Simplex+ vs Minelab Equinox 600: Which Detector Belongs on Your Prospecting Bench?

At a glance

If the detector is going to be used by one person for short, uncomplicated hunts, the Simplex+ stays appealing. If the detector is expected to stay in regular use and move between different kinds of ground, the Equinox 600 gives more room to work.

Browse the Simplex+ on Amazon or the Minelab Equinox 600 on Amazon.

What actually separates them

The Simplex+ is the easier of the two to live with when the priority is a clean start. Fewer controls mean fewer things to think about when a hunt begins, and that matters when a detector does not get used every week. A machine that can be powered up without a long session of button-pushing is easier to trust after time away.

That simplicity also helps when one detector has to serve more than one person. A family member, a friend, or a beginner can usually get comfortable faster with a machine that does not ask for much explanation. The Simplex+ fits that role well. It is the detector that can stay ready for a casual afternoon, a quick backup plan, or a loaner without turning the handoff into a lesson.

The Equinox 600 asks for a little more attention. That is not a flaw. It is the tradeoff that comes with a detector that gives the user more say over how it is set up. People who move between different properties, or who like to adjust a detector instead of leaving it in one default setup, usually appreciate that extra range.

That extra range matters most when the outing changes from one kind of ground to another. A detector that can be adapted more easily does not force every hunt into the same pattern. For a hobbyist who wants one machine to keep up as the sites get more varied, the Equinox 600 has the stronger case.

Ease of use in daily life

The Simplex+ is the better pick for someone who wants fewer decisions at the start of a hunt. If the detector comes out only a few times a month, or if it is shared around the house, simple controls save time and reduce guesswork. That makes the Simplex+ feel friendly instead of fussy.

It also stays pleasant in the boring parts of ownership, which matter more than they first appear. A detector that is easy to pack, easy to reset, and easy to hand back to its storage spot is less likely to become a chore. For a lot of buyers, that is the difference between a tool that gets used and one that stays in the corner.

The Equinox 600 is better suited to a user who expects to learn the detector and keep using it often. More adjustment room can be a real advantage once the hobby becomes less casual. Instead of feeling locked into one simple mode of use, the detector leaves more space to set it up for the site and the day.

That makes it a stronger fit for someone building a more active prospecting bench. The goal is not to own the most complicated detector. The goal is to own one that stays useful after the easy hunts are done and the outings start to vary more.

Which detector belongs on the bench

Choose the Simplex+ if:

• you want the simplest detector in this comparison
• the detector will be shared, loaned, or kept as a backup
• most outings are short and uncomplicated
• fewer settings are more helpful than a wide range of adjustments

Choose the Equinox 600 if:

• one detector needs to cover more kinds of ground
• you want more room to adjust the setup from site to site
• the detector is likely to be your main machine
• you expect the hobby to move into more varied hunting plans over time

That split is the heart of the comparison. The Simplex+ is the friendlier choice for a straightforward setup. The Equinox 600 is the better choice when a single detector needs to stay useful across a broader spread of outings.

If serious nugget hunting in harsh mineralized ground is the main goal, neither detector is the final answer. A dedicated gold detector is the cleaner tool for that job. This comparison makes more sense for general detecting, casual prospecting, and mixed-use setups where the detector needs to be useful without becoming complicated.

Buying used and keeping it ready

Used detectors deserve a careful look before they go into regular service. On either model, the important things are the same: solid shaft joints, clean cable routing, a control housing that sits firmly in place, and no obvious wear around the parts that get moved, folded, or handled often. Cosmetic scuffs are one thing. Loose or tired hardware is the part that can make a detector annoying to live with.

A used Simplex+ should feel like a machine that can still be grabbed and used without extra fuss. A used Equinox 600 should feel like a machine that still has a clean, confident fit in the hand and on the shaft. If either one feels sloppy or overworked, that will show up every time the detector is pulled out for a hunt.

Simple care goes a long way for both models. After a sandy or wet outing, brush off grit, dry the detector fully, and store it without leaving the cable pulled tight or bent sharply. That keeps the detector ready for the next trip and avoids the kind of wear that builds slowly over time.

For people who keep a prospecting bench organized around a few dependable tools, that matters. A detector that is easy to keep ready is more likely to stay in the rotation. A detector that needs constant attention tends to get left behind.

Final verdict

Buy the Minelab Equinox 600 if you want the stronger main detector for mixed ground, more varied outings, and a hobby that is likely to keep expanding. Buy the Simplex+ if you want the simpler detector to learn, share, and keep ready for straightforward hunts.

For a prospecting workbench that needs one machine to cover more situations, the Equinox 600 has the stronger case. For a bench built around simple setup and easy resets, the Simplex+ is the friendlier fit.

Comparison Table for simplex+ vs minelab equinox 600