Description
Everyone who gets serious about this hobby remembers their first real machine, the one that finally showed them what was actually in the ground. For a lot of people, this is that machine, packed the way you would actually take it to the field, and curated with Brandon Nicholas of Adventure Archaeology.
One Package. One Purchase. Nothing Missing.
This is built for the budget-minded detectorist stepping up to their first serious detector, and for anyone who wants the most capable setup their budget allows without buying it one piece at a time. No more ordering from three different sites. No more wondering whether the pinpointer, the pouch, and the detector actually work together. It is one order, prepacked, ready to hunt the day the box arrives.
And it makes a genuinely great gift. For a dad, a mom, or the kids with a spark for history, treasure, or just getting outside and exploring, this is a complete way in, not a gadget that ends up in a closet.
Why the Vortex VX5
The VX5 is Garrett's entry into the Vortex series, and it punches well above an entry machine. It runs a 13 kHz single frequency and Garrett's simultaneous multi-frequency (MD-MF) for stable target IDs across dirt, grass, and wet sand, with 175 points of ground balance from mineralized soil to salt beaches. Four search modes (Zero, Standard, USA Coins, Custom) and three-tone audio keep it simple to learn while still reading the ground honestly. The 8.5 x 11 in DD Raider search coil brings real coverage and depth, and the whole detector is submersible to 16 ft (5 m), so creeks, rain, and the surf line do not end the hunt.
It Grows With You
Two ways this kit keeps up as your skills do. First, the VX5 is part of the world's first fully upgradeable underwater detector series: as you advance, you can transform it into a VX7 or a VX9 with a paid software upgrade, no new detector required. Second, Z-Lynk wireless is built in, so you can add wireless audio whenever you want it.
Compare the Vortex line: VX5 vs VX7 vs VX9
This package is built on the VX5, the entry to the line. All three Vortex detectors share the same hardware: waterproof to 16 ft / 5 m, the 8.5 x 11 in / 22 x 28 cm DD Raider coil, Z-Lynk wireless, 3 lb / 1.38 kg, and a 3-year warranty. Moving up the line adds frequencies, saltwater ability, more search modes, and finer target separation.
| VX5 - $449.99 | VX7 - $534.99 | VX9 - $599.99 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single frequencies | 13 kHz | 5, 13 kHz | 5, 9, 13, 18, 25 kHz |
| Multi-Frequency | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-Salt (saltwater beach) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Search modes | 4 | 5: adds Beach | 7: adds Thin Coins and Fast |
| Target ID | One 0-99 scale | 2-tier scales | 3-tier MD-MF |
| Upgrade path | to VX7 or VX9 | to VX9 | top of line |
Which one is right for you? Choose the VX5 for dry-land coin, relic, and park hunting plus fresh water; it is the simplest to learn and the least expensive, but it is not built for saltwater beaches. Choose the VX7 if ocean beaches are in your plans: it adds the Multi-Salt mode, a deep-reading 5 kHz frequency, a 2-tier Target ID, and iron/bottlecap tools. Choose the VX9 for the full toolset: five single frequencies including 25 kHz for small gold and thin jewelry, a 3-tier Target ID that separates keepers from iron, and dedicated Thin Coins and Fast modes.
Prefer just the detector, without the pinpointer, digger, and pouch? See the standalone Garrett Vortex VX5.
Compatible Headphones (Sold Separately)
Headphones are not included in this package, which keeps the price down and lets you pick what fits your hunting. Every Garrett Vortex-compatible option works with the VX5:
- Garrett MS-3 Z-Lynk Wireless Headphones (PN 1627710) - wireless, pairs to the VX5's built-in Z-Lynk, no cable
- Garrett CS-3 Z-Lynk Wireless Headphones (PN 1635510) - wireless Z-Lynk, lighter on-ear style
- Garrett Vortex Submersible Headphones, 1/8 in (3 mm) jack (PN 2202150) - wired, for underwater and dive hunting (wireless audio does not transmit underwater)
- Garrett ClearSound Easy Stow Headphones, 1/8 in (3 mm) jack with in-line volume (PN 1612750) - wired, packable
Compatible Pinpointer Upgrade (Sold Separately)
This pack includes the Garrett Pro-Pointer AT (PN 1140900), a pinpointer waterproof to 20 ft (6 m) with three sensitivity levels, LED light, and a scraping blade. Because the VX5 has Z-Lynk built in, you can later add the Garrett Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk (PN 1142200): it pairs to the same wireless headphones as the detector, so target and pinpointer audio arrive in one headset with no wires to snag.
Technical Specs and Benefits
| Spec (Garrett-verified) | What it does in the field |
|---|---|
| 13 kHz single + MD-MF simultaneous multi-frequency | Stable IDs across soil, grass, and wet salt sand |
| 4 search modes + 3-tone audio | Simple to learn, honest target separation |
| 175 ground balance points | Tunes from mineralized dirt to salt beaches |
| 8.5 x 11 in DD Raider search coil, waterproof | Coverage and depth as the standard coil |
| Submersible to 16 ft (5 m) | Creeks, rain, and surf on the same machine |
| Z-Lynk wireless built in | Add MS-3 or CS-3 wireless headphones, no cable |
| Software upgradeable to VX7 / VX9 | The machine grows with your skills, no new detector |
| 3.0 lb (1.38 kg); collapses to 24.75 in (63 cm) | All-day swinging; packs for travel and hikes |
| Built-in Li-ion, ~15 hr, USB charging | All-day battery, top up from the truck |
| 3-year Garrett limited warranty | Authorized-dealer support behind it |
What's Included
- Garrett Vortex VX5 Metal Detector, PN 1142860, with 8.5 x 11 in DD Raider search coil and cover
- Garrett Pro-Pointer AT Pinpointer, PN 1140900 (waterproof to 20 ft / 6 m; three sensitivity levels; LED; scraping blade)
- Garrett Edge Digger, PN 1626200
- Garrett Camo Digger's Pouch, PN 1612900 (zippered finds bag, MOLLE webbing, belt)
- Adventure Archaeology Decal, mailed personally by Brandon
Headphones are not included - see compatible options above.
The Math, Plainly
Bought as separate pieces, the detector and Pro-Pointer AT alone are $559.98 at Garrett, before the digger, pouch, prepacking, and the Adventure Archaeology decal. This pack is $598.97, complete and ready to hunt, with channel support built in.
Who It's For
First-time detectorists who want a real machine, not a toy. Budget-minded hunters who want the most capable kit their money allows in a single purchase. Adventure Archaeology viewers who want the starting setup from the channel. And anyone shopping for a meaningful gift for a dad, mom, or a kid drawn to history, treasure, and the outdoors.
More Than a Purchase
A portion of every pack supports Adventure Archaeology and the free videos on historic finds and antique bottles that got a lot of us digging. You get the gear; the channel keeps making the stories.
History Seekers Metal Detectors is an authorized Garrett dealer, and we will help you set the VX5 up for your ground.
Because the story is more important than the artifact.