Garrett Vortex VX9 Metal Detector Overview
The Garrett Vortex VX9 is the top model of the Vortex Series, which Garrett calls the professional Vortex model. It runs Garrett's MD-MF (Multi-Detect Multi-Frequency) platform with seven frequency settings: 5, 9, 13, 18 and 25 kHz single frequencies plus Multi-Frequency and Multi-Salt. Seven search modes (Zero, Standard, USA Coins, Thin Coins, Beach, Custom and Fast) plus Pinpoint sit on top, and targets read on a 3-tier Target ID display next to the 0 to 99 Target ID. You get 3 recovery speeds, a choice of 2, 3 or 5 tones, 8 sensitivity settings, Iron Volume 1 to 8, and an adjustable Bottlecap Reject and Iron Boundary in Multi-Frequency (6 settings each, from 0 to 5). The detector is fully waterproof to 16 ft (5 m) and collapses for transport. It weighs 3 lb (1.38 kg) with the 11 inch DD coil (8.5 x 11 inch) in the box. Z-Lynk wireless is built in, charging is over USB-C, Garrett offers free firmware updates for the Vortex Series, and the warranty is 3 years, limited parts and labor.
Vortex VX9 vs. Vortex VX7: Which Should You Buy?
Both detectors have Multi-Salt, Beach mode, the same coil, weight, 16 ft rating and Z-Lynk wireless, and Garrett rates both for more sensitivity and depth than the VX5. What the VX9 adds is control: 9, 18 and 25 kHz on top of 5 and 13 kHz, the Thin Coins and Fast search modes, a third Target ID tier for flat or tricky ferrous items such as bottlecaps, a third recovery speed, a 2-tone setting, and more Bottlecap Reject and Iron Boundary settings (6 each, from 0 to 5, instead of 4).
The VX7 covers beach, park and field hunting for less money, and Garrett's FAQ calls it practical and approachable for hunters moving beyond entry level. We recommend the VX9 if you hunt competitions, worked-out parks or sites with thin hammered and small gold coins, or if you want one detector you will not outgrow; Garrett's own FAQ says the VX9 is not too advanced for newer hunters, because you can start in the simple modes and use the extra control as you learn.
Vortex VX9, Best For:
- Thin hammered coins, small gold coins and small Roman coins, using Thin Coins mode
- Competition hunts and high-trash sites, using Fast mode and the third recovery speed
- Hunters who want seven frequency settings and the most detailed Vortex Target ID
Vortex VX7, Best For:
- Beach and park hunters who want Multi-Salt and Beach mode without the full VX9 menu
- Hunters who are happy with 2 recovery speeds and fewer bottlecap and iron settings
- Detectorists moving up from an entry detector
VX9 Modes and Settings That Matter in the Field
Thin Coins and Fast are the two modes only the VX9 has. Garrett built Thin Coins for gold coins, small Roman coins and thin hammered coins: it boosts the audio on those and reduces it on common ferrous and highly conductive targets. Fast gives a quicker response with reduced audio on common ferrous targets, and Garrett intends it for competition hunts and high-trash areas. Beach mode defaults to Multi-Salt, and the other modes start in Multi-Frequency.
The 3-tier Target ID adds a top tier for flat or tricky ferrous items such as bottlecaps, above the non-ferrous tier and the common ferrous tier, and the display can show more than one cursor when a complex or adjacent target sits under the coil. In our experience the higher single frequencies (18 and 25 kHz) are the ones to try on small, thin gold jewelry, while 5 kHz suits large silver in clean ground; on mixed sites we stay in Multi-Frequency, because Bottlecap Reject and Iron Boundary only work there. With 6 settings each, those two controls let the VX9 sort tricky bottlecaps and chunky iron in finer steps than the VX7. Recovery speed 1 to 3 starts at 1 from the factory; we raise it in dense trash and drop it back on open ground.
Firmware updates use Garrett's free updater app for Windows or Mac, the Vortex USB-C cable and a battery charged to at least two bars.
Where the Vortex VX9 Works Best and Its Limits
The VX9 fits beaches and shallow surf, worked-out parks, open fields, competition hunts and old sites with thin coins, which are the hunting types Garrett lists for it. For submerged hunting, Garrett's quick start guide says wired headphones are needed, and that the buttons should be locked (press plus and minus together three times) before going deeper than 6 ft (2 m).
The VX9 is still a VLF multi-frequency detector with a 16 ft rating. It is not a dive detector for deeper water, and for small gold nuggets in mineralized ground Garrett's pulse induction Axiom is the better choice.
Coils and Accessories That Fit the Vortex VX9
The VX9 takes every Vortex coil. For iron-heavy old sites and thin-coin hunting we recommend the narrow 6 x 11 inch Viper or the small 5 x 8 inch Ripper. For open fields and beaches we recommend the large 14 x 11 inch Reaper, which covers more ground with each sweep. The 8.5 x 11 inch Raider replaces the stock coil size. We pair the Viper with Thin Coins and Fast mode on trashy sites, where its narrow footprint and the faster recovery work together.
Z-Lynk is built in, so the MS-3 and CS-3 Z-Lynk headphones pair directly. For fully submerged hunting use the wired Garrett Submersible Headphones for Vortex. Garrett's Pro-Pointer AT pinpointers are waterproof to 20 ft (6 m), and the Z-Lynk version syncs with the VX9 so the pinpointer sounds in the same wireless headphones.
Vortex Series Comparison: VX5, VX7 and VX9
All three Vortex models share the MD-MF platform, the 11 inch DD coil, the 3 lb weight and a 16 ft waterproof rating. The differences sit in frequencies, search modes, Target ID tiers, recovery speed and the adjustable iron and bottlecap settings.
| Feature | Vortex VX5 | Vortex VX7 | Vortex VX9 |
|---|
| Target ID Scale (MD-MF) | One scale, 0 to 99 | 2-tier scales | 3-tier scales |
| Frequencies | 13 kHz, Multi-Freq. | 5, 13 kHz, Multi-Freq., Multi-Salt | 5, 9, 13, 18, 25 kHz, Multi-Freq., Multi-Salt |
| Search Modes | Zero, Standard, USA Coins, Custom | Zero, Standard, USA Coins, Beach, Custom | Zero, Standard, USA Coins, Thin Coins, Beach, Custom, Fast |
| Recovery Speed | Fixed (fast) | 2 settings | 3 settings |
| Bottlecap Reject (Multi-Freq. only) | Fixed | 4 settings | 6 settings (0 to 5) |
| Iron Boundary (Multi-Freq. only) | Fixed | 4 settings | 6 settings (0 to 5) |
| Number of Tones | 3 | 3, 5 | 2, 3, 5 |
| Increased Sensitivity / Depth | No (base level) | Yes | Yes |
| Sensitivity Settings | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Iron Volume | 1 to 8 | 1 to 8 | 1 to 8 |
| Ground Balance | Auto | Auto | Auto |
| Wireless Audio | No | Z-Lynk built in | Z-Lynk built in |
| Included Coil | 11 inch DD (8.5 x 11 inch) | 11 inch DD (8.5 x 11 inch) | 11 inch DD (8.5 x 11 inch) |
| Weight (with 8.5 x 11 inch coil) | 3 lb (1.38 kg) | 3 lb (1.38 kg) | 3 lb (1.38 kg) |
| Length (adjustable) | 24.75 to 56.75 inch (62.86 to 144.14 cm) | 24.75 to 56.75 inch (62.86 to 144.14 cm) | 24.75 to 56.75 inch (62.86 to 144.14 cm) |
| Fully Waterproof To | 16 ft (5 m) | 16 ft (5 m) | 16 ft (5 m) |
| Charging | Rechargeable, USB-C | Rechargeable, USB-C | Rechargeable, USB-C |
| Warranty | 3 years, limited parts and labor | 3 years, limited parts and labor | 3 years, limited parts and labor |
For a side-by-side walk through all three, read our Garrett Vortex VX5 vs VX7 vs VX9 guide.
Why Buy the Garrett Vortex VX9 from Serious Detecting?
- Free Shipping on Orders Over $99: Your Garrett Vortex VX9 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 Vortex VX9 questions by phone or email.
