Newbie which model ?

At the moment I'm thinking simplex or apex. Might choose Apex if it's as good as simplex and better for Gold?

The Simplex+ could be a good choice for someone on a $600 budget.

I think $339 gets you the machine with wireless headphones and a second coil. That lets the buyer add a $100 pinpoointer, a $50 digger, a nice shovel for about $80, and maybe a scoop for the beach.

If you buy a $600 machine you are still going to need most of those accessories.

Simplex sounds good but would the Apex be better if I intend to do some gold prospecting in the creek. Creek is about 12" deep or less

My inclination would be to reach for the Legend, but I'd want to get some confirmation on good gold performance. Nice that it is waterproof. Nokta Makro seems to have lots of experience with waterproof devices. I have one of their PulseDive units. You would be getting a fair amount of modern MD technology, hopefully not bleeding edge.

I just bought the Simplex + with the 9.5 & 11 coil. I also got the pinpointer. I think this package will be great for my needs. Thanks for all the help. No wonder it's called the friendly metal detecting forum.

NCman said:

Simplex sounds good but would the Apex be better if I intend to do some gold prospecting in the creek. Creek is about 12" deep or less

Click to expand...

Hopefully Monte will weigh in on that. He has a lot more experience (with the Apex and detecting) than I.

Nugget hunting isn't an option where I'm at (southern NJ) but the Apex has the option of higher frequencies (in single frequency) and the simultaneous frequency mode (MF) uses a higher frequency as well. Therefore - presumably - the Apex should be better on small gold.

I wish I could give a more precise answer, but I've never hunted for gold nuggets and cannot say for sure one way or the other.

The Apex will be perfectly fine hunting in 12 inches of water. Just don't let the control box get dunked.

Swing slow (with whichever machine) and overlap your swings. It helps to "test" your machine by putting multiple likely-to-be-found targets on the ground and swinging over them. Note the tonal response and the VDI (number on the screen) for each target. That will give you a rough idea of how your machine responds. It is likely that your machine (whichever machine chosen) will respond a bit different to targets actually in the ground - and nearby trash will alter the response to one degree or another.

Since it is your land - I'd suggest that you dig everything until you learn what the machine is telling you. Trash (iron) can make the VDI read lower than the good target (in the same hole) but higher than the trash (in the same hole).

I mostly hunt areas that have a lot of iron trash - small bits of square nails, farm machinery, etc.. If I get a good tone, even if it is only 1 way, and the target isn't large - I dig. A lot of my good finds are found with trash in the same hole.

Garrett has a number of videos (regarding the Apex) on their website. Watching them can give you an idea of how the Apex works.

There are also a lot of videos on the Simplex (Youtube). They can be a good way to learn how that machine works.

For the record: I do not own a Simplex (no reason to, since I own other NM machines that have additional options and abilities). I have used a Simplex for a short time (helped my neighbor learn his). It is a very capable machine.

Happy Hunting with your Simplex.

I think you will love that machine.

Good luck with your simplex it’s a great machine.