Simplex+ hits a rare low price, but is it the right detector for you?

Is the Nokta Makro Simplex+ Waterproof Metal Detector worth buying? Yes — at £274.75, and especially at its all-time low, it is worth buying for buyers who want a fully waterproof detector with a large 11" coil and simple preset operation. It is not the cheapest option here, and it is not the most feature-rich either, but the combination of IP68 waterproofing, an included battery, 4 preset programs, and a 4.4/5 rating from 680 reviews makes it a credible buy for UK detectorists who want a proper step up from entry-level units.

First impressions

The Simplex+ looks like a detector built for practical use rather than gimmicks: black finish, adjustable length, and an 11" search plate that should give good ground coverage on open pasture or ploughed land. The fact that it is rated IP68 and can detect underwater metals up to 5 m deep is the standout feature here, because that pushes it beyond many budget detectors that are only splash-resistant. For a machine at £274.75, that waterproofing is a major part of the value.

What are the key features that matter?

The headline spec is the 11" coil, which should help with sweep coverage and efficiency. In real detecting, that matters when you are covering a field at 6am and want to reduce overlap without missing ground. The height-adjustable shaft is another practical plus, because comfort affects how long you can detect before fatigue sets in.

The product description says it has excellent metal discrimination and four preset programs, which is useful for newcomers who do not want to spend their first outings wrestling with settings. The LED display should also make target information easier to read in the field, though the listing does not provide a target ID scale, operating frequency in kHz, or ground balance type, so I would not assume advanced tuning or multi-frequency performance from the information available.

The included battery is a welcome detail, but the listing does not state the battery type or runtime, so you should factor in uncertainty around how long it will last on a full day out. That is a genuine limitation for buyers comparing it with more fully specified detectors.

How does it perform in the field?

Based on the available data, the Simplex+ is aimed at straightforward, reliable detecting rather than deep technical customisation. The four preset programs make it approachable, and the waterproof housing broadens where you can use it — beaches, wet grass, shallow water, and muddy ground are all more realistic use cases than they are on many similarly priced detectors.

The main performance strength suggested by the listing is depth and discrimination, but there are missing technical details that matter to experienced users: no stated frequency, no ground balance specification, and no target ID accuracy figures. That means newcomers may find it easy to use, while experienced detectorists may want more transparency before relying on it as a main machine for difficult mineralised ground.

Is it good value for money?

At £274.75, this is not the cheapest detector in the comparison set. The Hazlewolke Professional Metal Detector is £179.99 and the Minelab Vanquish 340 is £199.00, while the Nokta FINDX PRO sits at £169.00 and has a slightly higher 4.5★ rating. On price alone, the Simplex+ asks more than all three.

Where it fights back is waterproofing and usability. If you specifically want IP68 waterproofing to 5 m, the Simplex+ has a clearer advantage than the cheaper options listed here. That said, if you do not need full waterproofing, the FINDX PRO and Vanquish 340 look stronger on pure value because they are cheaper and, in the Vanquish’s case, bring multi-frequency auto-select capability that is not mentioned for the Simplex+.

How do buyers seem to rate it?

The overall sentiment from 680 reviews is broadly positive: about 70-80% seem genuinely positive, with the remaining share likely split between mixed experiences and disappointed buyers. The 4.4/5 average suggests most users are satisfied, but not blown away.

Enthusiastic reviewers most likely praise the waterproof design, ease of use, and the fact that it feels like a “proper” detector rather than a toy. Complaints are more likely to focus on expectations versus reality: buyers wanting advanced target ID, more technical control, or better specification transparency may feel underwhelmed. Some low-star reviews on products like this often come from shipping issues or users expecting gold-hunting performance from a general-purpose detector, rather than from outright hardware failure.

How does it compare to alternatives?

Against the Minelab Vanquish 340 (£199.00, 4.4★), the Simplex+ is more expensive and does not have the same clearly stated multi-frequency advantage. Against the Nokta FINDX PRO (£169.00, 4.5★), it costs more but offers the stronger waterproof claim and a larger 11" coil. Against the Hazlewolke Professional (£179.99, 4.4★), the Simplex+ again costs more, so the case for buying it depends on whether you value the Nokta brand, the IP68 rating, and the more established detector platform.

Final take

The Simplex+ is a good buy if you want an affordable, fully waterproof detector with a large coil and simple operation, and the current all-time low price of £274.75 makes that case stronger. It is less compelling if you want the best spec sheet per pound, because the cheaper alternatives listed here bring strong ratings and, in the case of the Vanquish 340, multi-frequency technology.

The short version: buy it if waterproofing and ease of use matter most; look elsewhere if you want the lowest price or more technical control.