The Minelab EQUINOX 600 is still a capable all-round detector for parks, fields and saltwater beaches, but you will be buying it used. Minelab’s current US catalog lists the EQUINOX 700 and 900, not the 600. It offers Multi-IQ simultaneous multi-frequency, single frequencies of 5, 10 and 15 kHz, Park, Field and Beach profiles, and waterproofing to 3 m (10 ft). It has no Gold mode. Buy one used only at a clear discount to the EQUINOX 700, which costs $700 to $800 new and adds a lot.
This review is desk research from Minelab’s published specifications and US store, checked on October 3, 2026. Nobody at Backyard Prospectors has used this detector.
Key specs
| Spec | EQUINOX 600 | EQUINOX 700 (current) |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency | Multi-IQ; 5, 10, 15 kHz single | Multi-IQ; 4, 5, 10, 15 kHz single |
| Search profiles | Park 1/2, Field 1/2, Beach 1/2, All Metal, custom | Same |
| Gold mode | No | No |
| Sensitivity | 1 to 25 | 1 to 28 |
| Noise cancel | Auto | Auto and continuous auto |
| Target ID | -19 to 40 (50 segments) | -19 to 99 (119 segments) |
| Iron bias | 0 to 3 | 0 to 3 |
| Tones | 1, 2, 5, 50 | 1, 2, 5, All Tones, Depth |
| Waterproofing | 3 m (10 ft) | 5 m (16 ft), IP68 |
| Weight | 2.96 lb | 2.8 lb |
| Collapsed length | 44.1 in | 24 in |
| Headphones included | Wired | ML85 wireless |
| Wireless audio | Bluetooth aptX Low Latency, WM 08 Wi-Stream | Low-latency wireless |
| Coil | EQX11 11" Double-D | EQX11 11" Double-D |
| Extras | White display backlight | Flashlight, red backlight, keypad backlight, ferrous vibration |
| Battery | Internal 5,000 mAh lithium-ion | Internal 5,100 mAh lithium-ion |
| Price band | Used market | $700 to $750 (Minelab US, SKU 3720-0005) |
What the EQUINOX 600 does well
Multi-IQ across mixed sites. Simultaneous multi-frequency means you do not have to choose a frequency as you move from a park to wet salt sand. When you want one, single frequencies of 5, 10 and 15 kHz are there.
Six profiles to start from. Park, Field and Beach each have two profiles, plus All Metal and a custom user profile. A beginner can choose by site instead of building settings from scratch.
Waterproof to 3 m (10 ft). That covers wading and shallow-water hunting, which most starter detectors cannot do.
Wireless audio and included headphones. It supports Bluetooth aptX Low Latency and Minelab’s WM 08 Wi-Stream, and wired headphones come in the box.
Where it falls short
- No Gold mode. Minelab lists Park, Field and Beach only. Gold mode was on the EQUINOX 800 and is on the EQUINOX 900. Some older listings blur the two models, so check the exact model before you rely on a gold feature.
- No 20 or 40 kHz. The 600’s single frequencies stop at 15 kHz. The higher frequencies were on the 800.
- A coarser ID scale. IDs run -19 to 40 across 50 segments. The 700 uses -19 to 99 across 119.
- No flashlight, vibration or keypad backlight, and it collapses only to 44 inches, which is long for a backpack.
- No longer in Minelab’s US catalog. Before buying used, ask about warranty status, battery health (the battery is internal), and whether the seller includes the charging cable and an undamaged coil.
Used EQUINOX 600 or new EQUINOX 700?
Choose the EQUINOX 700 if you want a new detector with a warranty, deeper waterproofing (5 m vs 3 m), a 24-inch collapsed length, wireless headphones in the box, and the finer 119-segment ID.
Choose a used EQUINOX 600 if the price leaves room for headphones and a pinpointer, the battery holds a charge, and you do not need a Gold mode. If small gold matters at all, skip both and look at the EQUINOX 900.
Who should buy it
Buy it if: you want an affordable Multi-IQ detector for parks, fields and beaches, and you are comfortable buying used.
Skip it if: you want gold prospecting, a factory warranty, or the simplest possible detector.
For beach hunting, saltwater vs freshwater beach detecting explains what changes between the two. The wet sand vs dry sand guide covers zone-by-zone settings.
FAQ
Is the Minelab EQUINOX 600 discontinued?
Minelab’s current US detector catalog lists the EQUINOX 700 and EQUINOX 900 but not the EQUINOX 600, so expect to find it used or as old stock.
Does the EQUINOX 600 have a Gold mode?
No. Minelab lists Park, Field and Beach profiles plus All Metal. The Gold mode is on the EQUINOX 800 and the current EQUINOX 900.
Sources
- Minelab, EQUINOX 600 tech specs (modes, frequencies, sensitivity, audio, target IDs, iron bias, length, weight, 3 m waterproofing, coil, battery, warranty).
- Minelab, EQUINOX 700 tech specs and US store listing (SKU 3720-0005, $700 to $750 price band, 4/5/10/15 kHz single frequencies).
- Minelab, US detector catalog (current EQUINOX models: 700 and 900).
- Minelab, EQUINOX 800 tech specs (Gold mode; 4 to 40 kHz single frequencies) and EQUINOX 900 tech specs (Gold mode).