Bob Sickler

I have an 11 x 6" elliptical on my current detector and really enjoy its depth and maneuverability in high grass fields and tough wooded conditions. I had 11" rounds on previous detectors in some of the same hunt locations that felt like I was swinging a garbage can lid filled with rocks! 🙂 Tough getting up close to some of those old big trees! For me it's all about comfort and focus on my hunting and not struggling with anything I use.

All I can say is, for the price, I'm impressed after seeing the Nokta FindX. I'm not a fan of the pole mount control housings in general, but this is better than some. The unit telescopes way down which is nice. Hard to see if the shafts are round, but all they need do (if not) would be to make the handgrip/pod rotate into being parallel with the searchcoil folded flat and you could likely get this in a backpack. OK, we have wired headphones, but there are dedicated headphone kits available where the transmitter is hard-wired to the "audio out" and then wireless to the headphones. A wireless pinpointer could then pair with the headphones. If you could put that wired transmitter under the arm cup, you would then have counterbalance for even the minimal 2.6 pounds it weighs! OK, maybe it won't hang with the big boys in highly negative ground (as far as anyone knows yet), but I bet it does just as well or better as most single frequency VLF Motion's in the recent past. Battery source: 2300 mAh Lithium Polymer... Not too shabby. Most of all, I'm impressed with the simple-to-the-point layout of the display and controls in thumb's reach. Maybe the ID number size is smaller than some, but possibly looks to be readable without glasses. I like the fact the lower shaft fastens to the center of the searchcoil. That goes a long way to help lessen "toe heavy" large searchcoils if attachment is below center instead. We have a global economy, whether we like it or not, and competition is a good thing. We as consumers get what we want at a better price it now seems. Like "phrunt" says, "Good on ya Nokta"!

Thanks Steve.... After reading about the Li's and the melting, maybe I'll stick with NiMH! Yes, the brand I'm using now is the same, Tenergy, and they have been really lasting a long time. I originally bought a whole box (8) of the same early "blues" you show and most sat in the box never to be charged, still had the wrapper's on them. I should have rotated them because they eventually perished from non-use and no charge. Then I moved on to only a few of "low self discharge" version I talked about above which I will rotate. I still like devices where the battery is not hard-wired and can be replaced, rechargeable or standard.

I like the looks and function of the Axiom too, even though I wouldn't have use for a pulse in my venues. I think they used the pod from the Apex nicely( if it was second to the Apex)... I can't remember. The only thing I'm not a fan of is that little "patio chair" armcup on top of the battery compartment, but that's the graphic designer in me! 🙂 I like collapsible too, especially if I can fit it in a backpack! I have reading glasses on a cord around my neck and I still couldn't see the display on one of my recent detector purchases! Just love the backlight on the Apex display when I'm thinking, "C'mon, one more old coin!" 🙂

I never gave Lithium's a thought. Wow that is some duration of charge! I wonder how it compares in price though to a $5 NiMH. I used to keep Alkalines as spares to the NiMH as well until I went to buy some quality new ones and saw the price! 😆 When the NiMH wears out, I might start using Lithium too! But I think I'll have to charge more than twice a year hopefully! 🙂

OK, I pushed the wrong forum button I guess! Starting over again... TIP #1 For economy & ecological reasons, I have used a rechargeable 9V battery in my Garrett Pro-Pointer AT for as long as they have been released, even in the original Pro-Pointer as well. Not going to mention the brand of rechargeable battery publicly, but these batteries were 200mAh, NiMH (nickel metal-hydride) composition. They worked well, but the amount of time you actually use them in the field is directly proportional to how long they last, obviously. The problem I've had is how long the charge lasts in storage, because I always carry a charged spare with me in the field. I've had days where the installed battery became discharged and then I go for my charged spare, only to have it not last very long. Then I was stuck retrieving "old school"! Recently I have purchased a new "low self discharge" rechargeable NiMH 9V (same brand) that can retain an 85% charge for a year! You read that correctly. Currently I have been using the same new battery in the PPAT for more than 4 outings and it is still going strong. Now when I go to use my spare in the field, it might even be usable! I paid $20 for 4 which is quite a good deal if they last a long time. TIP #2 I've always had a bit of a problem taking off the battery compartment cover which I think is due to Garrett's really good submersible seal. Even though the cover has some flutes to it, I have trouble gripping the smooth low thickness cover. A workaround for me is to carry a 1/4" wide rubber band and wrap it around the cover when needed. If you can find a small diameter 1/4" wide band, all the better. The rubber band acts like a "kitchen jar lid opener" and gives me a good grip... OR, maybe I can get my wife to come with me and open it!

For economy reasons, I have used a rechargeable 9V battery in my Garrett Pro-Pointer AT for as long as they have been released, even in the original Pro-Pointer as well. Not going to mention the brand of rechargeable battery publicly, but these batteries were 250mAh, NiMH (nickel metal-hydride) composition. They worked well, but the amount of time you actually use them in the field is directly related to how long they last, obviously. The problem I've had is how long the charge lasts in storage, because I always carry a spare with me in the field

Yes, I too wish Garrett would add another menu item for processor speed in high trash in the new release. But remember, the faster the recovery speed, the less depth you will get. Extreme depth is sometimes not that important around old homesites. Maybe they could also give the operator the choice between modulated vs. full-on target response. Add to that user selectable number of audio pitch divisions. Personally, for a long time I have hunted using both audio and visual conductive reference and have liked an infinite range of pitches, low to high continuous. Oh yeah, simulated analog audio tone would be great. OK, now you got me going... I'd like to see carbon fiber upper and lower rods, infinite camlock adjustment and the rods to have a shape other than round to hold the searchcoil and display in proper alignment to the housing. I'd like to have the lithium power source (replaceable) removed from the control housing and placed beneath the arm cup to add counterbalance to coil weight... Thus producing even better overall balance similar to like what Garrett did with the old GTA 1000. All-Terrain? All I care about is the whole detector is more rain resistant, I'm not an underwater hunter, other than searching streams. The Viper style coil does that extremely well. Rain resistant versus submersible would also be a good cost option for those who need it. I honestly do not care for portrait style, cellphone-like control housings, pods, and the like to be mounted far above the center of gravity. Don't lose the beautifully simple designed Apex display and the perfectly simple menu structure actuated by the current button tactile pad array! Maybe they could make the control "S" rod with two swivel joints that tighten to your preferred angle or slant. Add to that a replaceable foam grip in the attachment style we use to cover hot-water pipes in the home. In short, keep it simple, ergonomic, lightweight, solid, and affordable for all. At my current age, it's all about comfort and the fun I originally started the hobby to have.

Steve, I'll do better about comparing detectors in a dedicated brand topic. Given the fact I have been comparing detectors for many years both privately and publicly, it's a hard habit to break. But you are right, we don't want to downplay one detector against another because we do well with it. To me, that's about where to take it. I only did so because these were two detectors I owned recently and had experience enough to talk about them. I'm not to speed" on most all the newest detectors. Can't say I want to be anymore. I just want to hunt. I remember one of the few times my wife actually went metal detecting with me and I gave her a popular non-motion discriminator I was testing at the time. I was using "old faithful". I asked her if she would like me to set it up for her... "No, I'll be fine!" I gave her some brief instruction on how to operate and she was gone across the school field extending the lower rod as she went. After two hours she returned to where I was and I noticed the searchcoil was swiveled around so the majority of the coil surface was under the pole! I started to smirk until she opened her hand, it was filled with coins, many were silver! She said, "How'd you do?" I had "red crickets"! 🙂 You are a good Admin, thank you.

I hope everyone here didn't think I meant the Apex was the do-all, end-all detector, it's not! No detector I have ever owned, reviewed, or tested has been. I think the manufacturers have tried, but none so far have been totally successful... The variance of mineral intensity throughout the world is just too daunting and performance trade-offs will always be an issue. If they were ultimately successful someday, we'd all own it and multi-faceted forums such as this would likely cease to exist!... It might be just "show and tell" from then on or "my coil's bigger than yours"! 🙂 I've only spoke on the Apex's virtues in my own ground context and the comfort it has afforded me. My beloved Teknetics Mark I (too heavy) was a killer in my own ground, take it relic hunting down South in hot ground and it failed miserably. This is the precise reason I tried to initiate a national network of field testing when I worked for a magazine. Retrospectively ironic is my most favorite coin ever found... It was found using my 1979 Garrett ADS Groundhog, a non-motion discriminator! Fond memories, but no depth performance match for today's detectors. I think Garrett's future in the sport arena of metal detection will rely a lot on this upcoming release. I think they are acutely aware of their competition. The fact that they are heavily invested throughout the world in security detection will always keep them afloat as a company. I also think they were quite wise to purchase White's assets and gain their loyal customer following. For me, I'm looking forward to any ergonomic, lightweight, well-designed interface, high-performing and solidly built detector that will keep me swinging for the future. Oh yeah, it has to work in my dirt and leave me with a few bucks in my wallet! 🙂

Possibly your western minerals might be affecting the outcome in target rich locations? For me I've had some really good success with the Apex in areas like the trash embankment above, but I can't be sure all was found... Do we ever know. Most of my targets were buried no deeper than few inches if I remember correctly, but there surely was a lot of iron noise. I tried the Deus II on the same hill in the fast mode and didn't do much better and I know their processor is a lot faster.

Maybe Garrett should using parachutes in a rain storm! 🙂

I got to thinking about my glaze theory and I remember seeing real NYS Indian pottery once and it didn't look shiny. The site was remote though with no (other than the passerby pull-tab 🙂) signs of habitation. What I do know is the human prints were under some sort of shiny hard coating. Almost looked like somebody glazed clay chunks that did not resemble any form of pottery. Maybe they were from a kiln explosion? Any experts out there? Now I will be looking again for this!

Hey Bill, I always had hoped to be a rock star, but that was with a guitar! 🙂 Seriously, I'm no rock star with a metal detector either. I put my searchcoils on like everybody else does. I'm just lucky to have found some great places to hunt for the last 56 years and the "gift of gab" to talk about it! The real treasures I've found are the friendships I've made in the hobby. "I don't care about detector colors. If you saw the mismatched furniture in my living room"... You my friend could be a standup comedian! 🙂 Wait, maybe you're color blind! 🙂 I think you might be correct about Garrett not furthering the Apex, but I do hope they use some of the feature strengths found on the Apex into a new model. You are right again, the Viper is an all-around great coil. Let's hope all us Garrett fans get a "good kinda soaking" real soon!

The oldest find I made using a metal detector is unfortunately something still lost in my house somewhere! Not sure I would be able to photograph it well enough for you to see it, even if I could locate it again. I was hunting alongside the Hudson River many years ago looking for anything hopefully dropped by early settlers or trappers. When I got down to retrieve a target (later being a pull-tab under leaves 😞), my eye caught partially buried "rock" chunks that were lighter colored than the surrounding terrain, light-brown to be exact. I noticed (long before glasses) a shiny patina... GLAZE! I had found chunks of fired pottery! As I turned over one larger piece, I could actually see someone's palm and finger prints in the clay! Someone (likely Indians) making pottery left their anonymous personal identity! That one still gives me goose-bumps friends!