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Garrett Vortex VX9 may have major flaw(s) with latest version software.
- Thread starter squirrel1
- Start date
Garrett is aware and is working on it. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
Great! I did too. I won't allow these issues to turn this forum into a frenzy like on some other forums. This forum is for supporting each other. Although issues may be reported regarding technical issues, they will be sent to Garrett where they belong. and dealt with.
I sent it to Garrett. I imagine they will have a fix for it soon. That would be crazy if we all had to send in our detectors back for a fix. It's nice that it can now be done on line.
If you don't have this issue...GOOD! No video needed.
Ytcoinshooter
Well-known member
What is sorely lacking is the ability to revert to a previous software version that you like better, or to sidestep a flawed version for “whatever” reason. The French & Aussie designed detectors have this ability. When the end consumer is treated as a beta tester confidence is eroded. I state the facts, nothing inflammatory intended. I always follow the release of new detectors and how the early adopters report their findings.
I agree with you about being able to choose an earlier software version like V2.07 for the VX9. Your other “Beta tester” point is misleading at best. The original Equinox 600/800 had 3 online software updates, Deus 2 has had at least 7 software updates, the Nokta Legend had 9. So French and Aussie (Malaysian) and Turkish early detector adopter owners have also been Beta testers. Deus 2’s latest software update is version B3.02…..b for beta.
BLOODHOUND1970
Member
You are correct, a revert would have been awesome. (I am not sure that a complete uninstall/install is possible with the Vortex, at least by the consumer.) It appears that very little beta testing was done before the firmware release or either they didn't listen to the testers prior to releasing it. Either way, I have yet to see anything about this machine that lives up to the hype that the marketing created. If I am head of this company, I would immediately divert A LOT of the marketing budget to R&D, better engineers, and programmers until a final product is produced that is worthy of the hype from the marketing department.
BLOODHOUND1970
Member
There is a big difference in releasing a Beta testing firmware release to the public to try and get feed back from them and making changes vs. making a firmware release that is finalized for release and not a Beta version. Other companies have had "bugs", they also acknowledged those problems to the public and gave their consumers confidence that changes were being made to remedy such issues.
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Ytcoinshooter
Well-known member
I get your point jmaclen, however I did not consider the initial release of the EQX & D2 beta versions at all. We weren’t “guinea pigs” Issues were minor (EQX) and subsequent software releases were successful in addressing any issues and offered more features to boot. The operations of both the Deus 2 & EQX as first released worked well to be modest. A few misleading deep iron digs was the mark of most high end sparky detectors for years. I can speak of and own both, 2018 EQX800 & 2 years now on the D2. Two weeks ago I received my manticore. Now with just low hours on it so far but there are no issues I find. I know it’s running the latest code vs the first ones released a couple years ago. If I had lockup / incorrect tone and ID classifying that is a show stopper, time to grab the backup and send my “new” detector in to manufacturer. Maybe I’m a bit harsh calling it beta but I’m comparing to what I use and thier initial releases and glitches were so minor. This is new ground for Garrett with upgradable firmware & software. Decades ago I tested the Whites Eagles for a local dealer upon thier releases. The first one (Eagle 1) took an upgrade chip to make it a “2”, not so great at all the subsequent iterations were complete units Eagle 2,SL, SL90, SL90.5 I had lots of notes back then. I kept my Eagle 2 SL 90.5 as my main unit for we’ll over 10 years. Had purchased every top of line Whites units through the V3i and all those units were detector tech teaching tools.
Understand I may view things differently, when it comes to tech I’m fluent. Maybe a bit more critical than most. I spent my 36 years in computers from the 70’s to 2012, in many capacities- its all I ever did. I can’t nail two boards together but tech I get. Protocol’s for new release testing & more testing long before release, trying to break it ensures a better end user experience. It’s a Q&A thing to me. I wrote documentation, standards and procedures as well, so I’m too picky maybe. Garrett has had historically strong customer support and is great in supporting clubs. I own 2 Garrett’s. I was considering if Vortex would be a tool for me but I’m already loaded with detectors that likely eclipse the capability of the VX9 current issues not withstanding. I’m looking forward to in-depth tests reports of an issue free vortex so I can learn more. Our club may even get a VX9 from Garrett to pass around as a tester and eventually raffle off. Great club support, thanks Garrett. I’d love to get my hands on it. I know what I’d like to see Garrett produce, I am thinking this VX9 is going in the right direction. Hoping it will be ready for prime time soon.
Understand I may view things differently, when it comes to tech I’m fluent. Maybe a bit more critical than most. I spent my 36 years in computers from the 70’s to 2012, in many capacities- its all I ever did. I can’t nail two boards together but tech I get. Protocol’s for new release testing & more testing long before release, trying to break it ensures a better end user experience. It’s a Q&A thing to me. I wrote documentation, standards and procedures as well, so I’m too picky maybe. Garrett has had historically strong customer support and is great in supporting clubs. I own 2 Garrett’s. I was considering if Vortex would be a tool for me but I’m already loaded with detectors that likely eclipse the capability of the VX9 current issues not withstanding. I’m looking forward to in-depth tests reports of an issue free vortex so I can learn more. Our club may even get a VX9 from Garrett to pass around as a tester and eventually raffle off. Great club support, thanks Garrett. I’d love to get my hands on it. I know what I’d like to see Garrett produce, I am thinking this VX9 is going in the right direction. Hoping it will be ready for prime time soon.
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Our club also has a VX9 at the request of Garrett so that we can give them feedback. I also got to test a friend’s VX9 for a week just after it was released. Garrett has a ways to go software wise and they are well aware of that whether they publicly say that or not.
I use my Equinox 800, Manticore, Legend and Deus 2 for gold prospecting among other things. Out of the box, the Manticore was the only one of those four that was fully ready to go as a gold prospecting detector. Its M8 coil wasn’t ready so I had to wait several months to get one. Equinox was good to go after its first software update. Legend took almost 9 months for it to be gold prospecting ready when its user iron bias settings were straightened out. Deus 2 may finally after how long????, be ready for gold prospecting with the release of the new HF2 coil and B3.02 software. So at least for me, I have been end user Beta testing these detectors as far as gold prospecting. All four have prospecting modes that are part of their advertised versatility and features that we are paying for. Out of the box, only one really met that advertising truthfully. Does that mean that their software engineers and field testers are complete idiots too as some have labeled Garrett’s? I have personally done manufacturer requested beta testing on two of these four detectors because of these gold prospecting issues that needed to be fixed. So anyone who owns a Vortex that is pissed at Garrett over the Vortex just needs to try to be patient or get rid of it. If they want to keep i but are not satisfied, they also need to stay on Garrett’s case. Call them, email them videos, but be respectful if possible.
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Garrett had always been very generous as far as donation equipment to rallies. Charlie had donated many metal detectors and accessories going back to 35 years. I used to run contests years back, and Garrett often donated coils, diggers etc. for prizes. He was a very genuine generous type of person.
Ytcoinshooter
Well-known member
I’m on board with all you’ve said.
Ytcoinshooter
Well-known member
Two of Our club founders Eleanor & Jack Hube were very much friends of the Garrett’s. Labor id referred to as the grand Dame of detectorists
https://www.capecodmetaldetectors.com/Eleanor_Hube_WET
The Garrets were awesome - totally giving back. Jack and Eleanor were the force founding our club 1976. They were very friendly with the Garrett’s and Eleanor still operates a detector shop in S. Yarmouth Ma. There is no doubt that the Garrets are giants in the detecting industry and hobby. Ken White, Charlie Garrett and Gerhard Fisher - what else is there to pay homage to for what we enjoy today.
Ytcoinshooter
Well-known member
Great post, appreciate the detailed info. The one thing I have never done is electronic prospecting. That is on my list and I totally overlooked that aspect of the new releases. I’ve met people who have done so from Gaines Creek Alaska to the U.S. southwest (no Aussie hunters yet). I was blown away by their finds and knowledge. Easy to catch gold fever. I know Gerry McMullen from Idaho takes people out for that adventure. I first became aware Gerry over 20+ years ago. I bought a Sov Elite from him. I did not bond with it and he graciously let me return it. Eventually I mended my ways and bought a Sov GT that I used quite a bit.
I got to include a little gold prospecting testing on the VX9 and I will do some more. Gerry and some of the other Garrett Gold Challenge participants got to tryout the VX9 for gold prospecting and they liked it a lot. So did I. It is easily better than the AT Gold and Apex for gold prospecting as it is right now even though it does not currently have a one or two tone VCO audio option. It also doesn't have its 5X8" coil yet which will make it even better for gold prospecting.
After doing my testing, if you asked me to go out and hunt a gold prospecting site that was likely to have mostly sub 0.5 gram and smaller gold instead of larger nuggets and I could only choose between the Garrett VX9 with its current stock coil running in multi frequency and Deus 2 with its smallest available 9" FMF coil in its FMF prospecting mode, I would choose the VX9 even with its lack of a gold prospecting program.
I am pretty sure that my decision would be different if I had the new Deus 2 HF2 coil and software update.
Ytcoinshooter
Well-known member
Thank you for that info. I’m always learning and I have not yet tested my gold samples, my smallest is 1 grain manufactured and a couple natural nuggets about that weight. I need to dig them out soon to try. The results should translate well to micro jewelry hunting. Life is short and I do want to electronic prospect. Where I live that’s all we lack. Iron infested colonial sites, beaches and old parks are plentiful but heavily hunted.