Nokta Legend 2 Metal Detector with 11 in and 8 x 5.5 in Coils

The Nokta Legend 2 is a simultaneous multi-frequency (SMF) metal detector that can also run on a single frequency of 4, 10, 15, 20 or 40 kHz. Nokta's package, part number 11000562, comes with two waterproof DD search coils, the 11 inch LD28 and the 8 x 5.5 inch LD21, and a pair of Bluetooth headphones. It suits a detectorist who hunts more than one kind of ground, such as parks, plowed fields and wet salt sand, and wants a general coil and a small coil in the same box.

Who the Nokta Legend 2 is for

The Legend 2 fits someone who already knows they will use the settings: five search modes (Park, Field, Beach, Relic, Gold), a 01 to 99 target ID scale, 30 sensitivity levels and three saved user profiles per mode. Someone who searches clean parks a few times a year may never need all of them. The whole detector is rated IP68 to 16 ft (5 m) and weighs 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg) including the search coil, so it works as a single machine for dry land and water.

For backyard and local park hunting a few times a month, a detector with fewer adjustments such as the Nokta Score or Nokta Double Score could be the better fit. The Nokta Triple Score Pro Pack suits someone who wants advanced capability without every Legend 2 adjustment: simultaneous multi-frequency, a Relic mode, adjustable recovery speed and detailed audio, with 4, 15 and 20 kHz single frequencies and the same IP68 rating to 16 ft. We would not spend more without knowing which Legend 2 capabilities you will use. If gold prospecting is the main job, our gold detector guide compares detectors for it.

What the Legend 2's frequency options do

The Legend 2 offers three multi-frequency options in Park and Field modes. The Nokta manual describes M1 as more sensitive to high conductors, M2 as better at detecting low conductors, and M3 as the option for damp, wet or conductive soils. Beach mode has its own two options: MD for dry sand with very low salinity and MW for wet sand and underwater use. Relic mode runs in multi-frequency only. Park and Field also let you pick any of the five single frequencies, and Gold mode offers multi-frequency plus the 20 kHz and 40 kHz single frequencies.

• 99 target IDs: the Legend 2 reads targets on a 01 to 99 scale. A number is a clue, not a definitive identification: a gold ring can read like aluminum trash and a deep coin can give inconsistent numbers, so we would combine the ID with audio and signal repeatability.
• FerroCheck: a bar graph on the screen shows the ferrous to non-ferrous ratio of the target. Nokta advises wide sweeps, says more than two ferrous bars suggests an alloy that contains iron, and notes it works best on shallow targets.
• Target ID in pinpoint: the Legend 2 keeps the target ID on screen while you pinpoint.
• Frequency shift: 19 channels, set by hand or automatically, for clearing electrical interference.
• User profiles: three saved profiles in each of the five modes, 15 in total, next to the factory default for each mode.
• Firmware updates: wired or wireless, from a phone or laptop. Our Nokta firmware update guide walks through it.
• Low light and underwater use: backlit display, backlit keypad, LED flashlight and a vibration alert.

Battery and charging on the Legend 2

The Legend 2 has a built-in 6700 mAh lithium-ion battery. The Nokta manual gives a runtime of 8 to 20 hours depending on settings and a charge time of about 5 to 6 hours with a USB power adapter rated at least 5V 2A. Nokta states the battery gives up to 33% more runtime than the previous Legend. Nokta also makes an external waterproof battery that takes over from a depleted internal battery; wired headphones cannot be used while it is attached. Only Nokta or an authorized service center replaces the internal battery.

What is in the box with the Nokta Legend 2

Nokta's standard contents for the Legend 2 (Nokta part 11000562)

• Nokta Legend 2 detector with system box and adjustable shaft
• LD28 11 inch (28 cm) waterproof DD search coil with coil cover
• LD21 8 x 5.5 inch (21 x 14 cm) waterproof DD search coil with coil cover
• Bluetooth aptX Low Latency headphones with soft case
• USB charging and data cable

Coils and accessories that fit the Legend 2

Nokta lists four coils for the Legend 2: the LD28 11 inch and LD21 8 x 5.5 inch coils in the box, plus the LD22 9 inch and LD38 15 x 12 inch coils. Nokta lists only these LD coils for the Legend 2; a coil from the original Nokta Legend shows "CC" for check coil and will not run. Which coil to use depends on where you detect: on large open fields a larger coil provides useful ground coverage and may help on certain deeper targets under favorable conditions, while around old homesites with nails and rocks a smaller coil's narrower footprint makes closely spaced targets easier to isolate. Nokta also makes bone conduction headphones, waterproof headphones and an external waterproof battery for this model, and our Nokta Legend 2 collection has the coils and accessories for it. If you are unsure which coil size suits your sites, the coil guide explains what size and shape change.

Where the Legend 2 works well and where it does not

Saltwater beaches and underwater

The Legend 2's Beach mode is built for dry sand, wet sand and underwater use, with MW as the setting for wet salt sand and the surf. The detector and both coils can go to 16 ft (5 m). The included Bluetooth headphones cannot: Nokta's manual says they are not waterproof, and the wireless connection drops when the system box goes under water. For submerged hunting, Nokta makes waterproof headphones for land and underwater use, and the vibration alert also works underwater. Saltwater sand and black sand can still affect stability and target responses, so we would start with Nokta's Beach mode settings and adjust only when conditions require it. Rinse the system box, shaft and coil with tap water after salt use.

Trashy parks

In a park full of pull tabs, foil and bottle caps, we would mount the smaller LD21: its narrower detection footprint makes closely spaced targets easier to isolate. Nokta's M3 option, meant for damp, wet or conductive soils, also weakens the response to coke and foil. Recovery speed adjusts from 1 to 10; a faster setting can help separate signals that sit close together, but pushed too far it may weaken some deeper responses, so we would not use the fastest setting everywhere.

Open fields and relic sites

The 11 inch LD28 covers more ground per sweep in open fields. Nokta describes the Legend 2's Relic mode as able to detect targets at depths the other modes cannot; that is the manufacturer's claim, and real depth depends on soil, target size and trash. Our depth guide explains what decides it. On an old homesite full of nails, iron masking remains a limitation; we would try less aggressive iron settings and dig more iron rather than risk passing over a good target next to a nail.

Gold country

For natural gold the Legend 2 has a dedicated Gold mode, which Nokta describes as optimized for mineralized goldfields; it runs in multi-frequency or on the 20 kHz and 40 kHz single frequencies. Gold jewelry can be found in Park and Beach modes, though some gold jewelry gives responses similar to aluminum trash, so rejecting too many target ranges can also reject a ring. Ground balance helps in mineralized ground, but severe mineralization and hot rocks can still make detecting difficult.

Getting started with the Nokta Legend 2

Begin with the factory program for the search mode that matches your site and learn how common targets respond. Then try recovery speed and the audio options over known targets, one setting at a time, rather than copying a setup from someone else's video: ground, target types, iron and technique differ from site to site.

Legend 2 compared with the Nokta Triple Score Pro Pack

Both Nokta detectors are simultaneous multi-frequency, rated IP68 to 16 ft (5 m) and carry a 3-year warranty. These are the differences that decide between them, from Nokta's published specifications.

Moving up from the original Nokta Legend

The original Nokta Legend established a capable simultaneous multi-frequency platform, and for someone who already owns one and knows it well, upgrading should not be automatic. Nokta's comparison chart lists what changed: the LD coil series in place of the Legend's LG coils, a 6700 mAh lithium-ion battery against 5050 mAh lithium polymer, a membrane keypad, a battery charge LED, target ID in pinpoint, wireless software updates and bone conduction headphone support. A newer detector does not automatically make an experienced operator more successful; the question is whether those are capabilities you will use.

Nokta covers the Legend 2 with a 3-year warranty.