Whatever Happened to Garrett Apex Updates?

[Bob S.]

My exact question... For 5 years running I have been enjoying the relatively low-cost Garrett Apex. I make no secret of that on this forum. I've trialed the current top metal detectors of late, but my simple pleasure is using the Apex. Sometimes the true measure of a metal detector's sophistication is its simplicity.

I've been a Garrett user for 48 out of the 57 years I've been metal detecting. During the last 5 years I've really enjoyed and have been quite successful using the Apex in my local soil. I prefer the "S" handle configuration, simple menu interface, large display visibility, wireless headphones and pinpointer, and weight below 3 lbs. I personally think it is a well-designed detector. I've never been a believer that you have to own the most expensive detector to make great finds. I've spent more time in honing my skills in paper research, field techniques, and knowing how to use what I own to the best of my ability in the places I take it. No one detector is perfect for all sites and circumstances, but if you spend your time actually hunting rather than tweaking, your outcome may increase.

Unfortunately there has only been one firmware update to the Apex and that was in November of 2021. Either the detector was perfect or it has been neglected in favor of promoting the Vortex. I think the Apex was Garrett's stepping stone into the SMF realm of detection and was not really marketed adequately. I think Garrett realized that and quickly turned to the Vortex platform to compete with its competitors top performers.

Me, not willing to give up quickly on something I like, I wrote to Garrett Engineering the other day to see what, if anything, is being done to update the Apex. Personally, I've wanted to see the following firmware updates for the Apex:

1) Menu option for depth modulated audio
2) Menu option for a 3-pitch audio ID
3) Menu control for adjustable target reactivity speed

I mentioned in my letter that I personally do not prefer a "T" handle configuration, I'm not an underwater hunter, and most of all, don't like using detectors weighing 3 lbs. and over at this time in my life.

They confirmed my suspicion that more R&D was being spent in updating their flagship Vortex and security scanner called "The Guide". I was told that they would consider my suggestions and possibly have updates for Apex users in the future, but with no guarantee. For right now, I'm still quite impressed with the Apex and hope they give their loyal fans their due. Don't worry folks, my only affiliation with Garrett is my long affection for their quality of engineering and build, and the great finds made with their detectors.

[Bill (S. CA)]

Ah, Bob, I always like when a fellow Apex user posts. Problem is it seems to be just you and me most of the time.

Like you, I knew it was pretty obvious that Garrett was focusing on the Vortex software, and justifiably so.  While I agree with you as to your update suggestions for the Apex, I have to wonder if that ship has sailed so to speak.  I don't know what kind of sales numbers the Apex has generated since its introduction but I would guess they are, at least not currently, all that great.  You are correct, it could have been marketed better.  What I would like Garrett to do is to dust off the Apex and possibly reintroduce it with a new update.  Also maybe a price reduction.  Something to garner attention since the multi-frequency market is really cluttered these days.

I am currently on the shelf recovering from cataract surgery so I haven't swung a coil in two months.  My return should be Thanksgiving weekend.  Funny I was thinking of taking out the Apex just because I plain flat out like using it.  But with out storms it may be the Vortex that, with the latest update and coil choices, is really growing on me.

Always nice to see you posting.

Bill  

[HardPack]

Garrett Direct has the Apex on sale for $384.99 plus a 10% Veterans discount of $57.75  (until 11/18/25) for a total price of $327.24 with free shipping. Great customer support and coil selection. An amazing price. Unfortunately, I am limited to one MD purchase per day.

[Bob S.]

1 hour ago, Bill (S. CA) said:

Ah, Bob, I always like when a fellow Apex user posts. Problem is it seems to be just you and me most of the time.

Like you, I knew it was pretty obvious that Garrett was focusing on the Vortex software, and justifiably so.  While I agree with you as to your update suggestions for the Apex, I have to wonder if that ship has sailed so to speak.  I don't know what kind of sales numbers the Apex has generated since its introduction but I would guess they are, at least not currently, all that great.  You are correct, it could have been marketed better.  What I would like Garrett to do is to dust off the Apex and possibly reintroduce it with a new update.  Also maybe a price reduction.  Something to garner attention since the multi-frequency market is really cluttered these days.

I am currently on the shelf recovering from cataract surgery so I haven't swung a coil in two months.  My return should be Thanksgiving weekend.  Funny I was thinking of taking out the Apex just because I plain flat out like using it.  But with out storms it may be the Vortex that, with the latest update and coil choices, is really growing on me.

Always nice to see you posting.

Bill  

Thanks Bill... Seems we are the only Apex appreciators indeed! 🙂 I think what Garrett should have done was not put the Apex in the ACE series lineup. Not that the low-cost ACE series is without merit, it just puts a stigma on the Apex like it is only a beginner's detector. I have dug silver quarters, Seated and Standing Liberties, very deep in sandy loam soil... Like 1- 2" inches deeper than the length of my "Carrott" using the Viper searchcoil. The Apex is also a good hunter in areas of target close proximity using the Ripper coil. I think the Apex was a quick introduction to SMF detection, buying Garrett time to work on the Vortex in the background. I think the Apex should have been marketed under it's own name, not "ACE Apex", and all black without the yellow highlights... It might have attracted more sales. Like you, I've spent a lot of years field testing detectors and the Apex features appealed to me immediately. I've never had the chance to compare it to the Vortex, but I do know I don't want to swing any detector 3 lbs. and over anymore.

Cataracts are not fun!... When I had both eyes done, I came home and thought my wife had painted the walls white over the yellow! 🙂 Wait until you look at your detector's display... Shockingly good! That's what attracted me to the Apex... It was the big visual ID after using the AT-PRO with cataracts. I remember going hiking for the first time after the surgeries... So much detail at my feet! Enjoy your new eyes Bill!

[HardPack]

29 minutes ago, Bob S. said:

I have dug silver quarters, Seated and Standing Liberties, very deep in sandy loam soil...

The single frequency options plus the range of the two multi frequency option make the Apex. I started with a single frequency AT Pro and it is still in the family.

[DIG5050]

Hi Bob and Bill.  I couldn’t agree more with both of you regarding an update to the Apex firmware.  

Bob, I enjoyed using my Apex for a lot of the same reasons as you. It is simple to operate despite being a somewhat sophisticated detector.  The Apex marked a return to MD’ing post retirement for me, after being away from detecting for nearly a decade.  I enjoyed the build quality and sleek design of the Apex, and its performance was so much better than the couple of old box-with-knobs-on-a-stick Fisher detectors I had at the time.

My first detector was a Garrett machine back in the ‘80’s.  I enjoyed that one as a younger me.  It was built very sturdy, and performed reasonably well.  Fast forward to 2020, after seeing some promotional videos, I decided to be an early adopter of the newly released Apex.  After enjoying it for 6 months or so, added a couple of more coils and a wireless carrot to the arsenal to increase the Apex’s  usefulness.  Thinking Garrett had a great platform upon which to improve a few shortcomings that I could live with, I hoped for an update that never came.  Well, sort of…
 

The “update” arrived in the form of a Vortex.  I’ve owned a VX9 since early spring 2025, and have had a chance to compare them side by side.  The Vortex out performs the Apex in a lot of ways; recovery speed (even at the lowest recovery speed setting) tone options, depth, iron filters, bottle cap rejection,  I’ve heard that it performs better in more heavily mineralized soils, and a new dot matrix display.  I don’t live near the water so the Vortex being submersible is not important to me, more so for others.  
 

For me, Vortex negatives are its weight (equipped with the 9x11 coil), and build quality.  The Vortex weighs just over 3lbs. and tires out my arm after 2-3 hours of use.  I suppose switching over to the Viper coil would help reduce its weight below 3 lbs. and reduce arm fatigue.  The upper screw lock collar is a bit loose in the mid shaft and coil and it allows the mid shaft to rotate slightly in the upper shaft. It was loose when new, and has become looser after 6 months of periodic use.  The hand grip is some type of rubber molded onto the plastic and is showing some wear already.  
 

After four years of use, the Apex grip shows no wear, and the shaft is still tight and wobble free.  My other detector is a Deus II and I still prefer the “S” shaft over the straight shaft of the Vortex. 
 

Also,  some of the updates Garrett released for the VX9 had some real problems and it took a while to get the Vortex to a juncture where  I could have confidence when using it.  There was almost none of that with the Apex in its earlier release.  

Bill,  looking at the promotional thrust and the pricing structure for the various versions of the Vortex, why would anyone purchase an Apex now?  For a few more dollars, one can get an “updatable” Vortex on the premise that future updates/upgrades will occur.  Once the buyer upgrades it to the VX9 version, will there be more updates or upgrade releases?  It’s anyone’s guess.  If the user base isn’t there, Garrett’s engineers will be directed to focus their attention elsewhere, and the Vortex is apt to languish, like the Apex has. 

In summary, if the Apex had the settings Bob mentioned above, the Vortex would be unnecessary for my detecting needs. I have a lot invested in coils and other accessories for the Apex that would be preserved.  For now, I'll keep swinging the Deus 2 and the Vortex on occasion as the site permits.