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Nokta Makro Simplex#16of 50
Nokta MakroCoin & Park

Nokta Makro Simplex

The Nokta Makro Simplex delivers surprising performance and durability for its price point, making it one of the best entry-level metal detectors on the market.

9.2
Sift ScoreRanked #16 of 50 reviewed · #1 in Coin & Park
  • Fully waterproof design
  • Lightweight all-day comfort
  • Long battery life
Operating Frequency
12 kHz
Waterproof Depth
3 meters (10 ft)
Weight
1.15 kg (2.5 lbs)
Battery Life
Up to 20 hours (rechargeable Li-ion)

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01The verdict

The Nokta Makro Simplex delivers surprising performance and durability for its price point, making it one of the best entry-level metal detectors on the market. Its waterproof design, long battery life, and lightweight build make it a versatile choice for park, beach, and even shallow-water hunting. While serious relic hunters in highly mineralized ground may eventually want a multi-frequency upgrade, beginners and casual detectorists will find the Simplex more than capable of delivering exciting finds right out of the box.

Our scorecard

  • Depth9.6
  • Separation8.7
  • Ergonomics8.9
  • Value8.7

Best forParks, yards and first-season hunters

02Specifications

BrandNokta Makro
CategoryCoin & Park
Operating Frequency12 kHz
Waterproof Depth3 meters (10 ft)
Weight1.15 kg (2.5 lbs)
Battery LifeUp to 20 hours (rechargeable Li-ion)
Search Coil Size11-inch DD waterproof coil

03Pros & cons

What we like

  • Excellent value for beginners and budget-conscious hobbyists
  • Lightweight at just over 1.1 kg for fatigue-free swinging
  • Fully submersible design great for beach and river hunting
  • Fast recovery speed and solid target separation for its price class
  • Simple, intuitive menu that doesn't overwhelm new users
  • Long-lasting rechargeable battery eliminates disposable battery costs

What to know

  • Single frequency (standard Simplex) less versatile on heavily mineralized soil
  • Build quality of some control box buttons feels slightly plasticky
  • No stock headphones included with the base package
  • Ground balance is mostly automatic with limited manual fine-tuning
  • Smaller LCD screen can be harder to read in direct sunlight

04Key features

  1. 0112 kHz single operating frequency with multi-frequency variants (Simplex+)
  2. 02Fully waterproof up to 3 meters (10 feet) submersible
  3. 0311-inch DD waterproof search coil
  4. 04Backlit LCD display for low-light use
  5. 054 search modes: Park, Field, Beach, All Metal
  6. 06Adjustable audio tones and sensitivity settings
  7. 07Built-in rechargeable Li-ion battery with ~16-20 hours runtime
  8. 08Vibration mode for underwater silent detection
  9. 09Wireless module compatibility (WHP headphones)

05Full review

The Nokta Makro Simplex is a lightweight, entry-level metal detector designed for hobbyists and newcomers who want serious detecting capability without a steep learning curve. Weighing in at just over a kilogram, it features a fully waterproof coil and control housing rated for submersion up to three meters, making it a favorite among beach hunters and those who like to wade into shallow rivers and lakes. Its simple interface relies on a handful of buttons and a backlit LCD screen, allowing users to quickly switch between detecting modes such as Field, Park, Beach, and All Metal, each tuned to handle different ground mineralization and target density situations.

Underneath its approachable exterior, the Simplex runs on a single operating frequency of 12 kHz, which strikes a practical balance between sensitivity to small gold jewelry and coins while still reaching reasonable depth on larger relics. The detector includes selectable notch discrimination, adjustable sensitivity, and both tone and numerical target ID readouts, giving users enough control to fine-tune their search without wading through overly technical menus. A standout feature is its wireless audio compatibility, as the Simplex pairs with Nokta Makro's WM-08 wireless module or compatible headphones, eliminating signal lag that can plague other wireless detecting setups and letting users react to targets in real time.

Battery life is another strong point, with a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion pack delivering upwards of 10 to 15 hours of continuous use on a single charge, charged conveniently via a USB cable. The detector ships with an 11-inch concentric search coil, though it accepts additional coil sizes for those wanting to adapt it to trashy sites or wide-open fields. Durable yet affordable, the Simplex has carved out a reputation in the metal detecting community as a reliable all-rounder, equally suited to a weekend beachcomber searching for lost jewelry and a dedicated relic hunter exploring old homesteads and parklands.

Ready to swing it?

Nokta Makro Simplex

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Sift Score 9.2Simplex
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