Things I Don't Like About The Garrett Axiom

[Gerry in Idaho]

Swegin asked and I applaud him for doing so.  What things I don't like.

Yes there are a few things I don't care for but also realize of the probably 30+ detectors I have recovered gold with, I have yet to find one I totally like for every reason.

I'm not a fan of those USB plugs and trying to get the cable in the little slot.  The age my eyeballs are, I have to go and find my glasses to get it right.

I'm not a fan of cable cords and feel if XP can get rid of them, then why can't Minelab and Garrett?  It could be because of it being a PI, I'm not sure.

I don't like having to use Garrett's Z Lynk wireless in todays modern electronic age.  Why can't I use any wireless?

I hate the hollow sound of the coils and the hard plastic rubbing the ground.  It makes 2 to 3 x the amount of noise.  I prefer a softer plastic like the other models and brands use.  Sure we wear them out sooner, but at least I can hear the whisper signals better.  I honestly feel 75% of the folks who gold hunt are walking over weak signals and not even realizing it.

Still wishing for a better Iron Identification system on a PI, but it's what it is.  Small iron like boot nails will not DISC out (on purpose so not to miss small gold).  Large iron will identify better than small, but even large iron at depth is an issue.  I also found out the hard way and was not too excited...if the ID goes silent across a target, it does not mean it's iron.  So a piece of gold will just not make a response at all.  Iron will produce the grunt sound.  I realize most folks do not use Iron ID and I'm one of those strange ducks that does.  But I only use it in certain areas and play the odds.

Me, I personally don't like the dull gray coils as it does not help when taking pictures.  Now I know Garrett Engineers could care less, but the marketing guys sure would like something different.

I wish the Axiom would allow me to carry my cell phone and do video without EMI issues.  All bigger detectors are like this, even many of the VLF's out there.

I wish the Axiom was set a different frequency level of my Garrett Carrott pin pointer.  I found out real fast like, they can not be very close when both turned on.

Engineers will never totally please me with a detector as the way my mind thinks.  Let me test it and I'll tell you ways to make it better.  The problem with my thinking is not always what's best for the masses.  I'm one of a few and detectors are usually sold for the majority.  Prime example.  The GM-1000 is a great selling VLF Gold Detector and I sell it more than most others, as it's dummy proof.  I myself prefer the EQ-800 as it allows me more control and provides me with more information and better identification.  But as I said, the masses prefer the GM-1000.  No big deal.

I do feel the Axiom runs smoother than many PI's out there and also has greater sensitivity to smaller gold and specimens.  I also prefer the options of more tuning than a some of the others.

Have I had some of the EMI issues Steve mentions.  On a rare occasion and I have noticed the same on some of the recent high end machines the last few years and even to the point of some VLF's on certain soils.  Ambiant air temperature is a big facture to a smoother running detector.  Back when I was crazy about gold and Rye Patch was semi virgin (half ounce days were common & occasional 1 ounce days), I was going 12 months of the year.  July/Aug it would get so hot, I started detecting more at night.  I also found the detectors to run more smooth and retain a quieter Threshold.  I then also noticed that mornings were better than mid days and adjusted my detecting hours.  Atoms (energy and electricity) in the air actually mask a little bit of performance of the detector.  

When using the Axiom I noticed the hottest part of the day at a couple sites produced more Noise Canceling than other sites and or temperatures.  Again, the same thing I noticed on other big machines.

What I like and dislike might be, could be and should be different than what others say.  We hunt different areas, states and kinds of gold.  Our knowledge and skill levels are also never going to be the same.  I don't know if there are any other Field Testers of the Axion in the US, other than Steve H and my staff/I.  I do wish they would have more testers as well in other states, as that is a bigger picture to go from. Yes, the Axiom has things I don't like, but to tell you the honest to gods truth.  It's a much better detector that what I initially was expecting to be testing.  Have to give them credit as Garrett really did make a great move and option.  But waits is even more impressive (actually I expected that) was all of this at the price point vs the competition.

[Steve Herschbach]

3 hours ago, Gerry in Idaho said:

I wish the Axiom would allow me to carry my cell phone and do video without EMI issues.  All bigger detectors are like this, even many of the VLF's out there.

I wish the Axiom was set a different frequency level of my Garrett Carrott pin pointer.  I found out real fast like, they can not be very close when both turned on.

In both cases be sure your devices are on and within 6 feet before doing a noise cancel. Problem solved. I use both my cell phone and Carrot with Axiom with no issues. But no, they can’t get right next to coil.

Good post Gerry. Definitely highlights how some things that bother one person do not bother another at all. I like the gray and black color scheme. And hate wireless coils with a true passion!! 

 

[phrunt]

1 hour ago, Steve Herschbach said:

I like the gray and black color scheme. And hate wireless coils with a true passion!! 

 

ME TOO!

[GotAU?]

Gerry, try using some of that pipe wrap tape on the bottom and sides of the coil, it probably wouldn’t be so good for pretty pictures, but your coils will be a lot more quiet.

[Knomad]

When this model was first reveled I said the two things I don't like and are going to be a problem are the use of a USB plug for charging, not because of fumbling to use it, but for Long Term Reliability.

And the lack of Bluetooth is a Marketing Mistake, simply because more and more people use headphones and other listening devises they like that are Bluetooth based, and don't want to be locked into a Garrett system, or have to have a Transmitter and adapter to go Bluetooth.  They are going to allow third party coils, but not be open to Non Garrett audio.?  Really.

I wish Garrett all the best, But think these basic mistakes will come back to haunt them.

[phrunt]

That's another example of everyone having different tastes, I'd rarely ever use the wireless audio, I'd use the speaker and on the odd occasion I did use it the Garrett system would be fine as it's better than Bluetooth anyway, with the downside being limited options of headphones for it without using a receiver although that's not too bad of an option anyway.  What we do know is the speaker works great on it and nice and loud, to me that's preferred my audio option.

The aftermarket coils would mean far more to me than Bluetooth audio, I can substitute that with a Bluetooth transmitter for a few bucks, you can't substitute easy access to aftermarket coils, especially if the manufacturer is putting restrictions on the coils available from said aftermarket manufacturers.

I've never broken a USB port in my life, and I use them everyday for all sorts of things and have since USB first hit the market.  Everyone with a GPZ has been USB charging their WM12 since day one, I don't see complaints about it breaking but yes, as someone that worked at a laptop service agent I saw broken USB ports a lot, usually people forcing the plug in upside down, USB-C resolves that though.  The better option might have been the charging method the Equinox has with the magnetic USB charger though as that's sticking with the easy of use and versatility of USB while not having to plug in a plug.

The thing I don't like about the Axiom is the fact I don't have one.

[Steve Herschbach]

46 minutes ago, Knomad said:

When this model was first reveled I said the two things I don't like and are going to be a problem are the use of a USB plug for charging, not because of fumbling to use it, but for Long Term Reliability.

And the lack of Bluetooth is a Marketing Mistake, simply because more and more people use headphones and other listening devises they like that are Bluetooth based, and don't want to be locked into a Garrett system, or have to have a Transmitter and adapter to go Bluetooth.  They are going to allow third party coils, but not be open to Non Garrett audio.?  Really.

I wish Garrett all the best, But think these basic mistakes will come back to haunt them.

"Standard USB has a minimum rated lifetime of 1,500 cycles of insertion and removal, the mini-USB receptacle increases this to 5,000 cycles, and the newer Micro-USB and USB-C receptacles are both designed for a minimum rated lifetime of 10,000 cycles of insertion and removal."

Standard Bluetooth is too slow, and Bluetooth aptX LL is being abandoned. So which Bluetooth are you suggesting? Just for reference, Z-Lynk has a 17ms delay - faster than can be discerned. aptX LL Bluetooth was 40ms. Average Bluetooth is around 150ms.

[Steve Herschbach]

My own complaints as copied from the other thread:

It's just a solid, well behaved machine. Sometimes it seems to get a little unstable, EMI or whatever, quick reset and retune, back to business. I just spent three long days running the machine. Dug a thousand targets, including a pile of nuggets. I really like the audio, very descriptive and well modulated, great for a PI cherry picking of targets in trashy ground. They nailed the telescoping rod design. It is easy to swing, easy to use, and just works.

I guess if I have a genuine complaint it is that the Z-Lynk audio is just not up to snuff for me. Or more accurately, the Garrett MS3 headphones are not really working for me. The audio is muffled compared to my Sun Ray Pro Gold headphones, and they only have a single volume control. I have poor hearing in my right ear, so I prefer dual volume controls. The good news is the external speaker has so much excess volume that I really don't need headphones. But for when I do, my preference right now is to plug my Sun Rays into the 1/4" jack.

I did just get the WR1 Z-Lynk receiver box however, and am going to use it with my headphone plugged into it. I suspect it is the speakers in the MS3 that are my issue with lack of clarity, and that plugging my Sun Rays, or some other headphones, like my Bose earbuds, into the WR1 will give me the sharper audio I am after. Or maybe the lack of audio clarity is inherent in Z-Lynk. I doubt that, but will not know until my next outing, when I will be giving that a try. Should only be a few days at most before I report back on that.

The little USB port rubber cover seems to open on it's own while in use at times. I'm not sure what's up with that. Am I getting it up against my body somehow causing it to open? Really minor nit-noid thing, but you asked, and it did/does bug me. But may not be like that in final shipping units either, might just be my prototype. But that's how hard I have to strain to find something to bitch about. 

[Knomad]

I have heard nothing about LL Bluetooth being abandoned, I do know regular Bluetooth is getting faster, but not as fast as I think it needs to be. it would not make sense to abandon LL when Bluetooth is also used for sound with video.

Everyone has their own preferences, but when designing for The Masses, it is always best to appeal to the masses, as well as minimize potential warranty claims, especially for something vulnerable like a port that will be used nearly every outing.

BTW , The Brand Ring, Now has a Bluetooth headset that is not bone conducting nor over the ears, it actually has mini speakers that shoot sound back towards your ears, Good Sound, Very Comfortable and secure, and nothing in your ears, and is fast enough, Excellent for hot weather and snake country.  The only downside is for some reason it will pair with portable transmitters, but not to the Equinox 800 Bluetooth, maybe because it is Bluetooth 5.0 and Nox I think is 4.1.  The Ring model I believe is Mu6,  Sure beats a loud speaker attracting people.

Real world and factory reliability ratings are rarely the same, USB ports are the most or second most common failing parts of cell phones, including USB - C.

[Steve Herschbach]

25 minutes ago, Knomad said:

I have heard nothing about LL Bluetooth being abandoned, I do know regular Bluetooth is getting faster, but not as fast as I think it needs to be. it would not make sense to abandon LL when Bluetooth is also used for sound with video.

Everyone has their own preferences, but when designing for The Masses, it is always best to appeal to the masses, as well as minimize potential warranty claims, especially for something vulnerable like a port that will be used nearly every outing.

BTW , The Brand Ring, Now has a Bluetooth headset that is not bone conducting nor over the ears, it actually has mini speakers that shoot sound back towards your ears, Good Sound, Very Comfortable and secure, and nothing in your ears, and is fast enough, Excellent for hot weather and snake country.  The only downside is for some reason it will pair with portable transmitters, but not to the Equinox 800 Bluetooth, maybe because it is Bluetooth 5.0 and Nox I think is 4.1.  The Ring model I believe is Mu6,  Sure beats a loud speaker attracting people.

Real world and factory reliability ratings are rarely the same, USB ports are the most or second most common failing parts of cell phones, including USB - C.

Well, I'd just not get an Axiom then if I were you. But yes, Qualcomm has retired aptX LL. Even then, I do agree with you that including some kind of Bluetooth option would certainly have been a plus for many people, especially if they could have sourced some of the last remaining aptX LL chips.