Garrett Vortex - Reasons To Buy One

[Bob S.]

Good things come to those who wait I hope! I have not yet had my hands on the new Garrett Vortex, but as a former metal detector field tester/evaluator, here's my observations and opinions on what has been presented. Mostly I'm comparing the VX9 to the Apex because that is what I have successfully (and happily) used for many years now. My observations and opinions will be "likes" and "dislikes" combined to make things simple... And I do like simple! Sorry, being verbally conservative was never my strong suit! 🙂

Technology... First and foremost (and I have said this before), I think Garrett was smart to purchase their former main competitor's intellectual property. I'm seeing three separate lines of conductive analysis similar to the direction their competitor was working on. Hunting in tough trash proximity might be greatly improved for me to better decide to "leave or dig" using this new approach. It's good marketing to attract a former competitor's fan base too. As a graphic designer, I enjoy the simple new Vortex logo, but things such as this don't add finds to your pouch. Blue and black? Why not, we are running out of used color combos...  Better than "What ya do'in mister" Chartreuse! 🙂

Speed... Garrett has listened to their loyal followers some more and have now claimed their processing and reactivity speeds are adjustable and faster. Just remember that high speed processing is not always the deepest detection if that is important to you. Some of my best and oldest finds around forgotten wooded homesites were no deeper than 6-8 inches.... Sometimes nearly on the surface. I have maintained the Apex has great depth already, but what is important is how well detectors perform in the worst mineral ground and target proximity scenarios. If Garrett can improve those factors in their new MD-MF platform, I will have no regrets upgrading from the Apex. I did like what I saw and heard in the chief engineer's target proximity field demo.

Handle... I'm actually liking the new "T" handle. It takes me back to my more comfortable DIY hipmount days. I was never a fan of the Apex "S" handle size, angle, and contours. For me, an "S" handle always felt like I was pushing something up... "T" handles felt like you were holding something from falling down. I realize this is a "water glass half-full argument", but "T"s always felt more comfortable and more maneuverable to me on land. The new Vortex design might just solve my handle comfort factor if the handle is at a good angle for me. The Vortex housing layout is still horizontal like the Apex which I like very much. It sits atop the handle, but it is recessed backward from the grip's face to give you the comfort of still using only your thumb to press control pads. OK, the box sits seemingly higher in the air on the handle than the Apex, but not as awkward if the housing was long and vertically oriented. One-hand simple operation for me is still efficiency in design.

Armcup... The new Vortex armcup appears to be weight reduction driven and underwater friendly, but if the plastic is less rigid and almost flexible, it might better hold to your forearm and be more efficient and comfortable even on land. I do see myself easily adding foam padding to the cup floor though. Appears the armcup might be fastened to the shaft and adjustable in the same brilliant way the Apex is. In the fields and woods where I usually hunt, even a grounded Apex could tip over with the current sized legs. Fact is all detectors are prone to this unless your armcup legs are uncomfortably spaced wide. I like the subtle embossed US flag... I have always enjoyed Garrett detectors for their solid design and build quality since 1977... Even better we support products made in the USA where possible.

Controls... And I thought the Apex control pad layout was simple! Garrett has further simplified the controls retaining only the most used controls. Pads look slightly larger with larger embossed icons too. Haven't seen the menu screen structure yet, but I would bet it is a little more involved, yet simple and intuitive... Things I loved about the Apex. I'm not seeing a conductive reference legend at the top of the Vortex main screen like the Apex, but these 72 year old eyes couldn't see them without eyeglasses anyway. I'm grateful they kept the big numerical ID readout. I'll waive comment on the actual unseen menu controls until I actually put the Vortex to work. I do notice an absence of the programmable notch discrimination system on the main screen. Perhaps the mode choice is, like the Apex, already calculated individually. Maybe it is adjustable at the menu screen stage to allow more real estate for the new Multi-Dimensional Multi-Flex Frequency main screen function.

Waterproof... Thrilled to learn the Vortex is waterproof. I'm no diver, but I sure liked my garden hose "car wash" mentality when it came time to come home and clean up from my AT-Pro days. Hopefully Garrett will have improved the port of recharge (USB-C). I didn't like the Apex's (USB-A) loose charge cable retention ability.

Searchcoils... I'm still a fan of wired searchcoils. One trip into a faraway field forgetting to charge a competitor's coil cured me of any space-age desires! I do see a vulnerability of having an unsupported portion of the Vortex searchcoil cable between upper shaft and control housing... Especially when I'm walking to my huntsites in heavy brush... Price to pay for a more comfortable handle I guess. So glad to see the same accessory coil sizes and configuration as my Apex. Just a little sad to know my Apex coils aren't compatible with the Vortex. Word is the Vortex is a different circuit platform, which reinforces the Apex coil non-interchangeability claim. I'm happy to see the 6 x 11" Viper coil as part of the accessory coil line up. I still think it is their best coil size, shape and weight in a long time. The included stock coil is a bit heavier and less maneuverable for myself.

Audio... I think I heard a soft analog sounding target response audio in Garrett's new video. I've been wanting that on my Apex since I owned the AT-Pro. Hopefully my ears don't deceive me and Garrett may have given us a choice of modulated audio and hybrid audio as well. My wireless Apex MS-3, Z-Lynk headphones and wireless "Carrott" Pro-Pointer are still compatible with the Vortex... My wallet thanks you!

Shaft... Oh oh! The predetermined spring bottom lower shaft adjustment lengths and tricky collets are still around! Personally I prefer infinite cam-locking adjustment and I will be moving my lighter, aftermarket lower rod assembly currently on my Apex over to the Vortex if it will adapt. It's been a trouble-free lighter setup I have enjoyed on the Apex. I do like the Vortex's collapsible backpacker affinity.

Overview... Having used the Apex for years and enjoying it's performance and simplicity, if Garrett can better the Apex platform in just the target proximity separation and identification alone, I'll be a willing customer yet again. Add to that their 3-year warranty, quality construction, unbeatable customer support and now waterproof rating, I will have no regrets taking a chance on a $599 detector of this magnitude. My ultimate plan is to re-hunt an area hunted 13 years exclusively and compete with myself to prove things out. The software upgrade model echelon is nice, but at the small price difference between three models, why not just go to the top with the VX9! It will be interesting to see the Vortex evolution upgrade past VX9.

[palzynski]

I would add the Weight and balance criteria to this list . It is an important parameter especially for children , women and more generally people liking cumfortable to sweep detectors .

For me the Vortex CB is compact and will be lighter than its competitors . However as you said the Raider stock coil is probably heavier than the competition 

 

 

[Bob S.]

2 minutes ago, palzynski said:

I would the Weight and balance criteria to this list . It is an important parameter especially for children , women and more generally people liking cumfortable to sweep detectors 

Apparently the Vortex with the stock Raider coil and lower shaft is 2.8 pounds, add the coil cover to that coil and you get 3 pounds I hear. My Apex with Viper coil + cover and lighter lower rod assembly measures 2.6 pounds. Thank you for reminding me I left that out! The Vortex ability to collapse might address women and children with weight and balance, but larger, heavier coils on anyone's detector, not counterbalanced, are just plain heavy, "S" handle" and "T" handle both.

[MD4V.org]

I think it is a great machine, but the ONLY real advantages it has, waterproof, and you do not have to buy your kid a new machine when they get better, you just upgrade the one they have after they become hooked on the hobby. 

 

[Lead Detector]

I pre ordered one last night. I think it will be a great addition .

[Bob S.]

1 hour ago, MD4V.org said:

I think it is a great machine, but the ONLY real advantages it has, waterproof, and you do not have to buy your kid a new machine when they get better, you just upgrade the one they have after they become hooked on the hobby. 

 

For me, the real advantage might be the three dimensional target analysis, more data to make educated choices to dig. Oddball oxidized ferrous targets are still the nemesis of the motion discriminator. Do I spend a lot of precious time on digging to prove otherwise or do I spend more time hunting for productive targets? Software updates and upgrades are great if your operating system is current with security up to date. If I were a water hunter, I would agree that waterproof is a great advantage. For me waterproof means easy cleanup and continuing to hunt in the rain on a productive site.  

[Daniel Tn]

I'll get one.  Might as well...I've had everything else so why not.  

[abenson]

I've been on a list with a dealer  since before Garrett even confirmed a new machine was actually a thing. At first I thought I'll pass. But now I'm thinking might as well try it out and support Garrett. The price is reasonable, so not much at stake even if I don't like it.

[Jeff McClendon]

I supported Garrett with the release of their Goldmaster 24K and bought one. I liked it a lot but moved on.

I supported Garrett with the release of the ACE Apex and bought two. I don't like that detector for use in my area, moved on.

I supported Garrett with the release of the Axiom PI and bought one. Love the Axiom and plan on keeping it for a long time.

I am supporting Garrett with the release of the Vortex VX9, prepaid list. I will compare it to the Legend setup similarly and see how it goes.