Metal-Detecting-Talk

Nokta are becoming quite adept at bringing high end features into lower priced machines but sometimes expectations are not tempered by price and marketing.

These two machines are squarely aimed at those new to detecting. There are no complex settings to confuse the new user. Essentially, these are turn-on-and-go machines designed to make detecting accessible to everyone. However the problem for Nokta is that the FINDX and FINDX PRO share the same look and general build quality with their more expensive and better perfoming machines.

The upshot of all that is people are lulled into believing that they can get the same level of performance from a $179 machine as they would from a $459 or $699 machine.

Lets pause there for a moment and take a look at the specifications:

NOKTA FINDX Spec:

• Operating Frequency 15kHz

• Search Modes Field, Park, Beach

• Waterproof coil up to 3.3ft (1m) – The Control Box is NOT Submersible for this model.

• Pinpoint – Yes

• Target ID 0-99

• Notch Discrimination – Yes

• Sensitivity Setting 5 Levels

• Volume 5 Levels

• Ground Balance Automatic

• Backlight – Yes

• Keypad Backlight – Yes

• Frequency Shift – Yes

• Iron Off – Yes

• Threshold (All Metal) – Yes

• Search Coil Waterproof DD Search Coil 28 cm / 11″ (SX28)

• Shaft Aluminum & Plastic

• Display Graphic Mono LCD

• Weight 2.6lbs (1.2kg)

• Length 25″- 52″ Adjustable

• Battery 2300mAh Lithium

• Battery Watt-Hour Rating 0.84 Wh

• Warranty 2 Years

NOKTA FINDX Pro Spec:

• Operating Frequency 15kHz

• Search Modes Field, Park, Beach, Jewelry (one extra mode over the FINDX)

• Fully submersible up to 16 ft/5 m.

• Pinpoint – Yes

• Target ID 0-99

• Notch Discrimination – Yes

• Sensitivity Setting 5 Levels

• Volume 5 Levels

• Ground Balance Automatic

• Backlight – Yes

• Keypad Backlight – Yes

• Frequency Shift – Yes

• Iron Off – Yes

• Threshold (All Metal) – Yes

• Search Coil Waterproof DD Search Coil 28 cm / 11″ (SX28)

• Shaft Aluminum & Plastic

• Display Graphic Mono LCD

• Weight 1.2kg (2.6lbs)

• Length 25″-52″ adjustable

• Battery 2300mAh Lithium

• Battery Watt-Hour Rating 0,84 W

• Warranty 2 Years

There are a few differences between the FINDX and the FINDX Pro models. The latter gets the extra Jewelry mode and can be fully submersed to a depth of 5 meters. The FINDX control box looks the same as the PRO but it is not submersible.

Both machines also come with wired headphones, a digging tool and a carry bag.

In terms of performance, both machines are not going to hit really deep targets. They will on average detect to a range of around 6" for most coins and a little more for a larger object. Both models also lose target ID at depth. That is you can still hear the targer but no numbers will be displayed on the screen.

Unusually it is the Beach Mode which is the deepest and most consistent in terms of the numbers displayed on the screen so I would recommend you leave it in that mode no matter where you are searching. Each mode has a preset discrimination pattern but you do have the ability to notch targets in and out.

Overall, taking into consideration build quality, features, supplied accessories and price it is hard not to recommend the FINDX to those just starting out in the hobby. I would probably spend a little extra for the PRO model though. At least if you drop that model in a rock pool it will live to detect another day.