That's a good enough reason right there to have that option.
That's a good enough reason right there to have that option.
Fortunately I rarely hunt in an area where EMI is a problem
diggindaboot
Elite Member
Single frequency in general is deeper than Multi. Having the ability to run hotter in trashier areas can be a good thing. It can also help identify good targets vs bad targets by switching over to compare.
Rainproof control box > control box that requires a cover with raincover. You can't say they are the equivalent. The only question is whether the price difference is worth it or not.
All else being equal, I'd gladly pay an extra $50 for rainproofness that's built-in (ie no need for a special cover). I'd probably be cool with paying an extra $100.
Not everyone gets to hunt where you do.
Nubster
Full Member
I don't think it is. People that are buying the Simplex are doing so because of the price and the fact that the Simplex has proven itself to be a fantastic machine. I think sales for the Simplex won't change. People like me waiting for the release of the Apex and are disappointed will buy the Simplex. I already contacted "my guy" about getting one. So that will drive more buyers to the simplex. At the same time, people that were on the fence and actually like what the Apex has to offer and are not turned off by the too high price and lack of waterproofness...will order the Apex. So in the end, I think it will even out and Simplex will continue selling many many machines. Hopefully Garrett sells many Apex's too.
The Lama
Elite Member
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2014
- Messages
- 526
I think they nailed it it looks perfect for my beaches in California where i really don't submerge the control box that often anyway im thinking splash proof will do.I also think the price is great it isn't made in a third world country after all.
maxxkatt
Forum Supporter
The raincover on my Vanquish 540 sucks. Put it on and in the sunlight (where I do 99% of my hunting) there is a bad glare from the raincover and if you tilt it to get that glare reduced you seem to increase the glare from the control panel's plastic face.
Honestly I think a zip lock bag would be a better solution than a factory rain cover.
KOB
Forum Supporter
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2019
- Messages
- 5,790
Saltwater and air can do strange things to ANY materials that aren't easily replicated in a laboratory environment.
Diabolik
Elite Member
I’m not knocking the Apex, I watched the launch, it looks like a great machine and I’ll be very interested to see how it does in the field. Being able to update firmware is the new norm. It has nothing to do with how good a product is. Most of the time firmware updates only make it a better product. It allows you to address something like a compatibility issue for something like say Bluetooth. I am sure that nobody at Nokta thought the menu delay was too short when they built it, but I’ll bet every Simplex owner is happy it was able to be fixed.
Nubster
Full Member
I’m not knocking the Apex, I watched the launch, it looks like a great machine and I’ll be very interested to see how it does in the field. Being able to update firmware is the new norm. It has nothing to do with how good a product is. Most of the time firmware updates only make it a better product. It allows you to address something like a compatibility issue for something like say Bluetooth. I am sure that nobody at Nokta thought the menu delay was too short when they built it, but I’ll bet every Simplex owner is happy it was able to be fixed.
Great way to fix small bugs that pop up or fix minor issues that many/most customers are not happy with such as the menu issue. There's only so much field testing a company can do before launching a new product and certainly after hundreds and thousands of people get it in their hands and start using it will all the negatives start showing. At least in the case of a machine like the Simplex anything software related can be addressed via updates and as they have shown...even improve the performance to a degree. With today's tech and most people's access to computers and internet, it seems short sighted to not set up new machines with the ability for users to update software to address issues or even offer upgrades as software allows. Or maybe that along with not being waterproof is Garrett's way to keeping the Apex "lower end" and in the Ace series even though Simplex does both at half the price of the Apex. Perhaps user updates will be reserved for the higher end AT series.
I don't know much about how detectors work...is performance limitations more hardware or software related? Example, could the performance of the Simplex be greatly improved in the future with new software or is it likely already close to being topped out because of hardware limitations? Is multi-frequency in the hardware or software? I mean I'm sure it's in the software but is it also in the hardware or could the Simplex be software updated to have multi-frequency? That would be amazing if it could. Offer a software upgrade for a price to upgrade your Simplex to multi!
ToySoldier
Forum Supporter
I do. For example, if I'm in a fairly clean area where deeper goodies have shown up, then I'll run hot--near full sensitivity---using 5k.
May work for you in mild soil though multi is plenty deep for me but I tend to hunt in mineralized farm fields where multi has its advantages over single frequency machines and especially machines running at 5khz
Princess
Elite Member
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2017
- Messages
- 2,794
I would like to see the Apex become a successful endeavor for Garrett. I think they did well on this detector.
There are a few features that stand out to me; one of the most important, as far as modern technology, being multi-frequency detection. In that aspect, Garrett seems to have gone above & beyond for the price range, with not one, but two multi-frequency modes, as well as four individual frequency modes to choose from. Another aspect I like is the six different search modes, specifically that it has both U.S. and international coin modes. Score! As a happy Ace 250 user, I appreciate Garrett's U.S. coin display/indicator. The 6x11" searchcoil is also an interesting concept; and the overall design appears both light-weight and sleek.
This advancement in Garrett's technology is an important step on their part. After comparing the Apex with competitor machines (via my brother Wolf-Dog's chart), this is something I noticed:
It looks to me like the Apex, with two multi-frequency options and some other very good features, at the least fills in a good place between the two competitor models.
Also, the fact that Garrett introduced this feature-bedecked machine to their entry-level line may suggest good things to come in their AT line - something a number of detectorists would like to see.
There are a few features that stand out to me; one of the most important, as far as modern technology, being multi-frequency detection. In that aspect, Garrett seems to have gone above & beyond for the price range, with not one, but two multi-frequency modes, as well as four individual frequency modes to choose from. Another aspect I like is the six different search modes, specifically that it has both U.S. and international coin modes. Score! As a happy Ace 250 user, I appreciate Garrett's U.S. coin display/indicator. The 6x11" searchcoil is also an interesting concept; and the overall design appears both light-weight and sleek.
This advancement in Garrett's technology is an important step on their part. After comparing the Apex with competitor machines (via my brother Wolf-Dog's chart), this is something I noticed:
- The Vanquish 540: has multi-frequency, but appears to me to have fewer features than either the Simplex+ or the Apex.
- The Simplex+: has more features than either competitor, perhaps, but does not have multi-frequency.
It looks to me like the Apex, with two multi-frequency options and some other very good features, at the least fills in a good place between the two competitor models.
Also, the fact that Garrett introduced this feature-bedecked machine to their entry-level line may suggest good things to come in their AT line - something a number of detectorists would like to see.
I would like to see the Apex become a successful endeavor for Garrett. I think they did well on this detector.
There are a few features that stand out to me; one of the most important, as far as modern technology, being multi-frequency detection. In that aspect, Garrett seems to have gone above & beyond for the price range, with not one, but two multi-frequency modes, as well as four individual frequency modes to choose from. Another aspect I like is the six different search modes, specifically that it has both U.S. and international coin modes. Score! As a happy Ace 250 user, I appreciate Garrett's U.S. coin display/indicator. The 6x11" searchcoil is also an interesting concept; and the overall design appears both light-weight and sleek.
This advancement in Garrett's technology is an important step on their part. After comparing the Apex with competitor machines (via my brother Wolf-Dog's chart), this is something I noticed:
- The Vanquish 540: has multi-frequency, but appears to me to have fewer features than either the Simplex+ or the Apex.
- The Simplex+: has more features than either competitor, perhaps, but does not have multi-frequency.
It looks to me like the Apex, with two multi-frequency options and some other very good features, at the least fills in a good place between the two competitor models.
Also, the fact that Garrett introduced this feature-bedecked machine to their entry-level line may suggest good things to come in their AT line - something a number of detectorists would like to see.
A great summary of the Apex and how it fits in with the rest of the market.
I believe Garrett designed the Ace Apex to establish itself in an untapped area of the market, not surpass many other detectors. So it's unreasonable to compare it specific models.
This reminds me about the Vanquish release and how people compared it to the Equinox. While a natural tendency and a fun intellectual exercise, it wasn't a fair comparison as the Vanquish was intended to go after the (old) Ace line by Garrett, not the Equinox (or even the Simplex, for that matter).
When the "AT Apex" or whatever it's called comes out, then we can do the hardcore comparisons to upper level machines, like the Equinox.
pryan67
Forum Supporter
It's not waterproof, and you can't upgrade the firmware. Those two are dealbreakers for me.
If I were just getting into detecting, I'd consider it, but if I buy another one (for my son or daughter or wife if they ever want to detect and don't like any of my three spares) I'd go with a Nox 600 for them.
If it were waterproof at least I'd consider the Apex
If I were just getting into detecting, I'd consider it, but if I buy another one (for my son or daughter or wife if they ever want to detect and don't like any of my three spares) I'd go with a Nox 600 for them.
If it were waterproof at least I'd consider the Apex
You're not alone. But don't worry, I'm sure Garrett will address at least one of those dealbreakers fairly soon.
detectingMO
Forum Supporter
Nope. Garrett placed and priced it perfectly. Its price and features fit in right between vanquish 540 and Equinox 600.
Like Minelab, they just killed sales of there higher priced detectors. Probably not as much as Minelab did since they arent 2 to 3 times the cost. I would say 90% or more of detectorist dont actually need waterproof even if they think they do.
detectingMO
Forum Supporter
Did they say you cant or just not say you can? Two very different things.
