u/Budget_Attempt5174

I am going to upgrade my old Garrett to an Minelab Equinox 900. There is one particular area of my permission which has brought me a lot of luck - a thin strip of field by a historic brook, where most of my best finds have come from. Once I get the new detector I want to search this spot again as throughly as possible to ensure nothing gets missed. Which coil would be best for the job - the 6” coil or the larger 15” coil? The area itself isn’t particularly junky.

I’ve been detecting for nearly a year now using the Garrett Ace 250 (with the larger Nel Tornado coil). I’ve found a lot of great stuff with it, but I am aware that it’s considered an entry-level machine and is rather old. I love the hobby and I am willing to invest more in it, but what difference will I actually be seeing with a more expensive detector? I’ve been recommended Minelab Equinox 900 - it’s a lot of money, is the upgrade worth it? My only complaint for the Garrett is that the discrimination is quite poor, such as silver and aluminium being nearly impossible to distinguish - would the Equinox really solve this problem? Or would I still end up digging loads of junk? Am I missing finds simply because I’m using an old and cheaper machine? - If I was to go over my old permissions that I’ve done to death with a new machine like the Equinox would I find loads of new stuff that I’ve missed? 

I have been using the Garrett as my first detector for nearly a year now (with the upgraded larger Nel Tornado coil). I have found some great things with it, but I am aware that it is considered very out of date and a budget detector. My main question is what difference would I actually notice with a more expensive and modern detector? I love the hobby and I am willing to invest in it, but at the same time I don’t want to be just spending money for the sake of it.

My main complaint with the Garrett is that the discrimination isn’t the best - e.g silver and foil/aluminium usually give the exact same signal, so you end up digging a lot of junk. Have the newer machines overcome this problem?

Would I actually be able to find more with a more expensive machine? On one event I was at I was able to find a tiny Roman silver coin with the Garrett in the exact same spot which had been searched over and missed by a more experienced detectorist with an XP Deus II - Pure luck? Or proof that the old Garrett is just as good?