You’ll find the Coiltek 18 NOX delivers a 30% depth increase over stock, reaching 18+ inches on large targets while maintaining 5-meter waterproof ratings across Equinox 600-900 models. The 10×5 excels at small target separation in iron-contaminated ground, achieving 11-inch depths on gold bands at just 0.939 lbs. For trashy parks, the V8X’s 8×5.5-inch elliptical configuration operates at 15 kHz with recovery speed 3 for superior discrimination. Each coil addresses specific hunting scenarios—and understanding their performance characteristics helps you maximize detection efficiency in your preferred environments.
Key Takeaways
- Coiltek 18 NOX offers 30% deeper detection for large targets, weighs 1.84 lbs, and fits Equinox 600/700/800/900 models with two-year warranty.
- Coiltek 10×5 weighs 0.939 lbs, matches 11-inch depth, improves balance, reduces fatigue, and performs well on freshwater beaches.
- V8X 8×5.5-inch elliptical coil excels in target separation for trashy sites, operates at 15 kHz, and costs £114.99-£179.00.
- Aftermarket coils provide marginal gains over the $290 stock 11-inch coil in specialized environments but require compatibility verification.
- Larger coils (15-18 inches) enhance depth but demand refined handling; smaller coils improve maneuverability and pinpointing accuracy.
Coiltek 18 NOX Coil: Maximum Depth With Surprising Sensitivity
The Coiltek 18 NOX delivers the largest search coil configuration available for Minelab Equinox detectors, featuring an 18-inch diameter Double-D design that extends detection depth by up to 30% beyond the standard 15-inch coil.
The Coiltek 18 NOX’s Double-D configuration maximizes detection depth up to 30% deeper than standard coils for serious treasure hunters.
You’ll gain significant depth advantages when targeting larger buried objects and deep targets, while the expanded coverage area dramatically reduces survey time. The sensitivity enhancement proves particularly effective in mineralized soil conditions at increased depths.
Weighing just 1.84 pounds, you’ll maintain field maneuverability without sacrificing detection capability. This coil integrates seamlessly with Equinox 600, 700, 800, 900, and XTERRA PRO models, with submersion ratings reaching 5 meters on newer units. The coil remains fully submersible up to 10 feet, making it suitable for shallow water detecting and beach hunting.
The included skid plate protects your investment, backed by a two-year manufacturer warranty covering materials and workmanship defects. At $225.00 discounted from $293.00, this coil represents a significant value for serious detectorists seeking maximum depth and coverage.
Coiltek 10×5 Coil: Superior Balance and Small Target Performance
The Coiltek 10×5 elliptical coil delivers exceptional balance improvements over the Equinox’s stock configuration, weighing just 426g (0.939 lbs) to eliminate nose-heavy handling characteristics.
You’ll achieve ideal small target sensitivity that matches the 11-inch coil’s depth performance while gaining superior maneuverability in tight spaces.
Its 5-inch width provides coverage capabilities that exceed specifications through enhanced pinpointing and target separation in high-trash environments.
The coil’s fully waterproof construction allows submersion up to 10 feet, making it versatile for both land and underwater detecting in lakes, rivers, and saltwater beaches.
Users report enhanced depth detection on freshwater beaches and recommend utilizing Iron Bias F2 settings to reduce false signals during operation.
Balance Improvement Over Stock
One fundamental weakness of the Equinox stock coil becomes immediately apparent during extended detecting sessions: its nose-heavy balance. The Coiltek 10×5 directly addresses this ergonomic design flaw through strategic weight reduction, transforming your detector’s handling characteristics.
Key Balance Advantages:
- Enhanced Maneuverability – You’ll push through water and navigate tight spaces with considerably less resistance than the stock 11-inch configuration.
- Optimized Weight Distribution – The lighter footprint repositions mass closer to your grip point, improving coil balance throughout swing patterns.
- Reduced User Fatigue – Superior handling mechanics extend your operational timeframe without compromising detection performance.
This ergonomic design enhancement isn’t marginal—you’ll notice improved control immediately. Water detecting becomes particularly advantageous, as users report sharper tones compared to the original 11-inch coil when hunting in aquatic environments. The elliptical shape proves especially effective in confined spaces where the stock coil struggles to maneuver.
The optimized coil balance delivers freedom to hunt longer, cover more ground, and maintain precision when fatigue would otherwise compromise your effectiveness.
Test Garden Results
Ergonomic advantages mean little without verified field performance to support them. The Coiltek 10×5 delivers exceptional test garden performance, with documented target depth reaching 11 inches on gold wedding bands and averaging 8.5 inches across multiple test objects.
You’ll achieve consistent 9-inch detection ranges on standard targets, with select items pushing 11-11.5 inches—surpassing the 11-inch stock coil in direct comparisons.
The elliptical design maintains stability at sensitivity level 18, even under power line interference.
Field testing confirms superior small target detection on hammered coins and cut halves. You’ll experience sharper tone quality and enhanced target separation in iron-contaminated environments. The compact footprint enhances maneuverability, making it particularly effective for hunting in areas with heavy debris.
Multi-frequency technology enables precise target differentiation across varied soil compositions, letting you thoroughly re-examine previously hunted locations without missing diminished targets.
Coverage Beyond Coil Size
While many detectorists assume smaller coils sacrifice ground coverage, the Coiltek 10×5‘s full 10-inch dimension delivers scanning width comparable to standard Equinox configurations—you’re operating with just one inch less coverage than the 11-inch stock coil.
The elliptical design fundamentally changes detection dynamics:
- Coil depth reaches 8.5 inches average with 11-inch maximum penetration—performance that rivals larger configurations while maintaining the 5-inch width for exceptional left-to-right target separation.
- Front-to-back separation improves over 6-inch alternatives through the extended elliptical profile, isolating individual targets in dense trash environments.
- Tight double DD magnetic field enhances sensitivity for small target detection without expanding your ground footprint.
This configuration eliminates the traditional depth-versus-maneuverability compromise, delivering thorough scanning capability in a lightweight 426-gram package that won’t restrict your detecting freedom. The coil’s waterproof construction permits submerged operation to depths of 3 meters, expanding your search territory to shallow water environments and wet conditions. Customer feedback confirms the coil functions as a game changer for detecting in trashy areas where target separation is critical.
Understanding Compatibility Across Equinox and X-TERRA Models
Although Minelab’s Equinox and X-TERRA detector lines share technological DNA, their coil compatibility operates on a unidirectional basis that demands careful attention before you invest in aftermarket options.
Your Equinox coils will function seamlessly on X-TERRA Pro and Elite models, but this model differences dynamic doesn’t reverse—X-TERRA coils won’t connect to Equinox detectors due to connector design variations.
This coil compatibility architecture gives you flexibility if you’re running X-TERRA equipment, allowing V12X, V8X, and V10X configurations alongside standard Equinox offerings.
You’ll gain practical advantages like enhanced target ID stability when mounting Equinox’s 11-inch DD coil on X-TERRA Pro.
The X-TERRA Elite provides bidirectional compatibility with Equinox 900, enabling you to leverage elliptical Elite coils on Equinox platforms without performance degradation.
Understanding these technical boundaries prevents wasted investments and maximizes your detection capabilities. Each coil configuration delivers different detection depths depending on the model you select, with the V12X offering extended reach for expansive search areas.
Stock 11 Coil vs. Aftermarket Alternatives: Performance Breakdown
The Minelab 11-inch round Double-D coil delivers balanced performance metrics that serve as the baseline against which you’ll measure all aftermarket alternatives.
This $290 waterproof configuration offers standard sensitivity across typical detecting scenarios, compatible with Equinox 600, 800, X-TERRA Pro, and Elite models.
Stock Coil Performance Parameters:
- Detection capability: Standard sensitivity with adequate ground coverage for general-purpose detecting
- Weight optimization: Lightweight construction minimizes fatigue during extended sessions across varied terrain
- Mineralization handling: Double-D configuration reduces ground noise in moderately mineralized soil conditions
User feedback indicates aftermarket coils provide marginal performance gains only in specialized environments.
You’ll find the stock 11″ coil delivers cost-effective versatility unless your detecting demands target specific conditions requiring enhanced sensitivity or coverage characteristics beyond general-purpose applications.
V8X Coil for High-Trash Environments
When exploring junked-out parks or trashy urban sites, you’ll find the V8X coil‘s 8 x 5.5-inch elliptical Double-D configuration delivers superior target separation capabilities that the stock 11-inch coil can’t match.
Its compact footprint provides maneuverability advantages in tight spaces between iron and aluminum debris, letting you pinpoint good targets other detectorists miss.
Operating at 15 kHz with sensitivity maxed at 20, you’ll detect small coins and jewelry with exceptional precision. Set your recovery speed to 3 for ideal performance.
The elliptical shape accesses cramped areas under benches and along fences where larger coils won’t fit.
The elliptical design navigates tight spots beneath park benches and fence lines that larger search coils simply can’t reach.
At £114.99-£179.00, you’re investing in waterproof construction rated to 5 meters.
Note: This coil requires X-Terra Pro or Elite models with the “X” suffix designation—it’s not compatible with standard Equinox configurations.
Depth Performance Comparisons in Real-World Conditions
Beyond target separation capabilities, your coil selection directly impacts how deeply you’ll recover targets in actual hunting scenarios.
Real-world coil depth performance hierarchy:
- Stock vs. aftermarket tradeoffs – Factory Equinox coils achieve superior overall depth, with the 800 detecting artifacts beyond 18 inches. The 10×5 elliptical variant runs slightly shallower on deeper targets despite its 149.2 square-inch footprint.
- Size-based depth gains – 11-inch round coils reach 3-4 inches deeper than 6-inch variants on coin-sized objects. Mid-sized 9.5×6 configurations gain approximately 1 inch over compact rounds.
- EMI sensitivity impact – High-interference environments force aggressive sensitivity reduction on larger coils, potentially eliminating their depth advantage. Smaller coils maintain target detection capabilities when environmental conditions demand lower sensitivity settings.
Controlled test garden evaluations with buried coins establish measurable 1-1.5 inch incremental differences between configurations.
Weight, Pinpointing, and Handling Considerations
Physical ergonomics considerably influence detection efficiency during multi-hour hunting sessions, where coil weight and balance determine your fatigue threshold.
You’ll find 6-inch round coils deliver ideal lightweight performance for extended detecting freedom, while 11-inch options balance coverage against manageable weight profiles.
The 15-inch and 18-inch configurations demand refined handling techniques to maintain detection precision without compromising swing consistency.
Protective skidplates add 510g to your system—a worthwhile trade-off for enhanced durability in demanding terrain.
Smaller coils enable superior pinpointing accuracy in confined spaces and around obstacles like fenceposts, where precise target isolation proves critical.
Your coil selection directly impacts swing fatigue, pinpoint precision, and operational endurance.
Weight distribution affects detection angles and ground coverage efficiency, particularly in mineralized soil conditions requiring sustained concentration.
Choosing the Right Coil for Your Hunting Scenarios
Your detecting environment dictates coil selection more directly than any other factor, with terrain characteristics and target density establishing hard performance boundaries for each configuration. Coil size directly impacts your operational efficiency across detecting environments.
Match configuration to conditions:
- High-trash sites demand 6-inch precision – Dense metal debris requires superior target separation that only compact coils deliver, particularly in bush dumps where rubbish concentrations overwhelm larger configurations.
- Open fields exploit 15-inch coverage – Expansive search areas benefit from maximum ground coverage and additional depth capability, reducing sweep time while maintaining detection performance.
- Variable terrain defaults to 11-inch versatility – Mixed conditions with unpredictable target density and moderate mineralization favor balanced specifications that don’t compromise separation for depth.
DD construction across all Equinox-compatible coils guarantees consistent ground balancing regardless of size selection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Aftermarket Coils Void the Minelab Equinox Warranty?
Aftermarket coils won’t void your Equinox warranty unless they cause damage to your detector. You’ll maintain coverage for the control box while exploring performance differences. However, warranty implications exist if third-party coils directly damage stock components.
How Do Coiltek Coils Compare in Price to Minelab Stock Coils?
Coiltek coils cost $235-$329, exceeding Minelab’s 6″ coil ($179-$293). You’ll pay premium prices for specialized coil performance. Price comparison shows Coiltek’s 14×9″ at $303 versus Minelab’s 6″ at $293, offering expanded detection coverage.
Can I Use Multiple Coils Interchangeably During a Single Hunt?
Ironically, you’re not stuck with one coil choice. You’ll maximize hunting efficiency through seamless coil compatibility—swap between 6″ and 15″ options mid-hunt without tools. Each interchange optimizes performance for trashy areas or open ground, unrestricted by technical limitations.
What Is the Average Lifespan of Coiltek Aftermarket Coils?
Coiltek’s coil durability typically exceeds Nugget Finder but falls short of Minelab originals. With proper coil maintenance—regular water cleaning and avoiding excessive sideways pressure—you’ll get reliable performance throughout the 2-year warranty period and beyond.
Are Waterproof Ratings Different Between Stock and Aftermarket Coils?
Yes, waterproof features differ markedly. Stock Equinox coils offer documented ratings (10-16 feet), while aftermarket options lack manufacturer-specified depths. You’ll need to verify each aftermarket coil’s submersion limits independently, as coil performance underwater depends on proper waterproof certification.
References
- https://seriousdetecting.com/blogs/detecting-prospecting/minelab-coil-compatibility-guide
- https://kellycodetectors.com/coiltek-18-nox-coil
- https://www.detectorprospector.com/topic/17475-minelab-vs-coiltech-coils/
- https://www.treasurenet.com/threads/wow-impressive-the-new-coiltek-10×5-coil-for-the-equinox.656555/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6xS8sODH68
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wdiwFyq9_I
- https://seriousdetecting.com/products/coiltek-18-nox-search-coil-for-minelab-equinox-series-and-x-terra-pro-metal-detectors
- https://bigboyshobbies.net/products/coiltek-18-equinox-and-xterra-coil
- https://coiltek.com.au/finding-gold-and-more-with-the-18-nox-coil/
- https://www.highplainsprospectors.com/products/coiltek-18-nox-round-equinox-series-dd-coil
