Saw an apex on the beach

[Rock Jock]

Have three Apex devices with different coils attached, I definitely haven't given up on the Apex. I also have a Simplex +, Vanquish 540 Pro Pack / 2-Coil version, and my two favorite Tesoro models plus a Nokta Relic.for the toughest iron nail infested sites.

I have owned a lot of other detectors over the past fifty-six years, and even many of the current offerings are good detectors for certain applications. In the end, it boils down to the detector, the coil, and especially the operator who understands a detector's strengths and weaknesses. Then tey can get the better performance out of it.

I am not into the 'deeper, deeper, deeper' category as experience has shown me that while I do work some sites where depth is achievable, most of the places I search are too littered to allow depth due to good-target masking. Also, and more importantly, because most good stuff isn't that deep anyway. I'm referring to where I hunt. I don't use larger-size after-market coils, or even the bigger ones from a detector maker. The largest coils I have available are my 11" Simplex + coil and 9X12 V-540 coil I keep at-the-ready in my Accessory Coil Tote, and the 8½X11 factory DD I keep mounted on one of my Apex units for open-area searches.

More often than not I plant myself in some iron infested sites, especially iron nails, so I rely on makes and models that provide me some of the better performance in those environments. The Apex w/5X8 DD and Simplex + w/5X9½ DD both surpassed the Equinox 800 w/6" DD in several nail-challenged tests and a few old-use 1870's era hunt sites, so they make a better 'fit' in my Detector Team. The V-540 provides some of the Multi-IQ performance I like for other sites and tasks. No perfect detector, and if I got to a productive beach I'm sure the Apex would be put to work. I've been impressed with its responsiveness on lower-conductive gold jewelry, but it also works fine for other conductive levels of targets.

In the end, most credit should go to the detector operator, and then to their site selection and detecting techniques used than to a particular make or model detector.

Monte

I would be interesting to see how the Apex and a Viper 6"X11" coil does head to head with the Equinox 800.

 

[mh9162013]

I would be interesting to see how the Apex and a Viper 6"X11" coil does head to head with the Equinox 800.

From what I've read so far, the Apex would lose.

But to be fair, the Apex is not an upper-level detector, even though the Equinox is. It would be like trying to compare the Vanquish 540 to a Deus.

 

[Monte]

I would be interesting to see how the Apex and a Viper 6"X11" coil does head to head with the Equinox 800.

Well, let's start with this. The Apex is a SMF model, like the EQ-800, that also features selectable single frequencies, like the EQ-800. However, the Apex is a mid-priced model compared with the EQ-800 that has an MSRP about twice as much, that puts them in a somewhat different class.

The standard coil tht comes on the EQ-800 is a round-shaped 11" DD, while the standard coil on the Apex is an elliptically-shaped 6X11", so that alone suggests there will likely be some performance differences solely based on the search coil size and not dependent on the detector model's circuitry.

That brings m to ask just what it is, specifically, you would like to hear about with regard to a side-by-side comparison of the Apex w/6X11 'Viper' and Equinox 800 w/11" DD? Are you asking about depth-of-detection, or would you like to know about other comparisons between these two detector models in actual field encounters? Both have their good and bad points so what are you looking for?

Monte

 

[The Lama]

Monte.i have been using my apex for about 5 months now and really liking it on the beach but keep thinking about trying the larger coil so i was wondering if you have ever compared the coils for depth? i really like how easy the viper coil swings but a little extra depth on the beach could be nice

 

[Monte]

Monte.i have been using my apex for about 5 months now and really liking it on the beach but keep thinking about trying the larger coil so i was wondering if you have ever compared the coils for depth? i really like how easy the viper coil swings but a little extra depth on the beach could be nice.

Glad to hear you are enjoying the Apex. I know it appealed to me right from my first jaunt afield.

I live in the high desert area of Eastern Oregon close to Idaho so salt water beaches are not close. Most likely moving to Abilene Texas in the next few weeks for saltwater beaches will still be a distant drive.

So I hunt freshwater beaches, but temperatures dropped low late last fall before I made it to any of them to hunt. We are enjoying some spring-like weather and I am going to try and make it to a freshwater beach this weekend as the water should be low and allow more beach access. I'll report when I'm done.

I like the 6X11 DD ' Viper' coil and feel it will appeal to many who find the 8½X11 a bit too big, but want a little better side-to-side coverage on shallower targets than the 5X8 DD. Personally, the 'Ripper' 5X8 DD works perfect for me as a daily-use coil for most applications. My 2nd Apex sports the 'Raider' 8½X11 for the open areas as you are inquiring about.

With three Apex devices I naturally have three 'Viper' coils. Two of them stay in the detector box they came in, unused, and the original 'Viper' coil is in my Accessory Coil Tote should I decide to use it. I'll likely get another Apex and leave a 'Viper' coil mounted so as to have it on-hand as a 'loaner-unit' for friends and family to replace a model that currently holds that spot. That way they can use what I am using, different coil, but we'll enjoy the same detector and settings options .

Yes, I did some comparisons of all my coils once they were all gathered together and I had some comparison area to use. As you mentioned, the 'Viper' coil is easy-to-use, and I have found all of the Garrett search coils to be comfortable and pleasant with the Apex.

As a reminder, I typically hunt very iron infested sites, or urban areas with a hefty mix of ferrous and non-ferrous debris so detection depth isn't one of my day-to-day needs. However, 'theory' suggests the wider 'Raider' coil, at 8½X11 compared with the 'Viper' at 6X11, should produce some increased functional depth. From my testing, all of the coils I use provided very good detection depth, but I keep the 8½X11 'Raider' mounted on Apex #2 because I do get a little better depth with it than the 'Viper' on some side-by-side testing I did using an assortment of women's gold rings and common US coins.

It's just a little added depth, but psychologically I feel more comfortable looking down at the 'Raider' coil than the 'Viper' or 'Ripper' or NEL 'Sharp' when I am hunting any site that is more open. A beach, a plowed field or pastureland, wide-open grassy park, etc., etc. I think you would enjoy the 'Raider' DD coil for beach work.

Monte

 

[The Lama]

Thanks for the info Monte it makes sense for me to get the raider coil but the viper is so easy to swing i've put it off

 

[eSCANZ]

I was out on the beach swinging my ctx and my wife was with me using my nox 800. This guy comes up swinging an apex and telling us that the new Garrett will do everything my two detectors will do. Didn’t quite buy it. No doubt the new apex is a good unit, but I have a hard time believing it is as good as my ctx.

you have just run into Garrett's new target market

 

[mh9162013]

you have just run into Garrett's new target market

I've got a bridge they might be interested in buying...