DIG5050

Either way you will like having cordless headphones. 

I normally use headphones because of traffic noise of windy conditions in the areas in which I hunt. 

I use the Z-Lynk headphones with my Apex and Garret carrot ATZ-Lynk.. It is nice to have the carrot PP linked to the headphones if you have a need for a PP.   I do not suffer with any drop outs with the Apex or the PP, as long as the power on/off button is kept on the same side as your swing arm as stated above.   I keep the volume on the Apex set to maximum, and vary the volume in the headphones with the volume control, and have not experienced weak audio.

The Garrett system works much better than the XP-D2 and MI-6 PP, in that the XP system fails to connect at times creating frustration. 

I have no experience with LL bluetooth transmitter/receiver combos.

On 4/23/2024 at 10:03 AM, Bob Sickler said:

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.

Dang, Bob, that is a long list. Probably not likely to happen, unless someone there decides to breath a little new life into the Apex.

But I agree A trapezoid CF shaft along with those camlocks would be handy.

With the LCD display having fixed character, it is a little harder to do a lot of things, but simpler settings can be accomplished with what is currently available.  Also, any mods would probably have to be done in the settings menu.

At the very least, it would be nice to see the adjustable recovery speed, even it its only 3 steps, with the present speed in the middle. Let the user choose to run it fast for trashy spots, and normal for classic Apex effect, and slow for deeper targets in clean soil. It could be displayed as r1, r2, r3, etc.

It would be nice to see the backlight come on briefly when switching detecting modes, as it does when scrolling thru the settings. Sometimes I setup a custom pattern on one of the other modes, then toggle to it when the trash level in the soil changes. It is hard to see what mode you are in if the lighting isn't optimal, or there are reflections on the screen.

The modulated audio or analog audio tone might be possible, too.

Pitch divisions might be a little harder...

Maybe they should make the "C" source code, and other necessary files for the PIC micro controller they used open source so some who are more savvy could modify the code, re-compile it and make it available as an update for those who wish to see more performance and features. 🙂

I relic and coin hunt in my local area mostly at old homesites. I’ve done this type hunting for about 40 years when time and family life allowed for it. My first factory made detector was a Garrett back in the ‘80’s. 
 

I enjoy using both Apex detector and D2-9”. I bought the Apex soon after it was released.  I had previously owned a ML Sovereign so I knew the virtues of SMF machines. More recently , the GTI-2500 was nice technology, but the Apex felt like heaven to my arm to swing especially since I’m older.  I learned the Apex and could hardly wait for each day I could go out and use it. I still like it and use it today, anywhere the soil conditions allow. Being rechargeable, having wireless headphones and 5 tones, SMF like the Sovereign, but so much lighter than my old machines was and is a win-win for me. 
 

I will use the D2 when the soil conditions are tougher, and like that I can tweak a few settings to the soil conditions. I wish I could do even a subset of similar adjustments with the Apex as it would be the icing on the cake for me. 
 

I eagerly await the “Storm” like a lot of other Garrett fans, and I hope they address some of the (lack of) adjustability of the Apex. 
 

Meanwhile I’ll keep using and enjoying with both machines. Let’s hope it the Storm appears soon. 

Bob, that is a nice assortment of targets you found. It looks like you had a good time at this site.  
 

The bright yellow CB is not to my liking, either.  Soon after the release of the Apex, the Sly Lynx Garrett Apex cover popped up on Amazon.  They had black, camo, and pixel camo. They are nice covers and hide the bright yellow color (!)  as well as keeping the display from becoming scratched, and helps keep the keyboard clean.

I ended up buying the camo and pixelated camo versions, and after nearly 4 years of use, still look like new.  Alas, I no longer see the camo or pixel camo versions available. 

On the new “Storm” release I would like to see black or camo.
 HH, Bob,!

Let me rephrase that.  Approx 2yrs ago I bought the D2-9” RC with WS6 and at the time I paid about 3x what I paid for the Apex/WHP. Lower cost options for the D2 are available now. 

Yes, the D2 keeps one on their toes regarding charging all of the various components. The really annoying thing regarding my D2 is the MI-6 pin pointer that sometimes refuses to link.  Un-pairing and repairing it seems to help temporarily.  Sometimes I spend more time cycling the MI-6 power trying to get it linked than its use pinpointing the target.  My carrot never has this problem.  Plus, it’s another thing that has to be charged routinely, too.  I keep a spare 9V battery in my car for the carrot, so it can be changed quickly if needed.  
 

Both offer a light weight swing effort, but the Apex has the lead when used with the Ripper coil.  Either way, I like the S-type shaft.  I hadn’t thought of the CF shafts to lighten the Apex swing weight,  Thanks for that suggestion!  🙂

On 4/17/2024 at 6:15 PM, kac said:

Way better shape IHP than I usually see here.

Apex gets bit of a bad rap. Maybe because the audio is so short and doesn't have the modulation as many machines they are accustomed to like the ML, XP and even AT series. I have an Apex myself though don't use it nearly as much as my Tesoros I have done incredibly well with it. I have the stock Viper, Raider and Ultimate 9" which really works well on that machine. I noticed slower sweep speeds really helps at least around here where the ground is rich in iron.

For what it is worth My buddy and i did target for target comparisons with Apex and 9" ultimate and XP D2 with 9" for coin shooting. Both were pretty equal. XP did a little better on identifying aluminum trash but probably because I had it in 40khz smf and the Apex did bit better identifying iron targets but again that was at 20khz multi. Depth wise I would say the Apex has a slight edge with that coil but not enough to rush out and buy one.

Reaper coil does ok but emi and mineralization smothers it here so depth gain is not really worth the weight. Iron trash in the fields makes it much more likely to mask out. On sanded beaches however it is very deep so people beach combing might like it.

Suppose it won't hurt but do ya think Garrett could offer an update to add a pro audio mode like the AT Pro had? I had asked Garrett a bunch of times but get the silence treatment. They are really missing the boat on that machine. I know some people like that short blip but considering the Hybrid audio has almost no modulation it makes the machine difficult to hunt for fringe targets in old sites without relying on the screen.

I, too, was hoping for Garrett to release an update to refine the code of the Apex as well.  The core program is good, but could use a little tweaking to make it even better.  Tweaking it would be a great way to increase the value to the current users and lure prospective buyers to consider the Apex.  Simply allowing limited adjustability of the recovery speed, audio enhancements as mentioned in this thread, toggling the backlight on when changing detecting modes etc., would be beneficial to the all users. 

That notwithstanding, I have spent many hours with the Apex in the last 3+ years too, and found  many, many desirable targets with the Apex, some of my best.  As Bob and others mentioned, working slowly around iron infested sites can yield some nice non ferrous targets. With the Apex, one has to spend a little more time working amongst the iron sounds to hear the non ferrous targets. The D2 can locate these  targets a little faster due to the adjustable recovery speed. 

Recently I was at an old homesite where there was plenty of metallic trash in the ground.  I went over the sight with the D2-9”  and was able to recover 5 coins and some relics.  Then, on another afternoon, I went over the same area with the Apex equipped with the Ripper  coil and extracted two more coins, a key lock, and more relics.

In my Ohio soil, I find the D2-9” hits an 8” buried dime sized target better than the Apex with the Raider coil. But, again, the D2 cost 3x as much as the Apex.  Both machines offer great performance and easy-on-the-arm and shoulder swinging for extended periods of time.  

Bob, I read your interview “Bob Stickler-the detectorist”, and chuckled to myself regarding your first detector, the BFO project described in a Radio Electronics Magazine. I read the same story in that magazine many years ago, and had to build one.   My coil was wound on a plywood blank with hole saw cutouts to reduce its weight. My dad affixed a broom handle as the shaft.  Its performance was meager, but it did work if the metal object was large enough.. The industry has come a long way since.  

I enjoy using my Apex with the 5x8 coil, too.  It’s super light, and I do well with it.  It’s been a good detector for me and my 70 yr. old arm for the last 3 years. 

You're a real treasure to the detecting community for all your contributions over the years.  Keep swinging, Bob. 🙂

Some of my best finds of the last 4 years were made with my Apex. It seems to work well in my Ohio soil, at a lot of the old homesites I visit. 

Steve, how would you describe “more horsepower under the hood” of the Apex. What would you add, remove, change etc. 

I have my own ideas of what I’d like to see changed in the Apex if indeed the Storm was a refined Apex but would like to hear others ideas. 

Nice bunch of coins, and the barbers are beautiful!  Good job, Mark!

DSMITH, this sounds like a training issue with the persons responsible for pulling all the parts of an order, and a quality control failure in that no one verifies the contents of the order’s fulfillment before shipping it. Seems pretty easy to fix. 

My 1236-X2 is sitting in the basement collecting dust.  I’ll have to get it out and try it at a difficult old homesite with a lot of iron in the ground.  Thanks for the inspiration, blackflag!
Blackflag, you mentioned a 5” coil. I have the 8” concentric coil; I wonder if any other coil sizes/types still exist for this machine?

That’s an awesome find.  What coil do you have on your 1236-X2? 

Still available for sale!

Will it work on Oak Island?

Includes belt mount clip, new Fisher chest mount, Price dropped to $375.

The “Storm” name, if it’s called that,  meh.  

The camo motif is pretty cool though….lets hope the hardware and firmware within can be up to par with the looks.   Otherwise…..

Sure looks like coil no. 1 is defective in some manner.  Maybe a bad cable connection where the cable enters the coil housing or something loose inside.  Rusty is a great customer service rep. for Garrett.  I’ve dealt with him in the past as well.  

Been detecting for almost 40 years.  Glad I started in this hobby. Now that I’m retired, detecting provides exercise and a connection to the outdoors.  I don’t live near any ocean or lake so I relic and coin hunt.  
 

Detectors have never been better and more featured than now.  Pinpointers, small shovels, hand diggers, sand scoops, finds pouches, etc., are plentiful and easy to source.  Wireless audio, wireless pin pointers, heck even wireless coils to control box are all available and make the detector so much more enjoyable to use. 
 

Detecting takes practice to learn your machine, patience in digging targets and willingness to dig junk,  time to research your area if you want to look for older things. Good luck with whatever you decide.  

Steve H, incognito is good. Much better than non-partecipare. There are some good ideas here and in other topics on the Garrett thread in the DP forum that might give them some food for thought….🐣

Hey Steve H, or anyone else for that matter, know if Garrett people ever visit this forum?

Garrett usually makes detectors that are fun and easy to use, i.e. the Ace SF series, Apex and AT series, that allow one to get out there and hunt without a lot of fiddling with settings.  I hunt with an Apex and the D2.  The Apex does a decent job in most situations, once learned. The D2 is obviously more capable, and has the complexity of many settings to adjust, which is both good and bad and expected; one pays a lot more for the performance and flexibility of the D2.

Some detectorists comment on the high price of the Apex, but at the time it was released, I believe it was the only other SMF detector besides ML offerings, and the Apex was priced below most of them.  Since the offerings from Nokta and the release of the ML Xterra Pro, The Apex now seems lacking for the $ cost. I was hoping like Jeff McC said above, that Garrett would update the Apex with a some of the settings that I and others have asked for, so far nothing in over 2 yrs.  Some firmware changes would make the Apex more of a contender considering the other offerings available now at lower cost.  It's still not too late to update the Apex firmware with a few more features before the next product roll out.

Perhaps the new Garrett detector will incorporate some more advanced settings, but keep the same fun factor, ease of use, ergonomics of the Apex, build quality and water proof capability of the AT series. Bring it, Garrett.

F/S Fisher CZ-20 Detector w/8" coil, all original, like new condition. Works as it should.  It was used for a couple of seeded fresh water hunts. The detector has not been in or anywhere near salt water.  The detector has been stored with battery door loose to preserve battery door gasket. Detector, Manual, 4 new alkaline batteries, belt mount clip, (new)chest mount, UPS to your door. $425 Paypal F & F, CONUS.    For any other questions email me at mlmolnar382@gmail.com

I mostly use the Apex to coin and relic hunt.

I have the Ripper coil, Viper coil(standard with my detector) and Raider coil. The Ripper is great for shallower targets and junky areas, and is super light to swing.  The Viper is good for all around hunting and can hit 6-7" dimes in my local mineralized soil . The Raider coil covers about the same amount of ground, and goes a bit deeper than the Viper coil.  It comes with the price of more weight to swing. I have not tried the Reaper coil, but assume it would be heavier and more fatiguing to the arm, and probably deeper than any of the others.

As far as MF to SF operation, I have only used the SF when EMI caused too much chatter in the SMF mode. Otherwise the detector seems to work fine either way in my mineralized soil.  I hope your questions are answered.

I you are hunting for gold, I would use it in SMF mode.  I don't know if switching it to SF mode at 20Khz would benefit you. Maybe someone else will comment on that.