Garrett Axiom Lite Metal Detector

Garrett Axiom Lite Overview

The Garrett Axiom Lite (Garrett PN 1142710) is the Axiom pulse induction detector in a smaller package. It ships with the 11 x 7 inch mono coil, an 11 inch coil cover, a soft carry case and a wall charger with international adapters. The detector is the full Axiom: Ultra-Pulse pulse timings, Terra-Scan automatic dual-channel ground balance with four Ground Track settings, four search modes, Iron Check with a DD-FC coil, both audio types, Z-Lynk wireless built in and the built-in lithium-ion battery rated up to 16 hours per charge. It weighs 4.2 lb (1.9 kg) with the coil and cover, collapses to 25 inch (63.5 cm) for travel and is backed by Garrett's 3-year warranty. The coil and stem are waterproof; Garrett's manual calls the control box rainproof, so keep the control box and connectors out of the water.

Axiom Lite vs. Axiom: Which Should You Buy?

Performance is identical, because the Lite and the Axiom MS-3 package are the same detector. The Axiom MS-3 package adds a second coil (13 x 11 inch DD-FC), MS-3 wireless headphones, the external AA Power Pack and a 12V charging cable to what the Lite box holds. We recommend the Lite if you already own headphones, want to choose your second coil for your own ground, or charge every night. We recommend the full Axiom package if you know you want Iron Check from the first day out, which needs a DD-FC coil, and would rather have the headphones and AA power in the same box.

Axiom Lite, Best For:

• Detectorists moving from a VLF to pulse induction for mineralized goldfields
• Prospectors who already own Z-Lynk or wired headphones
• Hunters who want to pick the second coil size and type for their own ground

Axiom MS-3 Package, Best For:

• Prospectors who want a mono and a DD-FC coil in one box
• Long trips away from a charger, with the AA Power Pack in the box
• Hunters who want MS-3 wireless headphones from day one

Coils That Fit the Axiom Lite

Every Axiom coil fits the Axiom Lite. Garrett makes six: 11 x 7 inch, 13 x 11 inch and 16 x 14 inch, each as a mono and as a DD-FC (Focused Core DD).

• Mono coils are single-winding coils. The 11 x 7 inch mono is the coil in the Lite box and the small-gold coil of the range. The 13 x 11 inch mono is the mid-size all-purpose coil, and the 16 x 14 inch mono covers open ground faster. Iron Check does not work with a mono coil.
• DD-FC coils are the ones to add if your ground has nails, bullets and tin, because Iron Check works only with a DD coil. They come in the same three sizes: 11 x 7 inch DD-FC, 13 x 11 inch DD-FC and 16 x 14 inch DD-FC.

Our recommendation: keep the 11 x 7 inch mono on the machine for small gold, bedrock cracks and boulder edges. Add the 11 x 7 inch DD-FC if you work tailings, old camps or any site with iron trash. Add a 13 x 11 inch or 16 x 14 inch coil when you are covering open ground or rechecking a wash you have already worked with the small coil. A spare 11 x 7 inch coil cover is in this collection too.

Headphones, Audio and Power

Z-Lynk wireless is built into the control box, so Garrett's MS-3 and CS-3 Z-Lynk headphones pair directly. The MS-3 kit with the WT-1 transmitter is meant for detectors without built-in Z-Lynk, so the Lite does not need the transmitter. Wired headphones with a 1/4 inch plug connect to the jack on the control box. Two audio types are built in: PWM with a fixed pitch, and VCO, the default, where the pitch rises with signal strength. For longer trips, the Garrett Axiom Power Pack holds 8 AA batteries, alkaline or NiMH. It adds about 6 to 8 hours of operation on top of the built-in battery. If you charge every night, the built-in battery covers a full day.

Where the Axiom Lite Works Best and Its Limits

The Axiom Lite fits mineralized goldfields, hot rocks, black sand and salty ground, where Garrett's Salt mode applies. Fine mode is the one Garrett's manual gives for the most detection of small, low-conductivity targets, and Large keeps strong detection of large targets while reducing small and medium ones. It is a prospecting detector, not a park or coin machine, and pulse induction gives no numeric target ID scale, so iron identification comes from Iron Check on a DD-FC coil. If your ground is only mildly mineralized and most of your gold is small, a high-frequency VLF from our gold detectors collection can be enough, and our gold detector guide explains where each technology fits.

Terms Worth Knowing

• Pulse induction (PI): a detector technology that handles heavy ground mineralization, black sand and salt better than most VLF machines.
• Mono coil: a single-winding coil. The coil in the Lite box. No Iron Check.
• DD-FC coil: the double-winding Focused Core coil for the Axiom. Enables Iron Check.
• Terra-Scan: the Axiom's automatic, dual-channel ground balance system.
• Z-Lynk: Garrett's wireless audio link, built into the Axiom control box.

Axiom Series Comparison

Both Axiom packages share the detector, so every performance row matches. The rows that differ are what ships in the box.

For first settings and coil choices, read our Garrett Axiom gold detector setup guide.

Why Buy the Garrett Axiom Lite from Serious Detecting?

• Free Shipping on Orders Over $99: Your Garrett Axiom Lite ships at no extra cost across the continental US.
• Authorized Garrett Dealer: Showroom in Ypsilanti, Michigan, full 3-year manufacturer warranty and product registration support.
• Help Before and After You Buy: Our staff answer setup, coil and Axiom questions by phone or email.