Nokta Simplex LITE Metal Detector Overview
The Nokta Simplex LITE runs a single 15 kHz operating frequency with Field, Park, Beach and All Metal search modes, a pinpoint function, a 01 to 99 target ID with notch discrimination, 30 sensitivity levels and five volume levels. Ground balance is automatic or manual, and Iron Off, a ground suppressor and frequency shift help with iron, rough ground and interference. The whole detector is IP68 rated and submersible to 5 m (16 ft). It weighs 1.2 kg (2.6 lb) with the SX24 9.5 x 6 inch DD coil, adjusts from 63 to 132 cm (25 to 52 inch) on an aluminum and plastic shaft, and has a graphic LCD with backlight, a keypad backlight, an LED flashlight and vibration. Nokta's manual gives the built-in 2300 mAh lithium polymer battery about 12 hours per charge and about 3 hours to charge over USB. Nokta covers the Simplex LITE for 3 years.
Simplex LITE vs. Simplex ULTRA: Which Should You Buy?
The Simplex LITE and the Simplex ULTRA share the 15 kHz frequency, the SX coil family, the 2.6 lb weight, the 30 sensitivity levels and the IP68 rating to 16 ft. The Simplex ULTRA adds 4 Tone and 99 Tone modes, Coin and Relic ID scales, Target ID Depth, recovery speed from 1 to 5, tone break, tone frequency and tone volume, Bluetooth audio, a fully carbon fiber shaft and the larger SX28 11 inch coil in the box. The Simplex LITE keeps four search modes and the controls a beginner uses from the first outing, and it is the model of the two that ships with a 6.3 mm (1/4 inch) headphone adapter.
In our experience the Simplex LITE suits parks, residential yards, freshwater beaches and general coin and jewelry hunting. Not everyone needs adjustable recovery speed or audio customization, and we would rather see someone buy a detector they enjoy using than pay for features they never learn. Choose the Simplex ULTRA if you expect to work through those settings, search older properties for coins and relics, or want wireless headphones.
Simplex LITE, Best For:
- First-time buyers who want a fully waterproof detector with automatic and manual ground balance
- Parks, residential yards and tot lots with modern trash such as foil and pull tabs
- Freshwater beaches, lake edges and streams, with the whole detector submersible to 16 ft
- Hunters who want four search modes and short menus
Simplex ULTRA, Best For:
- Hunters who want to set recovery speed (1 to 5) and the tone of each target ID zone
- Coin and relic hunting at older properties, with the Coin and Relic ID scales
- Wireless audio with standard Bluetooth or aptX Low Latency headphones
- A fully carbon fiber shaft and the SX28 11 inch coil in the box
Key Features That Matter in the Field
Park mode is Nokta's mode for coins and jewelry in areas with modern trash such as foil and pull tabs. Field mode is recommended for relic hunting and does best on clean sites with little trash metal. Beach mode is built for conductive ground such as wet salty sand, and it always notches out target IDs 0 to 14. All Metal reports every metal target, and Iron Off is not available in All Metal or Beach mode. Pinpoint narrows the target before you dig, and vibration gives a second signal that Nokta recommends underwater in poor visibility and for hearing impaired hunters.
Ground balance runs automatically when you hold the ground balance button and pump the coil over metal-free ground, or you can set it by hand. We encourage beginners to learn the automatic procedure, because it is a skill that carries over to more advanced detectors. Nokta's manual advises setting sensitivity as high as possible without major popping sounds, and using frequency shift before lowering sensitivity when another detector or a power source causes interference.
Where the Simplex LITE Works Best and Its Limits
The Simplex LITE works well in city parks, yards, schoolyards and freshwater swimming areas, and the IP68 rating lets you take the whole detector into lakes and streams to 5 m (16 ft). Keep the cap on the shared headphone and charger socket when it is not in use, and rinse the system box, shaft and coil with tap water after salt water, as Nokta's manual asks. Wet salt sand is harder ground for any single-frequency detector: Nokta's manual warns of false signals when the coil goes in and out of the water, recommends keeping the coil fully in or fully out, and asks you to ground balance again when you move between wet and dry sand. When we do hunt wet salt sand with the Simplex LITE, we drop sensitivity and tighten discrimination to keep the threshold quiet, or we run Beach mode, which Nokta built for salty wet sand. We would be cautious about ocean beaches with the Simplex LITE; for regular wet ocean sand or surf, we recommend a simultaneous multi-frequency detector such as the Nokta Score. Pair the Simplex LITE with a pinpointer for faster recoveries.
Coils and Accessories That Fit the Nokta Simplex LITE
Nokta lists three waterproof DD coils for the Simplex LITE: the SX24 9.5 x 6 inch that ships with it, the SX28 11 inch and the SX35 13.5 x 12.5 inch, each with a matching coil cover. The same SX coils fit the Simplex ULTRA and the FINDX Pro. Nokta does not list the older SP-series coils for the Simplex New Generation models, so check that a used coil is an SX coil before you buy it. We keep the SX24 on for trashy parks, swap to the SX28 when we want more ground coverage on open fields and dry beaches, and mount the SX35 on open, low-trash ground.
For longer days, the Nokta waterproof battery pod takes four AA batteries, and Nokta's waterproof 5500 mAh lithium polymer battery with charger is in this collection too. The Simplex LITE has no Bluetooth, so audio runs through the speaker or wired headphones: the 6.3 mm (1/4 inch) adapter in the box suits wired headphones on land, and Nokta lists its Nokta Waterproof Headphones for use underwater. Middle and lower shafts, the armrest and strap, 28R coil mounting hardware, the protective system box cover, nano glass screen protectors, the USB charging cable, the Nokta carrying bag and the DetectoBag 38L backpack also fit, along with the digital Simplex instruction manual.
Simplex LITE vs. Simplex ULTRA vs. FINDX Pro Comparison
Nokta's three single-frequency 15 kHz waterproof models share the SX coil family, the IP68 rating to 5 m (16 ft), the 1.2 kg (2.6 lb) weight and the 2300 mAh battery. They differ in search modes, sensitivity range, ground balance, audio controls, shaft and what comes in the box.
| Feature | Nokta Simplex LITE | Nokta Simplex ULTRA | Nokta FINDX Pro |
|---|
| Technology | VLF, single 15 kHz | VLF, single 15 kHz | VLF, single 15 kHz |
| Search Modes | Field, Park, Beach, All Metal | Field, Park, 4 Tone, 99 Tone, Beach, All Metal | Field, Park, Beach, Jewelry |
| Target ID | 01 to 99 | 01 to 99, Coin and Relic ID scales, Target ID Depth | 0 to 99 |
| Sensitivity | 30 levels | 30 levels | 5 levels |
| Ground Balance | Automatic and manual | Automatic and manual | No adjustable ground balance in Nokta's manual |
| Recovery Speed | No | 1 to 5 | No |
| Tone Break, Tone Frequency, Tone Volume | No | Yes | No |
| Frequency Shift, Vibration, LED Flashlight | Yes | Yes | Not listed by Nokta |
| Wireless Audio | No | Bluetooth, standard or aptX Low Latency | No |
| Included Coil | SX24 9.5 x 6 inch DD | SX28 11 inch DD | SX28 11 inch DD |
| Coils That Fit | SX24, SX28, SX35 | SX24, SX28, SX35 | SX24, SX28, SX35 |
| Shaft | Aluminum and plastic | Fully carbon fiber | Aluminum and plastic |
| Extras in the Box | 6.3 mm (1/4 inch) headphone adapter | ULTRA WHP package: Bluetooth aptX Low Latency headphones | Wired headphones, 6.3 mm (1/4 inch) adapter, premium digger, carrying bag |
| Waterproof | IP68, whole detector to 5 m (16 ft) | IP68, whole detector to 5 m (16 ft) | IP68, whole detector to 5 m (16 ft) |
| Weight (with coil) | 1.2 kg (2.6 lb) | 1.2 kg (2.6 lb) | 1.2 kg (2.6 lb) |
| Battery | Built-in 2300 mAh lithium polymer, about 12 hours | Built-in 2300 mAh lithium polymer, about 12 hours | Built-in 2300 mAh lithium polymer, about 12 hours |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years | 2 years |
See our Simplex New Generation comparison chart for a closer look at the Simplex models.
Why Buy the Nokta Simplex LITE Metal Detector from Serious Detecting?
- Free Shipping on Orders Over $99: Your Nokta Simplex LITE ships at no extra cost across the continental US.
- Authorized Nokta 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 Simplex Series questions by phone or email.
