The comparison below focuses on the things that change day-to-day use: how much adjustment room you get, how you power the detector, how heavy it feels on a long hunt, and whether the waterproof design suits the ground you cover. The Minelab Equinox 800 shows up twice because two different buyers care about it for two different reasons.
| Pick | Best for | Why it fits | Watch out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minelab Equinox 800 | One detector for changing sites | Multi-IQ plus single frequencies, 2.96 lb, rechargeable lithium-ion battery | More settings to learn |
| Garrett AT Pro | A serious step-up on a tighter budget | 15 kHz single frequency, 3.03 lb, 10-foot waterproof rating, 4 AA batteries | Less flexibility on mixed ground |
| Nokta Makro Simplex+ | The easiest detector to keep ready | 2.9 lb, internal rechargeable lithium battery, 10-foot waterproof rating | Fewer advanced controls |
| Minelab Equinox 800 | A control-first buyer who will use the extra settings | Flexible frequency choices and broad tuning room | Pays off only if you want to adjust it |
Best all-around choice: Minelab Equinox 800
The Minelab Equinox 800 is the cleanest pick if you want one detector to cover several kinds of hunts. Its strength is flexibility: Multi-IQ and the single-frequency options give it more room to adapt than a machine built around one fixed setup. That matters when your week might include a park, a field edge, and a wet stretch of ground, because you are not starting from scratch each time.
The Equinox 800 also keeps the carry side reasonable at 2.96 lb, and the rechargeable lithium-ion battery avoids the constant AA habit. For a buyer who hunts often, that is a practical advantage. You charge it, pack it, and go.
The trade-off is the one that usually decides premium purchases. More ability means more controls, and more controls mean more learning. If you want a detector that feels simple on day one, this is not the easiest route. In that case, the AT Pro or the Simplex+ is the calmer buy. Choose the Equinox 800 when you want one machine that can grow with you and you are willing to spend time learning the settings.
Best value step-up: Garrett AT Pro
The Garrett AT Pro is the smartest lower-cost move for buyers who still want a serious detector with a more direct ownership routine. The 15 kHz single frequency keeps the platform straightforward, and the 3.03 lb weight stays close to the Equinox 800. It also carries a 10-foot waterproof rating, so it suits hunters who do not want to baby the detector around wet ground or bad weather.
What makes the AT Pro appealing is the balance between capability and simplicity. Four AA batteries keep the power side easy to solve, especially if you like keeping spares in a bag or truck. You do not have to plan around a charging schedule as tightly as you do with a built-in battery pack.
The limitation is flexibility. A single-frequency detector can be the right tool for many hunts, but it does not give you the same room to adapt when the ground changes or when you want more tuning options. If you mostly hunt one type of site and want a rugged, serious detector without a more complicated learning curve, the AT Pro fits well. If you know you want broader adjustment room, move up to the Equinox 800 instead.
Best easy-to-live-with option: Nokta Makro Simplex+
The Nokta Makro Simplex+ is the easiest machine in this group to keep ready for quick hunts. At 2.9 lb, it stays light enough for casual park sessions or longer walks, and the internal rechargeable lithium battery makes the power routine simple. It also has a 10-foot waterproof rating, which gives it enough protection for common wet-ground use without adding much ownership complexity.
This is the right choice for the buyer who wants a cleaner day-to-day experience. If you are not interested in fine-tuning every setting and just want a detector that is easy to grab on a free evening, the Simplex+ makes sense. It gives you a more approachable path into better gear without asking you to manage a pile of batteries or a bigger control layout.
The limitation is obvious: fewer advanced controls. That is fine for many casual and intermediate hunters, but it becomes a drawback when you want more room to shape the detector around different sites. If you expect to keep learning and adjusting as you move through different kinds of ground, the Equinox 800 is the stronger long-term choice. If you want the simplest premium-style routine, the Simplex+ is easier to live with.
Best control-first pick: Minelab Equinox 800
The Minelab Equinox 800 also belongs in the control-first slot because some buyers do not just want flexibility; they want to use it. That matters if you are the kind of hunter who changes settings by site, thinks about how the detector behaves in different ground, and wants enough adjustment room to make those choices count. The Equinox 800 gives you that space without pushing you into a separate machine for every type of hunt.
That kind of detector rewards people who are willing to learn it. Once you know the layout, the extra settings stop feeling like clutter and start feeling like tools. The detector becomes more useful because you can shape it to the day instead of forcing every day to look the same.
The downside is simple: if you are not going to touch the settings much, you are paying for ability that sits idle. That is why this model is not the automatic answer for every buyer. The Garrett AT Pro and Nokta Makro Simplex+ are easier if you want fewer decisions. Pick the Equinox 800 when you want the most adaptable platform in this group and you plan to use that adaptability.
Match the detector to your routine
The easiest way to choose is to match the detector to your real routine, not to a feature list.
- If you hunt several different places in a month, the Equinox 800 makes the most sense because it gives you the widest adjustment room.
- If you want a more straightforward serious detector and you like AA batteries, the AT Pro keeps ownership simple.
- If you want the lightest and easiest detector to keep ready, the Simplex+ is the least demanding of the three.
- If long sessions matter, the sub-3-pound class is worth attention because the difference adds up over time.
- If you dislike charging routines, the AT Pro is easier to revive with spare batteries.
- If you prefer one rechargeable pack and fewer loose parts, the Equinox 800 and Simplex+ both keep that side cleaner.
A premium detector is only a good buy when the power routine, weight, and control load fit the way you hunt. A machine with more settings is not automatically the better choice. It is better only when you will use those settings. That is why the Equinox 800 leads the roundup, but not every buyer should land there.
Final verdict
For most buyers in this roundup, the Minelab Equinox 800 is the safest premium choice because it gives the broadest set of options without forcing you into a second detector later. Choose the Garrett AT Pro if you want a serious step-up with a simpler battery routine and a lower-friction feel. Choose the Nokta Makro Simplex+ if you want the easiest detector to keep ready and do not need the deepest control set.
If you want one machine to cover changing sites, buy the Equinox 800. If you want the most straightforward ownership path, buy the AT Pro or the Simplex+. That is the clean split in this group.