Equinox 800 vs Ace 300: premium power or sensible starter buy?

Display

The Equinox 800 wins here because its interface is built for more serious target analysis. You get a larger, more information-rich LCD with better control over sensitivity, recovery speed, tone settings, and target ID behaviour. The Ace 300 has a straightforward display that is easy to learn, but it is more basic and less informative when you are trying to separate a hammered coin from modern junk in iron-trashy ground. For newcomers, the Garrett screen is simpler; for experienced detectorists, the Minelab display is far more useful. Winner: Minelab Equinox 800.

Performance

This is the biggest gap in the comparison. The Equinox 800 uses Multi-IQ simultaneous multi-frequency technology, with selectable single frequencies too, which is a major advantage in UK soils where mineralisation, wet sand, and mixed targets can confuse basic VLF detectors. Its operating frequencies cover 5, 10, 15, 20, and 40 kHz, giving it flexibility for coins, relics, and smaller low-conductive targets. It also has adjustable ground balance, including automatic and manual options, plus excellent recovery speed and iron bias control, which matter hugely in ploughed fields and around stubble. The Ace 300 runs on a single 8 kHz VLF system, with manual ground balance not available in the same advanced way, and it is simply less capable in mineralised or target-dense ground. Its discrimination is usable, but not in the same league for unmasking. For depth, target separation, and ID stability, the Equinox 800 is the clear winner. Winner: Minelab Equinox 800.

Build quality and design

The Equinox 800 is the more premium detector by a long way. It is fully waterproof to 3 m, which means rain, mud, surf, and shallow water are all fair game. The EQX 11" Double-D smart coil is a strong all-round size for UK detecting, balancing coverage and separation well. Weight is around 1.34 kg, so it is not featherlight, but it is well balanced and comfortable for long sessions. The Ace 300 is lighter at roughly 1.27 kg and easier for absolute beginners to swing, but it is not fully waterproof beyond the coil and lower stem areas, so it is less suitable for harsh weather or wet-field work. The Garrett’s construction is solid for the money, but the Minelab is the more capable field tool. Winner: Minelab Equinox 800.

Battery life

The Ace 300 has the edge on raw simplicity, using 4 AA batteries with decent runtime and easy replacement in the field. The Equinox 800 uses a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which is more modern and convenient, but runtime is typically around 12 to 12.5 hours depending on settings and headphone use. In practice, both are fine for a day’s detecting, but the Garrett is easier to keep going if you carry spare AAs, while the Minelab is better if you prefer USB charging and a cleaner sealed design. For most users, the Equinox battery system is better overall, even if the Ace 300 is more flexible on a long trip. Winner: Minelab Equinox 800.

Price and value for money

This is where the Ace 300 absolutely dominates. At £285.94 versus £1886.91, the Garrett is £1600.97 cheaper, and for a beginner or occasional hobbyist that is the difference between a sensible purchase and a major commitment. The Ace 300 gives you a reputable brand, simple controls, and enough performance to learn the hobby properly. The Equinox 800 is expensive, but it is not overpriced if you will use its extra features: multi-frequency, waterproofing, better target ID accuracy, and superior unmasking in difficult ground. If you only detect a few times a month in easy pasture, the Garrett is better value. If you want a detector you can grow into and keep for years, the Minelab earns its price. Winner: Garrett Ace 300 for budget value, Minelab Equinox 800 for long-term capability.

Features and target ID accuracy

The Equinox 800 wins decisively. It offers 4 detect modes, wireless headphones included, adjustable discrimination, iron bias, tone profiles, and much better target ID accuracy and stability on deep or masked targets. In UK terms, that means better odds of hearing a hammered coin next to iron or locking onto a small silver in mineralised soil. The Ace 300 has the basics: discrimination segments, notch-style filtering, and a simple target ID system that is fine for coin shooting in cleaner ground, but less trustworthy when conditions get harder. If you want a detector that does more than beep at obvious targets, the Minelab is in another class. Winner: Minelab Equinox 800.

Overall user experience

The Ace 300 is easier to pick up and use on day one. It is friendly, affordable, and perfectly adequate for parks, fields, and casual detecting. The Equinox 800 takes a little more learning, but once you understand its settings it becomes a much more capable machine in almost every real hunting scenario. For UK detectorists, especially on ploughed fields, pasture with iron contamination, or damp ground, the Equinox simply finds more and identifies it better. The Ace 300 is the better beginner buy on budget; the Equinox 800 is the better detector, full stop.

Overall summary: if your question is which machine is technically and practically better, the Minelab Equinox 800 wins comfortably. If your question is which one represents the smarter purchase for most people, the Garrett Ace 300 is the obvious value choice because it costs far less and still does the basics well. The final decision comes down to whether you are buying your first detector or buying a serious upgrade for demanding UK ground.