DIG5050

What would you like to know about the Apex/Viper coil, in MF or single frequency?

I almost always do what my wife says. When my wife says I should go detecting, I go detecting...

Nice finds, Ge. The barber dime is sweet! I’ve only found a couple of those in a lot of years of hunting for them. It sounds like the 11x13 coil is working well for you. My son has an 11x13 and he really likes it. I’ve tried swinging it and it feels heavy. HH with that beast!

Wow that coin is in fabulous condition. The detail is great. What a cool find. It’s beautiful. Now Imhave to go out and try the Bird Dog settings at a permission. Congrats!

I would try the 1.13 update on one of the pods. Make sure you perform the factory reset after updating the firmware. This initializes settings and other variables for proper functioning of the update. See if it corrects the operation for that pod. If not, in lieu of the ability to remove a battery connection from the pod circuit board, one last suggestion would be to power on one control pod and let the battery go completely “dead”. This should force a “hard reset” when battery is recharged. Fully recharge the pod and see if it resolves the problem. If none of these work, then I support the suggestion above made by Jeff McC. regarding Nokta warranty service. Perhaps you can use the Nokta loaner while yours are being serviced. If others are having this problem as you mentioned, then further investigation by Nokta is in order. It sounds like your problem may not be an isolated case. Perhaps some kind of firmware-hardware incompatibility exists on some units.

It is frustrating when things go wrong through no fault of your own. I certainly get that. It is possible that Nokta has made revisions to the board for whatever reason that makes the older units slightly different than current production. Every manufacturer can and does do this at times. As of 10-28-2023, Nokta has included V1.13 with the update tool, as well as other firmware releases back to 1.05. The release notes say that V1.13 - "This update allows for easy switching of the Bluetooth headphones connection between AccuPOINT and The Legend, and better compatibility with your devices." Maybe Nokta has already determined that some devices (Legends) may not be fully compatible with the V1.11 firmware update. Here is what I would do: First, I would remove all previously installed versions of the updater tool from your PC. Next, I would download the latest installer form Nokta, and install V1.13, perform the factory reset, and then see if the problem is corrected. In answer to the question regarding the update 1.11 "already being there". If/when you downloaded the installer, V1.11 was most likely included, and that is why it appeared in a list of possible firmware updates to load onto the Legend. I hope some of this is helpful and you can get back to detecting with your machines. I had issues updating my Apex when the last firmware release and the USB port was the culprit. It was frustrating to have the unit become "bricked" and then later corrected when a different port was used.

Too bad there’s not an update for the Apex. ☹️

Gary ought to try to get Andy and Lance from “The Detectorists” out there swinging their detectors for a video. 😎

That does sound somewhat odd. Let us know the outcome once they receive the machine and diagnose it. It could be helpful for other Apex users down the road. When the Viper coil went bad on my machine, it was nearly new, and chattered uncontrollably. Garrett sent me a new coil and a return tag to ship the failed coil back to them. Been working fine ever since, 3yrs old now. I’ve had no other issues or problems with it.

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. 😞

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..

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.