Vanquish vs Simplex+

[Metal detecto]

Okay, so yesterday I went detecting with my cousin, and after finding his first quarter (I found like 7 but who cares) he was hooked. I want to buy him one for his birthday, and I have a coupon for kellyco. I was considering the vanquish 440 (maybe 340 if I'm a cheapskate) or simplex. He really likes the hobby, so pretty sure I can do with both.

Here are the questions, to all the simplex or vanquish owners:

What is the difference between multi and not multi-frequency detectors?

Is there any significant difference?

What are the technical differences between vanquish and simplex+?

Also considering the 340 for my kid, toy or not?


Thanks for looking, even more thanks to those who write back.


p.s. Ah-ha! Gotcha! You, money misers want to save money don'tcha? The code is REDDITMD, check out the reddit forum too!

 

[metaladdict]

The Vanquish detectors work in saltwater, that is a big advantage right there.

 

[CalReg]

I'm sure either one will suit your cousin just fine. The Vanquish might be better in some areas, whereas the Simplex will be better in others. Trust your gut, but above all HAVE FUN! Life's too short to get into debates on which detector is better and why!

 

[gardinerdigger]

I own both and based on features I would go with the simplex. For about 40 bucks I added aftermarket rechargable batteries and a blu tooth headphone setup to my 440 so that has been my go to. You really can't go wrong with either though.

 

[hddeuce03]

While I don't have a Simplex, my detecting buddy had one and ended up selling it. I have a Vanquish 540 and an Equinox 800, both are multi-frequency. Multi-frequency is the latest in technology and yes it makes a difference. In particular, it allows detecting at saltwater beaches and any area that has highly mineralized soil. While the simplex can be used at the beach, my buddy said frankly it sucked and was very chatty. With my Vanquish and Equinox, they are fantastic at the beach. The only downside to the Vanquish IMO is that it's not waterproof. You can have the coil underwater, but not the control module.

 

[Metal detecto]

Yes, he doesn't go beach detecting much, so I'll say vanquish if at least 3 more people suggest it, I don't want him to give the hobby up! Multi frequency all the way, isn't it?

P.S. did anyone use the code? you can thank me later.

 

[cmason122]

Yes, he doesn't go beach detecting much, so I'll say vanquish if at least 3 more people suggest it, I don't want him to give the hobby up! Multi frequency all the way, isn't it?

P.S. did anyone use the code? you can thank me later.

I have the Minelab Vanquish 540 and I really like it. The tones on the Vanquish are much more clear and easy sounding compared to the Simplex. The 540 goes deep.

 

[jmaryt]

Yes, he doesn't go beach detecting much, so I'll say vanquish if at least 3 more people suggest it, I don't want him to give the hobby up! Multi frequency all the way, isn't it?

P.S. did anyone use the code? you can thank me later.

vanquish 540 gives you enough features to do the deed! lightweight, multi-freak,and "simple" to operate, and "voracious" on coins especially 'at depth" with solid v.d.i. all pluses in my view!

(h.h.!)
j.t.

 

[Metal detecto]

Okay, I am really leaning on the vanquish, but my cousin found out (oh-no!) that I was going to gift him. He thinks the simplex just "looks cooler" than the vanquish, what do I do? He has no clue what vdi, tones, or multi-freak does, I need to persuade him real quick that the vanquish is better. He's on the debate team (double oh-no!) so I need some good quick answers on why it's better!

Your answers might change a detectorist's career!

 

[John Madill]

Just took delivery of a Simplex+ today.
It is a very nicely made machine and yes, it does look cooler than the Vanquish.

I also have a Vanquish 540 and am anxious to get out there soon for comparisons.

When i have more experience and hunts with both i will proffer an opinion.

 

[Metal detecto]

Just took delivery of a Simplex+ today.
It is a very nicely made machine and yes, it does look cooler than the Vanquish.

I also have a Vanquish 540 and am anxious to get out there soon for comparisons.

When i have more experience and hunts with both i will proffer an opinion.

Thank you so much, I love how people in this forum look after each other like relatives!! Please keep me posted on what you notice, I'll take the pro-simplex ones too.

You are so awesome, so are all the people that helped me!!


P.S Check out this other post, gonna decide my final 'tector, looking at some minelab stuff.

 

[Diabolik]

I’ve owned both and they are both great machines. Both are well built and both very capable. I am not sure what type of hunting you will be using it for? I was hunting a lot of trashy parks and with the stock coil the Simplex can quickly become overwhelming. Once I added the 9.5 x 5 coil that is all I used. Was a game changer for me. Outside of that the Simplex has great build quality and an excellent battery life. There are also plenty of accessories for it available now.

When I first got the Vanquish, everything about it looked dated to me. The tones were a big change from the Simplex. I bought the Vanquish for a beach trip and that is when it clicked for me. I was so impressed with the depth and stability that I started using the Vanquish a lot more after my trip. I also started to really appreciate the control layout and ease over the Simplex (which is not hard either). Jumping from the Vanquish to the NOX was an easy choice at that point.

The Vanquish is now my backup and if something happened to the NOX I’d be out there swinging the Vanquish in a second.

Whatever you end up getting your cousin, I think he’ll do just fine. Trying to put these two detectors up against each other is tough as they have both proven themselves to be awesome machines for the money. For me the deciding factor would be the beach. The Vanquish shines on the beach and even along the shores of our trashy rivers here. That for me was the tie breaker.

 

[MuddyMo]

I’ve owned both and .............. for me was the tie breaker.

^^^ Great post. I bought his Simplex (it's not the one I just listed in the classifieds) and I have a 440. Both are great detectors and both are different. Neither one is better than the other, it just depends on the application as Diabolic said and the preferences of the user.

 

[choppadude]

Please be sure to contact a forum sponsor for a quote before you buy from Kellyco. If you actually call a sponsor rather than email or message I am sure you will find a much better deal even with a coupon for Kellyco.

 

[Metal detecto]

Thank you so much, finally convinced him we could do a Bluetooth setup with some aftermarket transmitters and headphones, you guys rock! I would go for the vanquish 440 cuz the multi freak, bet he would love it. If you guys know of any discounts or coupons etc. for the 440 please tell me! I will call a sponsor from here, see what the difference is.


Oh btw, I traded my simplex for a new vanquish 440 with a minelab pointer 15, good trade?

 

[MuddyMo]

15% military discount. With the pp yes that was a good trade.
For a wireless option
https://metaldetectingforum.com/showthread.php?t=287182

 

[maxxkatt]

I have owned both and sold both. But both were good solid detectors. I preferred the vanquish for two reasons: same TID's for the most part as my 800 and does ok in salt water.

But the real secret in metal detecting is not the detector but finding new sites that have not been hunted and have a history of people or battles or camps or great beaches.

You find the right site as describe above you will pull good stuff out of the ground with AT Pro, Vanquish, Equinox, Simplex or any other decent detector made in the last 10 years. Finding the good sites through good research is the real key item to focus on in metal detecting.

Also sometimes the less complex detectors suit you better. It is easy to get lost in the many setting on the 800 until you really master them.

 

[coin whisperer]

My buddy has a simplex and it reads iron like silver coins, it’s ridiculous. I’m constantly checking his signals with my ctx and nox and it’s always iron reading like dimes and quarters on his simplex


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[Bill - De]

My buddy has a simplex and it reads iron like silver coins, it’s ridiculous. I’m constantly checking his signals with my ctx and nox and it’s always iron reading like dimes and quarters on his simplex


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Hard to believe that his Simplex is showing iron as dimes and quarters. Completely different tone (Iron is low tone; dimes/quarters high tone), and iron is low numbers (15/17), dimes/quarters 70-90. In addition to that, Simplex has separate iron audio, so he could turn the iron tone to a low volume, or even OFF, so he hears everything except iron.

I got to believe he is not GB, or doing something else in settings, to cause this. If not, then the detector should be returned for warranty repair, as this just is not how a Simplex behaves.

 

[coin whisperer]

Hard to believe that his Simplex is showing iron as dimes and quarters. Completely different tone (Iron is low tone; dimes/quarters high tone), and iron is low numbers (15/17), dimes/quarters 70-90. In addition to that, Simplex has separate iron audio, so he could turn the iron tone to a low volume, or even OFF, so he hears everything except iron.

I got to believe he is not GB, or doing something else in settings, to cause this. If not, then the detector should be returned for warranty repair, as this just is not how a Simplex behaves.

I ground balance it for him, I turn on all metal mode to find a clean piece of ground then ground balance. The iron audio is set to the lowest setting.


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