Minelab X-TERRA PRO vs Nokta Simplex

Minelab X-TERRA PRO vs Nokta Simplex

Keys Points

• The X-TERRA PRO will give more interesting detecting options (Pro-Switch - switchable frequency)
• The X-TERRA PRO has a waterproof rating of 5 metres instead of the Simplex’s 3 metres.
• The Simplex has been one of the best-selling machines in various countries and so has a great reputation. 
• The X-TERRA PRO has a more powerful battery.
• The X-TERRA PRO has greater target I’d range, providing more detail on the target. 
• The X-TERRA PRO has a 50% longer warranty.
• The X-TERRA PRO has a Larger search coil, which suggested increased depth. 

Price Comparison

The £300 price point is a sensible and generally affordable amount to invest in your first metal detector, or for the enthusiast to re-invest into expanding their equipment range. 

In 2019 both Nokta and Minelab released new detectors for this market of detectorist and became heavy competition for the pre-existing Garrett Ace series. Garrett’s Ace detectors had dominated in this area for quite some time, but the new technology and features within the Simplex and Vanquish machines generally replaced Garrett machines as choice in this price range for many people. 

We’re not going to spend a huge amount of time comparing the three Vanquish detectors and the new range of Simplex now (more on that in another blog) but instead want to see how the new X-TERRA PRO will change the marketplace for those looking to buy their first machine, or those looking for a specific detecting experience. 

As ever with our detector comparison blogs, there is no ‘right’ answer. What works for you, won’t work for everyone and there will be a range of reasons for everyone making their own choices. At Crawfords Metal Detectors hope to help you find the machine that’s right for you. If you’re short on time, skip to the end of the blog now to read the summary, and for those who want to know it all, please take 6-8 minutes to read through our assessment. 

Technical Specifications: Nokta Simplex vs Minelab X-TERRA PRO

How do the Physical Composition’s Differ?

Both detectors are similar in their basic construction and auxiliary features. Both have a collapsible stem which reduce to the same 63cm size. Both have vibrate and torch features and both have backlight. Both are waterproof, although ratings are slightly different (more on this later) and both detectors use good quality LCD screens. 

However, the detectors do look quite different. The Simplex is a little more dated in terms of styling and design than the X-TERRA PRO, which is to be expected with approximately 4 years between their release. The X-TERRA PRO almost looks like a hybrid of other Minelab detectors, borrowing elements of the shaft and coil design from the Vanquish range and the control box style from the Equinox detectors. It looks really modern, but one thing that may be either a clincher or a deal breaker for some is the colour. The X-TERRA PRO almost a military, camouflaged green colour which we like, but some might not. 

What's the Difference Between Metal Detector Coils?

The X-TERRA PRO comes with a search head which is 1” bigger than the Simplex. The Simplex comes as standard with the SP28 11” search coil and the X-TERRA PRO comes with the V12X 12" Double-D Elliptical coil. *side note – both come with a skid plate to keep your coil safe. 

Although it’s difficult to assess across different machines, larger coils typically provide a greater ability to see targets which lie deeper in the ground. For example, the Vanquish metal detector comes with 3 different coil options, V8 (8”), V10 (10”) and the V12 (12”) if you fitted the V12, you could find targets at a greater depth, whereas the V8 would see at a  shallower depth, but most likely in greater detail, as the same amount of energy flows through the coil regardless of which size you have fitted. Some detectorists love large coils to help them find the deepest of targets and some prefer smaller, for better target separation and to be more precise at the shallower depths. 

So, in this case it depends what you prefer, there will only be a small amount in it. 

Are the Detectors Waterproof ?

With the beaches and rivers being one of the key terrains for these machines waterproof  may be of more importance than we normally stress. At Crawfords Metal Detectors we sell a variety of detectors ranging from machines which only have a waterproof coil such as the Go Find and the high performance Vanquish range, to detectors specifically created for underwater detecting, such as the Excalibur II. Detectors like the Excalibur II are pressurised, and ideal for diving, and extreme underwater conditions (depth of 66 metres – 200ft). However, in the UK we find that due to our disappointing climate (let’s be honest, we do love the rain) and fairly cloudy waters that not many detectorists stray more than a few metres into the surf. 

The Simplex has a commendable waterproof rating of 3 metres (10ft) which has historically sometimes provided the persuasion for some detectorists to purchase over other models such as Vanquish, but the X-TERRA PRO has now raised the bar to 5 metres (16ft). 

How Long Do The Batteries Last?

It’s been hard to run a deadly accurate comparison as it’s hard to assure you’re testing both detectors to the same level, but power rating alone suggest an improved battery life in the X-TERRA PRO over the Simplex. The Simple uses an 2300mAh Lithium Polymer battery, and the X-TERRA PRO uses a 5100 mAh Internal Lithium-Ion. In terms of detecting time, the Nokta website does not suggest a detecting time for a fully charged battery, while Minelab suggest a detecting time of the X-TERRA PRO as 12-hours.

Understanding Target Id’s and Discrimination

Here’s a quick paragraph about target Id’s and discrimination – read on if you’ve been around the detecting block for a while. 

Target Id’s are the numbers that the detector applies to the various different targets it detects. Each detector has a range of numbers that it can use to convey the information about what it has found. A short range will be simpler, but less detailed, and the opposite will be found in a larger range, more complicated, yet more detailed. Discrimination is the ability for a detector to decipher the different materials underground, and for the user to decide on what it would like the detector to report on. For example, if you didn’t want to find ring pulls when detecting, you might find the frequencies (target Id’s) on your particular machine that often find this type of item and you would tell the detector to omit (discriminate) this signal and not tell you when it detects them. Then you go on your merry way and only dig the signals you want to! But it is how precisely the detector allows you to omit the signals which can be the key to customising your detecting experience. 

The Simplex is once again commendable in its degree of target Id’s, offering 0-99 options for target identification. However, once again the X-TERRA PRO has more to offer here. The new generation of Minelab Equinox models (Equinox 700 and Equinox 900) were released in 2023 and provided a new extended target Id range from -19-99 and this technology seems to have been integrated into the X-TERRA PRO. This is amazing as it provides a level of detail on the target for the user that you wouldn’t see anywhere in this price range. The X-TERRA PRO has 30 discrimination segments, each one of which can be used to omit 4 of the target Id numbers, whereas the Simplex has fewer. 

What are the Search Modes on These Detectors?

The Simplex has the following search modes; All metal, Field, Beach, Park 1 and Park 2.

While the X-TERRA PRO has; All metal, Field 1 and 2, Beach 1 and 2, Park 1 and Park 2. So slightly more pre-set options on the X-TERRA PRO.

Comparing Headphones

The Simplex comes in some slightly confusing packages. The Simplex+ is the standard package and this comes with standard, wired headphones. Alternatively, you can purchase the Simplex+ WHP (with headphones) and this means the machine comes with a wireless headphone option. The X-TERRA PRO comes with NO HEADPHONES AS STANDARD, however, there are many options available such as the Loxley Rx3 for instance (£24.99), and your dealer may even throw a set in for you. In either case, in the standard case, either detector doesn’t come as standard with the headphones necessary to enjoy each machine to its fullest (wireless or waterproof) but we assume that this is to save money on the basic package for those who don’t want those features. On another note, please remember if using your own ‘wired’ headphones the detector will not be waterproof, as it requires headphones with the correct fitting to ensure the control box is sealed, and typical ¼” headphone connections will not provide the appropriate seal. 

Warranty

Minelab offer their 3-year warranty on the X-TERRA PRO, which covers the control box and coil, whereas, Simplex only offer 2 years. We generally find both of these brands to be reliable and hope that you shouldn’t need any repairs within this time, but it’s worth noting. 

Summary

The Simplex has served as the 1st waterproof detector which delivered good performance in its price range. In some ways it monopolised those that wanted the security and flexibility of being able to detect in the shallows, surf, or be able to drop the machine in puddles with less fear of breakage, but now is it being now, ‘out-classed’ by a next-generation model?

The X-TERRA PRO is a cutting-edge metal detector at an unbelievably low price. It borrows features from it’s higher-spec Minelab relatives. Minelab have once again flexed their technical prowess and delivered an affordable, high-performance machine. The X-TERRA PRO wins on waterproof rating, frequency option, target id’s, warranty, looks, coil size, and search modes. 

In our opinion, the Simplex is yesterday’s waterproof detector, but the X-TERRA PRO is the waterproof detector of today, and for the foreseeable future.