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I'm not a big Garrett user, though my first detector was an old Garrett Master Hunter BFO. But I gotta say...there isn't a detector on earth I'd go through all this to own. Just too many other hassle-free detectors out there that are just as capable.

Jim

  • Like 3

2 hours ago, Jim in Idaho said:

I'm not a big Garrett user, though my first detector was an old Garrett Master Hunter BFO. But I gotta say...there isn't a detector on earth I'd go through all this to own. Just too many other hassle-free detectors out there that are just as capable.

Jim

So, we have a USA based company that is trying to compete mostly with a company that has been making simultaneous multi frequency detectors very successfully for 30 years. Very few software updates are necessary for that very experienced company's detectors. Instead, they have physical design issue failures more often than most.

Garrett is also competing with two companies that got it mostly right on their first simultaneous multi frequency attempt even though it took 9 online software updates to get one of those detectors where it is today. The other detector is about to get its 7th online software update. Some of these updates were to add great features. Some were also to fix software bugs and obvious software mistakes. I am probably missing a couple of updates in those totals. Some were out less than a week since they had issues that needed to be fixed quickly.

Garrett's Vortex is getting its 5th software update. Each update has added some features but each update has also tweaked glaring software bugs that were simply missed. There will undoubtedly be more to come. 

These companies have also had issues with their online software update tools and Garrett is obviously no exception.

Yeah, it's frustrating. However for me anyway it's less frustrating than having a Whites or Minelab detector (like I have) that had software issues and those detectors had to be returned for warranty repair multiple times to get them fixed or sort of fixed because their was no online update process at that time.

What Garrett is going through is all software related. That is kind of strange for guys like me that are old enough to remember when complicated electronics including metal detectors, were sold as a finished product. If you wanted more features you had to get the next year's model.

Those days are over for metal detector companies that are trying to be on the cutting edge of technology. New detector models that are not built on a previous model's software and form factor architecture are going to go through an end user Beta proving process. At least Garrett's VX5, VX7 and VX9 online model upgrade process may help with not having to buy a new detector every year or two if you are a Garrett person.

Having spent a week with a Vortex VX9 back in December, I know it is a decent metal detector. Its simultaneous multi frequency technology even on the V2.04 to V2.05 model I was testing works a lot better here than Garrett's first attempt at simultaneous multi frequency in its Apex model. The Vortex has lots of room to grow both with physical and software updates. Its form factor build quality can be easily improved just like its software engineering. So a VX11 or higher numbered model would be very doable later.

Garrett has a history of building excellent metal detectors that are tough and that last a long time. I am willing to give them more time to get the software issues solved. Hopefully their customer base will be willing to help them get this done similar to what happened with their three competitors.

  • Like 6

Growing pains,  same as other manufacturers and products.   They will get it sorted out quick as possible.

  • Like 2

Just saw DP forum member NW Wisconsin's excellent YouTube video posted on another forum after updating to V9.09. There is still a large target to small target reactivity/separation issue for sure. Similar sized target issue is fixed. Maybe NW Wisconsin will post it here too.

  • Like 1
23 minutes ago, Jeff McClendon said:

Just saw DP forum member NW Wisconsin's excellent video on another forum after updating to V9.09. There is still a large target to small target reactivity/separation issue for sure. Similar sized target issue is fixed. Maybe NW Wisconsin will post it here too.

IMO garrett needs to make it possible to roll back to the last version that was usable ASAP.  

  • Like 2

If the Vortex were a persons only metal detector, it would be a very frustrating journey for sure. Personally I own multiple metal detectors and it didn't effect me that much. Having said that I sold my Vortex after the first few updates. The sites I go on are most times one and done explorations looking for military camps and if the Vortex was running as it should would most likely do just fine in the untouched sites I come across. However, I can't have a metal detector that has issues with the possibility of missing targets, especially if I get on a site that's producing some good stuff. The last site I was on, me and 1 other guy pulled 9 silver coins in 1 day all dating before 1850. Once they get the Vortex all sorted out, I'll most likely pick one up at some point in the future. Hopefully Garrett gets it figured out sooner than later as I would love to be able to support a US company.

  • Like 5

In regards to the Visual C++ redistributable package, many computers will have it installed, a lot of software needs it as a lot is written in the associated language, you may notice when you install some software it either checks if you already have and installs as necessary the .net framework or the Visual C++ redistributable as part of the installation process. 

There are two possibilities, those with the error have a corrupted file as part of that distributable package, or the package didn't exist at all.

I'm glad to hear it appears your detector is now sorted @tsunamiscott,

It would be wise to also report the solution to Garrett of their software crash on startup being the lack of or corrupted Visual C++ redistributables by someone that had the problem such as yourself demonstrating to them it fixed it, as they're currently trying to work out why it happens as I've seen it a lot of Social media people with that error, I just never got involved as I don't really talk much on Facebook.  They should likely include the required installer into their install or at least suggest its required for their installer to work.

This isn't so much a Garrett screw up, most computers have it from other software packages, for beta testing of their software though it would be wise to do it on an older well used Windows installs of each OS as well as a fresh clean install of Windows 7, 8.1, 10 and 11 seeing these operating systems are supported by their software, and they may well be doing that, as we don't yet know if the people with the error just have corrupted files on their machine from installing lots of software over time and possible conflicting DLL versions or corrupted files.

  • Like 5
4 hours ago, Lead Detector said:

IMO garrett needs to make it possible to roll back to the last version that was usable ASAP.  

That makes sense if this keeps happening.

I never got to use a Vortex VX9 running 2.07 but I heard some good things.

Like Abenson, I really don't have a use for a Vortex right now. My three main VLF detectors are in a class above the Vortex models and that is totally okay.

If I owned an AT Series, Apex or Ace series and had recently added a Vortex, I would be enjoying using it.

Also like Andy, if my Vortex was my only detector and/or it was also my first detector, I would probably be in a state of shock or highly frustrated.

As a Garrett owner, I could do without all of the rock throwing at anybody that claims to like and respect Garrett.

  • Like 4
3 hours ago, phrunt said:

In regards to the Visual C++ redistributable package, many computers will have it installed, a lot of software needs it as a lot is written in the associated language, you may notice when you install some software it either checks if you already have and installs as necessary the .net framework or the Visual C++ redistributable as part of the installation process. 

There are two possibilities, those with the error have a corrupted file as part of that distributable package, or the package didn't exist at all.

I'm glad to hear it appears your detector is now sorted @tsunamiscott,

It would be wise to also report the solution to Garrett of their software crash on startup being the lack of or corrupted Visual C++ redistributables by someone that had the problem such as yourself demonstrating to them it fixed it, as they're currently trying to work out why it happens as I've seen it a lot of Social media people with that error, I just never got involved as I don't really talk much on Facebook.  They should likely include the required installer into their install or at least suggest its required for their installer to work.

This isn't so much a Garrett screw up, most computers have it from other software packages, for beta testing of their software though it would be wise to do it on an older well used Windows installs of each OS as well as a fresh clean install of Windows 7, 8.1, 10 and 11 seeing these operating systems are supported by their software, and they may well be doing that, as we don't yet know if the people with the error just have corrupted files on their machine from installing lots of software over time and possible conflicting DLL versions or corrupted files.

I've been in contact with Garrett and shared what resolved the installation issue with my Vortex. In my case, it seems the C++ files on my new laptop were corrupted, though I'm not entirely sure why the Garrett Updater froze on my other device.

To their credit, Garrett's customer service team has been extremely helpful and professional throughout the process. It’s clear they’re working hard to address these issues.

  • Like 6

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