DIG5050

1 hour ago, Noah (FL) said:

I would imagine their next step will be a SMF update to the AT series???  They eased in to the SMF market with a lower tier machine and if they can refine their SMF tech, cross it with the form factor of the Axiom and make it as reliably waterproof as the AT housings were they would hit another homerun.  

I actually like using my Apex.  It’s typical Garrett build quality and quality of service.  It checks a lot of the boxes for some of the places I like to hunt.  With a little firmware polishing, it could be a really good machine.  Plus, I can envision where it could lead to an SMF AT successor only with a lot more adjustability.  Should that happen, I would probably sell the Apex and be onboard. I’ve used many Garrett machines over the last 40 years and have been happy with most all of them. 

Wow, that is a nice specimen of a large crotal bell. I’ve only found pieces of the larger ones. That is a great find!

I was impressed by the release of the Ace Apex with its sleeker design CB, SMF, wireless headphones, large display and rechargeable LiPo battery. The firmware could use a little polishing, but the design is solid and I still do enjoy using it, despite owning and using a D2. 

I noticed on a distributor site that the Ace 200 may be EOL, so maybe something is forthcoming from Garrett, aside from camo dipping select models. 

Garrett should EOL all the Ace x00 units and AT variants, use the mechanicals of the Apex and spawn a lower cost Ace xxx locked at one frequency, say 10KHz, (ala Exterra Pro) and provide an SMF beach mode so it’s competent on the wet salt sand. Polish the firmware of the Ace Apex to make it a little more adjustable and capable performer, then expand its settings along with a larger CB/screen to form a new AT(Apex).  They would then have an impressive lineup of detectors. 

It’s great customer service for Garrett to increase their warranty to 3 years. Those of us who have Garrett products two years old will benefit from this change in policy. 
Now if they could just polish up the code in the Ace Apex and release it as an update, and release an SMF replacement for the AT series…..

Thanks, Garrett!  

I've enjoyed using both the Apex and the Deus 2-9".  The Apex lacks adjust ability and depth, but sometimes at some sites, you don't need the capabilities of the D2. As Tahts-s-dats-ago said above, the Apex has the fun factor.  I've found it fun to use and more than capable in some homesites that were littered with rusting iron square nails.  It just takes a little more time and coil wiggling to separate the non-Fe targets from the Fe ones. The Apex reigns as my backup detector.

I've really found the 5x8 coil effective in some trashy locations,too. If you get a chance to try it, Bill (S.CA), try one out. It makes swinging the detector for a longer period of time much easier. Of course, you do lose some depth but again, sometimes you don't need the depth of the larger coils.

I suspect the Microchip MCU they used for the processing core of the Apex has more HP under the hood to provide, but Garrett chose to limit its use in a mid-level detector.  Perhaps Garrett will take advantage of the extra HP in the future generation SMF detector.   I am hopeful that at some point they will provide a software update for Apex owners that test drives some of the features of said future SMF detector.   I quiz Steve Moore any chance I get to try to nudge along an update for the Apex, but so far, its crickets!

I like the end of the video where Gary says “ with a little bit of luck, your MI-6 will work”. What could possibly go wrong? 😂

My son bought an MI-6 shortly after I purchased one and communicated how well it worked linked with the D2. His connected about 1/3 of the time so he stopped using it paired. My MI-6 connected more reliably when it was new. Now it requires several power cycles to connect about 1/3 of the time, and an occasional unpair/pair cycle. Frustrating. 
 

As losfinders stated, holding near or front of  the RC seems to remedy the connection issue, but in my case doesn’t always work. 😞

3 hours ago, CPT_GhostLight said:

I know you're busy, XP, and we all love the MI-6 pinpointer (well many of us anyway), but it's never too early to think about features we'd like to see on the next gen pinpointer.

Personally, I'd like to see a good ferrous/non-ferrous discrimination capability on the next pinpointer. We know you excel at that capability on the Deus and Deus II, so now maybe it's time to port that ability over to the next generation XP pinpointer.

And while we're making a wish-list, how about adding the switchable vibration mode to the pinpointer as well while paired to the remote. These are just some thoughts that could take the MI-6 to the next level. You're welcome! 😏

I’d like to see a switchable vibrate mode on the ‘MI-7’ and the carrot, too. Darn carrot/Z-Lynk loves to digest 9V batteries. Switching off the vibration should help extend the life of the batt. Let us make the choice, dang it!

The biggest issue with the MI-6 is keeping it connected to the D2. Yesterday at a site out in the open country, After multiple attempts powering the MI-6 on -off, I had to unpair/re-pair it to get it to connect to the D2.  The whole process took longer than finding the target in the plug.  

Others have posted that EMI causes this, but…none or very little EMI present yesterday.   My Z-Lynk PP does not have this issue.  I hope XP mitigates  the connection issue in the next release of the firmware for the D2.

The diodes are connected in a back to back configuration to act as a voltage clamp for the mic input. Any silicon diodes will work, i.e., 1N4148. 1N400x, etc.  The artwork legend shows zener diodes but in that configuration zeners aren’t necessary. It could be built using a perfboard. The circuit is so simple a board really isn’t needed. 

Nice collection of finds, Robert. Prolly still more there to find.  Little by little the earth releases its grip on historical items from the past.  That’s what I like bout detecting.  

I use both the Apex and the Deus 2 presently.  I've been using an Apex since late 2020.  The first one (early in production) had issues right out of the box, but Garrett sent an entirely new one and a return label for the first unit. The replacement unit developed a coil issue after a short time, and again, Garrett sent a new, replacement coil. That's top notch Garrett service. 

Since the coil replacement, the machine has been bullet proof for me. I like using it with the 5x8 coil, as its feather light to swing. It's easy to use, and once you learn it's characteristics, you can find plenty of good targets. I have found a lot of coins and relics with it.  And, after learning the Deus 2 for a period of time, went over some of the same sites and found little more.

How does it compare to the Deus 2?  No comparison.  The Deus 2 can spank it on separation, unmasking, and flexibility, but sometimes on some sites, those aren't so important.  The Deus 2 is much higher tech and it's firmware is more refined.  As the video references, the Apex not submersible, nor does it have the flexibility and adjust-ability of the Deus 2, but does a pretty decent job for about 1/3 the price,  and is simple to use.  The ability to have a rechargeable battery, wireless headphones and link-able PP are a plus.  I use the Deus 2 with the same type wireless setup.

Somewhat like the latest Xterra Pro from M-L and Nokta Simplex series, Garrett could extend the Apex into the Ace series.  They could offer machines with SMF capability, but fixed on one select-able frequency at a time, suitable for beach use, and others for general purpose hunting, each with a subset of functions of the Apex.  Garrett would benefit by lower prices on common components used across the (new)Ace line, and retire the old Ace line with the disposable batteries and bulky control box. Hey Steve Moore, do we have your attention?

I believe the Apex has been a stepping stone into SMF for Garrett, and hope they improve the firmware and update the Apex, and perhaps release a new higher end machine (soon) that can compare/compete with the other manufacturers in the SMF category. 

Great idea.  Thanks, 1moar. 

Wow, that ring is a beauty!  Great find, Dcraun..

I mainly hunt on land on permissions, so my digging is in soil with turf or farm field for coins and relics.  My first PP was the old Generation 1 black Garrett PP.

I have both the MI-6 and (2) Garrett PPAT Z-lynk.  I use the the MI-6 with the D2 and like the wireless operation, when it works.  It has trouble connecting sometimes, and I have had to re pair it a couple of times, like the D2 RC forgets it’s paired.  I hope XP fixes this and soon.
 

I use the Garrett PPAT Z-Lynk with my Apex.  The second PPATZ is used as a spare.  I like the PPATZ better than the MI-6.   It seems more sensitive and always connects to the Z-Lynk headphones.  It seems to eat the 9V batteries pretty quickly though and when the battery gets low, the PP sounds like a European police siren.  I always keep a spare battery in the car.
 

I thought that I would like the PP cutting out the detector audio on the D2 during PP use, but that feeling is mixed.  Once a plug is extracted, sometimes the MI-6 cannot locate the target, so I have to turn it off, and sweep the coil of the D2 over the plug or the hole for a check.  Then react accordingly.  With the PPATZ, you can swing the detector coil over the plug and the hole without turning the PPATZ off and back on.  When a lot of  EMI is present, hearing the chattering Apex, and the PPATZ can get a bit annoying.  Hence, I wish the Apex had a mute function, like the Simplex.

Good luck with whatever you settle on.  

My MI-6 connects almost every time if It’s held close to the RC in the D2.  If it doesn’t connect, a re-tune press of the button usually makes it connect.  Annoying, not at all like my carrot with Z-Lynk.

My son has a D2 and an MI-6 and has the same connection problem you are experiencing.  Maybe a defective MI-6?
 

Maybe it’s time to contact your seller, or XP for warranty repair.  HH.

Awesome find, Cliff! I gotta start digging more 86’s. 

Beautiful coin, Calmark.  I know they’re out there so I have to keep looking!

It’s a beautiful coin, Barry. Very little wear.  Must have been lost in that soil a long time ago. Congrats!

What are you swinging now?

The 9” coil makes the D2 light enough to swing all day.  I’ve been using the Apex for the last 18 mo. And with the 9” coil, it’s a little lighter than the Apex especially if I put on the 9x12 coil on the Apex.
 

My son has the 11” coil and doesn’t care for the flex in the lower rod on the D2;  he says it feels lighter than the ‘Nox 800 with standard coil.  

Small world, Bill.  I still live near Mansfield, Ohio, and have also bought detectors from Dick Noel at Earths Treasures;  one of the most interesting at the time was the Sovereign, about a year after you bought yours.  Deepest detector I had at the time.  I guess I’m in the minority as I’ve bought more Garrett detectors than any other brand over the years, mainly because of the quick learning curve and their simplicity. I use different brands now, but still have a Garrett as a go to for some situations.  Happy hunting!

I agree with Chase Goldman.

What a version control mess. Plus, there needs to be list of changes/fixes from one version to the next so the person updating can review the list be sure they want the update.

Also, XP needs to provide a method and older versions of firmware available should the user wish to roll back to an earlier version to prevent problems such as all those described above.

XP needs to fix this NOW.  For as much money as we all have spent on this product, this is disappointing.

Nice finds, Jayhop.  Especially the half-dime. Did you receive the D2 9" ?

May I ask is the coil 9" or 11" ? Thanks

I have an Ace Apex with three Garrett coils, Ripper, Viper and Raider.  The Raider will give you a little more depth and ground coverage, especially on the beach.  I actually prefer the Raider coil over the Viper for these reasons, and I hunt inland. I seldom use the Viper coil unless I’m in the woods or taller grass.

I’ve not noticed much of a difference in separation capability between  the Raider or Viper. The Raider is a bit heavier than the Viper, but I doubt the little extra weight will bother you.  

Good luck hunting on the beach!