Garrett ACE Apex Metal Detector Review: The Multi-Frequency Powerhouse We Put to the Test

There’s a moment every metal detecting enthusiast faces. You’ve spent hours swinging your detector, digging countless holes only to unearth rusty nails, bottle caps, and the ubiquitous pull-tab. The excitement of a promising signal fades into the familiar sigh of disappointment. We’ve been there. I recall one particularly frustrating hunt in an old park, a spot rumored to hold silver coins. My single-frequency detector screamed at every piece of iron trash, masking any potentially valuable targets. It felt less like a treasure hunt and more like a cleanup project. This experience highlights a critical challenge: separating valuable finds from metallic junk in difficult ground. Without the right technology, you’re not just wasting time and energy; you’re likely walking right over the very treasures you set out to find, leaving them buried for someone else.

What to Consider Before Buying a Multi-Frequency Metal Detector

A metal detector is more than just a tool; it’s a key solution for unlocking history hidden just beneath our feet. For hobbyists, archaeologists, and property owners, it’s a bridge to the past. The main benefit of a modern detector, especially a multi-frequency model like the Garrett ACE Apex Metal Detector, is its incredible ability to adapt. By transmitting and analyzing multiple frequencies simultaneously, it paints a far more accurate picture of a buried object’s size, shape, and conductivity. This dramatically improves target identification, allowing you to intelligently decide whether to dig or move on, saving your back and increasing your “good finds” ratio. It also empowers you to hunt effectively in challenging environments like wet salt sand or highly mineralized soil, areas where basic detectors often struggle with false signals.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the limitations of an entry-level machine and is ready to take their hobby to the next level. They understand the basics but are frustrated by iron-infested sites or want the versatility to hunt anywhere from a farm field to a beach. It’s also a perfect starting point for a serious beginner who prefers to invest in a future-proof machine they can grow into, rather than buying a cheap detector they’ll quickly outgrow. Conversely, this technology might not be suitable for those who only need a detector for a single, simple task, like finding a lost property stake or a ring in the backyard. For such a user, a basic, less expensive model would suffice. The investment in multi-frequency technology is for the enthusiast who hunts regularly and demands performance across diverse conditions.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Weight: Metal detecting involves swinging the machine for hours. A detector’s weight and balance are paramount to avoid fatigue. The Garrett ACE Apex Metal Detector is praised for its lightweight design at just 2.5 lbs (1.13 kgs). An ergonomic grip and adjustable shaft are also critical to ensure it fits your body, making for a comfortable and productive day in the field.
• Capacity/Performance: This is where technology matters most. Look for key performance features like multiple operating frequencies (the Apex offers 5, 10, 15, and 20 kHz, plus multi-frequency and multi-salt modes), a quality search coil (the 6″ x 11″ DD Viper coil is designed for both good coverage and excellent target separation), and advanced settings like Iron Volume and Ground Balance to tune the machine to your specific site.
• Materials & Durability: Your detector will be exposed to dirt, moisture, and bumps. Look for robust construction from quality materials. The Garrett ACE Apex Metal Detector has an International Protection Rating of IP54, which means its control box is resistant to dust and water splashes from any direction. While the coil is fully waterproof, the control box is not submersible—an important distinction for those who plan to hunt in deeper water.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Advanced features are useless if they are buried in confusing menus. A clear, backlit LCD display, intuitive button layout, and easy-to-understand audio tones are essential. The inclusion of a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery simplifies power management, eliminating the need for disposable batteries. Long-term care is minimal: simply wipe it down after use and keep the battery charged.

Understanding these factors will help you choose a detector that not only meets your current needs but also supports your growth in this fascinating hobby.

While the Garrett ACE Apex Metal Detector is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

Unboxing the Garrett ACE Apex: First Impressions and Core Features

Opening the box for the Garrett ACE Apex Metal Detector, we were immediately struck by its modern, sleek design—a significant evolution from the classic yellow-and-black aesthetic of its predecessors. Assembly was a breeze, requiring no tools and taking less than five minutes. The components clicked together with a satisfying firmness, conveying a sense of quality manufacturing. In hand, its lightness is the first thing you notice. At just 2.5 pounds, it feels incredibly well-balanced, promising long, comfortable hunts without the arm fatigue that plagues users of heavier machines.

Powering it on, the large backlit LCD screen comes to life with crisp, clear information. The button layout is intuitive, especially for anyone familiar with the Garrett family of detectors. It felt like a natural step up, as one user who upgraded from an AT Pro confirmed, noting there was “not much of a learning curve.” The core of this machine is its Multi-Flex technology, offering selectable single frequencies and two powerful multi-frequency modes. This, combined with Garrett’s exclusive Z-Lynk low-latency wireless audio technology and a built-in rechargeable battery, positions the Apex not just as an upgrade, but as a serious contender in the competitive mid-range detector market. It’s clear from the start that Garrett aimed to pack premium features into an accessible and user-friendly package.

Putting the Garrett ACE Apex to the Test: A Deep Dive into Field Performance

A metal detector’s true worth is only revealed in the dirt. On paper, the specs are impressive, but we wanted to see how that technology translated into real-world finds. We took the Garrett ACE Apex Metal Detector to a variety of challenging locations—an iron-littered 19th-century farmstead, a mineralized patch of woods, and a popular freshwater beach—to push its capabilities to the limit. Over several weeks of intensive testing, we analyzed every key aspect of its performance, from its groundbreaking frequency options to its real-world ergonomics.

The Multi-Flex Advantage: True All-Terrain Capability

The star of the show is undoubtedly Garrett’s Multi-Flex technology. This isn’t just marketing jargon; it’s a fundamental shift in how the detector sees the ground. We started at the old farmstead, a site notorious for “masking,” where valuable targets are hidden by the overwhelming signal of nearby iron trash. Using a traditional single-frequency detector here is an exercise in futility. We switched the Garrett ACE Apex Metal Detector to its true Multi-Frequency (MF) mode. The difference was immediate. The machine became remarkably stable, and the audio was much cleaner. By scanning with a broad spectrum of frequencies at once, the Apex’s processor gathers more data, allowing it to more accurately differentiate a round coin from a jagged piece of iron. Within the first hour, we pulled a 1942 Mercury dime from about 7 inches down, nestled right between two rusty nails—a target our single-frequency machine had completely missed.

We then experimented with the single-frequency options. Switching to 20 kHz, we focused on a patch where we suspected smaller, lower-conductivity targets might be. This higher frequency is more sensitive to small items, and it paid off with the recovery of a small brass button and a tiny piece of decorated metal that other detectors might have ignored. Later, in a cleaner section of the field, we switched to 5 kHz to hunt for deeper, high-conductivity targets like silver. While we didn’t find any deep silver that day, the machine felt powerful and punched deep, giving confident signals on targets well past 10 inches. The dedicated Multi-Salt mode for beaches is another game-changer, allowing the machine to handle the conductive wet sand that sends many detectors into a frenzy of false signals. The ability to tailor the machine’s frequency to the specific target and ground condition is a professional-level feature that gives the user a tremendous advantage, a versatility that is truly hard to overstate. It’s a feature that really sets it apart in its price class.

Target Separation and Recovery Speed with the Viper Coil

A powerful brain is useless without a sensitive eye, and in this analogy, the 6″ x 11″ DD Multi-Flex Viper Search Coil is the eye. The “DD” configuration creates a thin, blade-like electromagnetic field, a stark contrast to the cone-shaped field of a concentric coil. This shape is the key to its incredible target separation. In the iron-infested farmstead, this was critical. We could slowly sweep the coil over a cluster of signals and hear the distinct tones of individual targets. The detector’s fast recovery speed meant that as we passed over a good target right next to a bad one, the machine had time to process both and report them separately, rather than blending them into one confusing “junk” signal.

To really test this, we created our own “nail board test” by burying a silver quarter and surrounding it with iron nails at various distances. The Garrett ACE Apex Metal Detector was able to clearly identify the coin even when nails were just a couple of inches away. This performance is echoed by a user who reported finding an astonishing 493 coins, a silver ring, and a musket ball over a two-day hunt. Such a haul is only possible with a machine that can effectively pick out the good from the bad in target-rich environments. The Iron Audio feature further enhances this; we could set the iron volume low, so it was just a faint background grunt, allowing the clear, high tones of coins and jewelry to pop through. It’s a symphony of technology working together to make finding treasure easier and more efficient. The confidence you gain from knowing your machine isn’t being fooled is invaluable, and it lets you dig with much greater certainty.

Ergonomics, Audio, and User Experience in the Field

Beyond the core technology, a detector must be a pleasure to use, and Garrett has nailed the user experience. The 2.5 lb weight is a revelation. We spent a full six-hour day hunting, and at the end, there was none of the shoulder or arm strain we’ve experienced with heavier units. The adjustable shaft and comfortable grip make it feel like a natural extension of your arm. One of the biggest quality-of-life improvements is the integrated Z-Lynk Wireless Technology. Pairing it with Garrett’s MS-3 wireless headphones was instant and flawless. The freedom from a headphone cable cannot be overstated—no more snagging on branches or getting tangled when you kneel to dig. More importantly, Z-Lynk is six times faster than standard Bluetooth, meaning there is zero perceptible audio lag. The sound you hear is perfectly synchronized with the coil passing over the target, which is absolutely critical for accurate pinpointing.

The user interface is another high point. For beginners, the six pre-set search modes (including a dedicated US coins mode) make it a “turn on and go” machine. As one new user noted, “I am new to metal detecting, and I feel like this one was very easy to learn.” Yet, for experts, there are deep customization options like 8 levels of iron discrimination and that fantastic Iron Volume control. The rechargeable battery consistently gave us between 14 and 15 hours of use on a single charge, more than enough for a full weekend of detecting. While you can’t swap it in the field, a simple USB connection means you can easily top it off in the car or with a portable power bank. From the large, easy-to-read Target ID numbers to the five distinct audio tones, every aspect of the Garrett ACE Apex Metal Detector feels thoughtfully designed for the hunter.

What Other Users Are Saying

Our positive experience in the field is strongly corroborated by feedback from other detectorists. The consensus is overwhelmingly favorable, highlighting the machine’s performance and value. One particularly compelling account comes from an experienced user of the Garrett AT Pro, who bought the Apex as a backup. In just his first two outings, he unearthed a staggering haul of 493 coins, a silver ring, a musket ball, and several knives. This speaks volumes about the detector’s effectiveness right out of the box, especially in the hands of someone who knows what to listen for.

For the other end of the spectrum, a complete beginner found the Garrett ACE Apex Metal Detector to be the perfect entry point. They wanted a quality machine without breaking the bank and found it “very easy to learn.” Their first significant find—their dog’s tag from 20 years prior, buried 5 inches deep—is a perfect example of the rewarding experiences this hobby provides. Another user simply praised its impressive depth and the convenience of its rechargeable battery. On the other side, feedback is minimal and less specific. One user noted it arrived without a charge, which is a minor inconvenience and a good reminder to fully charge the unit before your first hunt. Another left a vague negative comment without details, which is difficult to weigh against the mountain of specific, positive results shared by others.

How the Garrett ACE Apex Stacks Up: A Look at the Competition

No product exists in a vacuum. While the Garrett ACE Apex Metal Detector is a formidable machine, it’s important to see how it compares to other options on the market. We’ve selected three alternatives that represent different segments to help you make the most informed decision.

1. PalliPartners Metal Detector Waterproof 12″ Coil

The PalliPartners detector represents the entry-level, budget-friendly segment of the market. Its primary appeal is its low price point and large 12″ search coil, which suggests good ground coverage. For a beginner who is completely unsure if they will stick with the hobby, this could be a viable starting point to get a feel for detecting. However, it operates on a single frequency and lacks the advanced processing and Multi-Flex technology of the Apex. This means it will struggle significantly more in mineralized soil or trashy areas, leading to more frustration and digging of junk. While the Apex is an investment in performance, the PalliPartners is an accessible entry ticket to the hobby, albeit with significant technological limitations.

2. Gbnryg Metal Detector 12″ Waterproof Gold Detector

Similar to the PalliPartners model, the Gbnryg detector is another budget-conscious option aimed at beginners. It also features a large, IP68 waterproof coil and multiple pre-set modes, making it seem feature-rich for its price. It markets itself as a “gold detector,” but it’s important to understand that it is still a single-frequency VLF machine. It cannot compete with the Apex’s specialized high-frequency (20 kHz) or multi-frequency modes, which are genuinely superior for finding small, low-conductivity targets like gold nuggets or fine jewelry. Someone might choose this if their budget is the absolute primary concern, but they would be sacrificing the adaptability, target separation, and overall intelligence that makes the Garrett ACE Apex Metal Detector such a powerful tool in varied conditions.

3. MINELAB PRO-FIND 35 Waterproof Pinpointer Metal Detector

This is a critical comparison because the Minelab PRO-FIND 35 is not a direct competitor; it’s a companion tool. A pinpointer is a small, handheld detector used to precisely locate a target inside the hole or plug of dirt you’ve already dug with your main detector. It is an essential piece of equipment for any serious detectorist. Instead of blindly digging and potentially scratching a valuable coin, you use the pinpointer to zero in on the find quickly. The PRO-FIND 35 is a top-tier model, fully waterproof and featuring Tone ID to help differentiate ferrous junk from a good target. A user might buy this *in addition* to the Apex, not instead of it. In fact, the beginner reviewer for the Apex mentioned their very next purchase would be a Garrett pinpointer, highlighting how essential these tools become once you start finding targets.

The Final Verdict: Is the Garrett ACE Apex Metal Detector the Right Choice For You?

After extensive field testing and analysis, our conclusion is clear: the Garrett ACE Apex Metal Detector is a phenomenal piece of equipment that delivers performance far above its price point. Its Multi-Flex technology is a true game-changer, providing the versatility to hunt effectively in virtually any ground condition, from trashy parks to saltwater beaches. When you combine this powerful core with its featherlight ergonomic design, zero-lag Z-Lynk wireless audio, and intuitive user interface, you get a machine that is both a joy to use and incredibly effective at finding treasure. Its only notable limitation is that the control box is weather-resistant rather than fully submersible, making it unsuitable for underwater detecting.

We wholeheartedly recommend the Garrett ACE Apex Metal Detector to two main groups: the serious beginner who wants a detector they can grow with for years to come, and the intermediate hobbyist looking to upgrade from a single-frequency machine to gain a serious competitive advantage. It packs in features once reserved for elite, expensive detectors into an accessible, user-friendly package. If you’re ready to stop digging trash and start unearthing history, this is the tool that will help you do it. To explore its features further and check the latest price and availability, we highly recommend taking a closer look.