The short answer
The Minelab Equinox 800 is still a capable detector, but it is no longer the default new buy. Minelab lists the Equinox 600 and 800 as discontinued products. That turns the 800 into a condition-and-price decision: used or old stock must be meaningfully cheaper than the current Equinox 900.
Buy an 800 when you can inspect the exact detector, confirm the battery, charging system, coil and waterproof integrity, and the savings leave room for legacy risk. Buy the current Equinox 900 package with 11-inch and 6-inch coils when you want the cleaner shaft, deeper water rating, finer target-ID scale, second supplied coil and current warranty.
What made the Equinox 800 important
The 800 combined Minelab’s simultaneous Multi-IQ system with Park, Field, Beach and Gold search families. It also offered selectable single frequencies, adjustable recovery speed, Iron Bias, wireless audio, a built-in rechargeable battery and a waterproof control system rated to 3 meters (10 feet).
That remains a useful specification set. The problem is not that the detector suddenly stopped working when Minelab released the 900. The problem is that age, condition and package completeness now matter as much as the original feature list.
Equinox 800 specifications that still matter
| Decision factor | Equinox 800 | Why it still matters |
|---|---|---|
| Detection system | Multi-IQ plus selectable 4, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 40 kHz | Covers general land, beach and gold-focused work with useful adjustment |
| Search families | Park, Field, Beach and Gold, two profiles each | Gives site-specific starting points rather than one generic mode |
| Standard coil | EQX11 11-inch Double-D | Strong general-purpose coverage; inspect coil ears and cable on used units |
| Target IDs | -9 to 40 | Useful, but less granular than the current 900’s -19 to 99 scale |
| Waterproofing | 3 m / 10 ft | Suitable for wading and shallow submersion when seals remain sound |
| Weight | About 2.95 lb / 1.34 kg | Still manageable, though the older shaft is less compact than the 900’s |
| Battery | Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion, about 12 hours published runtime | Actual used runtime and charging behavior matter more than the original claim |
| Audio | Speaker, wired output, Bluetooth and WM 08 support | Check which headphones or module are actually included |
The 4 kHz option arrived through Minelab’s 3.0 software update. A used unit should be checked for firmware state rather than assumed to include every later feature.
The real used-buy test
An Equinox 800 can be excellent value, but only after it passes a condition audit.
Battery and charging
Ask the seller to fully charge the detector and demonstrate usable runtime, not merely show the charging icon. Inspect the magnetic charging contacts and confirm the correct USB charge cable is included. A built-in battery makes a tired pack more consequential than replacing disposable cells.
Coil ears, cable and connector
Inspect the mounting ears for cracks or distortion, and check whether the bolt has been overtightened. Look along the full coil cable for cuts, sharp kinks or repairs. The standard EQX11 coil is valuable only when its structure and cable are sound.
Shaft and arm cuff
Check every lock for play, confirm the arm cuff is intact and adjust the shaft to your actual reach. Cosmetic scuffs are different from a detector that shifts or twists on every swing.
Water history
A listing saying “waterproof” does not prove an older detector remains watertight. Ask whether it was submerged, used in saltwater and rinsed afterward. Inspect the control pod and charging area for corrosion, residue, screen damage or improvised sealing.
Controls, screen and audio
Test every button, the backlight, target response, speaker, wired output and any included wireless audio. A seller video should show the actual unit moving through modes and responding to a target, not just a startup screen.
Equinox 800 versus current Equinox 900
| Decision factor | Equinox 800 | Equinox 900 | Buying consequence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status | Discontinued | Current | The 800 needs a real price advantage |
| Multi-frequency engine | Multi-IQ | Multi-IQ | The core platform remains related |
| Target-ID range | -9 to 40 | -19 to 99 | The 900 gives finer identification and discrimination segments |
| Waterproof depth | 3 m / 10 ft | 5 m / 16 ft, IP68 | The 900 has more current published water headroom |
| Weight | 2.95 lb | 2.8 lb | Small advantage to the 900 |
| Shaft | Older telescoping design | Three-piece carbon-fiber, 24-inch collapsed length | The 900 packs and travels more cleanly |
| Standard coils | EQX11 11-inch | EQX11 11-inch plus EQX06 6-inch | The 900 adds meaningful package value for tight or trashy ground |
| Controls | Original screen and keypad | Red backlight, keypad light, flashlight and vibration | The 900 is easier to manage in poor light or noisy conditions |
| Ferrous handling | FE and F2 Iron Bias | Improved separation and ferrous rejection based on the later platform | The 900 is the stronger fresh purchase for difficult mixed targets |
| Warranty | Depends on age, proof and seller | Three years for current control box and coil | Used savings must compensate for support risk |
Minelab says the Multi-IQ engine is the same across both generations, while processor changes in the 700 and 900 improve Iron Bias, target separation and discrimination depth. That is more precise than claiming the 900 simply “goes deeper” everywhere.
When the 800 is the better value
The 800 can win when all of these are true:
- The exact unit passes the battery, coil, shaft, controls, audio and water-history checks.
- It includes the charger and the accessories you actually need.
- Its software state is confirmed.
- The price is substantially below a current 900 package after accounting for the 900’s included 6-inch coil.
- You do not need the 5-meter rating, compact shaft, expanded ID scale or current warranty.
- You already own compatible EQX coils or other 600/800 accessories and keeping the kit together has value.
An 800 is not a bargain merely because its sticker price is lower. Compare the complete working package.
When the 900 is worth paying for
Start with the 900 if this is your first serious Minelab, you travel with the detector, you want a small coil immediately, or water use is part of the plan. The standard package includes both the EQX11 and EQX06 coils plus ML85 wireless headphones, so compare that package against the real contents of the used 800 offer.
The 900 is also the better fit when you want to keep the detector for years without wondering whether an older battery, shaft or control pod was already near the end of its reliable life.
For a deeper comparison, read Equinox 800 vs 900: Which Detector Should You Buy? . If the premium decision is between the 900 and Minelab’s flagship, use our Manticore vs Equinox 900 guide .
Do not buy old stock by model name alone
An unopened or retailer-listed Equinox 800 may sound safer than a used one, but verify the seller, manufacture and storage history, warranty eligibility, return terms and exact bundle. Old stock can still contain an aging battery, and a marketplace title can group several packages under one page.
Avoid any offer that hides the actual model, substitutes an unidentified coil, omits the charger or uses a stock image to represent a used unit. The product’s reputation does not repair a weak listing.
Verdict
Buy a Minelab Equinox 800 when you can verify a clean, complete, functional unit and the price is low enough to compensate for discontinued status. It remains a capable Multi-IQ detector with useful land, beach and gold modes.
Buy the current Equinox 900 when the discount is modest, the 800’s condition is unclear, or you value the 5-meter rating, compact carbon-fiber shaft, expanded target IDs, second supplied coil and current warranty. For most buyers starting without compatible legacy gear, the 900 is the more durable purchase.
Sources: Minelab product manuals and discontinued-product support , Minelab Equinox series FAQ , Minelab Equinox 900 product page , Minelab Equinox 900 specifications .
Frequently asked questions
Is the Minelab Equinox 800 discontinued?
Yes. Minelab lists the Equinox 600 and 800 under discontinued products while continuing to provide manuals, software and accessory support.
Is a used Equinox 800 still worth buying?
It can be when the exact detector is clean, fully functional, updated and priced well below a comparable current Equinox 900 package. A small discount is not enough to absorb battery, shaft, seal and warranty risk.
What should you inspect on a used Equinox 800?
Check the control pod, charging contacts and cable, battery runtime, shaft and arm cuff, coil ears and cable, headphone or wireless audio, buttons, screen and signs of water or salt damage.
What does the Equinox 900 improve over the 800?
Minelab gives the 900 a 5-meter waterproof rating, carbon-fiber collapsible shaft, -19 to 99 target-ID scale, improved separation and ferrous rejection, backlit keypad, flashlight, vibration and a standard second 6-inch coil.
See Also
If you are weighing this model, also compare it with Minelab Sovereign GT Review: Used Classic or Outdated Buy?, Minelab Excalibur II Review: A Dive Detector, Not an All-Rounder, and Bounty Hunter Fast Tracker Review: Is FAST-PL the Right Starter?.
For broader context before you decide, Waterproof vs Non-Waterproof Metal Detector Headphones and Koss UR-30 Headphones for Metal Detecting Review help round out the trade-offs.