've had numerous 6 and 800s and the CTX. Great machines but I'm a water hunter in Florida and have to have a WATERPROOF MACHINE as Ive flooded 5 including the CTX??? Dont need the fancy screen as it underwater most of time but I do not want to hike back to car with flooded machine!! 🤔 I guess we will see if I can drown another??? Thanks again Merril and Congrats on the GOLD!!!!!! 👍👍👍👍👍
Not sure if it's worth the money, just wish I new when there going to start passing them around I bought mine in august and all I can do watch everyone swinging it .I'm going out with the deus 2 today great video
I've had great success with my Deus II. Been finding lots, I mean lots of silver coins with my Deus II that my NOX 800 passed over. I too preordered the Manitcore, and still waiting.
Well... first. I hope you and your family have a nice Christmas. I've actually kind of lost interest in Detecting... the weather, possible violence in the parks & school yards. But I'm keeping up. From what I've seen... my 800 .... is good enough. oh... and I also have the Deus 2. I donno if I will ever purchase another detector @ 71 yrs. old.... I haven't many steps left. Good Video
Howdy do Merrill, yes, the new Manticore looks like it works very nicely, and assembles like a piece of cake (did someone say cake?). I believe that this new metal detector will put you in a higher class of Metal Detectorist. This I also believe, could make your channel really sore up in subscribers, it will put you in the big boy's club, detect farther down to more of the riches, and older items, it may blow your mind, especially with all of your experience. I can't wait until you get out there with the Manticore on a regular basis, good luck! Also, thank you for the news on the latest price on the NOX 600, I am almost ready to make the purchase soon, Christmas is near, so money is dear, if you know what I mean, but I will get there. Thank you, Merrill, for the latest news on Metal Detectors, this is greatly appreciated, you're the best! G t E.
Cool video! Thank you. Congratulations on Gold and Silver. Your mirror in your Jeep will darken at night when you have the lights from a car behind you shine on your mirror. Happy Hunting! I’m looking forward to seeing the Manticore in action!
Can not wait to hear your final thoughts but also interested in the premature thoughts too. As of right now I got the Equinox700 coming my way soon. Can not wait to compare the 600 with it along with the Vanquish 540. See ya on your Next video.
In my opinion, the Deus II outperforms the NOX 800 in parks, and on the beach. So much so that I sold my NOX 800. Merrill likes the NOX 800 better in the field than the Deus II?
Hey, Merrill, you've got to see what that little green light on your mirror does at night with headlights behind you. BTW I love your videos and really liked that ring find with the new Manticore. Good job!! I've got one coming but it seems it is on a boat somewhere in the Atlantic. 😥
I want one so bad but yea 1600 is really steep. But compared to what they were charging for the CTX I guess its affordable? Either way thanks for giving us the inside scoop. I look forward to seeing what comes next!!
Good morning Brian! The CTX is still the most expensive non gold detector Minelab offers. And to me I does not hold a candle to the Equinox or Manticore.
@@MetalDetectingNYC good morning!! I've always loved the FBS detectors but I think you might be right. At this point I would say the CTX is obsolete, especially at it's price point.
multi talented Merrill, Hey I just checked out your Leo Messi's drawing, That was great !, I am so relieved, He finally won the World Cup, That game was a rollercoaster ride of stress, For me, I wonder if at the time, you knew you were drawing the goat,? and Were you even metal detecting back then ? Because I picked up a few clues, You mentioned concentrating on the "tones, like Ferris and non Ferris,? And your Gary Drayton voice at the end was spot on, Lol I own the XP 2, And would love to see a head to head, with the manticore, When you get a chance, thanks again. Keep up the great videos. And have a great Christmas, 👍❤️
That's a big field/park. You could bring a hundred friends and it would never be hunted out. It's next to impossible. Just my opinion after 30+ yrs of detecting.
The electronic dimming mirror needs bright light hitting it to activate the dimming. It's weird but it works.. you will see it in action when someone gets behind ya' with hi headlights. Or use a bright flashlight to trigger it . I'm sticking with my 'Nox 800 for the record. Already spent enough, and it's a good enough machine let it pay for itself now LOl !
Thats awesome man. I'm sure my thoughts will reflect many others' thoughts as in, is it a better machine than the NOX 900, how will it perform on the beach and in the water, is it waterproof? Looking forward Merrill to your future reviews per these questions.
I will be watching your manticore break out, not sure, but I like to hear power since I layer hunt. The target signatures how about pull tabs how do they show up? Good show!
I'd love you to do a video on the Legend vs. Manticore. I just bought the Legend because everyone in our club has the 800 and honestly I wanted something a little different that rated very well and the fact that it's half to a third of MInelab cost simply made more sense. What do you think?.
Hi, I've arrived on this vid to check out the Manticore, so not familiar with your channel I'm just wondering whether you knew the ring was out there ? Was it something you'd been searching for, for a while ? You kind of gave the impression that "At last" you'd found it ?
i`m happy minelab didnt take a ride on the Nokta make the cheapest possible train. and insted went the XP way , and create a quality product , well atleast it looks like it. i will most likely forever be a XP guy , but thats just because im so used to it and love every bit of all theyr machines. that dosent mean other machines cant be good, and the manticore looks amazing .
You'll notice if that green light is turned on on your mirror, mainly just at night. Our old Sorento had it, but sadly our Pacifica does not. I actually miss it a lot.
Thanks for your preliminary reviews. I wanted a waterproof, and there are many good options, but I like ML and the 2d screen was interesting, though the price is ouch. My Nox 800 is perfectly adequate outside of the water and the Legend is cheaper. The waiting list for the Manicore i long and shipping slow so seeing these preliminary videos is so helpful.
I've watched you and your friends pound that field many times. Good work by the Manticore. The only real question, did none of you ever have your coil over that gold ring? Possible. Would the Nox or Deus II detect that ring if they were over it? How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop? The World may never know. What we do know? New tech...Gotta Love It!
NO MERRILL YOU MESSED UP THE RING DIG!!! After popping the plug you were supposed to say... OH MY GAH! OH MY GAH! Atleast every five seconds until you found the ring! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
The thing I am seeing that might get me to spend that much is the 2D. Also I like the coil over the 800! I have been thinking about the Duce. I have pulled targets with my AT Max at 12 inches, and if I put on the 15" coil I have pulled from 16". I would hate to dig that deep in some nice persons yard that deep!
I use a towel to pile dirt up on in yards. Pinpointing exactly where the target is helps so much in keeping everything looking good when you flip the plug back down. But yeah, digging a 16'' hole in a yard, might need a beach towel...lol
@@jimmyberubelevesque2557 He's talking about the Deus II, I think? I think a deeper plug means the roots are not damaged like when digging a shallow plug. Just my opinion.
As usual, I loved the way You explain the thing. Definitely for a wetsand and shallow water hunter could represent a good new tool. Maybe for a first buy. From my point of view, as a strong Ctx user I feel disappointed once again by ML. I complain the abiss between the Excal and the Ctx for underwater attitude, for amazing discrimination on one and fine stuff blindness on the other.The depth of each one is a different story in every single place but in the end... The D2 seems to be the only machine that gives me peace of mind over 6mt in depth with slightly more detection depth than my old trusty Ctx but slower if compared cause of a larger ID scale.I dig a third of it and still find not relevant crap 😂. Once you are used to the target trace and an undoubtedly gold range numbers You can trust, it's hard to change habits 🤐. But I'm sorry ML...Once again, this is not the new Ctx😒
