Nokta Triple Score vs Minelab X-Terra Elite vs Garrett Vortex

[abenson]

A few months ago, I bought the Nokta Triple Score, Minelab X-Terra Elite and Garrett Vortex. I already have the Minelab Manticore and XP Deus 2. So, It’s not like I need another metal detector. But I was looking for something I could use as a backup or loaner unit and still be able to use it myself and feel like I had a capable machine. I did extensive testing both in my yard and in the field using all 3 machines and I can say that all 3 are very capable metal detectors. All 3 have very similar features like recovery speed, iron filters, multiple tone options, multiple search modes, Multi and single frequency operation, ground balance, waterproof, wireless headphones, internal rechargeable batteries, etc. Now some of the above-mentioned detectors have a wider range of options for certain features than others, so there are some differences between the three. For example, the Vortex only has 3 and 5 tone options, the Elite has 1, 2, 5, ALL and DP and the Triple Score has 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 60 and pitch. Another example is the Vortex has 5, 9, 13, 15 & 25 KHz single frequency and 2 multi frequencies, the Elite only has 15 KHz and multi to choose from and the Triple Score has 4, 15, 20 and 3 multi options. There are other differences as well that I won’t go into.

Of the three, the Triple Score is without a doubt the best bang for the buck. At $499 it comes with headphones and an extra coil. The Elite for the same package costs $599 and the Vortex, well you can’t get that package as of now. The Vortex will run you $599 for just the metal detector. So, which one did I decide to keep? I kept the Minelab X-Terra Elite. Aside from the actual performance in the field between the 3 detectors (which was very close), my decision was based on keeping the one I felt most comfortable using. The X-Terra Elite just feels better to me and I like the tones better than the other 2. It uses the same VDI scale as the Manticore and can share the same headphones. The X-Terra Elite also uses the same coils as the Equinox series, and I still have a few of them lying around. So for me the X-Terra Elite made the most sense. I'm sure someone else would make a different choice. The point is, most of the metal detectors available from the major manufactures today are going to be decent choices and it really comes down to what a person feels like the best one for them is.

[D&P-OR]

Excellent report/write up abenson----thank you.

[Jeff McClendon]

If I was buying a mid price range SMF VLF detector today, I would also be looking really hard at the X-Terra Elite for many of the same reasons Andy mentioned. I really like the shaft system and ergonomics of the X-Terra Elite and that newer X-Terra, Equinox 700/900/Manticore control unit form factor seems to be very waterproof.

Fortunately, I don’t need a new toy since I have the Manticore with M15, M11 and M8 coils, a XP Deus 2 WS6 Master with 11” coil and two Legends with all of the coils except for the LG35.

I would pick the original Legend over the Triple Score right now even if it was a used Legend. I just like the Legend’s single digit notching, gold prospecting mode and Ferro-Check a whole lot but that’s just me.

I would pick the Vortex with the latest V2.07 software over any other Garrett VLF right now (except for the Goldmaster 24K) for sure. It is that much better at least where I detect.