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UtahRich
Monte -

I think many are / were curious about the APEX. It will be interesting to see how it does as more folks get time behind the controls using it in the field.

I was "one of the curious" about the coming Apex, but it wasn't really due to the SMF operation. The main reason I was interested was because it has been quite a while for anything new and creative from Garrett in the land-based detector market, and because I had heard it was going to be 'different.' And because I was hoping for, and very gladly appreciated, that they might produce a more comfortable, lighter-weight detector. Important for this aging old guy who has been trimming the Detector Team to units that let me stay in-the-game.

Also, I was very interested in the selectable frequency options and that it had Iron Audio Volume control. One 'problem' we might have as we look for more comments about it, is that I think a ot of new-comers purchase lower-cost detectors, and then the more active hobbyists look to spend bigger bucks on what we might consider the higher-end. Thus, models like the Anfibio or Equinox and other up around $800 get more attention than those models closer to the $500 to $600 mark. Another example is the White's MX-7. A lot of detector in a comfortable package ... but 'mid-priced' as we see things today and, I believe, overlooked.

There have been a lot of very good detectors that can work just fine for the majority of Active Hobbyists to Avid Detectorists out there that fall in a mid-level price ... or less. They are or have been overlooked, and I think some will not consider the Apex. partly due to some videos when there is an expressed or, for some viewers, n unseen bias involved. I'll refer to Calabash Diggers recent videos where he borrowed an Apex and then bought an Apex and bought a Simplex + just to do a few videos against his favorite Equinox 800 and even a Vanquish by the same maker.

The videos seemed to prove a point he was trying to make, that in his ground and with the settings used, on his buried 10" dime, they didn't provide the depth-of-detection. That was really all his intent was, and then he listed the newly purchased detectors for sale, just satisfied with his Equinox. He dded a bit of negative lip-service about the Apex and the manufacturer and all his other products, thus viewers could have been left with a negative feeling about the Apex.

That only touched on one topic, however, and I know a detector has a lot more things I would like to see it do other than just beep on a 10" dime. Thus his videos didn't have much impact on me because I have been working on this multi-model detector review of models folks can purchase brand new for $550 or less. That includes my Multi-IQ Vanquish 540 and the results (should be posted by the weekend) are a bit interesting, especially regarding a model that only had one search coil available. Although Andrew's post of new coils coming is partly good news, we just need a smaller-size coil.

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UtahRich
It isn't Garrett's flagship, but I imagine it will take over top dog in their Ace series of detector.

The Apex wasn't intended as a 'flagship' and really shouldn't have been lumped into the 'Ace' series. It definitely isn't. The Apex should be a separate 'series' for Garrett to build upon, and I am certain they are working on a new 'lagship' offering.

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UtahRich
I haven't seen mention yet of accessory coils. Looking at Garrett's accessory line for their other models, I think it will be options will be available sooner than later..

As Andrew posted, they are coming.

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UtahRich
With the recent turn of events with Garrett purchasing the intellectual properties of White's Electronics, they may have given themselves a serious boost up in their progress in the SMF world.

I just hope they do not try to re-introduce anything with a White's brand name. Just take advantage of the 'recipe book' they purchased and cook up something new and attractive to the Garrett brand line.

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UtahRich
As for Nokta / Makro, I know they've intended to join the Simultaneous Multi-Frequency market. I imagine the challenges of SMF are significant or everybody would already have offerings.

There is no doubt in my mind that Nokta / Makro is going to bring out a very competitive SMF detector, and from most of the model experiences I've enjoyed, it will be well-built, performance-based, and very reasonably priced.

Monte

"Your EYES ... the only 100% accurate form of Discrimination!"
Stinkwater Wells Trading Post
Metal Detector Evaluations and Product ReviewsI'm now 'back home' in Farr West Utah monte@ahrps.org ... or ... monte@stinkwaterwells.com 503-481-8147Detector Outfit: A selection of my chosen makes and models, with the best coils mounted for the tasks I'll take on.F-19 * F-5 * Racer * Racer 2 * V-540 * Relic * Silver Sabre µMAX * Bandido II µMAX * XLTPinpointers: Garrett AT Pro-Pointers .. Headphones: 'Hornet' .. MS-3 Z-Lynk .. ML-80 *** All working well today to make memories for tomorrow. ***