Nokta Simplex ULTRA Waterproof Metal Detector with Nokta Pointer Pinpointer

The Nokta Simplex ULTRA with a Nokta Pointer pinpointer suits someone who wants an affordable detector with enough adjustment to grow into, for coins, relics, freshwater beaches and older properties. The detector's own pinpoint mode narrows a target down from the surface, and the handheld Nokta Pointer takes over once the hole is open.

What is in the box with this Nokta Simplex ULTRA bundle

Nokta's standard contents for the Simplex ULTRA

• Nokta Simplex ULTRA system box with fully carbon fiber shaft
• SX28 waterproof DD search coil, 28 cm (11 inches), with coil cover
• USB charging and data cable

This Nokta Simplex ULTRA bundle also includes

• Nokta Pointer pinpointer (part 11000110) with 9V alkaline battery, two hard shell cases (one with a scraping blade) and belt holster

Why these add-ons are in this Nokta Simplex ULTRA bundle

Nokta Pointer pinpointer: the Simplex ULTRA's own pinpoint mode narrows a target down from the surface, and the handheld Nokta Pointer takes over once the hole is open, for locating a small object in loose soil. Nokta rates the Nokta Pointer IP67, waterproof to 1 meter (3.3 feet) with its battery fastener twisted tight, and rates the detector separately to 5 meters (16 feet). For the Nokta Pointer, Nokta lists an 18.2 kHz working frequency, a 9.3 cm (3.7 inch) 360 degree detection tip, an LED light, audio, vibration or both, and a 9V alkaline battery rated up to 30 hours, a weight of 235 g (8.3 oz) with battery and hard shell case, and a 2-year warranty.

About the Nokta Simplex ULTRA

What we like about the Simplex ULTRA is how much control Nokta gives you without moving into the price range of more expensive detectors. It is still approachable for someone fairly new to metal detecting, and its extra settings become more useful as you gain experience. In our experience that makes it particularly interesting for coin hunting, relic hunting, freshwater beaches and older properties. We would not recommend it simply because it has more settings; the real question is whether you expect to use them. For maximum simplicity, the Nokta Simplex LITE may be more appropriate.

The Simplex ULTRA is the top model of Nokta's Simplex New Generation line, a VLF detector running a single 15 kHz frequency. Ground balance is automatic, done by pumping the coil toward the ground, or manual from 0 to 99.9, and Nokta describes no ground tracking, so balance again when you move onto more mineralized soil. We would learn to ground balance properly rather than raise the sensitivity whenever signals become unstable.

Nokta Simplex ULTRA search modes and key settings

• Six search modes: Field (Nokta recommends it especially for relic hunting on clean sites), Park (three tones), 4 Tone, 99 Tone (Nokta's multi-tone mode for coin hunting in various mineralization), Beach and All Metal (no discrimination, adjustable threshold). More tones give you more information, not certainty: a gold ring can still sound like aluminum trash, and rusty iron can still give a misleading signal.
• Recovery speed (1 to 5): where a coin sits a few inches from a rusty nail, a faster setting helps the detector respond more distinctly to each target, but Nokta's manual notes that higher settings give less depth. On a clean field a slower setting is the better choice, so we would not run the fastest setting everywhere. The default is 3 in Park, 4 Tone and 99 Tone.
• Tone break, tone frequency and tone volume: move the point where one tone zone changes to the next, set each zone's pitch from 290 to 990 Hz and its volume from 0 to 5. Nokta notes that lowering or muting the ferrous tone volume gives more depth than notching iron out.
• Sensitivity and frequency shift: 30 sensitivity levels. Near overhead power lines more sensitivity can make random signals worse; try the three-step frequency shift (F1, F2, F3) first, then lower the sensitivity until the detector settles.
• Discrimination: notch in 50 boxes of two IDs each with an automatic notch, Iron Off in every mode except All Metal and Beach, a Ground Suppressor for tough terrain, Coin and Relic ID scales, and Target ID Depth (L, M, H), where Nokta says lower levels give more accurate IDs.

Start with the factory configuration, learn how common targets sound, then change one adjustment at a time.

Beach and water hunting with the Nokta Simplex ULTRA

Nokta rates the Simplex ULTRA detector IP68, fully submersible to 5 meters (16 feet), so it works on dry sand, wet sand and in shallow water at lakes, rivers and swimming areas, where we think it is a reasonable choice. The rating belongs to the detector, not to every accessory: Bluetooth works only while the system box is above water, Nokta's wireless headphones are not waterproof, and for underwater listening Nokta specifies its waterproof headphones. Do not use the detector underwater on a power bank, and rinse it with tap water after salt water. On saltwater beaches, Beach mode (IDs 0 to 14 notched out) helps manage conductive wet sand, but at a single 15 kHz the Simplex ULTRA is not the equal of a simultaneous multi-frequency beach detector. If you regularly search wet ocean sand or surf, we would also look at the Nokta Score series.

Where the Nokta Simplex ULTRA works well, and where it does not

An old farmstead with nails, brass fragments, lead and the occasional coin is difficult because good targets sit close to iron. The extra controls give an experienced operator more options there, but no conventional detector can see through iron. The SX28 11 inch Double-D coil is a sensible general-purpose size with useful ground coverage in a large field; on a homesite with heavy iron it can pick up several objects in one sweep, and we would consider the smaller SX24 9.5 x 6 inch coil, whose narrower footprint makes closely spaced targets easier to investigate. Nokta also lists the SX35 13.5 x 12.5 inch coil; see our metal detector coils.

Nokta Simplex ULTRA battery, weight and build

The fully carbon fiber shaft retracts to 63 cm (25 inches) for transport, and Nokta lists the detector at 1.2 kg (2.6 lb) including the search coil. Carbon fiber does not make the detector more sensitive; it is a practical improvement in portability. The built-in 2300 mAh lithium polymer battery gives about 12 hours and recharges in about 3 hours over USB. The display and keypad are backlit, there is an LED flashlight, and the system software updates over USB from a PC.

One mistake to avoid with the Nokta Simplex ULTRA

The mistake we caution against is using too much discrimination. After digging a few pieces of aluminum on an old property, it is tempting to reject large parts of the target ID range, but gold jewelry, brass objects and aluminum trash can read alike. Begin with fairly open discrimination and learn the detector's responses before you become selective.

Nokta Simplex ULTRA specifications

Nokta covers the Simplex ULTRA system box, search coil, shaft and handle with a 3-year warranty. Serious Detecting is an authorized Nokta dealer.

For our full Nokta Simplex ULTRA guide, settings advice and comparisons, see the Nokta Simplex ULTRA collection.