Garrett Vortex VX7 Metal Detector (Open Box)

An open box Garrett Vortex VX7 brings Beach mode, Multi-Salt and a 2-tier target ID to beach and relic hunters at a discount, with Garrett's 3-year warranty. Garrett rates the whole detector waterproof to 16 feet (5 meters).

What is in the box with this open box Garrett Vortex VX7

Garrett's standard contents for the Vortex VX7 (Garrett part 1142960)

• Garrett Vortex VX7 control box on its straight stem, with upper and lower stem
• Arm cuff with strap
• 8.5 x 11 inch DD Raider searchcoil with coil cover installed
• Coil nut, bolt and washers
• USB-C charging cable
• Quick-Start Guide

About this open box Garrett Vortex VX7

Open Box: Metal detectors with damaged or opened packaging, offered at a reduced price. Full manufacturer’s warranty included. Questions about a specific unit? Call us.

Garrett's 3-year warranty applies to our open box Vortex VX7 the same as on a new one. Every open box and demo detector we have is in our open box collection.

About the Garrett Vortex VX7

The Garrett Vortex VX7 is, in Garrett's words, the intermediate Vortex model: a fully submersible multi-frequency detector with a 2-tiered MD-MF (Multi-Dimensional Multi-Frequency) target ID display and Multi-Salt for saltwater hunting. It runs simultaneous Multi-Freq., Multi-Salt, or single frequencies of 5 kHz and 13 kHz, adds Beach mode and a choice of two recovery speeds, and Garrett lists increased sensitivity and depth for it compared with the VX5. Garrett rates the whole detector waterproof to 16 feet (5 meters).

Garrett Vortex VX7 search modes and key settings

• Five search modes: Zero, Standard, USA Coins, Beach and Custom, plus a Pinpoint button you hold to locate a target precisely.
• Frequencies and channels: Multi-Freq., Multi-Salt, 5 kHz and 13 kHz, with eight channels, independent frequency shifts, for each one to step away from electrical interference.
• Two-tier target ID: the top scale shows non-ferrous (conductive) targets and the lower scale shows ferrous (iron) targets, so you get more information before you dig.
• Iron tools: Bottlecap Reject and Iron Boundary each with four settings (0 to 3), notch discrimination, high-resolution iron discrimination, Iron Audio for distinctive responses on iron and steel targets, and Iron Volume with eight levels.
• Recovery speed and audio: two recovery speeds, and a choice of 3-tone or 5-tone audio.
• Sensitivity, ground balance and display: eight sensitivity levels, automatic ground balance with 175 points of resolution, a backlit LCD with battery condition indicator, and a depth indicator in 2 inch (5 cm) steps for a coin-sized target.

Water and beach hunting with the Garrett Vortex VX7

Garrett engineers the Vortex for submersible operation down to 16 feet (5 meters), control box included. A button lock keeps the keys from changing settings when you dive below 6 feet (2 meters). Z-Lynk wireless audio stops at the surface: Garrett's manual says radio signals do not transmit through water, so wired headphones must be used under water, through the 1/8 inch headphone jack, and Garrett makes fully submersible Vortex dive headphones for it. Beach mode and Multi-Salt are the reason to choose the VX7 for salt water: Multi-Salt uses a blend of frequencies to help overcome the negative effects of saltwater beaches. Garrett's troubleshooting advice is to use Multi-Salt when the ground balance reads below 50. See our beach metal detectors and waterproof metal detectors.

Where the Garrett Vortex VX7 works well, and where it does not

In our view the VX7 is the sweet spot in the Vortex lineup: Multi-Salt, Beach mode, more detailed target information and adjustable recovery speed are the additions that make the biggest practical difference. It suits intermediate detectorists who search parks, older properties, relic sites, fresh water and saltwater beaches with one detector. Picture someone who hunts Michigan parks for coins and jewelry among nails and aluminum trash, then spends a vacation on wet salt sand in Florida: the VX7 has operating options for both, and that is the reason to choose it over the Garrett Vortex VX5. For extremely trashy historical sites and the most detailed target information in the Vortex family, with more recovery speeds and extra search modes, we recommend the Garrett Vortex VX9.

Garrett Vortex VX7 battery, charging and build

The VX7 runs on an internal lithium-ion battery that Garrett rates at 15 hours typical, depending on settings. It charges through a USB-C port behind a protective cap on the back of the control box; Garrett recommends a 10 W (2 A) or greater power source for the fastest charge, and charging is faster with the detector switched off. The Vortex can also run while plugged into a 5 V USB power pack. Garrett lists the VX7 at 3 lbs (1.38 kg) with the 8.5 x 11 inch coil, adjustable from 24.75 to 56.75 inches (62.86 to 144.14 cm), and the stem collapses to the short length for travel.

Z-Lynk wireless is built in for Garrett Z-Lynk headphones on land, the built-in speaker shares the overall volume control with the headphones, and any wired headphones with a 1/8 inch plug work.

Getting started with the Garrett Vortex VX7

Use Multi-Freq. as the starting point inland and Multi-Salt on wet salt sand and in the surf. Learn the two recovery speeds: the faster one can help in dense trash, the slower one may help on certain deeper targets in cleaner ground. Try Bottlecap Reject when rusty caps give misleading signals, and adjust Iron Boundary carefully, because aggressive iron filtering can affect good targets close to iron. The common mistake is turning iron rejection and bottlecap filtering up hard and then assuming every remaining signal is a good one; those settings involve tradeoffs.

Garrett Vortex VX7 specifications

Garrett lists a 3-year limited parts and labor warranty for the Vortex VX7.

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

See all our Garrett metal detectors.