Buying guide
Nokta vs Minelab: three pairs compared
No brand wins every pair: Nokta is lighter in two of the three, and Minelab offers more single frequencies in two. In the first pair, Minelab leads on both, with the Equinox 900 at 2.8 lb against 3 lb for the Legend.
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The picks
Three pairs, Nokta first in each, matched by what they are built for. All six detectors are rated IP68 to 16 ft (5 m).
1. Nokta Legend
For long days out. The Legend offers single settings of 4, 10, 15, 20 and 40 kHz. Its 5050 mAh lithium polymer battery runs up to 20 h, with a spare in Nokta's package list.
Sold as a bundle: the listing names the Legend with its 12 x 9-inch coil, plus the LG15.
2. Minelab Equinox 900
For more frequency choice. Paired with the Legend, the Equinox 900 adds 5 kHz, for 4, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 40 kHz beside Multi-IQ. Minelab's box holds an 11-inch and a 6-inch coil.
The listing is a bundle: it names an EQX 15 coil and a case with the detector.
3. Nokta Legend 2
For the lowest weight in its pair. The Legend 2 drops to 2.6 lb on the same five frequencies, with a 6700 mAh lithium-ion cell and a Relic mode.
4. Minelab Manticore
For a bigger battery and a color screen. The Manticore runs Multi-IQ+ and a 6800 mAh battery, at 2.9 lb. Minelab lists its screen as a full color LCD.
The listing is a bundle: it names a PRO-FIND 40 pinpointer, an M9 coil and a backpack with the detector.
5. Nokta Simplex Ultra
For one simple setup. The Simplex Ultra runs a single 15 kHz, is rated IP68 to 16 ft (5 m), and has Bluetooth and a flashlight built in. It weighs 2.6 lb.
6. Minelab X-Terra Pro
For one frequency per mode: 5, 10 or 15 kHz in Park and Field, 8 kHz in Beach. Plan to buy headphones, since Minelab's spec line for them reads None included.
Sold as a bundle: the listing names a case and a Pro-Find 35 pinpointer with the detector.
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Side by side
The same facts for every pick, read on each maker's page. Open a model for its full spec sheet.
| Model | Technology | Frequencies | Waterproofing | Weight | Coil | Battery life |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nokta Legend | Multi-frequency | 4-40 kHz4, 10, 15, 20, 40 kHz | 16 ftDetector, IP68, 5 m | 3 lb1.3 kg | LG30 12 x 9-inch and LG15 6-inch in the package contents listLG30 alone for The Legend WHP, LG30 and LG15 for the PRO PACK in the spec blockNokta publishes both. | 20 h |
| Minelab Equinox 900 | Multi-frequencyMulti-IQ | 4-40 kHz4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40 kHz | 16 ftDetector, IP68, 5 m | 2.8 lb1.27 kg | 11-inchEQX11, round, DD, plus 1 more | Not published |
| Nokta Legend 2 | Multi-frequency | 4-40 kHz4, 10, 15, 20, 40 kHz | 16 ftDetector, IP68, 5 m | 2.6 lb1.2 kg | 11-inchLD28, round, DD, plus 1 more | Not published |
| Minelab Manticore | Multi-frequencyMulti-IQ+ | 5-40 kHz5, 10, 15, 20, 40 kHz | 16 ftDetector, IP68, 5 m | 2.9 lb1.3 kg | 11-inchM11, round, DD | Not published |
| Nokta Simplex Ultra | Single frequency | 15 kHz | 16 ftDetector, IP68, 5 m | 2.6 lb1.2 kg | 11-inchSX28, round, DD | 12 h |
| Minelab X-Terra Pro | Single frequencyPRO-SWITCH | 5-15 kHz5, 8, 10, 15 kHz | 16 ftDetector, IP68, 5 m | 2.9 lb1.3 kg | 12 x 9-inchV12X, elliptical, DD | Not published |
Sources: Nokta (Oct. 17, 2026), Minelab (Oct. 16, 2026).
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How to choose
Weight, pair by pair
Pick by pair, not by brand. Nokta's Legend 2 weighs 2.6 lb against 2.9 lb, and the Simplex Ultra keeps the same lead over the X-Terra Pro. Its older Legend runs the other way, at 3 lb against 2.8 lb.
Frequencies you can pick
The Equinox 900 lists one more single setting than the Legend, 5 kHz. In the middle pair, both list five, but only the Legend 2 offers 4 kHz. Minelab's X-Terra Pro offers four values across its modes, where Nokta fixes the Simplex Ultra at 15 kHz.
Battery figures on paper
Nokta gives the Legend 20 h. For the Legend 2 it gives up to 33% more runtime than the Legend, with no hours. Nokta's Simplex manual gives the Ultra about 12 h. Minelab's tech specs give no hours for the three Minelab models here.
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What to know before you buy
UnearthKit is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Minelab, Garrett, Nokta, XP, First Texas Products (Fisher, Teknetics, Bounty Hunter), or any other brand named on this site. Brand names are used only to identify products.
Nokta says it is headquartered in Istanbul and exports to more than 100 countries. Minelab lists ten detector families, from Go-Find to CTX. Brand size says nothing about how a model suits your ground.
Four of the six listings are bundles, and each frame says what the listing adds. For the first pair side by side, see Legend vs Equinox 900.
We checked the sellers on Oct. 17, 2026. A detecting dealer held the Buy Box on the Equinox 900, Legend 2 and X-Terra Pro listings, and third-party sellers on the other three. Copies exist, so check the seller before you pay.
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Questions
Answered from the makers' pages, read Oct. 16, 2026.
On paper, the pairs trade blows: each brand wins on weight or frequencies in a different pair. Compare the two models you are choosing between, not the badges.
The Equinox 900, by about 30 g. Nokta gives the Legend 1.3 kg (3.0 lb). Minelab gives the 900 1.27 kg (2.8 lb).
All 11 Nokta detectors on file are rated as a whole. Ratings run from 3 ft on the Midi Hoard to 200 ft on the PulseDive. Our Nokta page lists them all.
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