There will always be enthusiasts for Garrett products because of their ruggedness, domestic facility, 3 yr. warranty and first class service after the sale. As far as new detectors go, a fairly recent interview with Steve Moore, Steve was asked and answered that a "new detector can't get here soon enough for me". From that, one could assume that they are working on a new detector to replace the AT(Max).
Garrett is in a good position to take the Apex, scale its ability up and/or down to create an AT(Apex) and an Ace variant two. This would be akin to the ML Exterra Pro, Nokta Score and Double Score. Then they could obsolete the AT single freq. series and the lower Ace lines, with the exception of maybe the lowest Ace detector for newbees or kids.
With the Apex's rechargeable LiPo battery, wireless audio, ergonomics and light weight all the right DNA is there. Plus, one benefit is the re-use of many current components in increased quantities lowering their prices to Garrett.
One possible obstacle in their path to higher performance is the use of passive coils on their VLF machines. As far as I know, they have no active electronics in their VLF coils, and in order to get more sensitivity with a higher signal-to-noise ratio they will almost have to put some of the front end electronics in the coil, like ML , Nokta and XP. I'm sure this would take additional design time in bringing forth a new higher end machine, i.e. where to make the separation with the circuitry and firmware, communication means from coil to the control box, coil tooling, etc.; maybe thats where some of the holdup resides.
A "new purchase" single freq. VLF market is next to nil for all but newbees. For us (and Garrett's) sake, let's hope whatever they do will happen soon as their other products have run out of momentum....