Nokta Makro Simplex+ Review

This is the ultimate Nokta Makro Simplex review.

Nokta, a research company, established in Istanbul, Turkey, in 2001, bought a metal detector manufacturing company, Makro, in 2014. The two companies, having merged, pride themselves in highly focused research on the development of upgraded technology and infrastructure; and the much-anticipated Simplex+ metal detector has not failed to impress this fact on our minds.

It’s been four years since the release of the Nokta Makro Simplex+ metal detector. Having used the device before writing this review, there was no reservation as to why it took over the metal detecting market.

The Best Metal Detector?

We’re on a mission to review all the top metal detectors out there. Besides researching and testing the metal detectors, we also take into account feedback from other users online.

Although the Macro Simplex Plus didn’t make the top of our list, it’s still a good beginner’s choice.

While I dive deep into the detector’s skill-set in the review, with emphasis on its features and performance, I will strive to answer two questions that may bug your mind as you read through: is the Simplex Plus metal detector appropriate for my skill level? What makes the Simplex+ metal detector perfect for my hobby?

One may wonder, what’s the fuss about this metal detector? What’s (or are, better still) responsible for the much praises. In this Nokta Makro Simplex+ review, let’s delve into the details that make this metal detector a top choice amongst many.

Nokta Makro Simplex+ Features and Benefits

Weight

Let’s begin with the basics. At 2.87 lbs., you’re not likely to experience overbearing fatigue using the detector. The detector’s weight is perhaps the perfect definition of lightweight, allowing you to hunt as long as you wish without the fear of tiresome drudgery.

Battery

Simplex Plus has a dual functioning charging port on the back of the control box, serving as the charging port and the port for connecting the device to a computer for an online software upgrade of the detector’s operating system.

An innovatory feature of the detector is the possibility of charging the battery with a power bank and a charging cable (that is unique to the detector). Now, it’s highly probable that you may necessarily not need this feature, considering the detector’s 12-hour battery run time.

Nevertheless, it’s nice to know you don’t have to worry too much about running low on battery when you’re on the field.

It’s noteworthy that the Simplex+ battery can only be replaced by Nokta Makro. Also, the charging connection method is somewhat arduous than the simpler methods other brands offer, including the plug-in and magnetic charging connections.

Underwater Use

Nokta Makro’s research strength has paid off on this particular feature in what we see as the complete waterproof ability of the Simplex Plus metal detector. The research was focused on drowning out the lapses of underwater use provided by other brands. Hence, Simplex+ is designed to function fitly despite the environmental condition. Whether in bright sunlight or underwater, or on land, you can maintain a high-level success in your hunting.

When hunting underwater, the available feature of an LCD screen (which has a backlight) helps with better visibility. Also, your hunting is made easier underwater with the vibration feature when the detector picks up on metal.

Even in the dark, you can take advantage of its LED flashlight for your treasure hunt.

Search Modes

At this level of metal detecting, it’s unlikely to find a detector that doesn’t feature multiple search modes you can select from when treasure hunting, and the Simplex+ is not an exception. The device features four major search modes, which are:

➜ All-Metal Mode

This mode provides a single tone detection of all types of metal, but with the display of a corresponding Target VDI number to soothe the difficulty of a single tone usage. Its advantage is in the depth detection, deeper than other modes. In a normal soil pH, the device, at All-Metal mode, could pick up the signal as deep as 10-12 inches.

➜ Field Mode

The field mode offers a 2-tone separation – low and high tone for detecting ferrous and non-ferrous items, respectively. This mode seems to be the mode that balances out the other modes as it offers great depth and a fine discriminating feature between target types.

➜ Beach Mode

The title has already given its information away, but for emphasis, the beach mode is specifically designed for use in saltwater and soils with differing mineralized conditions. The beach mode is unique for the purpose because it features an automatic ability to ground-balance and notch-out iron targets.

➜ Park Mode (Park 1 and Park 2)

Here, you enjoy 3-tone discrimination, which makes it especially suitable for hunting in trashy areas, more so because of its faster recovery speed, even though it’s just a bit faster. However, compared to the Field Mode, the Park Mode seems to sacrifice some depth to pick out treasure in clustered areas.

The Park Mode’s 3-tone discrimination features low, mid, and high tones for ferrous, non-ferrous, gold, silver, and copper, respectively.

The difference between Park 1 and Park 2 is that 2 is faster.

Frequency

The Simplex Plus is a Very Low Frequency (VLF) metal detector with a single operating frequency of 12 kHz. Let’s consider the frequency of other great detectors on the market to help us understand how the Simplex+ is fine for maintaining a significant depth even while discriminating between a wide range of targets – ferrous and non-ferrous alike.

The Garrett ACE series features a low frequency of 6-8 kHz, and the Garrett AT Max, Garrett AT Pro, and White’s MX Sport feature a high 13-15 kHz operating frequency. The Simplex+ is like an average of both classes.

Notch Discrimination

Metal detecting covers a wide range of metals, ranging from coins to relics, etc. However, there are times a detectorist’s desire is for a particular type of metal and would love to be able to narrow down his search.

The notch discrimination feature helps to cancel out signals from unwanted items. It does this by working alongside the Target ID scale, which can accept or reject up to 20 notch segments.

As you must have suspected, you can’t use the notch discrimination when you’re hunting in the All-Metal mode.

Iron Volume

Like I earlier opined, metal detecting covers a wide range of metals, iron inclusive. But it’s rare for any detectorist to go hunting for iron; so, this feature becomes helpful in discriminating iron targets from detection.

Now, usually, if you would drown out iron signals, you must be willing to sacrifice depth, but we are way past the usual. With the Iron Audio feature, you don’t have to compromise on depth detection to shut out iron metals from detection.

You can either reduce the volume of signals from iron detection or zero it. Iron volume, however, cannot be used in All-Metal and Beach modes.

Target ID

Imagine while going about your hobby, and you have to bend every time to check out what metal your device has detected, only for you to realize it’s a waste of an item.

To prevent the stress of digging up every detected metal, this 2-digit numerical system – Target ID Scale – provides the most probable value of the item’s conductivity so that you can accurately guess the type of metal you have just detected without necessarily digging it out.

You must try out this feature with a couple of trials to get familiar with the detector’s response to different items using its 0-99 ID scale.

You should also note that, in some cases, the displayed value may be higher than the actual conductivity of the detected item. This anomaly occurs due to factors such as metal purity, depth, ground mineralization, orientation, to name a few.

Nokta Makro Simplex+ Design and Appearance

The Nokta Makro Simplex+ metal detector is designed for all user levels – entry, intermediate, or what a view. The device, as you’d observe when you handle it, has a solid construction.

Some metal detector brands designed their product to feature an S-shaped shaft, but the straight shaft is rather preferred by the Simplex+ manufacturers.

One may understand the concern of this preferred shape, but a good job was done in keeping the shaft solidly in place as it is composed of rectangular, rigid, and sturdy shaft tubing in addition to the two locking levers for the telescoping shaft.

The shaft is adjustable to as short as 25 inches; this allows the detectorist to experience easy handling for underwater detecting or when he has to travel with the detector.

In case of moving the device over a distance, it fits sideways in the trunk of a vehicle with an average trunk size. This makes it suitable if you’d like to go on hunting trips or hunting on your trip.

The Simplex Plus features a rubber-treated handle, which is neither too soft nor too rough, making its use comfortable. In addition to this is a standard armrest, which you can adjust to suit your convenience; unscrewing the three screws that attach the armrest allows you to make suitable adjustments.

The armrest is constructed in such a way that the lower part is harder, and the upper one is softer to prevent cracking even when you press too hard on it.

Another feature you should readily see on the detector is its flashlight on the other side of the armrest. You should also be able to pinpoint two outlets that can be used for charging the detector.

One of the outlets, although, is to connect with the coil, and the other is well fitted for connection with wired headphones because it has a leak-proof cover.

Nokta Makro Simplex+ Performance

As we have tried to prove so far, the Simplex+ metal detector features some amazing technology useful to the detectorists.

If you begin with its operating system, the value of 12 kHz falls within the range suitable for detecting diverse types of items.

To improve your experience with this, the manufacturer included a frequency shift feature that allows you to dial the frequency up or down (just a little bit) to make up for electromagnetic interference or prevent disturbance from other metal detectors working at the same frequency in the area.

Users have praised the Simplex+ for its complete waterproof feature, making both the control box and the headphones submersible up to 10 feet. That’s amazing!

As you will find in its specification, you can perform sensitivity adjustment on the Simplex+ metal detector. You will also find its auto and manual ground balance useful, especially when hunting in soils with difficult mineralization. The device can perform mode shifts to suit your choice of metal detecting.

Nokta Makro Simplex+ Pros and Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Just like any other hobby, you are faced with hurdles that may push you to either relenting when a solution is not forthcoming or enjoying the fun that comes with prevailing such hurdles.

Over the years, certain issues have rattled the world of metal detecting. The major issues include underwater detecting, differing soil mineralization, and choice of metal detecting.

Trying to hunt in water without using the right detector is frustrating. No detectorist wants to be restricted to a certain type of detecting, knowing too well that water detecting generally has a huge turnout of treasures.

Some brands of metal detectors have tried to solve the problem of underwater detecting. Still, none has since accomplished a complete waterproof ability of the Nokta Makro Simplex+.

Detecting underwater has never been this enjoyable. Much more interesting is that you don’t need to compromise on depth because of this feature. You can also take advantage of its screen backlight to get the best view when detecting underwater.

Soil conductivity different from the normal pH causes chattering or interference, which affects the accuracy of your detecting; the auto and manual ground balance feature solves this challenge for the detectorist.

There are days you have a type of metal you’re looking out for; why go through the stress of digging up every metal a random detector signals to you when you can take advantage of the Simplex+ search modes, iron volume, and Target ID to enjoy hassle-free hunting.

There’s no gainsaying as to why the Nokta Makro Simplex+ has since taken over the market of metal detecting. You should purchase one for a try-out; you only need a small budget to get yourself one, after all.

Check out the Nokta Makro Simplex+ by clicking the links below.

Nokta Makro Simplex+ Alternatives

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