Nokta Makro Racer 2 review

The Nokta Makro Racer 2

Nokta metal detectors was established in 2001 in Istanbul, Turkey. Nokta purchased Makro Detectors in 2014. Today, Nokta Makro sells branded metal detectors in over 150 countries on 6 continents. Much of their revenue is used for research and development.

Nokta Makro detectors focus on quality infrastructure and upgraded technology and have become an ISO9001 Certified company, and a Research and Development Center by the Ministry of Science, Industry, and Technology of Turkey. The company focuses on customer satisfaction and designs metal detectors for all users. 

Nokta Makro makes metal detectors focused on all skill levels, from entry-level metal detectorists to highly experienced metal detectorists. They even offer models designed for deep sea treasure hunting, gold prospecting metal detectors, relic hunting metal detectors, coin hunting metal detectors, and deep treasure detectors.

The Racer 2 is a great all-purpose metal detector at a great price, with enough features for intermediate or advanced detectorists, yet simple enough for those just starting out to enjoy.

Please take a moment to view the interactive table below, where you can directly compare the Nokta Makro Racer 2 to other notable detectors on the market:

PhotoModelPriceFeatures
Garrett AT Max$$$Waterproof to 10 feet
Fisher F22 Fisher F22$$9″ Triangulated Concentric Coil
Garrett Ace 400 Garrett Ace 400$$$8.5 x 11" DD coil
Minelab Vanquish 540$Search Modes: Coin, Relic, Jewelry, Custom, All Metal

What Makes the Nokta Makro Race 2 Special

The Racer 2 is a well-made, mid-range, all-purpose metal detector built to find relics, coins, and all other types of treasures. The Racer 2 uses cutting-edge technology and innovative features for sensitivity that make treasure hunting easy and comfortable in all environments. Some features that make the Racer 2 a great artifact and coin hunting machine are:

  • Frequency Shift
  • LED Flashlight
  • Notch Filter
  • Tone Break
  • Magnetic Mineralization Indicator
  • iSAT (Intelligent Self-Adjusting Threshold)

This model is a VLF (very low frequency) metal detector that operates at 14 kHz. This is the perfect treasure hunting frequency, although it is not great for finding small bits of gold or very fine jewelry. Audio frequencies are adjustable, from 100 Hz to 700 Hz.

The Racer 2’s iSAT technology allows for stable operation of the metal detector by eliminating false signals caused by hot rocks and high ground mineralization in the All Metal mode and Discrimination modes. It also eliminates threshold drifts caused by ground and temperature changes in static modes. The Racer 2 has 5 search modes:

  • All Metal
  • 2 Tone
  • 3 Tone
  • Beach
  • Deep

The Racer 2 features Iron Audio, allowing users to hear iron targets before digging. If you get an iffy signal or aren’t sure if the target is a good target or junk target, simply turn on iron audio and listen for the low, grunting tone. This indicates a ferrous target. This can also come in handy if users are searching for artifacts that may be ferrous or contain iron. 

Tone break is another features some detectorist might find handy. Tone break allows users to set a breaking point between certain target identification numbers. For example, you can use a multi tone setting, like 2 Tone or 3 Tone, and set the tone break at nickel’s tone identification. Now everything below nickel will have a specific tone, and everything above the nickel will have another tone. 

Notch discrimination is also a feature of the Racer 2. Notch filter discrimination is the ability of a metal detector to select which of the conductivity segments within the discrimination scale are disabled or active. If a segment is notched out, metals with that conductivity level will be masked and not emit a sound.

Ground balancing on the Racer 2 comes in 3 types: automatic, manual, and tracking. Automatic ground balancing is as it sounds: done automatically by the metal detector. Manual ground balancing allows users to ground balance at any time along their hunting route. Tracking ground balancing continually monitors the soil conditions and adjusts itself as needed.

The Racer 2 also has frequency shift. Although this metal detector operates at a single frequency of 14 kHz, the detector can shift the frequency very slightly. This does not mean the Racer 2 is a multiple frequency metal detector. It simply means that if there is a high level of electromagnetic or ground mineralization interference, the metal detector will shift frequencies slightly to compensate.

This model also has adjustable Gain, or sensitivity, from 1 to 99. Gain settings are responsible for the amount of power going to the search coil. A higher setting means more power to the search coil and the deeper the metal detector will search. 

The Racer 2 was built to handle almost all terrains including mud, sand, rocky fields, and shallow waters. The Magnetic Mineralization Indicator shows the intensity of mineralization within the soil.

This can distinguish between varying types of metal and minerals present in the ground and lets you know if you are on the right path. Notch filter discriminates between multiple and single targets and can be used in conjunction with iron audio. The Racer 2’s calibration is top quality making it easy to use for even beginning detectorists.

The Racer 2 has a custom LCD screen with numerical target ID. This model is lightweight, at just 3 pounds. It operates on 4 AA batteries and comes standard with an 11” by 7” waterproof Double-D search coil. One of my favorite features on the Racer 2 is the vibration alert upon target identification.

This unique feature is great for underwater metal detecting, for quiet detecting, and for hearing impaired detectorists. This model is not fully waterproof and should not be submerged.

Nokta Makro offers a 2-year warranty on the Racer 2.

Below, check out some of the best selling metal detectors currently available on Amazon (and see how well they compare to the Nokta Makro Racer 2):

BEST SELLERS
1) Garrett AT MAX
2) Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV
3) Bounty Hunter Gold Digger

How is The Racer 2 Different Than the Original Racer?

In terms of their construction, the Racer and Racer 2 are identical. Their components are the same and can be arranged in any combination. The Racer’s search coils are also compatible with the Racer 2, and vice versa. The Racer 2 does have upgraded features and capabilities. The Racer 2 features VDI 0 to 10, which is a discrimination scale for iron. The Racer 2 also has a notch filter, iron audio, tone break, iSAT, and deep search mode. 

Another features the Racer 2 has that the Racer does not is the FD/SAVE setting. This allows users to save their settings when the machine is turned off. Ground balancing and tracking will not be saved, but all other settings will. Older Racer machines came with a coil with typical ears, while the newer Racer machines and Racer 2 have reinforced mounting ears. The Racer 2 also comes with L-shaped bolts, which are more convenient to tighten without needing a tool. 

Price of the Racer 2

The Racer 2 comes in 2 styles: Standard and Pro. The Standard packages comes with the system box, waterproof search coil and coil cover, headphones, AA batteries, warranty certificate, and user manual.

The Racer 2 Standard package is $499. The Pro packages comes with the system box, waterproof 11” by 7” Double-D search coil and coil cover, carrying case, waterproof 13” by 13” Double-D search coil and coil cover, headphones, extra lower shaft and connection kit, charging kit, weather resistant cover, warranty certificate, and user manual. The Pro package is $649. There are also several other choices for search coils that work with the Racer 2 Standard or Pro available to purchase (separately). 

Nokta Makro Racer 2 vs Nokta Makro Impact

The Impact is a multiple frequency metal detector that combines multiple metal detectors in one unit and uses cutting edge technology. This enables the metal detector to be a simple to use and unique detector designed for beginning, intermediate, or experienced metal detectorists. The Impact can shift between 5 kHz, 14 kHz, and 20 kHz. While this is a multiple frequency metal detector, these frequencies cannot be used simultaneously.

The lower end frequency, 5 kHz, is great for finding highly conductive metals like silver, while the higher frequency, of 20 kHz is good for finding gold or jewelry. Keep in mind this is not a specific gold prospecting machine so it may struggle to find small bits of gold. 14 kHz is a good frequency to find relics and all types of treasure and is a typical frequency for multi-purpose detecting. 

 The Impact has 12 search modes:

  • 2 non-motion modes – STA and STA D; used for cache hunting or searching for larger, deep targets.
  • Gen and Gen D – All metal modes with a threshold. You can still use discrimination.
  • D12, D13, D14, D199 – All discrimination modes; 2 tone, 3 tone, 4 tone, and 99 tone programs
  • Cog – Designed specifically for salty, wet beaches and highly mineralized soils
  • Deep – This program is for relic hunting and searches the deepest
  • VLX1 – Another 3-tone program but operates quieter. It is more stable in high trash areas. Increasing discrimination decreases the depth on this program
  • VLX2 – 4 tone programs, like the VLX1. Works well in changing soil conditions

This model also operates very well in all different types of terrains including wet sandy beaches and parks. The Impact has updatable software when connecting the device to a computer. The Impact has Iron Volume. Iron Volume allows users to set the volume from F0 to F5. F0 is no sound while F5 is full blast. You can also change the tone break in the audio settings. Also, in Iron Volume, users can scroll through from N1 to N5. N1 will have the lowest volume on notched targets.

The Impact has an LED light on the back of the control housing that points down to the search coil. It is very bright and would allow for better hunting in low light conditions. AS with the Racer 2, the Impact features vibration upon target identification. I really like this feature and have not seen it on many metal detectors. The Impact has 3 selectable target ID depth indicators and can be used with wireless headphones. Audio frequencies are adjustable from 150 kHz to 700 kHz.

Ground balancing on the Impact is the same as the Racer 2: automatic ground balance, manual ground balance, tracking ground balance. It also has a pinpoint. Gain settings are adjustable from 1 to 99, like the Racer 2. This model has an LCD screen with numerical target ID with backlight and LED flashlight. The Impact comes with an 11” by 7“ waterproof Double-D search coil, the same as the Racer 2. This model is heavier than the Racer 2, at 4 pounds, and operates on 4 AA batteries.

The Impact has a lot of features that are akin to the Racer 2, but the Impact’s tones are clearer than the Racer 2. It is more expensive, thought, starting at $599 for the standard package. The Standard package for the Impact comes with the system box, waterproof search coil, search coil cover, headphones, 4 AA batteries, USB cable, data cable, warranty certificate, and user manual. As with the Racer 2, the Impact offers a Pro package for $699.

The Pro package comes with the system box, waterproof 11” by 7” Double-D search coil with coil cover, a 7.5” by 4” waterproof Double-D search coil with coil cover, headphones, extra lower shaft, USB charging cable, data cable, AC charger, car charger, 4 rechargeable AA batteries, stand, protective covers, carrying bag, warranty certificate, and user manual.

Nokta Makro offers a 2-year warranty on the Impact. 

Nokta Makro Racer 2 vs Nokta FORS Gold

The FORS Gold was introduced in 2014 and discontinued in 2016, replaced by the Nokta FORS Gold+. The FORS Gold runs in all metal mode. This allows obvious junk targets to be verified and rejected or accepted. It has a handle mounted LCD with numerical target ID. Ground balancing is the same as the other Nokta Makro metal detectors on this list, with automatic ground balancing, manual ground balancing, and tracking ground balancing. 

There is a discrimination mode on the FORS Gold called Boost Mode that can sort out ferrous trash and hot rocks using tones or complete discrimination. Despite this, the machine can still find gold nuggets easily. While designed for gold prospecting, this model is also very good for coin shooting, relic hunting, or jewelry detecting. The FORS Gold operates at a frequency of 15 kHz.

This frequency is good for finding gold but may not find extremely small bits of gold well. Because this is a single frequency metal detector, it does have some trouble on saltwater beaches. There is an additional mode on this model to help deal with the conductivity of saltwater, but it still performs only moderately on beaches. This model does have frequency shift, so it can slightly shit its single frequency to help counteract interference from electromagnetic sources and highly mineralized soils.

There are 3 search modes on the FORS Gold:

  • All Metal Mode – This mode has no discrimination control or variable discrimination. The target ID shows targets within the discrimination range. All metal mode reaches deeper than discrimination modes, but the deepest targets will give only an audio signal and no numerical signal.
  • 2 Tone – This mode emits low tones for ferrous targets and medium tones for non-ferrous targets.
  • 3 Tone – This mode adds a higher tone for metals above zinc penny.

In both 2 and 3 tone modes, discrimination called ID Mask is used. In ID Mask mode, any metal below the set discrimination level is rejected. There is no notch function, so the best way to discriminate is to use 3 Tone mode with ID Mask set just below nickel.

This makes the machine only respond to targets above nickel. Because this machine has no threshold in the discrimination modes, rejected targets will be completely rejected, showing no target on the screen. 

Like the other models, the FORS Gold has an LED flashlight underneath the control box to illuminate the search area in low light conditions. This model also has vibration target identification, like the other 2 models. This is a great feature for working in noisy areas or hearing-impaired detectorists.

This model comes with a 7” by 11” search coil. The search coil is waterproof, but the detector is not. This model operates on 4 AA batteries. The FORS Gold is not as lightweight as some models, at 3.9 pounds.

As with the other 2 detectors on this list, the FORS Gold comes in Standard package and Pro package. The Standard package is $350, and the Pro package is $650. Keep in mind this detector has been discontinued and might be difficult to find. 

Nokta Makro offers a 2-year warranty on the FORS Gold.

FORS Gold vs FORS Gold+

The FORS Gold+ was manufactured in 2015 and discontinued in 2018. Nokta Makro has introduced other gold specific machines since. The main difference between the Gold+ and regular Gold is the frequency. The FORS Gold operates at 15 kHz, while the Gold+ operates at 19 kHz.

This makes the Gold+ more sensitive to small pieces of gold. The stock search coil also changed between the 2 models to a 10” by 5.5” Double-D search coil. The Gold+ features iSAT technology, like the Racer 2, which allows the user to customize the threshold rate for ground conditions.

Both models have manual, automatic, and tracking ground balancing, volume control, threshold control, tone adjust, pinpoint mode, and frequency shift. Both machines operate on 4 AA batteries. The FORS Gold+ weighs 4.3 pounds, slightly heavier than the FORS Gold. Both models also have the handle mounted LED flashlight and vibrating target identification.

The FORS Gold has a 3 tone Coin Mode, which has been replaced on the Gold+ by a Fast retune 2 tone discrimination mode perfect for hunting in difficult soil conditions. Both models have Boost discrimination mode which is great for hunting in milder ground conditions. The cost of the FORS Gold+ is $580. Again, like the FORS Gold, the Gold+ may be more difficult to find because it has been discontinued. 

Conclusion

The Racer 2 has some great features: LED flashlight, frequency shift, notch filter, tone break, magnetic mineralization indicator, iSAT, and vibration on target identification. It is also easy to use, has high-quality technology, is lightweight, and great for soils with high iron contents. It can be a bit noisy to use and is only suited for right-handed detectorists. Nokta Makro prides itself on making their detectors accessible to both right and left-handed people.

This model seems best suited to right-handed detectorists, but a left-handed detectorist could get used to the setup. This detector is a good all terrain metal detector and is good for all types of metal. It is only a single frequency model, though, and may have difficulty in highly mineralized soils, wet sandy beaches, and saltwater. All single frequency machines seem to struggle in these areas. It will still find targets, so don’t worry about that. It just might be a little noisier in these conditions. 

The Impact has a few more features than the Racer 2, and if your budget allows, this would be a great metal detector. The FORS Gold is a decent gold prospecting metal detector but has been discontinued and might be difficult to find. The FORS Gold+ is also a good gold detecting machine, and the higher frequency does better at finding smaller gold bits, but it has also been discontinued so it could be difficult to find.

The FORS Gold only operates on a slightly higher frequency than the Racer 2 and Impact, and the FORS Gold+ operates at a higher level than all the other detectors on this list. If you are looking for a gold specific machine, check out the Gold Racer by Nokta Makro. 

If you are looking to purchase the FORS Gold or FORS Gold+, they have both been discontinued from manufacture, so they will not be available on the Nokta Makro website. If you wish to purchase either of these machines, you will need to check with online retailers. Be sure to check the validity of any online seller you come across, as certain metal detector manufacturers have reported counterfeit metal detectors being sold on several websites. 

You really can’t go wrong with a Nokta metal detector. They have been known for quality metal detectors since 2001. With their acquisition of Makro Detectors in 2014, they have expanded their inventory, but kept the same high-quality machines with customer serviced based ideals. Nokta Makro is a game changer in the field of metal detectors with their advanced technologies and will continue to impress us with their upcoming machines. 

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