My thoughts on my Vanquish 540

[maxxkatt]

Just received yesterday my Vanquish 540. To give you a reference point I got my Equinox 800 in March 2018 and had an AT Pro for 3 years. AT Pro was/is a good machine.

The Vanquish 540 should have been introduced by Garrett. Maybe the upcoming Apex will be the one to finally answer the Equinox, Vanquish and Simplex+. We will see.

Back to My 540. I bought it with the 12" and 8" coil. That was my preference for my style of hunting.

My first impression is that of course the 540 is very simple to use. Of course keep in mind I am coming from the Equinox 800. But more important is is a fun machine to use. The 8" coil is feather weight and great for trashy parks.

You turn on the 540, (it automataically noise cancels on power up). The tid and tones are pretty much the same as the Equinox. Select a mode and that is it. You are now hunting without any futher adjustments.

The TID's and tones are more rock solid than the Equinox. Why? I suspect the Vanquish is not programmed to find every single small fragment of metal under the coil. It seems to only be interested in coin sized objects. Although with the 12" coil 540 did find a .22 short bullet about 8" down.

It has for me put the fun back into metal detecting. I cannot imagine any total newbie to metal detecting not being successful with this machine.

The 12" coil seems pretty well balanced on the 540 and have not found a lot of swing fatigue.

It is my backup machine and the machine I will let my sons use when we go on hunts together.

Next week I will take it to an old ball field with my 540 and the 12" coil.

bottom line, the Vanquish 540 is just fun to swing and packs a lot of detecting science in a relative small price.

It is the perfect backup detector for Equinox owners. Same tones, same TID's and absolutely no learning curve for Equinox users.

 

[KOB]

Sounds like a great 1st impression. When you get a little more use on it , would you please compare that with the Simplex ? I been leaning toward the Simplex because its cheaper.

 

[tinsmith]

Sounds like a great 1st impression. When you get a little more use on it , would you please compare that with the Simplex ? I been leaning toward the Simplex because its cheaper.

I was thinking the same. If I were to buy another detector. I like what I see in the Simplex but..... The multi frequency of the Vanquish giving the machine the ability to sniff out an old silver in pounded parks is big to me in my area. The ability to reject twist off bottle caps when coinshooting with that iron bias is another big big thing to me. This is all based on what I've read or watched in a video. Just some thoughts.

 

[KOB]

I was thinking the same. If I were to buy another detector. I like what I see in the Simplex but..... The multi frequency of the Vanquish giving the machine the ability to sniff out an old silver in pounded parks is big to me in my area. The ability to reject twist off bottle caps when coinshooting with that iron bias is another big big thing to me. This is all based on what I've read or watched in a video. Just some thoughts.

Yeah , I'm exactly where you're at. But I sold my Nox and if I really wanted a multi-freq , I would have kept it. If I got the Vanquish , I'm afraid I would be constantly comparing/regretting my Nox. I already know the Simplex ain't the best out there. But it has many good features for the price. It would be a backup beater. But getting an honest review from someone respected in the field , means alot to me. It's better than relying 100% on paper stats.

 

[tinsmith]

Yeah , I'm exactly where you're at. But I sold my Nox and if I really wanted a multi-freq , I would have kept it. If I got the Vanquish , I'm afraid I would be constantly comparing/regretting my Nox. I already know the Simplex ain't the best out there. But it has many good features for the price. It would be a backup beater. But getting an honest review from someone respected in the field , means alot to me. It's better than relying 100% on paper stats.

And when you're looking at 254.00 for the features you really can't go wrong. But for me I would be upgrading from my 705 single freq if I got a Vanquish. Both seem to be nice for the dough. You know that would be me, driving myself crazy comparing a 540 with the Nox

 

[mh9162013]

I think the 540 Pro Pack would be a very good next detector for me, but there's a problem: the price.

If I'm going to spend $500, I want a "professional" or higher-end machine. The 540, while great, is not a higher-end machine. It's not water proof (or even weather proof) and it's not ideal for relic hunting due to its handicapped iron settings.

Oh, and I can easily get a used Equinox 600 for less than $550 on ebay. I know that it won't come with a 6" coil, so it's not a perfect apples to apples comparison.

I think the best bang for your buck seems to be the 340, which is $200.

The "regular" 540 is $370, which is far more affordable.

Do most of you think the smaller coil is worth $130? I know so many swear by that smaller coil (hence starting this post with the Pro Pack discussion)

 

[basstrackerman]

You get rechargable batteries, rain cover, wireless headphones, and extra coil with propack

 

[tnsharpshooter]

Here’s the breakout of the different models/packages.

https://www.minelab.com/vanquish-series

 

[mh9162013]

You get rechargable batteries, rain cover, wireless headphones, and extra coil with propack

I've never heard of anyone buying the Pro Pack for the batteries and rain cover.

I've heard the headphones mentioned here and there, but I think almost anyone that talks about the Pro Pack talks about being motivated by the extra coil.

 

[basstrackerman]

I've never heard of anyone buying the Pro Pack for the batteries and rain cover.

I've heard the headphones mentioned here and there, but I think almost anyone that talks about the Pro Pack talks about being motivated by the extra coil.

I never said that's why they buy it, I just said what else comes with detector in the propack. I had the propack and sold it. I think the 540 with 10" coil would be all id want if I ever buy another. Not the propack

 

[metaladdict]

Only what $270 for the Vanquish 440! It's like a Ace 300 on steroids! I'm waiting to see the Apex but probably won't be able to beat the Minelab price AND multi frequency superiority!

 

[mh9162013]

Only what $270 for the Vanquish 440! It's like a Ace 300 on steroids! I'm waiting to see the Apex but probably won't be able to beat the Minelab price AND multi frequency superiority!

Good point. And you can probably get the 440 for a lower price than that by calling a vendor direct.

 

[Dig-on]

I purchased the 340 first, then the 540 pro pack later on. My motivation was to have all 3 coil choices, the wireless headphones, and the head cover for wet days. The rain cover swaps out very quickly. I can quickly attach the audio cable to the headphones when using the 340, and go wireless with the 540. I keep the 8” coil on the 340, and the 10” on the 540.
It is handy to have this setup for me. I have 2 versatile machines instead of one that I would have to change coils depending on hunting locations.

 

[mh9162013]

I purchased the 340 first, then the 540 pro pack later on. My motivation was to have all 3 coil choices, the wireless headphones, and the head cover for wet days. The rain cover swaps out very quickly. I can quickly attach the audio cable to the headphones when using the 340, and go wireless with the 540. I keep the 8” coil on the 340, and the 10” on the 540.
It is handy to have this setup for me. I have 2 versatile machines instead of one that I would have to change coils depending on hunting locations.

Besides the differences in coils, how do the 340 and 540 compare?

Are the more adjustment settings in the 540 essential features or "nice to have" features?

 

[Dig-on]

Besides the differences in coils, how do the 340 and 540 compare?

Are the more adjustment settings in the 540 essential features or "nice to have" features?

I find myself grabbing the 340 more often. One would think that without a PP button you are hindered, but that’s not the case with this machine. It is very quick and easy to find the target.

In my opinion the extras are just “nice to have”. The simplicity of the 340, make it a great urban coin/jewelry machine. At least for me in my normal hunting areas. I also notice that it is more stable with the 8” coil than the 540 with 10” coil. When I use the 540 I hear more chatter. I also get almost zero interference with my handheld pinpointer with the 340/8” setup. I am usually running both machines wide open.
I really believe that the best bang for buck right now is the 340. My simplex does not get much use right now.....nor do my other machines.

 

[mh9162013]

I find myself grabbing the 340 more often. One would think that without a PP button you are hindered, but that’s not the case with this machine. It is very quick and easy to find the target.

In my opinion the extras are just “nice to have”. The simplicity of the 340, make it a great urban coin/jewelry machine. At least for me in my normal hunting areas. I also notice that it is more stable with the 8” coil than the 540 with 10” coil. When I use the 540 I hear more chatter. I also get almost zero interference with my handheld pinpointer with the 340/8” setup. I am usually running both machines wide open.
I really believe that the best bang for buck right now is the 340. My simplex does not get much use right now.....nor do my other machines.

Thanks for your insight.

Yeah, I never use the pinpoint function on metal detectors. I'm faster with the "cross-cross" method, anyways.

I'm be believer of avoiding "muddle in the middle." Therefore, if I had the funds, I'd probably get a 340 + an Equinox 800 and ignore the 600, 540 and 440.

Of course, "if I had the funds" is a key requirement.

 

[Monte]

Before I head out on a 3rd day in a row of ghost town hunting, I figure I might add my thoughts on several models mentioned in this thread. Why? Because I own them and use them and can appreciate what they offer the end user. I'm not new to the sport or limited on detector smarts or on a shopping budget. I own an 'Outfit' of detectors that have proven their abilities afield to me, and in the very iron contaminated sites I primarily hunt. It's not what a detector sells for, it's about what it brings to the game.

I do some urban Coin Hunting, but the bulk of my detecting time is geared towards relic hunting old town sites, homesteads, encampment sites, out of the way former school sits, church sites, dance hall and gathering sites, etc. I typically deal with uneven ground, sagebrush and other dense vegetation, building rubble, and an ample amount of discarded trash, especially Iron Nails and other ferrous debris. Therefore, smaller size search coils are far more useful and efficient, but I do work more open areas from time-to-time, such as a plowed field or open rangeland / pastureland with a larger-to-standard size coil is used.

Personal observation: There is nothing on the market from Garrett, FTP or White's in their "entry level" or "low-priced" detector lines than comes close to offering what we can get from the Nokta / Makro Simplex + or Minelab Vanquish 540 Pro Pack.

I got my Simplex + in November and have enjoyed the features, yet simplicity of this device and the end-performance it has provided me. I just did the new 'update' and the Simplex +, for the dollar invested, has to be one of the absolute best values in a detector with a lot of potential. The ONLY limitation right now is that they haven't introduced smaller-size search cols for it yet. Hopefully that will be soon, and then it will be one of my everyday travel detectors.

Considering the 'affordable' price-point models offered today, I suggest just two, and those are the Simplex + and the Vanquish 540 Pro Pack. When new coils are ut I'm sure there will be a thread to bring out all of its strong points, but this one started out about the Vanquish series, specifically the 540, so let me comment about it.

I have my dedicated Relic Hunting devices for very dense iron debris, and I have some units for urban Coin Hunting applications. My Outfit has models from Nokta / Makro, Tesoro and XP, but I wanted to check out a newer but 'affordable' unit for daily travel to complement what I use now, and I decided on a MInelab Vanquish 540. I figured it would have some shortcomings as it has limited adjustment functions, but I also knew it offered two desired coils in the Pro Pack plus some other features.

I bought the 540 Pro Pack mainly for the 5X8 DD to serves as a good mid-size coil, and the standard 9X12 DD to handle the periodic searches of more open places with minimal masking trash. I used it for 10 minutes and confirmed a design glitch, then hunted with it for a week to use it afield in a variety of sites and challenges. I learned it's strengths and weaknesses for me and my hunting needs, and I also learned the differences between the three factory default modes, Coin, Relic and Jewelry.

The 5X8 DD does a very good job in modestly littered sites and it is a very comfortable, well-balanced detector / coil combination. I liked the 5-Tone audio ID, I like the numeric VDI responses, and the 5-Tone and VDI read-out are very similar to the Equinox 800 in that function.

I was in the process, and acquiring the Vanquish helped me, to make the change to Ni-MH rechargeable batteries in all my detectors. That's partly because the 540 Pro Pack comes with rechargeable batteries and charger, plus a control box environment cover and, best of all, the excellent ML-80 wireless headphones.

Then using the V-540 w/5X8 DD, I compared it against other models I have with a similar 5X9½ DD coil using both Test Samples and then doing some side-by-side hunting to evaluate performance results. I concluded that it was a very decent detector, considering the limited adjustment functions, and that it was also a 'fun' detector to use and it would stay in my detector outfit. Great for many applications, but a good grab for 'scouting' an area or hunting the 'fringe area' about a ghost town or other site.

A week after I got it I mailed it off to Minelab USA to see if they could 'fix-the-glitch', and I also ordered in a 2nd V-540 Pro Pack. That's how impressed I was, or am, with this Vanquish model. It has the same design glitch, but I can work around that by using my Custom program settings.

If you want a detector with a lot of operator programmable settings, shop for something else. The Vanquish 540 is well designed to offer performance, but at the same time 'keep-it-simple' You have a Volume and Sensitivity control, and can select High Iron Bias or Low Iron Bias, and then you can Accept or Reject your preferred Discrimination segments. That's about it.

The so-called Recovery Speed is designed in the three factory search modes, and they refer to that using the word ... 'Separation.' Coin mode is the fastest and Relic mode is the slowest. The Jewelry mode is more like the Coin mode but more Disc. segments are Accepted because users want to find the lower-conductive gold jewelry.

I leave the factory modes unchanged, and on both of my V-540's I ACCEPT all Disc. segments except the first two. That lets me hear Iron Nails and most Ferrous debris. I used the Relic mode to customize the Disc. segments and 'saved' that to the 2nd V-540 w/9X12 DD for hunting more open environments, and I used the Jewelry mode to accept the Disc. segments I 'saved' to the Custom mode on my 1st Vanquish w/5X8 DD.

The Vanquish is 'fun' to use. Saturday I used an Equinox 800 w/6" DD coil and settings that came close to duplicating the Vanquish 540. I then hunted along a dedicated path at a favorite ghost town for 15 minutes, then put the EQ-800 up and grabbed my V-540 w/5X8 DD coil to walk the same path.

I had more 'fun' using the Vanquish 540. It handled the rusty tin better. I found a suspender buckle and several small-diameter round rivet pieces and two or three other mid-to-high conductive pieces of junk that I didn't find with the Equinox 800. The reason was that the Vanquish produced a better, more attention-getting audio response.

So, for me, the Vanquish 540's work well for many tasks. I have other detectors and coils for different applications where they excel, and it isn't a Multi-IQ thing, either. They are not perfect so have their weaknesses, just like any other detector.

For some folks the Vanquish 540 just isn't what they are interested in. For some, the V-540 might make a good 'back-up' detector. And for some, who might be on a budget or might only want to own one detector, the V-540 might also make a really good pick, especially if you compare it with - almost - all other brands with models priced at $500 or less.

Until you've owned one and put in some serious hunting time with it, I wouldn't suggest overlooking it or not giving it just consideration.

Monte

 

[mh9162013]

...

I was in the process, and acquiring the Vanquish helped me, to make the change to Ni-MH rechargeable batteries in all my detectors. That's partly because the 540 Pro Pack comes with rechargeable batteries and charger, plus a control box environment cover and, best of all, the excellent ML-80 wireless headphones.

...

Monte

Good for you. If you haven't already, I suggest using LSD NiMH cells for your conversion process.

 

[Beachhunter]

Good review Monte. Thanks!

 

[Monte]

Good for you. If you haven't already, I suggest using LSD NiMH cells for your conversion process.

I appreciate the suggestion. My 2 Nokta CoRe, 1 Nokta Relic, 1 Nokta Impact and 2-Minelab 540's are each powered by 4-AA batteries.

I still have an ample supply of AA Alkaline batteries, for detectors, household devices, and for the many .. many .. flashings I have located everywhere about the house and vehicles. I buy in bulk when I catch a good sale so operating my detectors has been very budget-based.

However, I had gathered some Ni-MH rechargeables recently and since each of my V-540 Pro Pack units came w/4 rechargeables and a charger, plus what I had on-hand, I'm pretty well set.

In Ni-MH I have:

8-- Minelab Ni-MH Made in China
16- Eneloop (White) Made in Japan
8-- Eneloop (Blue) Made in Japan
16- Varta Made in Germany

So, I might be okay for what I am using and to have changes charged-and-ready.

Monte