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Nokta Makro Simplex Plus
The Nokta Makro Simplex plus is a mid to high range specification single frequency coin and treasure seeking metal detector that was launched after the Minelab Equinox 600 and 800.
Being launched after the Minelab Equinox range, it is obvious that Nokta did some homework and emulated aspects of the Equinox, at least the user interface on their LCD screen.
This can mainly be seen with the search modes which include Park 1 & 2, Field, Beach and All Metal. Their was a fundamental shift by Minelab from discrimination “patterns” to “Search Modes”.
Many manufacturers have now emulated this thought and incorporated it into their software. They do say that the best form of flattery is to copy! This doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing however!
So, what does the Nokta Makro Simplex + give you at a glance? It gives you very capable single frequency technology machine with some quite sophisticated software and an 11 inch DD coil.
You can read more about metal detector coil technology here.
It can confidently be used as a “switch on & go” machine with minimal fuss ground balancing functionality. The benefits of ground balancing is essential for the serious enthusiast.
Recovery speed is very fast giving remarkable target unmasking capabilities. If any of the terms I’ve used so far are alien, you can further read my article Best Metal Detector for Beginners.
You could also try its linked article Metal Detecting for Beginners – Where to start.
In addition to the features already mentioned, it has wireless technology already built in so any bluetooth headphones can be used. Wireless Headphone Packs (WHP’s) are available from Nokta as an extra.
I have a useful article on the pros and cons of using non specific wired and wireless metal detecting headphones here.
Nokta Makro Simplex +
The Nokta Simplex + is also fully waterproof up to 3m deep and is therefore fully protected from water, mud or dust ingress into it’s most sensitive and important inner workings.
It also benefits from an “Iron Volume” function which is a really useful thing. This allows you to hear the iron in the ground when hunting in All Metal but to turn volume of the iron very low.
This allows you to keep the non ferrous target detection volume high so good targets “pop” out. Hearing the iron in the background is a useful feature when determining good targets hidden amongst iron.
Many standard features are present like notch discrimination and “frequency shifting” which allows you detect close to another user and not suffer from electromagnetic interference.
I have a useful article on metal detector settings and what they do here. The Nokta Makro Simplex also benefits from in-built rechargeable batteries that are charged via a USB cable.
One great feature is that its software is updateable and is always being updated by Nokta following feedback from dedicated users and field testers.
Operating at a good mid range 12 KHz, not much should escape it within reason. Operating at 12 Khz places the Simplex + in a good “all round” frequency for depth and sensitivity.
Nokta Makro Simplex Manual
A great way to familiarise yourself with all of the Nokta Makro Simplex + features is to take a look through the user manual.
The Nokta Makro Simplex + user manual can be found here.
Nokta Makro Simplex Update
As mentioned, Nokta are always pushing for improvements in their products. The Nokta Makro Simplex + is no different. There have been several software improvements since its launch.
These updates include improvements to iron detection/rejection and target unmasking. The latest software update and accompanied video can be found here.
Nokta Makro Simplex Metal Detector
Where does the Nokta Makro Simplex + sit within its price bracket?
The Nokta Makro Simplex + is priced roughly at £299 for the detector and £399 for the detector and Wireless Headphone Pack (WHP).
Currently in the metal detector market, this is solid amount of cash to get you a very capable metal detector, which the Nokta Makro Simplex + is.
The main thing to consider at this point is where current technology is.
Also, at what price point can you get this latest technology for?
The Nokta Makro Simplex + in my opinion is one of the best single frequency metal detectors in its class.
It still however is a single frequency machine. Currently, multi frequency technology is the talk of the town.
After multi frequency technology being pioneered by Minelab, many manufacturers have now followed suit.
Nokta being one of them with their Nokta Makro Legend.
The benefits of multi frequency technology is too big for this article but I have another article that explains all about Multi Frequency technology here.
At £299 for the detector only, this plants it firmly into the mid range Minelab Vanquish 440 range which boasts using Minelab’s pioneered “Multi-IQ” multi frequency technology.
The Minelab Vanquish range starts with the 340, then moves upwards to the 440 and tops out with the 540. The Vanquish 440 can also be had for £299. (The 340 for even less although it still uses Multi-IQ!)
You can read a more in depth tear down on the Minelab Vanquish series in my article here.
The main boasts of the Simplex + over the Vanquish is the fact that it has an in built rechargeable battery pack and the Vanquish doesn’t.
This does mean that over time, if you purchase batteries, the cost has to be factored in. You could course use separate rechargeable batteries that would have to be removed to charge.
The other winner is that the Simplex + has in built wireless technology which the Vanquish 340 and 440 don’t have. This is not available until you get to the Vanquish 540 so you have to use wired headphones.
The Vanquish series do win over here however with their pioneering multi frequency technology over the single frequency Simplex +.
Nokta Makro Simplex + Final Thoughts
There is no dispute with me that the Nokta Makro Simplex + is a very capable machine which has demonstrated some extroadinary feats finding targets that many other machines wouldn’t have.
We have dedicated Simplex + users in my club that have found some fantastic items at great depths.
It has leading features which can also be found in machines of a much higher cost than the Simplex. Its price bracket also places it firmly between other similar single frequency machines.
These machines include the Garrett 300i and the Fisher F44 amongst others. The Simplex + beats these other single frequency machines hands down in my opinion also.
Find the lowest priced Nokta Makro Simplex + over on Amazon here.
It does unfortunately place it firmly at the mid range Minelab Vanquish 440 that uses multi frequency technology. This technology opens up a whole new world of finding previously undetectable targets.
It also makes beach detecting possible on salty wet sand which due to shortcomings in technology, single frequency machines have always struggled with.
If you have a sub £300 budget and you can cope with using wired headphones and removing batteries to charge them, the Minelab Vanquish with its multi frequency technology is the machine to go for!
Find the lowest priced powerful multi frequency Minelab Vanquish 440 over on Amazon here.
Unbeatable Multi Frequency!
You can now get the ultimate power of multi frequency technology over single frequency detectors with the Minelab Vanquish range of detectors.
The entry level Vanquish 340 now gives you ultimate depth, stability and sensitivity on all target types in every soil, including wet beach sand.