If your considering a Simplex

[Gauntlet]

OK, this was the best I could do without someone else taking pics.

I set the coil on its heel, and leveled the shaft on a flat surface. I ran a piece of blue masking tape as a straight edge across a piece of foam board.

And as you can see, with my (65 year old) finger, the amount of flex in the shaft is nothing short of ridiculous. Prime example of the use of cheap materials.

In order to be up front, the flex of the shaft caused the coil to tilt, allowing the left/coil end to drop slightly. But the amount of flex is still clearly obvious.

When the detector sets on the heel of the coil, and the arm cuff, the amount of flex is even worse. in the pic, on the far right, you can see a drinking glass supporting the lower shaft just under mating with the mid shaft.

 

[Tinhorn3]

I think their Detectors are little cheaper but make their money back with the accessories, like the shaft & new coil [almost half of the Detector] etc But I am not complaining, I like my Simplex & even more with my SP24, no more chicken squawk

 

[Gauntlet]

I think their Detectors are little cheaper but make their money back with the accessories, like the shaft & new coil [almost half of the Detector] etc But I am not complaining, I like my Simplex & even more with my SP24, no more chicken squawk

I get I bought a $300 detector. Something I had done in the past. Either cheaper or roughly in a comparable price range, Compadre, Cibola, Ace 250, Ace 300, never had this sort of issue with any of them. EVERY one mentioned, had a solid shaft.

I get not having the technology of a $1000 detector for a $300 price tag, and I'm not even coming close to saying that here. I'm simply stating the lower shaft is worthless trash that likely saved them 25 cents in plastic from being shot into an injection mold.

Add to that they want to profit from their cheapness, that's where my problem is. Don't brag about your quality and customer service, then put out junk like this.

When their solution is "buy this part to replace our junk one", yeah, that doesn't fly with me.

ETA: I just sat the Simplex on the floor, resting on the heel of the coil and the arm cuff. I can use a finger and push the lower shaft completely to the floor. It would go much further if the cam lock didn't stop it. It could easily bow 4".



ETA: Matter of fact, I did just that.

The set-up:

What, 5.25" to bottom of camlock trigger?

And the flex. Note the fact I'd earlier today stabbed myself in the finger with a screwdriver, used mutilated finger for effect

What....3.5" of flex? Yessir.....I'd be proud to put my name on that piece of.....um, "work"

 

[oldkoot]

dang that is a lot I would contact Nokta/Macro the one I purchased was no where close to the same as yours

 

[Gauntlet]

dang that is a lot I would contact Nokta/Macro the one I purchased was no where close to the same as yours

Yeah , but even their website fails

What a joke.

The really funny thing is she was on here the other day, they were patting themselves on the back, shamelessly, to post about giving a guy a coil, and the guy isn't even a member here. All for show.

https://metaldetectingforum.com/showthread.php?t=295165

They should practice what they preach about "admitting it was my fault".

You can't make this stuff up

 

[mh9162013]

My experience with Minelab (in terms of customer service) hasn't been much better than yours with N/M, if that means anything.

 

[Coin-Saver]

Maybe they should have marketed it as the NEW Ultra Flex shaft (You'll love how it detects around those pesky corners). Sorry I couldn't resist........ I totally understand where you're coming from. They should replace it because I can bet that even much cheaper detectors are not that bad. That being said I bought an equinox but had already read the horror stories about its issues and bought what I needed to remedy those.

Hopefully they fix this issue for you. I am sure many will be watching now.

 

[Gauntlet]

My experience with Minelab (in terms of customer service) hasn't been much better than yours with N/M, if that means anything.

Maybe they should have marketed it as the NEW Ultra Flex shaft (You'll love how it detects around those pesky corners). Sorry I couldn't resist........ I totally understand where you're coming from. They should replace it because I can bet that even much cheaper detectors are not that bad. That being said I bought an equinox but had already read the horror stories about its issues and bought what I needed to remedy those.

Hopefully they fix this issue for you. I am sure many will be watching now.

These new detectors make me appreciate my Tesoros all that much more.

Maybe it's a Revenge of the Nerds Edition?

 

[Coin-Saver]

 

[IDXMonster]

These new detectors make me appreciate my Tesoros all that much more.

Maybe it's a Revenge of the Nerds Edition?

I tore apart an Explorer and mounted the 15” Ultimate coil on a Compadre chassis. It doesn’t flex. At ALL. The fact that EVERYBODY doesn’t use this same chassis for about everything is beyond me. The super light S-rod setup is as good as it gets, period. And I have 2 Explorers, a Whites IDX and a CTX. All of the chassis setups SUCK compared to the Compadre chassis, IMHO. Dues 1 coming tomorrow. We will see about that one. I totally agree, if a company is going to market something like the Simplex and it’s going to be as good as it apparently is in every other way….for Christ sake put it on a decent chassis.

 

[Gauntlet]

I tore apart an Explorer and mounted the 15” Ultimate coil on a Compadre chassis. It doesn’t flex. At ALL. The fact that EVERYBODY doesn’t use this same chassis for about everything is beyond me. The super light S-rod setup is as good as it gets, period. And I have 2 Explorers, a Whites IDX and a CTX. All of the chassis setups SUCK compared to the Compadre chassis, IMHO. Dues 1 coming tomorrow. We will see about that one. I totally agree, if a company is going to market something like the Simplex and it’s going to be as good as it apparently is in every other way….for Christ sake put it on a decent chassis.

Because it would cost an extra dollar or two, and they'd rather keep the extra than provide quality. It's profit over quality. These pics don't lie, everyone can clearly see what a a piece of junk this thing is. But I'll do their job, and fix it, so it will actually be useable, something they clearly couldn't do.

Obviously not everyone is as concerned about "quality" as they claim. That was my point, a Compadre is (was) less than 1/2 the price of a Simplex, but had better quality. Tesoro cared.

They're aware of this, and I promise you they're aware of this thread. Where are they at? They have people scouring the www to keep up with all the buzz, and have plenty to keep the buzz going, they're even on this very forum.

Look at the detector board, lol, it's like a bunch of ants around a potato chip. For every one of us who bought a Nokta turd, there are 10 in line with money in hand who can't give it up fast enough.

Too bad Nokta doesn't care about quality as much as they do marketing and profits. They'll never burn me again, because they'll never be given the opportunity.

ETA: Just so everyone knows, I just sent them a PM to this thread. Lets see what happens.

 

[mh9162013]

Because it would cost an extra dollar or two, and they'd rather keep the extra than provide quality. It's profit over quality. These pics don't lie, everyone can clearly see what a a piece of junk this thing is. But I'll do their job, and fix it, so it will actually be useable, something they clearly couldn't do.

Obviously not everyone is as concerned about "quality" as they claim. That was my point, a Compadre is (was) less than 1/2 the price of a Simplex, but had better quality. Tesoro cared.

They're aware of this, and I promise you they're aware of this thread. Where are they at? They have people scouring the www to keep up with all the buzz, and have plenty to keep the buzz going, they're even on this very forum.

Look at the detector board, lol, it's like a bunch of ants around a potato chip. For every one of us who bought a Nokta turd, there are 10 in line with money in hand who can't give it up fast enough.

Too bad Nokta doesn't care about quality as much as they do marketing and profits. They'll never burn me again, because they'll never be given the opportunity.

ETA: Just so everyone knows, I just sent them a PM to this thread. Lets see what happens.

I get your frustrated with N/M for the most part in regards to poor quality. But it's not like that's an exclusive problem for them. Are you aware of Minelab's ongoing issue (for years, over multiple models) with coil ears breaking? How about their spotty customer service (at least when compared to Garrett)?

And you think Tesoro is the gold standard for quality? I have no opinion either way, but even if you're right, their designs were very old-school. For some, that's a good thing. But come on, 9V batteries? Really? What is this, 1980 so I can get new 9Vs from my local Radio Shack? And comparing a Compadre to a Simplex? Maybe the Compadre had a better build quality...maybe, but even then, it has nowhere near the capabilities of the Simplex. So that extra money may not have been going to a better shaft, but at least it went to more features and better performance in most hunting conditions and locations.

And lifetime warranty? BS. They're no longer around, so that promise was a lie. Why aren't you upset about that? Remember, many people bought a Tesoro b/c of the lifetime warranty. Not they're not getting that. So they paid for something they're not longer getting. I think they should get a partial refund. What do you think? Oh wait, Tesoro is gone, so no refund is possible. How convenient. Take people's money, then go out of business so they have no practical recourse.*

I'm not saying you should accept what N/M gave you with your machine. But I'm just saying other metal detecting companies have "issues" too.


* I'm not anti-Tesoro and I don't think they committed fraud or tried to rip people off. I'm just using them to make a point that some people have very good reasons to hate their products, yet you love them. So your anti-N/M stance is something you can have. But I think it's almost like throwing rocks while living in a glass house.

 

[graybeard]

I have a Quest Q30 and some people claim Quest detectors are made cheap. I know it isn't made as cheap as the Simplex detector is.
Also the Q30 will not fail in being able to tell iron from a coin like most Nokta/Makro detectors do.

 

[Gauntlet]

I get your frustrated with N/M for the most part in regards to poor quality. But it's not like that's an exclusive problem for them. Are you aware of Minelab's ongoing issue (for years, over multiple models) with coil ears breaking? How about their spotty customer service (at least when compared to Garrett)?

You seem triggered for some reason? Why?

I don't own ML's, never have. Why would I concern myself with them?

I'd mentioned the ATP in this thread, but I had owned Garretts, and was considering purchasing an ATP, until they pulled the camlock scam.

And you think Tesoro is the gold standard for quality? I have no opinion either way, but even if you're right, their designs were very old-school. For some, that's a good thing. But come on, 9V batteries? Really? What is this, 1980 so I can get new 9Vs from my local Radio Shack?

That's a bit of a stretch, don't you think? No where in here did I say that. Not sure you're aware, but Tesoro started in 1980, so that kind of makes sense, at least to me. LMAO, are you telling me you can't walk into just about ANY retailer in this country and buy a 9v battery?

I honestly feel I'm being trolled now.

And comparing a Compadre to a Simplex? Maybe the Compadre had a better build quality...maybe, but even then, it has nowhere near the capabilities of the Simplex. So that extra money may not have been going to a better shaft, but at least it went to more features and better performance in most hunting conditions and locations.

Comprehension is crucial. We're talking shafts here. Please point out where I'd compared "capabilities". Go ahead, I'll wait.

And lifetime warranty? BS. They're no longer around, so that promise was a lie. Why aren't you upset about that? Remember, many people bought a Tesoro b/c of the lifetime warranty. Not they're not getting that. So they paid for something they're not longer getting. I think they should get a partial refund. What do you think? Oh wait, Tesoro is gone, so no refund is possible. How convenient. Take people's money, then go out of business so they have no practical recourse.*

People die, and sometimes good companies die with them. The 2 boys are what killed Tesoro. Funny thing, all my Tesoros still work great, and not one of them came with a noodle for a shaft. My Tesoros weren't factory produced junk, and I consider them a much better value than what this thread is about.

I'm not saying you should accept what N/M gave you with your machine. But I'm just saying other metal detecting companies have "issues" too.

Again, not an argument, and no where did I state differently. Gaslighting.

* I'm not anti-Tesoro and I don't think they committed fraud or tried to rip people off. I'm just using them to make a point that some people have very good reasons to hate their products, yet you love them. So your anti-N/M stance is something you can have. But I think it's almost like throwing rocks while living in a glass house.

LOL, read what you wrote 2 paragraphs up.

"Anti-N/M stance"? I just don't like being paying good money for inferior quality, and that goes with any purchase I make, not just this detector.

I understand younger people don't know what things were like when quality and actual customer service/satisfaction was the norm. That's how companies stayed in business and gained repeat customers.

Now it's simply something else that's become normalized to simply accept whatever comes along. I'm not that way, never will be.

 

[mh9162013]

I'm "triggerd" b/c your criticism of N/M seems unfair. You say you're being trolled. Don't you think you're trolling N/M? You're acting like theyre the only company acting badly. That's why I brought up Minelab and their issues. If you're going to never buy another N/M product again, you shouldn't even consider Minelab products. But as far as you know, you'll still consider them.

You can still find brand new steam engines and people to build or repair them. That doesn't mean they're current tech. And if I'm in the market for a new car that is supposed to be modern, I'll avoid one that's steam powered. Just like how I tried to avoid metal detectors (and pinpointers) that use 9V batteries.

You didn't directly mention capabilities when comparing a Compadre with a Simplex. But you criticized the Simplex for being twice as expensive, yet having a flimsier shaft (and/or not having the same build quality as the Compadre). And my response was to say the extra money may not have been going to a stiffer shaft, but it was going to other things, like ground balancing, salt mode, waterproofing, vibration, flashlight, interchangeable coils, lithium internal battery, etc.

I'm not gaslighting you. You said you would never buy another N/M product again. But you never said your boycott applied to other companies who are, depending on how you want to look at it, are just as "bad" as N/M. I'm just trying to point out that other companies do "bad" things too. Maybe that goes without saying, but the tone of your post implied that only N/M did bad things b/c you mentioned how great Tesoro was. So obviously, you annoyance/anger with N/M doesn't necessarily apply to all metal detecting companies.

When I pointed out how Tesoro's warranty was illusory, I said I used it as an example of how someone could be mad about that. Yet you're not. So a flexible shaft pisses you off. But a company lying about how their warranty works doesn't? Again, to repeat myself, I'm not bringing this up b/c I hate Tesoros...I don't. I think they're neat machines that have their place and quirks that some people enjoy...more power to them. And in many places, they're perfectly capable machines. I'm just saying your beloved company isn't perfect either. But that doesn't seem to bother you one bit. But N/M makes a mistake and you're all over them.

 

[Gauntlet]

I'm "triggerd" b/c your criticism of N/M seems unfair.

Agenda noted

 

[atomicbrh]

If we all think positive about this:
It looks like it is bending but it "ain't" breaking.
Is it bending back to its original straight state?

 

[Gauntlet]

If we all think positive about this:
It looks like it is bending but it "ain't" breaking.
Is it bending back to its original straight state?

You're correct, and I will answer in the positive.

Yes, it is quality enough to return to it's original state of straight rubbish.

I'm starting to grow fond of it, enough so that I want to give it a name.

I have determined "Milton" is fitting.

Why Milton you ask?

When I was a kid, there was a cartoon, and Milton was the star. Now, when the video nears the 30 second mark, when the words "tincture of tenderness" are sung, replace them in your head with "plasticizer".

Welcome to your new home "Milton"

 

[Cal_Cobra]

Looks like the Legend has the optional Simplex aluminum center shaft, and the optional lower carbon fiber rod as standard, it's built like a tank (zero wobble or flex).

 

[Gauntlet]

Looks like the Legend has the optional Simplex aluminum center shaft, and the optional lower carbon fiber rod as standard, it's built like a tank (zero wobble or flex).

That's good. If only they took care of the customers who got stuck with the junk they produced in the learning process.

Still no reply from them.