Garrett Metal Detectors ACE APEX Standard Package GAR1142320 Metal Detectors

Product Information

When Garrett announced the release of the APEX many thought this would be a mid-level machine that would be 100% waterproof that would compete with something like the Minelab Equinox. Garrett did a good job of marketing the hype surrounding the APEX with their new Multi-Flex Multi-Frequency technology and their new 6″ x 11″ Viper DD coil. When all they hype finally cleared, the APEX turned out to be a new ACE metal detector BUT.. perhaps the best ACE machine they have ever built. The Ace 440i provides five search modes for specific types of metals: zero-discrimination for all metals (including nails, etc), jewellery, relics, coins and a custom option for dialling in your own preferred settings. The ‘jewellery’ mode, for instance, ignores most iron trash but finds rings, watches and bracelets, while ‘relics’ eliminates most small pieces of iron but detects brass, bronze and lead. Iron masking – When a good target was placed near an old iron nail, the Apex would detect the nail and ignore the good target. (If you run in custom mode and lower the discrimination level slightly it does then detect the good target. The issue is that the machine down averages quite a bit.

Which diggers segment the device was designed for? It’s not a waterproof one, but it has search modes for beach hunting. Also, in my yard I have an IHP buried at 3” with 2 nails on the surface 3” out from center. A 5” coil can get between the two nails but regardless of the metal detector/coil used I’ve yet to find one that can hit the IHP (even with a 5” coil). The nails always win, might be my mineralized dirt. But, in any case the Apex can’t hit it either.

On the other hand, the ACE APEX disappointed many Garrett fans who were hoping for an upgrade to their beloved AT Pro/Gold/Max metal detector. Speculation is swirling that Garrett will eventually upgrade or replace their AT series with a new look to include their Multi-Flex Multi-Frequency technology similar to what they have done with the APEX. Is The ACE APEX Waterproof? Both the Minelab Vanquish 540 and Garrett Ace Apex are very evenly matched, especially at their price points. For me however, the Vanquish 540 has some extra features and is just the better machine. Air tests are not the best way to determine depth but they are an indicator of how well the machine will perform and provide a baseline of what to expect from the machine. I ran several tests with APEX and I am pleasantly surprised by the depth I’m seeing. The APEX is going to get good depth.

Being widely known that different VLF frequencies have different benefits and shortcomings, the race was now on however to seek the newest, latest technology and multi VLF was it! Now, there are eight channels for frequency shifts – and we mean, eight channels for each frequency option. Together, they make 48 channels for frequency shifts. In theory, this will make the machine protected from electromagnetic interference of any kind. None of the previous models has had it. The metal detector has 5-tone sound identification, and it also has a hybrid audio system with a 2-tone proportional audio output. This means that by the type of audio signal, you can define some target characteristics and thus study the area more thoroughly or move to some other place. Iron Audio I will, hopefully, update this part when new issues will arise! Also, please if you know any issues related to this machine, please let me know. Final Thoughts … This model also comes with a pair of wireless headphones and you can program the system so that the warning sound for trash items like iron is at a quieter volume, making it easier to differentiate between different metals. The Garrett Ace Apex is also equipped with a multi-frequency salt mode, so it’s a perfect model for use on a beach, along the shoreline and in the shallows. Expect up to 15 hours of use from a full charge of its built-in Lithium Ion battery.The ACE Apex metal detector comes with a completely waterproof Viper 6″ x 11″ Double-D search coil. Open the ApexUsbDriver_Installation file and follow the instructions on how to install the USB driver. Garrett AT series detectors are reliable and sturdy so they can take decent abuse and I would be happy to own either, but if I’m buying a new metal detector, especially as a beginner, I would rather spend less money for better performance over a wider range of ground conditions by opting for the more modern Garrett ACE Apex. Comparing the Garrett ACE Apex to Minelab’s Vanquish 540 points of ground balance resolution (like the Garrett AT Max), ranging from ferrous ground to saltwater. The company began to lose its positions on the market because it hasn’t updated the product line for a long time, and its rivals started to produce better metal detectors for more affordable prices.

Air tests were conducted while in Zero Mode with Multi-Frequency turned on. Sensitivity was 2 notches down from full sensitivity. Iron Volume was on 1. It is possible to get more depth with more sensitivity. The sensitivity settings used during the test were based on my local conditions. By dropping the APEX sensitivity down 2 bars I was able to get the APEX quiet and stable for testing. See my results below: TARGET Garrett’s ACE Apex also includes built-in Z-Lynk Wireless Technology, enabling the use of wireless headphones for a more comfortable and convenient detecting experience. This feature is meant to help reduce latency and provide a more immersive experience for the user that prefers to cut the cord. Jewelry’ is a perfect option for those looking for chains, earrings, and other jewelry made from precious metals. The first video has appeared announcing the new Garrett model named Apex. Everything suggests that we’ll see the device on May 15. Thus, it is quite possible that it may appear on the market right after the premier. This update takes only a couple of minutes. Watch for on-screen prompts that indicate when update is complete.Finally, the Vanquish has an “Iron Bias” adjustable function which the Ace Apex doesn’t. When Minelab first launched their Multi IQ system, this function was included right at the last minute. When using Garrett Ace Apex, you can go metal detecting in salt and highly mineralized soil, i.e., on the beach. To perform ground balance, push and hold the ‘balance’ button. At that, you should wave the search coil, placing it at about 2-3 inches above the ground. The Apex’s 18 kHz frequency allows enhanced detection of small gold nuggets, even in highly mineralized soil. However, this is not the best detector for gold hunting. Ideas on the Garrett Ace Apex troubleshooting This was primarily because this was as far as the current technology took us. To those hard core detectorists and detector designers, it was well known how different frequencies performed.

Garrett ACE Apex metal detector uses a multifrequency, i.e. it uses several various operating frequencies simultaneously. (read more about operating frequencies here). Garrett Apex can also use just one operating frequency like Minelab Equinox. The following frequencies are available – 5 kHz, 10 kHz, 15 kHz, 20 kHz. The device offers two multifrequency modes: Multifrequency and Multi-Salt (the mode was designed especially for metal detecting in mineralized soils). The ACE Apex provides an excellent depth on a wide variety of targets, and it has 8 sensitivity/depth adjustments. The most significant difference between the ACE Apex and ACE 400 is the Apex’s Multi-Flex technology. This feature alone puts the Apex in a different league than the ACE 400 which only offers a single VFL frequency of 10kHz. This upgrade also enables the to operate at several fixed frequencies including the ACE 400’s 10 kHz, which cements the Apex as a far superior device performance-wise. Apart from these detection modes, there is also a Pinpointer detection mode, and a non-motion, All-metal mode for precisely locate the position of a detected target. 3. Discrimination and Ground BalancingWhen the maximum value is reached, you can start digging there – this means that the target is right under the search coil. Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to approximately 15 hours of use, depending on the setting. Micro-USB charging cable included. Which metal detector is better? The single frequency, tried-and-true AT Pro, or the all-new multiple frequency Ace Apex? Who reigns supreme in Ace Apex vs AT Pro? My honest opinion is they are both fantastic metal detectors. The AT Pro costs more than the Ace Apex but has been around longer and has proven its worth. The Ace Apex’s multiple frequencies does give it an advantage in some search conditions. I truly do not think I can choose which one is the best because it depends on the application. This can range from the amount of segments a detectors ID scale is divided into, which helps fine tune notch discrimination to the amount of search modes, sensitivity adustment and number of tones. Finally, you may want to drill down on the bells and whistles along with the amount of adjustability in the machine. This helps to perfect a machines set up for the way you prefer to hunt.