Minelab has officially listened to the community. The new "60-Series" (replacing the beloved 340/440/540) has arrived, and the flagship Vanquish 560 is making serious waves. With full IP68 waterproofing, expanded target IDs, and finally compatibility with Equinox coils, is this the best mid-range detector on the market in 2026?

Let's dive into the specs, features, and performance.

The Vanquish 560 isn't just a fresh coat of paint; it’s a significant hardware evolution. Here are the headline changes that set it apart from the older Vanquish 540:

1. Fully Waterproof (IP68 Rated)

This is the big one. The previous Vanquish models only had waterproof coils. The Vanquish 560 is fully submersible up to 5 meters (16 ft).

Why it matters: You can now hunt rivers, creeks, underwater and surf lines without fearing a rogue wave will kill your control box. It’s a true amphibian machine.

The old 540 had a limited ID range (-9 to 40), which compressed signals and made it harder to distinguish between trash and treasure. The 560 expands this to a massive -19 to 99 range (119 total IDs).

Why it matters: This "high-resolution" discrimination is similar to the Manticore and Equinox 900. It gives you far more nuance, helping you tell the difference between a pull-tab and a gold ring.

3. Minelab Equinox Coil Compatibility

In a surprising move, Minelab has made the Vanquish 560 compatible with Equinox coils.

Why it matters: You are no longer locked into the specific "V-series" coils. You can strap on a massive 15-inch Coiltek or a 6" "sniper coil" from the Equinox range, giving you professional versatility.

4. Built-in Li-Ion Battery

Gone are the AA batteries. The 560 features a built-in rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery that offers up to 10 hours of runtime. It uses the magnetic charging connector seen on the Equinox/Manticore series for easy, waterproof charging.

Waterproof Coils only                                                          Fully Submersible (5m / 16ft)

Target IDs -9 to 40 (50 segments)                                         -19 to 99 (119 segments)

Coils V-Series Only                                                              V-Series + Equinox Compatible

Audio Bluetooth aptX                                                          Bluetooth LE (Low Latency)

Tactile No Vibration                                                            Handle Vibration

Lighting Backlight only                                                        Backlight + Flashlight

Ground Balance Fixed (Park/Field)                                       Manual & Auto

If you buy the Vanquish 560 Pro-Pack, you generally get two coils out of the box:

V12X (12" x 9" DD): For maximum depth and coverage in open fields.

V8X (8" x 5" DD): For trashy parks and tight spaces. Plus, it usually includes the new ML60 wireless headphones.

Despite the hardware changes, the heart of the machine remains Minelab's Multi-IQ. This means the detector transmits multiple frequencies simultaneously (low frequencies for depth/silver, high frequencies for small gold and hammered coins).

Result: You don't need to be a scientist to tune it. Whether you are on a saltwater beach or a mineralized farm field, the 560 handles the ground mineralization automatically.

Separation and Recovery Speed

With the new Iron Bias control and faster processor, the 560 feels snappier. In "Iron Volume" tests, it successfully picks out non-ferrous targets (like coins) masked by iron nails better than its predecessor.

Ergonomics

The 560 retains the collapsible shaft system, making it perfect for travel. It shrinks down to pack into a backpack, but now feels sturdier with the new waterproofing seals.