Apex users: What Disc. settings for the 'Custom' Disc. mode?

Monte · May 15, 2021

I had discussions with some friends about our Simplex + devices, and since some of them now have an Apex, and a couple of others joined our discussions, the same question came up about the Garrett Apex, which I really enjoy, and the Discrimination 'notches' or 'segments' we 'accept' in the 'Custom' mode.

That discussion got interesting so I thought I'd extend it to any Forum user of the Apex. So, WHAT Disc. set-up to you 'accept' in the 'Custom' mode, and WHY? Other preferred setting adjustments of Frequency-choice preferences? Search coil favorite?

I use the following for all four of my Garrett Apex devices. Actually, I only have and use 3 Apex / Coil combinations. My primary-use Apex sports the excellent 'Ripper' DD coil. For open-area searches I grab Apex #2 that I keep the 'Raider' coil mounted, and for very tight, confined places with a lot of dense brush or if heavily littered, my 3rd Apex has the 5" NEL Sharp coil attached.

The 4th Apex I have available as a 'loaner-unit' for friends and family. That way we are all using the same detector so no-one will feel like they have been loaned a sub-par detector. I keep the standard 'Viper' coil attached to the 'loaner-unit'. ALL of my Apex devices are saved / shut-down so they start up in the 'Custom' mode, and all four share the same Settings, and those are:

• Sensitivity full at '8'
• Volume ............ '8'
• Iron Volume ..... '1' or '2' depending on how noisy the environment is.
• Frequency ........ 'MF' at start-up
• Frequency Shift . '5' and only changed for EMI issues. So far, I haven't had to.
• Back-light ......... 'Off' then used only when hunting at 'dark o'clock'.
• Wireless ........... 'On' as each device is already paired to their own set of MS-3 Z-Lynk wireless Headphones.

My 'Custom'mode Discrimination settings are: I accept ALL Disc. segments from '20' on up

I leave the Iron Audio function 'OFF' and only activate it for a momentary check of some questionable targets.

I have found the '20' Disc. setting helps reject some of the lowest-conductive ferrous debris but still alerts me to Iron Nails and most of the higher-conductive ferrous junk. Then I can work around it to try and isolate any partially-masked good target. In my Iron Nail 'tests' and searching some very Iron-littered old-use Relic Hunting environments, the Apex & coils have worked very well.

So, that's my approach to success with the Apex, what are yours?

Monte

Tahtsadatsago · May 15, 2021

I tend to use Zero mode or Relic mode. Iron vol at 2 usually - sometimes 1. Mostly MF, but I do occasionally use one of the single frequencies - just for kicks really. I am very close to the bay, so I have hunted beaches (wet salt sand) using MS but that isn't a regular thing for me.

I use iron audio the same way you do - a means of checking a target. I usually end up digging the target anyway (even if it gives an iron tone) as long as I get a repeated good tone and the target isn't large. I dig because my sites usually have so much iron/trash that it is common to find bits of iron/nails in the same hole. I'd miss a lot of good targets if I chose to skip everything that produced an iron tone.

I hunt for coins (preferably silver) and/or jewelry. Not into relics.

I have the Viper coil and the Ripper coil [5X8] but use the Ripper coil the most. I like both coils.

I have not messed with the custom mode to this point.

Monte · May 15, 2021

Tahtsadatsago: said:
I tend to use Zero mode or Relic mode. Iron vol at 2 usually - sometimes 1.

For me and most places I hunt, I don't necessarily want to 'hear-it-all' with Zero mode but do choose it now and then. The Relic mode has more low-end rejection than I care for which is why I saved a '20' Disc. setting in the Custom mode slot.

Tahtsadatsago: said:
Mostly MF, but I do occasionally use one of the single frequencies - just for kicks really. I am very close to the bay, so I have hunted beaches (wet salt sand) using MS but that isn't a regular thing for me.

I always start-up at tun-on in the 'MF' function, but there are times when I have opted for a Single Frequency search, and that's generally at either 10 kHz or 15 kHz, depending upon the location and/or to counter some EMI.

What Beach Hunting I do is on firmer ground at freshwater locations and 'MF' or a Single Frequency works well.

How has the 'MS' function worked for you there on the saltwater areas?

Tahtsadatsago: said:
I use iron audio the same way you do - a means of checking a target. I usually end up digging the target anyway (even if it gives an iron tone) as long as I get a repeated good tone and the target isn't large. I dig because my sites usually have so much iron/trash that it is common to find bits of iron/nails in the same hole. I'd miss a lot of good targets if I chose to skip everything that produced an iron tone.

Yes, sometimes we do recover some of that pestering Iron when we catch the hint of a potentially-good target nearby. I can't tell people how often I have plucked some very good targets in Iron trash simply because others had walked away from it. If it wasn't a rock-solid good audio, or if it didn't repeat in 2 or more directions, or if the visual response was not a 'lock-on' report, they wandered off. That's why we still have good targets out there to be found in dense Iron debris.

Tahtsadatsago: said:
I hunt for coins (preferably silver) and/or jewelry. Not into relics.

Silver coins are what I shoot for, or any of the older, early-era spending change like Indian Head Cents, Shield or 'V' Nickels, and I am most eager to stumble across a really nice Trade Token. Good Jewelry is always a nice prize, too.

Tahtsadatsago: said:
I have the Viper coil and the Ripper coil [5X8] but use the Ripper coil the most. I like both coils.

The standard 'Viper' coil is good and makes a decent stock coil in my opinion. However, the 'Ripper' is by far the most enjoyable and rewarding for me to use.

Tahtsadatsago: said:
I have not messed with the custom mode to this point.

I think you will in time. I like it because once I know my Disc. settings, they are simply saved in the Custom mode. The Apex allows quick mode-change on-the-fly so it's easy to access the others as desired.

'Thank You' for your reply.

Monte

Tahtsadatsago · May 15, 2021

I've only hunted the beach twice so far (Apex) and that was really more of a test run just to see how the Apex would work in wet salt sand.

I found MS to be very stable and very effective in the wet sand. I did not go into the water though, but have no doubt that the Apex would do well as long as I didn't dunk it and ruin the machine.

In dry sand I just used MF, and the Apex performed as it does on land.

Part of my reasoning for buying the Apex was for those rare occasions when I do go to the beach. I wanted a general purpose machine that could hunt in my iron/trash permission sites, occasional trips to the beach, and potentially a park every once in awhile. Since I don't go into the water it didn't bother me that the Apex isn't waterproof. I also have two waterproof machines (Kruzer and Anfibio) in the unlikely event that I did want to hunt in the water (without worrying about dunking the machine).

I have used the Kruzer on the beach; it did pretty well but it is a lot more "busy" than the Apex is.

I'm still in the process of becoming acquainted with the Apex, but I suspect you are correct about my using the custom mode at some point. I am very impressed with the Apex thus far - it is a capable machine, and a very fun machine to use.

Monte · May 16, 2021

Tahtsadatsago: said:
I've only hunted the beach twice so far (Apex) and that was really more of a test run just to see how the Apex would work in wet salt sand.

I found MS to be very stable and very effective in the wet sand. I did not go into the water though, but have no doubt that the Apex would do well as long as I didn't dunk it and ruin the machine.

My friends who live close to and hunt saltwater beaches have been impressed with the 'MS' function of the Apex.

Tahtsadatsago: said:
In dry sand I just used MF, and the Apex performed as it does on land.

I hunt dry freshwater sites and inland and have been pleased with the Apex performance.

Tahtsadatsago: said:
Part of my reasoning for buying the Apex was for those rare occasions when I do go to the beach. I wanted a general purpose machine that could hunt in my iron/trash permission sites, occasional trips to the beach, and potentially a park every once in awhile.

I was also hoping for a good 'general-purpose' detector and the Apex delivered. Most of my older-use sites in and near cities, plus the nasty ghost towns and other Relic Hunting locations, are a challenge with Iron Nails, and the Apex does quite well.

Tahtsadatsago: said:
I'm still in the process of becoming acquainted with the Apex, but I suspect you are correct about my using the custom mode at some point. I am very impressed with the Apex thus far - it is a capable machine, and a very fun machine to use.

I, too, am quite impressed, and you summed it up when you said it is very 'capable' and definitely 'fun' to use.

Monte

a365mac · May 25, 2021

Silver on edge registering as iron on Apex

Hi guys,
Regarding silver coins...maybe you have some insight on this....
I recently watched a video on YouTube by Thrace Metal Detectors demonstrating the Apex with the Viper coil identifying a silver coin-like pendant as iron (air-test) when on edge.
So...I did similar testing with my Apex (also w/ the Viper) to see if this was true of mine as well.
Unfortunately, I found that it was...for some items...but not others.
My Apex identified the following items as iron when on edge...
Fat/heavy .925 ring (TID flat 92-99; TID on edge 1-30)
Thin intertwined Tiffany .925 rings (TID flat 94-95; TID on edge 1-33)
1941 US Silver Half-Dollar (TID flat 98-99; TID on edge 'iron range', forgot to note #'s)
1968 US Silver Half-Dollar (TID flat 98-99; TID on edge 0)
1971 US Silver Dollar (TID flat 99; TID on edge 0)
There were some .925 rings and pendants the Apex identified correctly, as well as a 1945 US quarter which was a solid 92 in any orientation.
Have either of you experienced this with your Apex(s)?
I'm mostly a beach hunter and considering buying either the Detech Ultimate 11.5 or NEL Super Fly 11x12 to hopefully address the issue.

Apex users: What Disc. settings for the 'Custom' Disc. mode?

Monte

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Tahtsadatsago

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Monte

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Tahtsadatsago

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Monte

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a365mac

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