Garrett Vortex Coil And Headphone Options

[Steve Herschbach]

Four coils so far, 8.5" x 11" Raider coil as standard coil, three other options, two smaller and one larger. The Viper will probably be a favorite with many and is already available. The small Ripper and large Reaper coils are still in the works in progress stage. These coils have a new waterproof connector. That plus being optimized for multi frequency operation with the Vortex series means they are not compatible with any other detectors. No word on aftermarket options yet but in general Garrett has always enjoyed good aftermarket coil support, so we will probably not have to wait long.

Headphone options include the proprietary Z-Lynk wireless MS-3 headphones for the VX7 and VX9. The VX5 does not have Z-Lynk enabled and so you will have to upgrade to the VX7 or VX9 to get this option. The Vortex models do not have Bluetooth and so for those wanting wireless you have either the included Z-Lynk option, or the possibility of adding an external Bluetooth transmitter via the 1/8" audio out port.

The Vortex series uses a 1/8" jack compatible with any 1/8" headphones. Note that the Vortex does have a built in master volume control (not all detectors do) and so you don't have to worry about having an external volume control on wired headphones. Regular ear buds will work fine. Beware of some model specific cell phone ear buds though as some use a modified 1/8" jack that may or may not work.

There is also a waterproof headphone option for those wanting to get underwater with their Vortex.

See my separate thread on the Z-Lynk system that describes how you can convert any wired headphones to wireless for use with with your Vortex VX7 or VX9.

 

[Past Member]

That's a great coil selection for a new machine 🙂

Is there such thing as an adapter that converts Z-Link to Bluetooth?

[Steve Herschbach]

22 minutes ago, Digalicious said:

That's a great coil selection for a new machine 🙂

Is there such thing as an adapter that converts Z-Link to Bluetooth?

Not sure what the point would be as Z-Lynk is six times faster than Bluetooth. But you could get the Z-Lynk WR-1 receiver and plug a Bluetooth transmitter into that. Just costs more to get a slower Rube Goldberg device. Makes more sense if you want Bluetooth to plug a Bluetooth transmitter into the 1/8" port and eliminate Z-Lynk as a go between as there is no advantage to putting it in the middle.

[Past Member]

1 minute ago, Steve Herschbach said:

Not sure what the point would be as Z-Lynk is six times faster than Bluetooth. But you could get the Z-Lynk WR-1 receiver and plug a Bluetooth transmitter into that. Just costs more to get a Rube Goldberg device. Makes more sense if you want Bluetooth to plug a Bluetooth transmitter into the 1/8" port and eliminate Z-Lynk as a go between as there is no advantage to putting it in the middle.

Thanks for the reply Steve.

6 times faster than what version of BT? Is that much speed for headphones needed? I mean, BT is already fast enough that there is no noticeable lag, provided LL is used.

I wanted to find out if an adapter was available for users that wanted to use their choice of BT headphones or earbuds. So 👍
 

[HardPack]

I have the Z-Link setup from my AT PRO days. Will be watching the VX field reviews for any level of coil knock. 

[Steve Herschbach]

21 minutes ago, Digalicious said:

6 times faster than what version of BT? Is that much speed for headphones needed? I mean, BT is already fast enough that there is no noticeable lag, provided LL is used.
 

You and I think so, many others disagree.

Z-Lynk is 17ms delay.

[Fredneck]

Always found the water headphones to be to loud while wading with the AT Gold, converted to Detector Pro's which were even louder, nice to be able to control the volume.

[Yatahaze323]

Interesting that the submersible headphones are just using a normal plug in connector and not a screw on one.

[Chase Goldman]

The headphones I use are multipurpose.  They are Quest phones that accommodate the XP puck but also have a wired input jack.  Since I mostly use my D2, those phones are my base phones.  If using the D2, I just turn on the puck and swing away.  If I am using Axiom, then I plug the Z-Lynk receiver into them, if using Manticore, I plug the WM09 into them.  If I am using APTX-LL, then I just plug an APTX-LL receiver into them.  One set of phones for 4 different wireless protocols. I personally don't mind plugging in as I just clip whatever receiver I am using to the headband of the phones and use a short patch cable for the audio or just slip the receiver into a convenient pocket or clip it to my belt or even my ballcap.  Lot's of options.  I don't mind manageable short lengths of audio cable between the phones and whatever receiver I am using.  All I care about is that I am not tethered by wire directly to the detector.  FWIW.