Vanquish 440 or 540???

That is a good test but you have to be sure recovery speeds are set to identical standards.
And each manufacturer's number 2 or whatever might be different than another's.

That's another reason to visit a shop, you can bring items along and test them yourself.

Last fall the owner of my nearby shop offered me an Apex at cost, said it was too "chatty".

I stopped this spring and he said Garrett had fixed the problem with a download and he is quite happy with it.

I have not used the Apex but mentioned it because you were looking for lightness for your wife.

I have had the Vanquish and Simplex and for lightness and simplicity between the two I would get the 440.
But carry spare batteries.
Thanks! Well the wife thinks we should try one out before plonking a bunch of money down for something that will sit in the closet.

If my friend doesn't come thru with a loaner, I guess I'll need to try to find a good used one. Bass Pro in Columbia MO might be the closest store. I'll have to do more research.
 
I love my 440, it's a great machine that is easy to use. I highly recommend it to anyone just starting out because it is easy to learn how to use it.
Hi,
Thanks! After talking to my wife some more, she wants to try it out before we shell out money for something that will end up in the closet.

I got out my Radio Shack metal detector and put new batteries in it. The battery test function worked fine, but when I turned it on nothing happened. I took it apart and sprayed electrical contact cleaner and moved all the switches and knobs. Alas, it still did nothing. I will let my 6 year old grandson play with it.

I know a couple of people with metal doctors. I'm hoping to borrow one to see if it is something we enjoy doing together. The nearest store with one is Bass Pro Shop, the next closest is 3 hours away over in Kansas City Kansas. Next is 4 hours away west of Des Moines, IA.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed...
 
You might want to see if there are any detecting clubs in your area. If so I'm sure some of the members would let you try out a detector.
 
Thanks everyone for your input! I was leaning towards the 440, but thought I would ask to be sure. I think I found a 440 I can borrow for a week. If the loan comes through, then I will find out how well I like the 440. I handed my wife a 3 lb dumb bell and she said it was heavy. So, I'm guessing she won't want to run the MD for very long if at all.
you can set up some kind of bungee sling that will take the weight off the machine.
you do it homemade or buy one. a google search of metal detecting slings will give you some ideas.
 
There’s not much difference, money wise !!! Get the 540 , wireless, and a 7”x10” and don’t look back. Or wait for a Simplex Ultra .
 
What did you end up with? I got the 540 Pro Pak with trowel, extra coil, blue tooth, head phones, and a few other goodies for not much more, stuff I probably would have bought soon anyway. I'm a new guy too, but I like the back light and other features plus the pinpointer. Unless you have that stuff, you'll end up spending more $$$ down the road. The only thing I bought extra were some coin books and a soft vinyl protective carrying case. Just curious as to what you went with.

J.
 
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