Advanced Settings for the Garrett ACE Apex

Most metal detectors are programmed to be used straight out of the box. This is great, but there are times when adjusting settings can increase finds and help to minimize digging trashy targets on specific sites. After reading this article, you should better understand when to adjust settings for site-specific improvements while using the ACE Apex. 

Garrett ACE Apex Tips for Effective Use

• Start with Default Settings: Begin with the factory default settings as a baseline.
• Gradual Adjustments: Make small adjustments to settings and test the results before making further changes.
• Understand Target IDs: Familiarize yourself with the target ID ranges for different metal types to effectively use discrimination.
• Practice and Experimentation: The more you use the Garrett ACE Apex, the better you’ll understand its capabilities and how to optimize its settings.

Garrett ACE Apex Settings to Experiment With

Trashy home sites present unique challenges due to high mineral content, iron clutter, and a mix of target depths. The Garrett ACE Apex offers settings you can adjust to tackle these issues.

1. Ground Balance: Ground balance a few times an hour to find the optimal ground balance for your location. I usually ground balance when I change locations at a site. For example, I may be in an area where a structure was burned down and the mineralization is altering my readings. I ground balance whenever I see a change in the soil either from trashy iron, modern trash and burned down structure debris in the soil. 
2. Sensitivity:  Lower sensitivity can help ignore smaller iron items, but be cautious as it might also reduce depth penetration for valuable targets. This can also change depending on coil size as well. I usually run my detector at a medium sensitivity and adjust it from there. If I am in a quite part of an old homesite I will increase sensitivity in order to find deeper or smaller targets. 

Beach detecting with highly mineralized sand or saltwater conditions is another area adjusting sensitivity can help to decrease instability. Also, when dealing with electromagnetic field (EMF) interference it can help to decrease sensitivity. 

3. Notch Discrimination: Carefully select a range to exclude common trash items like pull tabs, bottle caps, and foil while allowing potential valuable targets to pass through. It is important to rember targets which are lying together in an area will register at a combined number. Be sure to change direction on the target constantly swinging over it to see if you are getting a consistent tone or one that registers different target ID’s. 

I mainly metal detect old long-gone homesites or old homes. I notch out the first section up to 25 to help avoid digging a lot of iron like nails and bolts. I dig a lot of targets that may register as undesirable to some, but when relic hunting you can’t dig too much. There is no way to completely eliminate all trashy targets, because most iron targets are composite metals and may register as good even though they are not as desirable. The best way to see what will work best for you is to experiment notching out lower numbers until your detector is at a setting that seems to work for you. 

4. Audio Tone: Adjust the iron audio volume to help identify iron targets quickly. I usually adjust the iron audio to 1 or 2 and then I am still able to hear when I am over an iron field or a target.

5. Frequency adjustments:  I often hunt in Multi-Frequency mode (MF). However, if I have hunted a site repeatedly I will adjust my frequency settings in order to see if I missed items while hunting in MF. The Garrett ACE Apex offers four single frequency settings as well which can be changed from 5kHz up to 20kHz. If you are in search of big silver coins the lower frequency can assist and for smaller targets bump it up. 

You can also adjust the channel settings from one to eight. These come in useful when dealing with EMF or other metal detectors nearby. Each channel offers different  frequency shifts, so experiment by seeing which channel is most affective at the site you are on. 

6. Search Coil: Search coils size can change everything.  When metal detecting a new site that is littered with debris, I will throw on my 6” x 11” Viper coil. It is small enough to get in between littered sites to find the targets I want to dig.  Consider using a smaller coil for better target discrimination in cluttered areas. 

The stock 8.5” x 11” Radier coil is a good mid-size coil for all target sizes. Most standard size coils that come on detectors are maximized for coin detection. When I am on a new site, I will change my coil size once about halfway through the day and then regrid an area I detected already. I always come away with targets I missed.  Just remember when changing coils to sync your new coil to the Apex by powering it on, then holding down the power button until the menu screen registers ‘Coin’ mode. 

       7.  Mode Choice:  The Garrett ACE Apex comes with six detection modes which include Zero Discrimination, Coins, US Coins, Jewelry, Relics, and Custom. To be honest, I rarely use anything other than Zero Discrimination. I keep it in this mode and simply notch out lower tones. This way I can also use the Iron Audio feature to double-check if a target contains any iron. Iron Audio will not work unless you have some blocks notched out. I don’t keep Iron Audio on, due to the types of sites I regularly detect are littered with iron trash. I usually use Iron Audio to help decide if the target I’m on is giving me a false signal. The Iron Audio will emit a sound that helps me to decide if I want to waste my time digging it or not. 

Garrett ACE Apex Additional Tips

• Slow and Steady Wins the Race: Slower swing speeds allow for better target identification in noisy environments.
• Pinpointing: Use the pinpoint function to accurately locate targets, especially in trash-filled areas.
• Digging Technique: Develop a careful digging technique to avoid damaging potential valuable finds.
• Practice and Experimentation: The best settings will vary depending on the specific site conditions. Experiment with different combinations to find what works best for you.

Remember: The best settings will vary depending on the specific hunting environment and your personal preferences. Experimentation is key to finding the optimal configuration for your needs.

There is no perfect setting for any metal detector. Each site you metal detect will offer different variables such as mineraliztion, target amounts, and electromagnetic field interference. This is why it is in every Garret ACE Apex user’s interest to experiment with their settings. If you regularly hunt a site and want to save the setting, be sure to switch your mode to Custom in order to save the settings you frequently find useful. 

I have hundreds of hours on my ACE Apex and I have never found one setting that works best for every site. I am always adjusting and experimenting. Hopefully by working with changing your settings you will come away with more relics, coins, and other pieces of history hidden in the dirt. Happy hunting.