Garrett Vortex Quick Start Guide

Quick Start

1. Step 1: Power On

   Press and release the power button. The Vortex powers on in the last mode used and is ready to search.

2. Step 2: Select Mode

   Tap the Mode button to select a different detection mode, if desired.

3. Step 3: Adjust Settings

   Press the Menu button to access all settings. Scroll up or down using the ▲ and ▼ arrows. Tap the Plus (+) or Minus (-) button to adjust the selected setting.

   • Sensitivity: Indicates current sensitivity setting.
   • Volume: Overall volume control for headphones and built-in speaker.
   • Iron Audio: Allows the user to hear discriminated iron.
   • Iron Volume: Select 1-8 to adjust the volume of iron/ferrous targets, while the volume of non-ferrous targets remains at a normal level.
   • Frequency Options: VX5: Multi-Frequency (Multi-Freq.) and 13kHz; VX7: Multi-Freq., Multi-Salt, 5kHz, and 13kHz; VX9: Multi-Freq., Multi-Salt, 5kHz, 9kHz, 13kHz, 18kHz, 25kHz
   • Channel: Select 1-8 to eliminate electrical interference.
   • Recovery Speed: Select 1-3 on VX9 to control target reactivity/separation. Two speeds on VX7. Fixed recovery speed on VX5.
   • Backlight: Turn on to illuminate the LCD.

4. Step 4: Ground Balance

   Press and hold the Ground Balance button while bouncing the coil above the ground until the ground response disappears or becomes as small as possible.

Correct Swing

Swing the coil at 3 ft/sec (1m/s) and 1-2 inches (2-3cm) above the ground.

Assembly

1. Loosen the upper camlock and extend the stem until the pin locks into the first pin position. Hand-tighten the upper camlock. (Note: the second pin position can be used to extend the stem length.)
2. Loosen the lower camlock and extend the stem to the desired operating length. Hand-tighten the camlock.
3. Insert rubber washers, connect the search coil to the stem as shown, and hand-tighten the wing nut.
4. Wrap the cable around the stem and attach.

Charging

Insert USB-C to charge the unit. Recharges in about 4 hours using a 10W (2A) or greater power source. A lower wattage source will take longer. Adjust the arm cuff, if needed.

Controls

1. Power, Mode, Exit, and Factory Reset: Hold for 1 second for power ON or OFF. Quick-press to change Modes or to exit MENU settings. Press and hold for 5 seconds to restore Factory Settings.
2. MENU/Settings: Press once to enter Menu items. Use ▲ and ▼ arrows to scroll up or down through different settings. Use the Plus (+) or Minus (-) buttons to change the setting.
3. Sensitivity: Indicates current sensitivity setting.
4. Volume: Overall volume control setting for headphones and built-in speaker.
5. Iron Audio: Allows the user to hear discriminated iron.
6. Iron Volume: Select 1-8 to adjust the volume of iron/ferrous targets, while the volume of non-ferrous targets remains at normal level.
7. Frequency Options: VX5: Multi-Frequency (Multi-Freq.) and 13kHz; VX7: Multi-Freq., Multi-Salt, 5kHz, and 13kHz; VX9: Multi-Freq., Multi-Salt, 5kHz, 9kHz, 13kHz, 18kHz, 25kHz
8. Channel: Select 1-8 to eliminate electrical interference.
9. Recovery Speed: Select 1-3 on VX9 to control target reactivity/separation. Two speeds on VX7. Fixed recovery speed on VX5.
10. Backlight: Turn on to illuminate LCD.

LCD/Display Elements

Vortex VX5

1. Target Scale: Single-tier Target ID scale indicates both ferrous and non-ferrous targets, with ferrous targets indicating toward the left, low conductivity in the middle, and high conductivity toward the right.
2. Search Mode: Displays the current Search Mode (e.g., Zero, Standard, US Coins, etc.).
3. Frequency: Displays the current Frequency setting (e.g., 13 kHz, Multi-Freq., Multi-Salt).
4. Iron Audio: Indicates Iron Audio feature is in use when this icon is displayed.
5. Backlight: Indicates LCD backlight feature is in use when displayed.
6. Battery Level: Shows status of battery life (25% per segment).
7. Digital Target ID: Provides a value from 0 to 99 to identify targets more precisely.
8. Sensitivity: Indicates current Sensitivity setting.
9. Target Depth: Shows depth of coin-sized target in 2" (5cm) increments. Targets larger than a coin may display shallower than actual depth. Targets smaller than a coin may display deeper than actual depth.
10. Target ID Cursor: Indicates Target ID of detected target. Complex targets may register more than one Target ID cursor. For adjacent targets, Vortex is capable of presenting more than one Target ID on the screen simultaneously.

Vortex VX7

1. Target Scale: Two-tier Target ID scale indicates different metal types. The top scale indicates non-ferrous (conductive) targets. The lower scale indicates ferrous targets. For other LCD elements and more on Target Scale, refer to VX5 key shown to left.
2. Wireless Headphones: Icon flashes while attempting to pair headphones. Icon is solid when unit is paired with headphones.

Vortex VX9

1. Target Scale: Three-tier Target ID scale indicates different metal types. The top scale indicates "tricky" or complex ferrous (iron) items. The center scale indicates non-ferrous (conductive) targets. The lower scale indicates common ferrous targets. For other LCD elements, refer to VX5 key shown to left.

Search Modes

• Zero Discrimination: Detects every type of metal. All discrimination pixels are switched on. No metal targets have been notched out (eliminated). Use this mode to find all metal items or when the material of the desired object is unknown.
• Standard: Most iron targets are notched out. This mode is ideal for locating relics, jewelry, and most international coins.
• US Coins: Designed to find U.S. and similar coins, and to eliminate common trash items such as iron, foil, and pull-tabs.
• Custom: Settings programmed by the user are retained when the detector is switched off. Factory preset is Standard Mode.
• Beach*: By default, Beach Mode operates only in the Multi-Salt frequency setting. Iron Discrimination is set to eliminate most common ferrous items from detection.
• Thin Coins**: Enhanced audio on targets within a select Target ID range, such as gold coins, small Roman coins, and thin, hammered coins. Audio volume is suppressed for common ferrous targets and for highly conductive targets.
• Fast**: Increased Reaction speed and suppressed audio volume on common ferrous targets. Ideal for use in competition hunts and for high-trash areas.

* Available only on VX7 and VX9 models.
** Available only on VX9 model.

Factory Default Settings

Vortex features and specifications subject to change.

Additional Features & Notes

• Wireless Headphones: Flashes while attempting to pair, solid when paired. Available on VX7 and VX9 models.
• Notch Discrim: Use to eliminate areas of Target ID from audible detection. Use + or - buttons to move the cursor along each scale and ▲ and ▼ arrows to move between Target ID scales. Tap the Ground Balance button to accept or reject a notch.
• High-Resolution Iron Discrim: Allows the user to adjust the iron (ferrous) discrimination level (0-39).
• Ground Balance: Hold down while bouncing the coil above the ground until the ground response disappears or becomes as small as possible. Also used during Notch Discrim adjustments.
• Pinpoint: Hold for the pinpointing function to precisely locate targets.

Regulatory Information

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

This device complies with Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

Ce produit est conforme aux normes RSS exemptes de licence d'Industry Canada. Son fonctionnement est soumis aux deux conditions suivantes: (1) ce dispositif ne peut pas provoquer d'interférences et (2) ce dispositif doit accepter toute interférence, y compris celles pouvant entraîner un dysfonctionnement.

Wireless Transmitter Specifications

• Audio Delay: 17 milliseconds
• Audio Bandwidth: 30-18,000 Hz
• Operating Frequency: 2406-2474 MHz
• Transmit Power: 8.6 dBm EIRP
• Certifications: FCC, CE, IC, AS/NZ