Nokta Makro Simplex + review

Nokta was established in 2001 in Istanbul, Turkey. Nokta metal detectors purchased Makro Detectors in 2014 and today the combined company sells high quality metal detectors in over 150 countries on 6 continents. They are highly focused on research and development and focus on infrastructure and upgraded technology. The company is ISO9001 Certified and a Research and Development Center for the Ministry of Science, Industry, and Technology of Turkey. The company focuses on customer satisfaction and produces metal detectors for all skill levels and treasure types.

Regardless of a user’s skill level, Nokta Makro has a metal detector to fit their needs. They offer models designed for deep sea treasure hunting, gold prospecting, relic hunting, coin shooting, and deep treasure detecting. The Simplex + is one of their fantastic all-purpose metal detectors and one I have recently started using. It has quickly become my favorite metal detector, especially for the price point!

In this article, I’m going to be reviewing the Nokta Makro Simplex + detector. And to better help you, please take a moment to view our interactive guide below, where you can directly compare the Simplex + to other popular detectors on the market:

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

Meet the Simplex +

The Simplex + is one of Nokta’s best-selling detectors. It is designed for entry level or intermediate metal detectorists and praised for its depth, underwater capabilities, and low-price tag. This detector falls at the upper end of the entry-level metal detector price market, and I can tell you, it is worth every penny. It is simple to use and truly a turn on and go metal detector. One thing that makes this detector stand out is it is waterproof up to 10 feet. Now you can hunt in and around shallow waters without fear of damaging your detector.

If you are hunting in saltwater or beach areas, it is important to clean the detector with clean tap water when you are finished. Never use any chemicals to clean the detector, only clean water. It should be noted that the Simplex +, although it has a Beach Mode, may not perform as well as more advanced metal detectors. It does, however, outperform many VLF (very low frequency) metal detectors in saltwater beach areas.

The Simplex + is designed for all treasure types. It has automatic and manual ground balancing. This detector originally had 4 detect modes, but with the most recent update, now features 5 search modes:

Field – Designed for relic hunting, provides low tone for ferrous objects, high tone for non-ferrous objects
Park 1 – Designed for coin hunting, has 3 tones with low for ferrous objects, mid tone for non-ferrous objects and gold, and high tone for silver and copper. Deeper but slower than Park 2.
Park 2 – Same as Park 1, but quicker.
Beach – Developed for use in highly conductive soils like saltwater and high mineralization. Can be ground balanced from 0 – 99.8, while all other modes ground balance from 20 – 99.8
All Metal – Features a threshold tone consistent in the background, must be ground balanced.

This detector has Iron Volume so users can turn off or adjust the volume of iron targets. This will emit a low grunting tone when iron is detected so users can differentiate between iron targets and other targets without sacrificing depth. It features notch discrimination to discriminate unwanted metals. There are 20 notch segments that can be accepted or rejected on the Target ID scale. Notch does not work in All Metal Mode.

The Simplex + has a large, easy to read LCD screen with numerical Target ID. The screen is backlit, and this backlight is adjustable or can be turned off to save battery. Along the top of the screen is the target conductivity reading. This shows the most likely target and shows which metals are notched in or out. Under that is the mode selection. Simply use the arrow buttons to choose a mode. Target ID is in the center of the screen and easy to read. Sensitivity is a bar graph on the left side of the screen and depth indicator is a bar graph on the right side. The screen also shows a battery level indicator and magnetic mineralization indicator under the Target ID. Settings are visible at the bottom of the screen.

Changing settings is simple of the Simplex +. Simply press the settings button and use the arrow buttons to scroll through the different settings and customize the metal detector. This detector comes standard with an 11” Double-D search coil and operates at 12 kHz. This is not ideal for finding small gold, but the detector will have no trouble finding larger pieces of gold or large gold jewelry. It also has wireless technology so it can be used with wireless headphones. It is lightweight, at just 2.9 pounds.

One of my favorite features on this detector is the vibration. It can be set up to vibrate upon detection. This is immensely helpful for hearing impaired detectorists, underwater use, or in areas where users want to keep a low profile. The Simplex + also has frequency shift to help eliminate electromagnetic interference. The frequency can be shifted slightly up or down to compensate. It also has an LED flashlight for use in low light conditions. The Simplex + has a pinpoint mode, retractable shaft (down to just 25,” making it simple to transport and store), built-in rechargeable battery, and online firmware updates. Any Simplex+ purchased now should come with the latest software update, which can be found on Nokta Makro’s website.

Nokta Makro offers a 2-year warranty on the Simplex +.

Nokta Simplex + WHP

The Nokta Simplex + can be purchased with headphones. These headphones are 2.4 GHz wireless headphones and allow users to hear faint or weak target tones easier. There is no time lag between the metal detector and the headphones. They emit crisp, concise responses to all targets. This detector can also be used with traditional headphones or waterproof headphones (wireless or wired). It comes with an adapter to plug headphones into the port (which has a waterproof cover to keep the control box safe in water).

The headphones do not come in a package from Nokta Makro, but other sellers do have packages that contain the detector and the headphones. They must be purchased as an accessory from Nokta Makro’s website and some retailers.

Nokta Simplex + VS Minelab Vanquish 340

Minelab’s Vanquish 340 is part of their new line of Vanquish metal detectors. This line is intended for beginning detectorists and all of them are easy to use. It features Minelab’s patented Multi-IQ technology. This technology allows the detector to operate on multiple frequencies at one time. Operating frequencies range from 5 kHz to 40 kHz. The lower frequencies are more responsive to highly conductive metals like silver, while the higher frequencies are more responsive to lower conductive metals like gold. The Vanquish 340 has 5 segments of discrimination and has 3 search modes: Coin, Jewelry, and All Metal. It features 19 automatic noise cancelling channels, high iron bias, 4 sensitivity levels, and 3 volume levels. Target tones are low, mid, and high, and the LCD screen features numerical target ID.

This model is lightweight at just 2.6 pounds. The Vanquish 340 comes standard with a V10 10” by 7” Double-D search coil and operates on 4 AA batteries. The search coil is waterproof up to 3 feet, but the control box is not waterproof and should not exposed to water. This is the lowest Vanquish model in the series. Minelab offers a 3-year warranty on the Vanquish 340.

You can read our Minelab Vanquish 340 review here!

Nokta Simplex + VS Minelab Vanquish 440

Minelab’s Vanquish 440 has all the features of the Vanquish 340 and more. This model features 5 find modes:

Coin
Relic
Jewelry
All Metal
Custom

Each mode is preprogrammed and fully optimized to allow the best performance for that treasure type. This detector works well in parks, fields, mountains, shallow water, yards, beaches, and for gold prospecting. The Vanquish 440 also features Minelab’s Multi-IQ technology, allowing it to operate on multiple frequencies at one time. It has automatic noise cancelling and a lag-free audio response. The Vanquish 440 has 3 target tones, 10 adjustable volume levels, and comes with the same search coil as the Vanquish 340, a v10 10” by 7” Double-D. As with the Vanquish 340, the search coil is waterproof, but the control box is not.

The Vanquish 440 has a pinpoint mode, 10 adjustable levels of sensitivity, and 5 depth indicators. IT has 12 discrimination settings and is very lightweight at just 2.6 pounds. It operates on 4 AA batteries and is the mid-range detector in the Vanquish series. Minelab offers a 3-year warranty on the Vanquish 440.

You can read our Minelab Vanquish 440 review here!

Nokta Simplex + VS Minelab Vanquish 540

Minelab’s Vanquish 540 is the top tier of the Vanquish line of metal detectors. This detector has all the features of the previous 2. It features Minelab’s Multi-IQ technology, ranging from 5 kHz to 40 kHz. Using a range of frequencies can bring even hunted out locations back to life. The Vanquish 540 has a pinpoint mode, automatic noise cancelling, adjustable Iron Bias, and a red backlit LCD screen. There are 10 adjustable levels of sensitivity and volume on the Vanquish 540 and 5 target tones. This model has a 25-segment discrimination adjustment so it can be fully customized to accept or reject most metals.

The Vanquish 540’s LCD screen features numerical target ID. It operates on rechargeable AA batteries and is lightweight, at 2.9 pounds. The Vanquish 540 comes with a V12 12” by 9” waterproof Double-D search coil, which can be interchanged with other Vanquish series search coils. Again, the search coil is waterproof on the Vanquish 540, but the control box is not. The Vanquish 540 also offers Bluetooth technology and works with either wired or wireless headphones.

The Vanquish 540 also comes in the Pro Pack. This package has the Vanquish 540 metal detector but comes with 2 search coils. It features the standard V12 12” search coil and an added V8 *’ by 5” Double-D coil. This makes it easier to search small or trashy areas. Minelab offers a 3-year warranty on the Vanquish 540 and 540 Pro Pack.

You can read our Minelab Vanquish 540 review here!

Nokta Simplex + VS Minelab Equinox 800

Minelab’s Equinox 800 is one of the company’s more advanced metal detectors. As with the Vanquish series, the Equinox 800 uses Minelab’s Multi-IQ technology, so it operates on multiple frequencies simultaneously. This model is different to the Vanquish line, though, in that it can also operate on 5 individual frequencies:

5 kHz – Best for silver coins
10 kHz – Best for Roman hammered coins
15 kHz – General treasure hunting
20 kHz – General treasure hunting and gold prospecting
40 kHz – Fully optimized to find even the tiniest gold piece

Using single frequencies can help in areas with a lot of ground noise. All treasure types can be found with the Equinox 800 and I am particularly impressed with its ability to find small or fine gold. That is something that other detectors, including the Simplex +, struggle with. The Equinox 800 has 4 detection modes: Park, Beach, Gold, and Field. It also has 8 custom search profiles. This model has automatic and manual ground balancing, automatic and manual noise cancelling, 25 sensitivity adjustments, and adjustable threshold volume, pitch, and level.

The Equinox 800 features an LCD screen with numerical target Id. It has a 50-segment notch discrimination, backlit LCD screen, and rechargeable battery pack. Like the Simplex +, the Equinox 800 has upgradable software. It is lightweight, at just 2.96 pounds and comes standard with an 11” Double-D Smart search coil with skid plate. The Equinox 800 is submersible up to 10 feet, like the Simplex +. It also has wireless technology for use with Bluetooth headphones. Minelab offers a 3-year warranty on the Equinox 800.

You can read our Minelab Equinox 800 review here!

Price Comparison

Nokta Makro Simplex + – $299
Minelab Vanquish 340 – $199
Minelab Vanquish 440 – $279
Minelab Vanquish 540 – $369
Minelab Vanquish 540 Pro Pack – $499
Minelab Equinox 800 – $899

Conclusion

The Nokta Simplex + remains one of my favorite metal detectors, especially for an entry-level machine. It is waterproof up to 10 feet, has excellent discrimination, automatic and manual ground balancing, backlit LCD screen, and 5 customizable search modes. This detector offers many advanced features on an easy to use, entry level priced metal detector. Some of the settings can seem confusing at first, but the detector is equipped with preset modes to allow for turn on and go convenience. A few times in the field and you will become a pro with this detector!

The areas I tend to hunt in Idaho and Utah have highly mineralized soil conditions. When hunting in these areas, I like to run the detector in Beach Mode. Beach Mode is set to cut down the effects of soil mineralization, whether from saltwater, hot rocks, black sands, or other conditions. Combining this with notching out undesirable metals made the detector works very well. In areas where there are fewer ground minerals, the Park and Field Modes are excellent.

This detector has no trouble finding coins at 6” to 8” in difficult soil conditions. Running the Simplex + in All Metal mode is a lot noisier as there is always a background hum. But it does not disappoint and easily finds relics and other metals in this mode. The Simplex + is fully waterproof up to 10 feet making it perfect for shallow water hunting.

The Vanquish line is a great choice for beginning detectorists. The fact that all 3 models are multiple frequency at an entry level price is amazing. Most multiple frequency metal detectors are geared toward intermediate or advanced detectorists and carry a price tag to match. The 340 is the lowest model but has enough features for a beginning detectorist to get their feet wet. The 440 has more features than the 340 and includes a pinpoint mode, 2 additional search modes, more sensitivity levels, and more depth indicators.

The Minelab Vanquish 540 has the most features in the Vanquish line and includes a pinpoint mode, rechargeable batteries, wireless headphone capability, red backlit LCD screen, adjustable Iron Bias (the 340 and 440 have only High Iron Bias), and a higher level of discrimination. This line is great for hunting areas that have been covered before, and with the higher frequency of 40 kHz, will be better at finding small pieces of gold than the Simplex +.

Minelab’s Equinox 800 is almost unfair in this comparison. This advanced detector has more features than all the other detectors on this list, but also has a price tag to match. This detector also has multiple frequencies, like the Vanquish models, but can operate on 5 single frequencies, too. This is unique among multiple frequency metal detectors and gives the user more control. The Equinox 800 has a Gold Mode for prospecting, making it fantastic at finding small bits of fine gold or jewelry. The LCD screen is backlit, and it is waterproof up to 10 feet, like the Simplex +.

If you are specifically looking for a gold prospecting metal detector, I would recommend Minelab’s Equinox 800. This model has a specific gold mode and operates at a higher frequency than the Simplex + making it much better for gold prospecting. The Vanquish line would also be appropriate for prospecting because of the multiple frequencies. But the Equinox 800 is more sensitive to smaller gold and fine gold jewelry.

I would easily recommend the Notka Makro Simplex + to any detectorist, whether they be entry level of more advanced. This metal detector is all-purpose, ruggedly built, easy to use, can be customized, and is lightweight and collapsible. It is simple enough for my kids to use on the preset modes and has enough features for me to use to notch in or out certain metals. The more I use this detector in the field, the more I like it. With a simple button press you can change the mode, the settings are easily accessible, and ground balancing is a snap. You really cannot go wrong with this detector!

Make sure, regardless of what detector you purchase, to become familiar with the user manual. Because the Simplex + has more settings than my last metal detector, I have become particularly good friends with the manual. It does a great job of teaching you the settings and options available on the machine and has important information for testing the detector and which modes work best in which areas.

Take the time to read the manual. I like to keep mine in my detector bag, so I always have it with me. Especially the first few times I took the detector into the field, I forgot what a few of the settings were for and just did not mess with them. I had left my manual at home and had no way to access the information as I was in the middle of a forest in northeastern Utah. So, read the manual, practice at home or close to home, and familiarize yourself with the detector!

To ensure your success as a metal detectorist, I always recommend taking a few accessories along with you. Good quality digging tools will make all the difference when finding treasure. It is dreadful when your discount shovel breaks during a hunt, leaving you stranded with nothing to retrieve your treasures. Good quality tools cost a little bit more, but they are well worth the added cost. I also recommend a finds pouch. This will keep all your goodies safe while you hunt. If you are prospecting, take along a snifter or bottle to hold bits of gold in.

I also recommend pairing your metal detector with a good quality handheld pinpointer. While most metal detectors have pinpoint mode, a handheld pinpointer will help you better zero in on a target and make digging easier.

My favorite pinpointer is Garrett’s Pro-Pointer AT, affectionally known as the “Garrett Carrot.” This pinpointer is waterproof up to 20 feet, weighs just 6.5 ounces, and operates on a 9-volt battery. The Pro-Pointer AT has vibration target alert, 360° side scan detection, fast retune, adjustable sensitivity, lost pointer alarm, automatic power off, and ruler. It also has a scraping blade to allow you to root through the dirt without damaging the pointer. This pointer features an LED light so you can see well in deeper holes.

It has a 2-year warranty from Garrett.