Garrett Axiom Lite Pulse Induction Gold Detector with 11 x 7 in Mono Coil

The Garrett Axiom Lite with 11 x 7 inch mono coil is the Axiom pulse induction gold detector with one coil, for prospectors moving up from a VLF gold detector who want serious pulse induction without the full accessory package. All four search modes and the dual channel ground balance of the Axiom are here, and the built-in lithium-ion battery runs about 16 hours.

What is in the box with the Garrett Axiom Lite

Garrett's standard contents for the Axiom Lite with 11 x 7 inch mono coil (Garrett part 1142710)

• Garrett Axiom Lite control box on its stem assembly, with upper and lower stem and arm cuff with strap
• 11 x 7 inch mono searchcoil with coil cover
• USB-C charging cable
• Wall charger with international adaptors
• Soft carry case
• Bolt and mounting washers
• Quick-Start Guide

About the Garrett Axiom Lite

The Garrett Axiom Lite is, in Garrett's words, the full features and power of Garrett's Axiom pulse induction gold detector in a more affordable option to get you started prospecting. The control box is the Axiom: Ultra Pulse technology at an adjustable 1500 Hz pulse rate, four search modes and advanced pulse timings that help it stay sensitive in ground that can overwhelm conventional detectors. Garrett pairs the Lite with one coil, the 11 x 7 inch mono, and lists it at 4.2 lbs (1.9 kg) with that coil and its cover.

Axiom Lite search modes

• Fine: Garrett's factory setting, built for the most response on small, low-conductivity targets such as fine gold, and the mode most affected by ground minerals, hot rocks and salt water.
• Normal: very good detection across target sizes, with less reaction to highly mineralized soil than Fine and somewhat less response on very small targets.
• Large: strong detection of large targets with small and medium targets reduced, and less effect from mineralized ground and hot rocks.
• Salt: for wet saltwater beaches, and sometimes useful on salt beds and goldfields with high salt concentration, depending on moisture content; inland, Garrett suggests trying the other modes first.

Axiom Lite ground balance, audio and the mono coil

• Ground balance: automatic, dual channel with two independent readings (Garrett's Terra-Scan), and ground tracking Off, Slow, Medium or Fast.
• Audio: PWM, a fixed pitch with proportional volume, or VCO, the factory setting, where pitch and volume both follow the signal.
• Sensitivity and threshold: eight sensitivity levels, factory set to 6 (Garrett calls the upper levels, 7 and 8, extremely sensitive and says they may not be stable enough for many users and conditions), and a threshold from minus 9 to 25.
• Interference: automatic frequency scan for electromagnetic interference.
• Headphones: built-in Z-Lynk wireless for Garrett Z-Lynk headphones, with a 17 millisecond audio delay, and a headphone jack that takes a 1/4 inch plug directly or a 1/8 inch plug with an adaptor.
• Iron Check and the mono coil: Iron Check works only with DD searchcoils, so with the 11 x 7 inch mono it stays off. Garrett makes Axiom coils in 11 x 7, 13 x 11 and 16 x 14 inch sizes, each as a mono or a DD.

Axiom Lite battery, charging and build

The built-in 76 Wh lithium-ion battery gives about 16 hours per charge, depending on settings. Charging takes 7 to 8 hours from the supplied wall charger with the detector off, or about 10 hours from a 12 V source. Garrett's Axiom booster pack, which holds eight AA cells, can add 6 to 8 hours of operation on a long day. The collapsing carbon fiber shaft goes from 25 inches (63.5 cm) to 61.5 inches (156 cm). Garrett rates the coils and stem waterproof and the control box rainproof.

Where the Garrett Axiom Lite works well, and where it does not

The Axiom Lite suits a prospector who wants a serious pulse induction detector without the full accessory package of the standard Axiom, and in our experience it appeals most to someone upgrading from a VLF gold detector. Picture a prospector who has used a high-frequency VLF for years, has found productive gold-bearing ground and keeps fighting severe mineralization: the Lite moves them to pulse induction without accessories they may not need. If you want the complete package with both coils and the extra accessories from day one, the Garrett Axiom is the better fit; for tiny gold in shallow bedrock cracks without pulse induction, look at the Garrett Goldmaster 24k. See our pulse induction metal detectors and gold detectors.

Getting started with the Garrett Axiom Lite

The operating principles are the same as on the Axiom. Learn the Terra-Scan ground balance first, start with Normal timing where it suits the ground and then try Fine, Large or Salt as conditions call for, keep sensitivity at a stable level, and remember that Iron Check needs a DD coil. A common mistake is assuming the Lite uses a weaker detection system: Garrett describes it as the full features and power of the Axiom, and the difference is the configuration in the box.

Coils for the Garrett Axiom Lite

The 11 x 7 inch mono that comes with the Lite is the small, light coil in Garrett's Axiom range, and Garrett lists the detector at 4.2 lbs (1.9 kg) with it. Garrett makes Axiom searchcoils in 11 x 7, 13 x 11 and 16 x 14 inch sizes, each as a mono or a DD. The Focused Core DD-FC coils combine a DD-style platform with Iron Check, which works only with DD coils, while the mono coils are another high-performance option for prospecting. Garrett's manual lists 4.7 lbs (2.1 kg) with the 13 x 11 inch mono and its cover. See our metal detector search coils and our coil guide.

Headphones and recovery with the Garrett Axiom Lite

The Lite has the same built-in Z-Lynk transmitter as the Axiom, so Garrett Z-Lynk wireless headphones pair with it, with a 17 millisecond audio delay; wired headphones with a 1/4 inch plug connect directly. Garrett's Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk pinpointer pairs with Z-Lynk wireless headphones too, so detector and pinpointer can share one headset, and Garrett rates the pinpointer waterproof to 20 feet (6 meters), IP68. See our Garrett pinpointers.

Salt mode and beaches with the Garrett Axiom Lite

Garrett designed the Salt mode for wet saltwater beaches, where the factory Fine mode is the most affected by salt water, and it may also help on salt beds and goldfields with high salt concentration, depending on moisture content. The coils and stem are waterproof and the control box is rainproof, and Garrett rates its MS-3 Z-Lynk headphones for protection against light rain and says not to submerge them.

Who we would recommend the Garrett Axiom Lite to

We recommend the Axiom Lite for Axiom-class pulse induction prospecting without paying for the full package. Customers sometimes read "Lite" as a much less capable detector; Garrett describes it as the full features and power of the Axiom, and the difference is mainly the package and the equipment in the box.

Garrett gold detectors compared

Garrett's gold detectors cover different jobs; these are the differences that decide between them, from Garrett's published specifications. Our best Garrett metal detectors guide covers more choices.

Garrett Axiom Lite specifications

Garrett covers the Axiom Lite with a 3-year limited parts and labor warranty, as it now does for its detectors, pinpointers and searchcoils.

Serious Detecting is a family-owned, authorized Garrett dealer with a showroom in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and our staff help by phone or email.

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