Head-to-head · Updated August 4, 2026
Minelab Equinox 800 vs Garrett Ace 400
In Minelab Equinox 800 vs Garrett Ace 400, the Equinox 800 is the better detector by a clear margin — multi-frequency, fully waterproof, and far more capable in difficult ground. The Ace 400 wins on price and on being usable within ten minutes of opening the box.
The real question isn't which is better. It's whether you'll use what the Equinox offers, because if you only hunt dry parks, most of what you're paying for stays switched off.
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01The two machines
Minelab Equinox 800
One detector to cover coins, jewelry, beach, and the occasional gold hunt — without compromising on any of them.
See current priceGarrett Ace 400
A first detector for parks, fields, and dry ground — someone who wants to be finding coins the same day it arrives.
See current price02Side by side
| Spec | Equinox 800 | Ace 400 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Multi-frequency VLF (Multi-IQ) | Single-frequency VLF |
| Frequency | Multi-IQ, 5–40 kHz | 10 kHz |
| Waterproof | Whole machine, 10 ft | Coil only |
| Weight | 2.96 lbs | 5.5 lbs |
| Ground balance | Automatic + manual | Preset at factory |
| Salt beach | Yes | No |
| Learning curve | A weekend of menu-learning | Ten minutes |
| Price band | Upper mid | Entry-level |
03The differences that matter
Multi-frequency is the whole difference
The Equinox transmits several frequencies at once, which is what lets it work on wet salt sand and stay sensitive to both tiny gold and deep silver. The Ace runs a single 10 kHz frequency — excellent on dirt, useless on wet salt.
If beaches are in your plans, this comparison is already over. If they're not, it matters much less than the price gap suggests.
Waterproofing and weight
The Equinox is submersible to 10 feet, control box included. The Ace waterproofs only the coil, so rain needs a cover and water hunting is out entirely.
The Equinox is also nearly half the weight — 2.96 lbs against 5.5. Over a three-hour hunt that's not a spec-sheet detail, it's whether you finish the field.
Where the Ace 400 genuinely wins
Simplicity. There's no ground balancing, no menu, and nothing to misconfigure — a beginner gets good results immediately, where an Equinox beginner spends the first few hunts fighting settings.
It also ships complete with headphones and a coil cover, and Garrett's US support network is the best in the hobby.
04Who should buy which
Buy the Equinox 800 if…
Buy the Equinox 800 if you want one machine for everything — beaches, parks, relics, gold — or if you already know you're staying in this hobby. It's the last detector most people need to buy.
See current priceBuy the Ace 400 if…
Buy the Ace 400 if this is your first detector, your ground is dirt, and you'd rather be hunting this weekend than reading a manual. You can always upgrade later, and plenty of people happily never do.
See current priceThe verdict
The Equinox 800 is the better detector and the better long-term buy. The Ace 400 is the better first detector for a dirt hunter on a budget — and there's no shame in starting there.
Read the full Equinox 800 review →05FAQ
- Is the Equinox 800 worth the extra over the Ace 400?
- If you'll hunt beaches, water, or difficult ground, yes — it does things the Ace simply cannot. If you'll only hunt dry parks, the Ace finds most of the same targets and the gap is hard to justify on day one.
- Which is better for a beginner, the Equinox 800 or the Ace 400?
- The Ace 400 is friendlier to learn on — no settings to get wrong. The Equinox is more capable but expects you to learn its menu. Beginners who know they're committed often skip straight to the Equinox anyway.
- Can the Garrett Ace 400 be used on the beach?
- On dry sand only, and even then the control box isn't waterproof. Wet salt sand causes constant falsing on any single-frequency machine. For beaches you want the Equinox or another multi-frequency detector.
Keep reading
The full reviews
- Minelab Equinox 800 review
One detector to cover coins, jewelry, beach, and the occasional gold hunt — without compromising on any of them.
- Garrett Ace 400 review
A first detector for parks, fields, and dry ground — someone who wants to be finding coins the same day it arrives.
Other comparisons
- Minelab Equinox 800 vs 900
Head-to-head, spec by spec.
- Nokta Simplex+ vs Garrett Ace 400
Head-to-head, spec by spec.
Buying guides
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The best pinpointer for metal detecting is the Garrett Pro-Pointer AT — waterproof, adjustable, and hard to lose. Probes compared for dirt, water, and gold.
- Best Pinpointer Metal Detector for Gold
The best pinpointer for gold is the Falcon MD20 — a very high frequency probe that finds flakes in quartz standard pinpointers miss. Gold probes compared.
- Best Metal Detector for Kids
The best metal detector for kids is the Nokta Mini Hoard — light enough for a small child and capable enough to find real coins. Picks by age, from 5 to teenager.