Nokta Simplex Metal Detector Review

Nokta Simplex
9.6/10
Very Good
Metal Detector
  • Country TU
  • Released 2019
  • Warranty 2 years
  • Additional
    coils
  • Headphones included

Best for

  • Coins
  • Relics
  • Beach
  • Underwater
  • Beginners

Nokta Metal Detectors, two companies united for the sake of taking the metal detector market by storm, announced a release of their new product – Nokta Simplex.

Most treasure hunters salivate about this one, because Nokta Simplex metal detector has some cool outstanding features that earlier were possible only in more expensive machines. Moreover, this new device is one of the top metal detector for beginners due to simplified controls.

Rating Explanations
All Purpose
10
Key Features
9
Easy to Use
10
Durability
9
Price
10
9.6/10
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Reviewed by
Michael Moore
Pros
  • affordable price (high quality, low price combination is killing)
  • suitable for noobs (the learning curve is not very steep)
  • saltwater beach search mode (just could not but mention this again)
  • already tested in the field, showing seamless performance and providing positive user experience
Cons
  • only one frequency (this is a very arguable con)
  • Technology: VLF Single Frequency
  • Number of frequencies: 1
  • Frequencies: 12 kHz
  • Search Coil: 11"
  • Search Coil Type: DD
  • Waterproof: Up to 10 feet (IP68)
  • Updatable Software: Yes
  • VDI (Target ID): Yes
  • Search Modes: 4
  • Search Mode Types: All Metal / Park / Field / Beach (Saltwater)
  • Ground Balance: Automatic / Manual
  • Pinpoint Mode: Yes
  • Audio Tones: 3
  • Batteries: Lithium Polymer
  • Length (min-max): 25"-52"
  • Weight:2.9 lb
  • Warranty: 2 years

Nokta Simplex+ Key Features

VLF Technology

Produces an electromagnetic field that generates a constant sinusoidal wave directed to the ground.

DD Coil

The most universal and efficient search coil configuration that will bring finds on trashy, mineralized, or “hot rock” grounds.

Saltwater Search Mode

Important mode that applies additional discrimination and filtering of false signals caused by highly mineralized waters.

Auto & Manual Ground Balance

You can increase the depth of reach even in mineralized soils, or underwater.

Waterproof

Up to 10 feet is a basic level good for wet sand, shallow water, and deeper water metal detecting.

Wireless Headphones

Already a close to must-have feature, wireless headphones provide way more freedom of movement during the search.

Vibration Mode

Useful feature for search in loud environments like windy seacoast, or for silent search when the detectorist wants to cut down the noise made by the machine.

Updatable Software

The company improves its software constantly, so the users can upgrade their detectors for free, on a regular basis.

Nokta Simplex+ Overview

To give you a very rough idea about the new metal detector – Nokta Simplex is a cheap (comparatively, of course, but still), both for ground and water search, and very easy to operate. Plus, it is compatible with wireless headphones, and has a DD coil in the kit.

The manufacturer claims that this is the first machine in the noob segment of the market that contains advanced features. Which means this is an overhaul of the niche, meaning that more “expensive” technologies can in fact be packed into a more affordable device. Keep in mind that the machine is also completely waterproof – there is no other fully waterproof metal detector available for such price.

First and foremost, let’s pay attention to the design and structure of the detector. It has a rubber-treated handle which is pretty comfortable, both not too rough and not too soft. Next you get a standard armrest which can be suited according to your convenience, all you need to do is unscrew three screws and move the armrest as you find comfortable. The best thing about armrest is that is it made of two parts, the upper one is softer, while the lower one is harder. This construction prevents the armrest from cracking if you press too hard on it.

The other side of this part has flashlight, and is equipped with two outlets. The metal detector can be charged using any of these two outlets, but in fact one of them is for connection with the coil, while the other has a leak-proof cover and fits for wired headphones.

So yeah, already due to its well-designed structure Nokta Simplex made a splash before it was even released, and now it takes the market by storm.

What are the Most Important Features to Pay Attention To?

Nokta Makro Simplex Review by Detect History

Nokta Simplex is a compact machine, totally waterproof and can be used on the depth of up to 10 feet. The shaft is collapsible, and the whole thing weighs only 1.3 kgs/ 2.8 lbs. The device supports wireless headphones, which is a huge benefit for newbie detectorists.

The main frequency – 12 kHz – is an unusual one, because it provides a delicate balance on the brink of most popular frequencies, allowing the user to search for a wider range of metals. Most budget-friendly detectors have either lower frequencies than that.

One of the most valuable Simplex features is automatic and manual ground balance. If I remember correctly, only Quest detectors have a ground balance feature in the entry-level segment of metal detectors, but it doesn’t work so good.

simplex desc image

To complement the 11 inch DD coil included into the kit, you can also buy a bunch of other coils compatible. This is a novelty for cheaper detectors, as well.

The machine is powered by rechargeable LiPo battery – you can appreciate the ergonomics and lightweightedness now, considering that the battery is built-in! Plus you get a LED flashlight.

Vibration feature, which is a very useful regimen for any user, for example, in public places, or underwater. While vibration is not something supernaturally advanced, it is usually absent in budget-friendly machines.

As you can see, while there are no specifically groundbreaking innovations included into the thing, the features it combines for the price it costs make this metal detector a wanted one. If you want to know WHY – well, there is no catch. The point is, Nokta is a Turkish company, and they have more affordable resources to make the products; as a result, you get same high quality for smaller price. Very simple.

Search Modes

Let’s talk about search modes, because here we have a surprise from Nokta, as well. The Nokta Simplex+ machine has only four modes, seemingly pretty basic – All Metal, Park 1, Park 2, Field, and Beach.

It is pretty clear about the first three. However, the Beach mode is adapted for Saltwater search, and this is incredible. In other words, you will be able to hunt with thing machine on the river banks (wet sand, freshwater), on the beach (wet sand, saltwater), and in both fresh- and saltwater bodies, on depth! This is a wow, really. Well done Nokta!

All Metal

This mode working without any discrimination and the metal detector will be able to recognize all types of metals on a search area.

Park 1

This mode reacts to almost all valuable metals and potentially worthy items you can find in locations like park and public lands. Park 1 is deeper than Park 2, but also slower.

Park 2

This mode is alike to Park 1, but the speed of recovery is higher. The downside of it is that the depth is more shallow for potential targets to be identified.

Field

This mode works best for relic hunting. The highest performance is shown on cleaner locations with no metal trash. But with notch discrimination, more depth can be achieved on rocky and trashy locations.

Beach

This mode is created not only for water, and wet grounds, but also for highly conductive grounds and water. In this mode, the machine ignores iron and similar targets, seeking for clean signal.

All Features

Okay, let’s hit the peaks and skip the valleys to check out all feats of the new machine. One more time about frequency in detail: It operates using single 12 kHz VLF frequency. This frequency is optimal for the majority of detecting tasks, and is also extremely convenient for newbie treasure hunters, allowing them to search efficiently at most locations. Moreover, frequency shift option is available to avoid phantom signals from radiointerference. The machine supports pinpoint mode, which is definitely an advantage. There are four preset search modes.

The shaft of the detector is compact and collapsible – you can not only suit it for people of different height, but also collapse it for transportation. The device is very lightweight, only 2.8 lbs, enabling even teenagers or women to treasure hunt effectively.

Simplex+ is waterproof and can be used underwater on the depth of up to 10 feet. Logically enough, it supports wireless headphones. Also, vibration mode is available, which is extremely cool when you’re underwater. Vibration mode instead of audio signal is also handy in places where you do not want to make much noise.

The whole thing is powered by Lithium-Polymer battery (2300mAh, built-in, rechargeable) with 12 hours battery life. The coil in the kit is 11 inches DD one, but a set of other compatible coils by the manufacturer can be purchased. All software is updatable online.

The control unit is equipped with a LED flashlight. The screen and controls are backlit, you can make the light more or less intensive, or leave it in automatic mode. There are six levels of sensitivity, three audio tones, automatic/manual ground tracking, and depth indicator.

More advanced features include 0-99 target ID that helps identify the potential target according to the segments, notch discrimination, plus adjustable ferrous metals volume that allows to ignore ferrous metals altogether if necessary.

Simplex+ has 2 years warranty. Honestly, to have all these features packed into a small and lightweight machine not costing an arm and a leg. Now it is clear why Minelab are with foam at the mouth right now.

It also has:

Control Box

nokta makro simplex displayThe control box is simple yet convenient and user-friendly. There are six buttons to turn the device on and off, and tune the settings. The discrimination scale is provided in the upper part, below you can see the Search Modes icons. Next there are VDI target identification numbers, the sensitivity scale is on the right, the depth scale is on the left. Below, there is a battery life indicator.

Settings Review

The settings that you can see on the screen include volume, ground balance, ferrous metals volume, discrimination segments, frequency shift, wireless headphones mode, vibration mode, lights, and flashlight. All settings are tuned by pressing the buttons to the right or to the left, or using up and down buttons.

Simplex Additional Coils

Nokta have released two additional search coils – as they have promised before, and this manufacturer seems to keep their promises! – and we have already made a more detailed review of these two compatible coils, and conducted a comparison test with the first one for Simplex+, in this post.

Together with the original coil included into the kit, plus updatable software for the metal detector, these two additional products will make your metal detecting sessions even more productive. The more coils are available, the more flexibility you can expect for various targets and locations, and for various search conditions overall.

SP22 – Waterproof 8.5″ DD Search Coil

noktamakro simplex search coil sp22

This smaller yet still one-size-fits-all round search loop is very universal and easy to manage. It will cover complicated places, especially if you hunt for small targets like coins or jewelry. I believe it is also good for underwater search, due to its size and shape. You will be able to comb the location really thoroughly with proper depth and stable performance of the machine.

SP24 – Waterproof 9.5″x5″ DD Search Coil

noktamakro simplex search coil sp24

This search loop is a bit bigger, plus the shape is elliptical. It showed seamless performance, and you will also be able to stick it into narrow places to scan the potentially promises spots. However, I suggest this coil would fit better for trashy locations, and also for beach search, since target identification is its biggest advantage.

The Kit

The basic kit includes as follows:

Huge Simplex Software Update (2020.04.17)

Great news for Simplex users – the manufacturer has released an update for the software. You can upgrade your metal detector easily, and take your experience to the new level, without no extra cost for you. Some new functions have been added, and the previous features were improved. Check out what’s new.

DetectHistory Simplex Update 2.76

How to Install Nokta-Makro Simplex Firmware Update – Step by Step Guide

This is a nice upgrade, however, the best thing about it is not about the new features itself. Nokta obviously takes care of its customers and their user experience, and did not stop to work on their product after its has been released. Therefore, we can expect that our needs as users will be catered for in the future, as well.

Conclusion

To be concise and to the point, Simplex makes a very positive impression. Considering its price, this is the most packed with functions (most of them are actually useful) waterproof metal detector, with ground balance, made for beginner level.

In terms of functions, Simplex+ is definitely better than Garrett Ace series metal detectors, Fisher F11-F44 detectors, and other newbie-friendly metal detectors already available. In fact, due to its functions, it can be compared with Garrett AT Pro (that I have been using for several years), and yet, it is almost two times cheaper. No doubt, Simplex+ is a serious competitor for Quest – X5 and X10 metal detectors, and also for the Minelab Vanquish series expected in 2020.

Simplex can be considered a breakthrough in the beginner segment, and it will probably take this segment to the next level. This model is high quality and still easy to use. Nokta managed to make a great metal detector that has high chances of becoming one of the best newbie metal detectors next year.

9.6/10
Nokta Simplex

Nokta Simplex ✅ Best metal detector for the money

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Author

Michael Moore

Hi detectorists! I’m Michael Moore, founder of this website, and a dedicated treasure hunter since 2013. If you want to be posted about the most recent news and updates in metal detecting, releases, and trends, subscribe!

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