diggindaboot
Elite Member
Yes. Pretty obvious that SMF is their future.
Minelab new advert/commercial or video
- Thread starter staffydog33
- Start date
Yes. Pretty obvious that SMF is their future.
Monte
"In Memory of"
Well, it looks like this forum topic drifted off-course as it started out about the Minelab video and washed ashore on Garrett Island, with all the talk about SMF.
My quick thoughts: The Minelab video was interesting and it looked more like a Garrett AT model suggested in the video. Also, it only promoted the Multi-IQ Equinox and Vanquish designs and didn't touch on the Single Frequency options of the Equinox, and in my opinion, having Selectable Frequency capability adds a measure of improved performance for several applications.
I had an Equinox 800 and the extra 6" DD coil which I preferred for my types of sites, but working a couple of selected places that are tough iron nail environments, I did as well or better with my Vanquish 540 using the 5X8 DD. Also, the V-540 and 5X8 DD have performed well for a lot of regular-duty Coin Hunting places, and it stays in my current Outfit because I also like the well-balanced 9X12 DD in wide-open areas such as plowed fields and rangeland here in far eastern Oregon.
Now to hop into the Garrett Apex boat. I was interested in checking out the Apex to see what changes, in general performance, Garrett might have made to this model, and compare the weight and balance because I'm adjusting my detector outfit to ease my pain. Naturally, I was also curious what they have done with their Multi-Flex design to enter the SMF world.
Overall I was impressed with the smaller-size package and very comfortable weight and balance of the Apex. I also like the simplicity of design and ease that an operator can quickly and easily make any mode or settings changes. I wasn't initially impressed with what I saw in their standard search coil design, but once I had my Apex in-hand and put it to work, I have been impressed with how well it performs considering the 'Viper' coil is bigger than what I would rather be using.
I do hunt wide-open places from time-to-time. Plowed farm fields when scouting for any remains from former activity or structures, or in urban settings such as large grassy parks. But the bulk of my detecting for over half-a-century has been comfortably handled by using smaller-size search coils. They are needed to handle dense trash, building rubble, and get in and around heavy vegetation. I do use mid-size coils for some sites with a lesser amount of trash, such as fringe areas of old townsites or stage stops and homesteads, et., etc.
But the 'Viper' coil's 6X11 DD size, while narrow, is still too long and presents some problems when hunting in confined spaces or when encountering a lot of Iron Nails or other ferrous debris. A smaller-size search coil is really needed from Garrett for the Apex, and I hope they get one in production soon.
For me and my selected sites and hunting needs, I found the Apex to be the best Garrett model to come along in a long, long time that makes me happy and tackles a lot of my hunt sites well, considering it needs a better search coil. Matter-of-fact, I like the Apex so well that I bought a 2nd new Apex that is at-the-ready on my den wall, just waiting for a smaller coil to get mounted. That will provide me the option of grabbing a unit as desired with the better coil for a site I encounter.
I have a very good detector group and the Apex models add to my versatility, and they didn't bump anything out of my detector team ... yet. The Apex needs to stand-alone, in my opinion, and shouldn't be associated with either the Ace series or the AT series as it works differently from both groups. The Apex concept should be its own 'series' and from that they can build on, such as a submersible waterproof model, or just an up-line more featured model.
I'd like to see a full-functioning automated Ground Balance for all modes/functions. I'd like a manual GB that would let ME be in control of the setting I prefer rather than a limited adjustment range that so many detectors provide these days. And it would be nice to select a 2-Tone or 3-Tone audio response in addition to the Apex's 5-Tone design. Just things to look for in the future as the Apex concept advances.
I was pleased to see the Apex include the selectable single and salt compensated frequencies in a really nice package at an affordable price, and with Garrett's marketing and good build quality, I think the future looks brighter for them. They know how to make waterproof detectors and it wouldn't surprise me to see an Apex series entry in a submersible package by early next year.
As for Minelab, it was a short video without real humans and I'd like to see people, and a longer video that would do a better job of covering what it is they are trying to promote. More a promotion of what they offer and why folks should consider their products and less about the competitor's units.
Monte
My quick thoughts: The Minelab video was interesting and it looked more like a Garrett AT model suggested in the video. Also, it only promoted the Multi-IQ Equinox and Vanquish designs and didn't touch on the Single Frequency options of the Equinox, and in my opinion, having Selectable Frequency capability adds a measure of improved performance for several applications.
I had an Equinox 800 and the extra 6" DD coil which I preferred for my types of sites, but working a couple of selected places that are tough iron nail environments, I did as well or better with my Vanquish 540 using the 5X8 DD. Also, the V-540 and 5X8 DD have performed well for a lot of regular-duty Coin Hunting places, and it stays in my current Outfit because I also like the well-balanced 9X12 DD in wide-open areas such as plowed fields and rangeland here in far eastern Oregon.
Now to hop into the Garrett Apex boat. I was interested in checking out the Apex to see what changes, in general performance, Garrett might have made to this model, and compare the weight and balance because I'm adjusting my detector outfit to ease my pain. Naturally, I was also curious what they have done with their Multi-Flex design to enter the SMF world.
Overall I was impressed with the smaller-size package and very comfortable weight and balance of the Apex. I also like the simplicity of design and ease that an operator can quickly and easily make any mode or settings changes. I wasn't initially impressed with what I saw in their standard search coil design, but once I had my Apex in-hand and put it to work, I have been impressed with how well it performs considering the 'Viper' coil is bigger than what I would rather be using.
I do hunt wide-open places from time-to-time. Plowed farm fields when scouting for any remains from former activity or structures, or in urban settings such as large grassy parks. But the bulk of my detecting for over half-a-century has been comfortably handled by using smaller-size search coils. They are needed to handle dense trash, building rubble, and get in and around heavy vegetation. I do use mid-size coils for some sites with a lesser amount of trash, such as fringe areas of old townsites or stage stops and homesteads, et., etc.
But the 'Viper' coil's 6X11 DD size, while narrow, is still too long and presents some problems when hunting in confined spaces or when encountering a lot of Iron Nails or other ferrous debris. A smaller-size search coil is really needed from Garrett for the Apex, and I hope they get one in production soon.
For me and my selected sites and hunting needs, I found the Apex to be the best Garrett model to come along in a long, long time that makes me happy and tackles a lot of my hunt sites well, considering it needs a better search coil. Matter-of-fact, I like the Apex so well that I bought a 2nd new Apex that is at-the-ready on my den wall, just waiting for a smaller coil to get mounted. That will provide me the option of grabbing a unit as desired with the better coil for a site I encounter.
I have a very good detector group and the Apex models add to my versatility, and they didn't bump anything out of my detector team ... yet. The Apex needs to stand-alone, in my opinion, and shouldn't be associated with either the Ace series or the AT series as it works differently from both groups. The Apex concept should be its own 'series' and from that they can build on, such as a submersible waterproof model, or just an up-line more featured model.
I'd like to see a full-functioning automated Ground Balance for all modes/functions. I'd like a manual GB that would let ME be in control of the setting I prefer rather than a limited adjustment range that so many detectors provide these days. And it would be nice to select a 2-Tone or 3-Tone audio response in addition to the Apex's 5-Tone design. Just things to look for in the future as the Apex concept advances.
I was pleased to see the Apex include the selectable single and salt compensated frequencies in a really nice package at an affordable price, and with Garrett's marketing and good build quality, I think the future looks brighter for them. They know how to make waterproof detectors and it wouldn't surprise me to see an Apex series entry in a submersible package by early next year.
As for Minelab, it was a short video without real humans and I'd like to see people, and a longer video that would do a better job of covering what it is they are trying to promote. More a promotion of what they offer and why folks should consider their products and less about the competitor's units.
Monte
Monte
"In Memory of"
--- Ergonomics ---
kajunman: said:
muddymo: said:
Just remember, Fisher fans, there would not be an F75 to boast about if there wouldn't have been a Teknetics T2 in the first place. They share that excellent physical rod/grip/arm-cup and control housing design.
I've owned four F75's and over a half-dozen T2's and of them, my preference is the T2. I used the 5" DD almost exclusively on them to handle the very dense litter I encounter, but their physical packaging is a concept still unrivaled by all other manufacturers.
However, the Garrett Apex is still in a comfortable configuration so there's really no weakness there. I do have a few other makes and models in my outfit, however, that I wish were in a T2 package.
Monte
shellhouse
Forum Supporter
Very dramatic as he pulled that pull tab out of the mountain.
Similar threads
