Steve Herschbach

Got it. Well, I'd buy one of these sight unseen versus a Vanquish based on the feature set alone but that's just me. There is hardly an inch of difference between all the decent VLFs on the market these days and I'm sure this machine will find stuff plenty well for somebody like me. My detectors find nothing. I do all the finding and there are a dozen detectors at the end of the day I could use and would all suit about as well. Frankly, I think I could use a Vanquish 340 and be pretty happy. Compared to what I started with 45 years ago every detector made now is a powerhouse.

Not really, it is assuming you get what you pay for and perhaps for $500 you don't get what you get for $649 or $899. If the idea is to get Equinox 800 or even Equinox 600 performance for under $500 - good luck.

I totally agree with you. My three year old Equinox battery is going strong, and I can replace it myself if need be. And really, I will probably have upgraded to a new detector before then anyway. But if not, no reason to not replace the battery and be happy. We have always had to replace batteries in on fashion or another, and this sure beats the old days of tossing tons of dead AA batteries in the landfill. Garrett Ace Apex Data & Reviews

Interesting though Carl that what it seem to be saying is that by filing patent you could be revealing important proprietary information, and that it may now be a better strategy to attempt to keep that information secret via technological means. I do suspect one main difference between Apex and Equinox is that with Equinox there are various “mixes” or as Minelab says “weightings” of multifrequency employed. Park 1 and Field 1 use one mix, Park 2 and Field 2 a different mix. The two beach modes are either a third mix implemented two different ways, or two separate mixes. And then there is Gold Mode. Very much like having several different detectors in one. With Apex I suspect it is much simpler, just Multi and Multi Salt, with different secondary tuning and discrimination settings available, but only the two base modes plus single frequency options. Still a step up from Vanquish however, which appears to be wholly based on the Equinox Beach mode.

Well for me it is the feature set under $500... nothing else like it for the money. This is what a dry land Equinox could have been if Minelab were not afraid of undercutting Equinox sales. But Vanquish does sell for less. The progression on features and price is Vanquish > Apex > Equinox. Right now you can get multifrequency at almost any decent price point from $200 on up. Anyway, looks to me like Garrett perfectly hit the gap between Vanquish and Equinox.

Great coil for tiny bits and tight areas, but you will move at a snails pace. In general I prefer the 11” coil for park detecting. The 6” is my gold nugget and micro jewelry coil. If it makes you feel any better I dig a ton of trash also unless I am severely cherry picking for coins. I like gold jewelry and to find it you have to dig volumes of trash.

I’d certainly try the factory reset, and try charging again even if nothing appears to happen. Eight seconds minimum on the power button. Use a different charger if possible just for yucks.

That’s a day to remember for sure!!

If anyone thought I was implying Garrett was violating a patent, that is certainly not my intent. Just the opposite, I was noting that there is a “Patent Pending” statement and the likely thing to deduce from that is Garrett has developed a method they think they can patent. And therefore not something in violation of a Minelab patent. Though the patent pending could also have nothing to do with multifrequency at all. Only Garrett knows for sure. Frankly, all I care about is how the detector performs, so did not anticipate my throwaway comment would trigger so much debate. I should have known better. I’m sure there will be reams of speculation on which method does what, frequencies in use, how the atoms rotate, etc. etc. Thank you for your thoughts on this Carl.

Oops... $249

Yes. Part 3011-0390

Good luck on your new direction in life!

It’s just a software deal, changes the preset notching and removes the U.S. coin icons, that’s all. It’s actually moot for people who simply learn what target id number identifies what target. U.S. coins anything else...

Garrett AT Gold is 18 kHz and the Fisher Gold Bug Pro is 19 kHz. 20 kHz is just fine for gold nuggets. Where it may come up short is the lack of a threshold based all metal mode. More likely Apex will employ a Multi or 20 kHz “zero discrimination” mode for nugget detecting.

Garrett Ace Apex Data & Reviews As far as dunking, there is also the 1/8" headphone socket. I agree this is probably more "rain resistant" without an accessory cover than a Vanquish, but not sure it would survive any submersion at all, even a brief dunk, without modification. Garrett Ace Apex parts explosion

Minelab Summer Bundles - This offer starts today and runs through July 31st, 2020 at participating dealers. Availability may vary through the offer period. Minelab Equinox 600 Bundle includes wired headphones and a Pro-Find 20 Pinpointer. Price: $649.00 Minelab CTX 3030 Bundle includes wireless headphones, 6" DD Search Coil, and a carry bag.* Price $2499.00 *Carry bag on backorder, will ship when in stock. Minelab Go-Find 66 Bundle includes earbuds, composite digger, armband, and a Pro-Find 20 pinpointer. Now $249.00

Garrett engineer Brent Weaver discusses the details of the new Garrett Ace Apex metal detector. Brent and I were both a lot younger last time I saw him! Multi Frequency & Selectable Frequency Explained Garrett Ace Apex Data & Reviews Garrett Ace Apex metal detector Garrett Ace Apex LCD display and controls

One thing people best be cautious about. It really is inevitable that a waterproof version of this will follow at some point. It is what the AT Max should have been. Who knows when it might happen, but some may buy this and then see the waterproof version later and wish they had waited. Maybe a fall release? Pure speculation, but multifrequency just screams for waterproofing for saltwater beach use and it has to be part of the plan.

Well, no doubt Garrett has a huge hit on their hands. This versus a Vanquish I’d have to get this. Versus a 600 I’d probably get the 600, but that may be too much of a stretch money-wise for some people, and not everyone wants waterproof. Right now for under $500 this is a killer option. More like a not waterproof version of the Equinox than the Vanquish actually.

Versus a Minelab lawsuit? You think?

They either violated Minelab’s patent, in which case the lawsuit hits soon, or they came up with a different version of their own... and would be smart to patent it. Garrett Ace Apex Data & Reviews

That would be nice - you would not need the outer coil.

No reason to cut price on the Equinox which is waterproof and has more features. And Vanquish sells for less than this unit. Minelab need do nothing in response to this. It’s the other guys that better get with the business soon or get left totally behind.

Well, don't hold your breath. They are saying late July and I may cool down by then. It looks like a great unit, but can't honestly say it adds any capability I don't already have. Garrett has a winner though, beat Nokta/Makro to the punch, and making First Texas and White’s look seriously deficient now.

Congratulations Garrett, you vastly exceeded my expectations, and that is the secret to sales. I’ll be getting one. Multi Frequency and Selectable Frequency Explained Garrett Ace Apex multifrequency metal detector