This roundup keeps the focus on that real-world choice. The best pick is the one that matches your most common site, not the one with the longest feature list. If you want one clear answer, the Minelab Equinox 800 leads the group. If you want to spend less, the Equinox 600 and Simplex+ keep ownership easier. If your permissions are full of junk, the Garrett AT Pro still has a job to do. If you want more tuning room, the Nokta Legend is the upgrade pick.
| Pick | Best for | Why it fits | Watch out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minelab Equinox 800 | All-around relic hunting | Multi-IQ plus single frequencies at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 40 kHz gives it the broadest range here | More settings than a casual buyer may want |
| Minelab Equinox 600 | Lower-cost multi-frequency choice | Keeps the same general Minelab feel with a simpler frequency set and easy carry weight | Less high-end control than the 800 |
| Garrett AT Pro | Trash-heavy parks and permissions | 15 kHz single frequency and fast target sorting help in cluttered ground | Older control layout and AA battery planning |
| Nokta Legend | Buyers who want more tuning room | Simultaneous multi-frequency plus 4, 10, 15, 20, and 40 kHz single frequencies | More setup work than a starter wants |
| Nokta Makro Simplex+ | Budget-first entry | Waterproof, light enough to carry all day, and simple to learn | Single-frequency limits on rough iron sites |
Use the table as a site match, not a scorecard. The right detector is the one that makes your most common hunt easier, whether that means better separation in junk, more frequency flexibility in mixed ground, or a lower-cost machine you will actually take out often.
Minelab Equinox 800 - Best overall
The Minelab Equinox 800 is the strongest first choice because it covers the widest spread of relic-hunting situations without feeling like a niche machine. Multi-IQ plus the single-frequency options at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 40 kHz give you room to move between cleaner fields, iron-stained house sites, and mixed permissions without changing detectors. The 2.96-pound weight also keeps it in the practical range for longer walks.
It suits buyers who want one machine that can grow with them. If you hunt a variety of sites, or if you simply do not want to buy a second detector after your first year, the 800 makes a strong case. Waterproofing to 10 feet helps keep rain, wet grass, and muddy edges from ending the day early, which matters more than it sounds when a permission only opens up after a wet week.
The limitation is simple: this is a feature-rich detector. That is good when you use the options, and less useful when you just want a turn-on-and-go machine. If you know you want fewer menus and less adjustment, the Equinox 600 is the easier step down, and the Simplex+ is even simpler.
Minelab Equinox 600 - Best lower-cost multi-frequency choice
The Minelab Equinox 600 belongs on this list because it keeps the core Minelab approach while trimming away some of the extra control that pushes the 800 higher. For relic hunters who want a flexible detector but do not need every top-end option, that balance is often the sweet spot. It still sits at 2.96 pounds and still gives you 10-foot waterproofing, so it stays comfortable and field-ready.
This is the better pick for someone who wants a cleaner path into multi-frequency hunting. It handles varied sites well enough for most casual and serious users, and it does that without asking for the same level of patience as the 800. If your permissions are a mix of old yards, creek edges, and open ground, the 600 covers a lot of ground without making the hobby feel expensive on day one.
The trade-off is that it gives up some of the 800’s high-frequency reach and overall control depth. That matters most when the site is especially difficult or the targets are small and faint. If your hunting leans harder than average, step up to the 800. If budget and simplicity matter more than flexible tuning, the Simplex+ is the cleaner low-cost move.
Garrett AT Pro - Best for trash-heavy permissions
The Garrett AT Pro earns its place because trashy ground changes the job. On old parks, crowded yards, and permissions with bottle caps, tabs, and other junk close to good targets, target sorting matters as much as raw frequency reach. The AT Pro’s 15 kHz single-frequency setup and 3.03-pound weight make it a steady, practical option when the main problem is clutter rather than site variety.
It suits hunters who spend a lot of time in places where good targets sit beside junk targets. That is a real relic-hunting problem, especially on older permissions that have seen decades of use. The 10-foot waterproofing and AA battery system add everyday convenience for people who like simple power swaps and a detector that can keep up with wet grass and muddy access.
Its limitation is that it is not the broadest or most flexible detector in this group. The control layout also feels more dated than the Minelab and Nokta options. If you want more frequency range or more modern adjustment, the Equinox 800 or Nokta Legend is the better move. If your ground is messy but not especially variable, the AT Pro still makes sense.
Nokta Legend - Best premium upgrade
The Nokta Legend is the right pick for buyers who want more control than a beginner detector offers and are willing to spend time learning the machine. Simultaneous multi-frequency plus single frequencies at 4, 10, 15, 20, and 40 kHz gives it a wide working range, and the 3.08-pound body keeps it in a realistic carry weight for relic hunting.
This detector helps most on ground that changes character from one site to the next. If you like to tune your machine to the permission instead of forcing every site into the same setup, the Legend gives you that room. It is a strong fit for experienced hobbyists who want a premium machine but do not want to jump straight to the most expensive tier.
The downside is that it asks for more attention. More options can be useful, but only if you want to spend time using them. If you prefer a simpler start, the Equinox 600 or Simplex+ will feel easier on the first few outings. If you want the clearest all-around blend of control and convenience, the Equinox 800 remains the easier recommendation.
Nokta Makro Simplex+ - Best budget entry
The Nokta Makro Simplex+ is the easiest low-cost way into this roundup. At 12 kHz and 2.9 pounds, it stays simple to carry and simple to understand, which is a real advantage for new relic hunters or anyone who wants a backup detector that does not need a long learning curve. Its 10-foot waterproofing also makes it practical for wet grass, puddled paths, and muddy edges.
It fits buyers who want a detector they can pick up and use without feeling like they need a manual at the truck. That makes it a good choice for cleaner relic sites, casual weekend hunting, and first-time owners who want to get out in the field more and tinker less. In that setting, the Simplex+ keeps the focus on hunting instead of on settings.
The limitation is the same one you would expect from a single-frequency machine: it has less room to adapt when the ground gets ugly. If your permissions have lots of iron or changing soil, the Equinox 600 is a better step up and the Equinox 800 gives you more breathing room still. For a budget start, though, the Simplex+ is easy to live with.
How to narrow the choice
The easiest way to choose is to start with the kind of ground you actually hunt most often.
- Choose the Minelab Equinox 800 if you hunt many site types and want the widest range of frequency options in one detector.
- Choose the Minelab Equinox 600 if you want a multi-frequency path but do not need the extra reach of the 800.
- Choose the Garrett AT Pro if junk is the biggest problem and you want quicker sorting in cluttered permissions.
- Choose the Nokta Legend if you enjoy tuning and want a premium machine with more adjustment room.
- Choose the Nokta Makro Simplex+ if price, simplicity, and waterproof convenience matter more than advanced control.
Weight and waterproofing matter more than they look on paper. A detector around the 3-pound mark is still comfortable for long hunts, and waterproofing removes a lot of friction when weather or terrain turns messy. That is why the light, field-ready models stay in the shortlist instead of getting pushed aside for feature-heavy alternatives.
Setup time matters too. A machine that is easy to understand gets used more often, and relic hunting rewards time on the ground. If you know you will only hunt a few times a month, the Simplex+ or Equinox 600 can be easier to keep using because they ask less of you before the hunt starts. If you hunt often and like to work difficult sites, the Equinox 800 or Legend earns its place by giving you more control when you need it.
Final verdict
For most relic hunters, the Minelab Equinox 800 is the best overall pick because it gives the broadest useful mix of frequency options in a detector that is still comfortable to carry and practical to use. The Equinox 600 is the cleaner value choice, the Garrett AT Pro is the trash-site specialist, the Nokta Legend is the best upgrade for buyers who want more control, and the Simplex+ is the easiest budget start.
If you want one detector that can move across different relic sites without boxing you into a narrow use case, start with the Equinox 800. If you want the lowest-cost path, choose the Simplex+. If you know your sites are crowded with junk, the AT Pro remains a smart specialist option. And if you want to spend more time tuning than most buyers, the Legend is the better premium step.