Nokta | Makro SIMPLEX Detailed Technical & Field Essay
The Nokta | Makro SIMPLEX+ (often sold as Simplex+ or Simplex WHP when bundled with wireless headphones) is a compact, budget-friendly, fully-waterproof VLF detector that punches above its price class. It’s aimed at beginners and intermediate hobbyists who want a single, lightweight machine that works across parks, fields, beaches and shallow water — while offering useful modern extras such as rechargeable battery, auto/manual ground balance, vibration alerts, and firmware updates. The unit is notable for delivering good target-separation speed and practical features for real detecting at a modest cost.
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Core technical specifications (what it is)
Operating principle: VLF (Very Low Frequency).
Operating frequency: 12 kHz (Simplex+) — a good compromise frequency that gives better sensitivity to small targets than low-frequency generalists yet still performs reasonably in mixed trash environments.
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Search coil: 11″ (28 cm) DD waterproof coil (SP28) — coil itself is submersible.
Waterproof rating: IP68 on WHP/fully submersible models — rated to 3 m / 10 ft (coil and control box) on many Simplex+ variants; check the specific “WHP / Ultra” model you buy.
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Weight & size: ~1.3 kg (2.9 lb) assembled; adjustable length ~63–132 cm (25″–52″) and foldable/compact design for travel.
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Power: Built-in rechargeable Li-Po battery (typically ~2300 mAh on WHP packs) with USB charging — no disposable AAs required.
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User interface & modes: Graphic LCD with backlight, 4–5 search modes (Field / Park / Park1 & Park2 variants on some models / Beach / All-Metal), numeric Target ID (00–99), notch discrimination, frequency shift, auto & manual ground balance, pinpoint, vibration alerts, and online firmware updates.
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Audio & headset: Models available with wired or 2.4 GHz wireless headphones (WHP bundle). Wireless headphones are not waterproof; wireless works when control box is not submerged. See manual warnings.
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How it works in the field — performance summary
Surprising sensitivity for price: The Simplex+ processes target information quickly and can separate multiple targets closely spaced, which users praise for trashy areas. Its 12 kHz center frequency gives good sensitivity to rings, coins and small jewelry compared with lower-frequency generalists.
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Very practical for beach & shallow water use: When you buy a variant with IP68 waterproofing (Simplex+ WHP / Ultra), the detector’s coil and control box can be used in shallow water and surf conditions (manufacturer-rated up to 3 m / 10 ft on many models). Vibration alerts and waterproofing make it suitable for underwater searching where headphones cannot be used. Always verify the exact model’s submersion rating.
Good target ID and trash management: The numeric 0–99 Target ID and Iron Audio with adjustable iron volume let you hear and interpret ferrous responses instead of blindly rejecting them — useful where interesting finds sit near iron. The notch filter and frequency shift help reduce local EMI and isolate targets.
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Speed & recovery in trashy ground: The detector’s processor handles rapid target response so you can detect and discriminate quickly in areas with multiple targets per swing — an advantage for urban parks and historical sites.
Strengths — why people choose the Simplex+
Price / feature ratio: Offers features often reserved for higher-priced machines (rechargeable battery, ground balance, pinpoint, waterproofing, wireless option, firmware updates).
All-around versatility: Single detector that works for parks, fields, beaches and shallow diving (on the WHP/Ultra submersible variants). Good for coin/ring/relic hunting.
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Low weight & portability: At ≈2.9 lb and with a compact fold, it’s comfortable for long sessions and travel.
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Rechargeable convenience: Built-in Li-Po battery with USB charging reduces battery cost and is handy in the field.
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Limitations & realistic expectations
Not a specialist gold detector: While 12 kHz is respectable, dedicated high-frequency VLF units or specialized nugget detectors (and PI machines) will outperform Simplex+ for ultra-tiny gold flakes and extremely mineralized ground. If fine gold prospecting is your primary goal, consider a gold-specific machine.
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Wireless headphone caution: The WHP bundle’s wireless headphones are not waterproof. If you plan to submerge the control box (full underwater work), do not rely on the headphones — they must remain dry. The manual explicitly warns that wireless audio will work only when the control unit is not submerged.
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Feature tradeoffs vs premium models: While Simplex+ adds manual ground balance, target separation and other modern amenities, it lacks some of the high-end refinements (extensive tone mapping, advanced multi-frequency processing, very deep multi-layer ground balancing) found in premium detectors.
Practical tuning & field tips (how to get the best from a Simplex+)
Choose mode to match terrain: Start in Park for garbage-filled urban sites, Field for general hunting, Beach for dry/wet sand (or use All-Metal when maximum sensitivity is desired). Learn how Target ID numbers map to common finds in each mode.
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Use manual ground balance when needed: For mineralized ground or hot rocks, manually ground-balance to stabilize and increase useful sensitivity. Auto ground balance is fine for most users, but learning manual GB helps in challenging soil.
Adjust Iron Volume: If you hunt trashy areas, increase iron volume so you can hear iron signals — sometimes good targets sit close to iron and would otherwise be rejected. If you want to avoid digging iron completely, lower the iron volume and notch it out.
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Use frequency shift to avoid interference: If you hear EMI or chaotic chatter (other detectors, power lines), slightly shift the frequency to find a quieter band.
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Take advantage of firmware updates: Nokta provides online firmware updates — keep the detector up to date for bug fixes and performance tweaks.
Who should buy the Simplex+?
Beginners & budget-conscious hobbyists who want a single reliable detector for parks, beaches and shallow water without buying add-ons.
Travelers who need a compact, foldable unit with rechargeable power and reasonable all-purpose performance.
Casual underwater hunters who want shallow dive capability without the expense of specialized underwater gear (but remember wireless headphones are not waterproof).
Users who value simple, fast target response in trashy ground rather than highly-tunable, technical control.
Quick comparison (context)
vs entry-level coin detectors: Simplex+ gives much better feature set (ground balance, rechargeable battery, waterproofing) and faster target processing.
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vs mid/high-end multi-frequency detectors (e.g., Equinox, Manticore): Those premium machines usually beat Simplex+ in mineralized ground handling, micro-gold sensitivity and feature depth — but cost several times more. If you need deep specialist performance, upgrade; for value and versatility, Simplex+ often wins.
Conclusion
The Nokta | Makro SIMPLEX+ is a cleverly-designed, value-packed detector that gives hobbyists many of the practical features they need in a single, portable package: rechargeable power, waterproofing, manual ground balance, good target separation, and simple but effective audio/visual ID tools. It’s not a specialist gold-prospecting powerhouse, but for coin, ring, relic and beach hunting — especially for users who want straightforward operation and true submersibility in some model variants — it’s an excellent, cost-efficient choice. For many users the Simplex+ represents “maximum useful features for minimum cost.
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