Not too sure about this detector, I’ve had many metal detectors over the years, and straight away i realised they were my new best friend, but the Nokta Legend, i am not too sure about this Machine…
For my next detector i wanted to purchase a simultaneous multi-frequency metal detector, but certain metal detectors, notably the minelabs have very poor build quality, whereas Nokta had the build quality, and everyone i met said that build-wise it was unsurpassed, literally everyone you talked to said the build quality is unsurpassed by any detector on the market today, hence one of the reasons, why i purchased the Legend, and not a Minelab, whose quality is shocking for the premium price you pay, it seems the Minelab might have the edge on the legend performance wise when out in the field, but who wants to go home early, when the damm coil lug breaks, the armrest snaps and whatever else the poor quality workmanship or materials let you down…
Some of the issues that i am having with the Legend, is a problem quietening the metal detector down, the hisses, splutters, coughs, and crackles, plus it suffers with EMI more than the T2 and even the original Silver Sabre ( which used to announce the oncoming arrival of the next train every half an hour, when metal detecting near the railway line )
Is the Legend Waterproof…
Yes, the Legend comes as standard with a 3mt or 10ft depth of waterproofness… ( strange word that-waterproofness )
But…
“Yes” from the amount of time I have spent detecting in the rain it has withstood all of the mud, water & dust that’s been thrown at it has held up to its claim, “But” like everyone i have read and understood, the Legend is waterproof and dustproof, but like all the waterproof detectors out there, it is not as cosy as it seems…
There is one small “fly in the ointment”
This is not peculiar to just the Legend, this applies to all of the waterproof metal detectors out there, because to make any waterproof metal detector usable in the rain or underwater, you MUST have waterproof HEADPHONES ? , goes without saying really, i suppose, but this is a grey area, & one that is rarely mentioned, anywhere…
So yes, the Legend is waterproof to a depth of ten feet as is the Acupoint, BUT the HEADPHONES are not, the headphones are not even shower proof let alone waterproof, even trying to make them out to be damp-proof is stretching the truth somewhat, so that fuzzy sound you are hearing in your headphones is the sound of your expensive headphones degrading, be warned…
So where does that leave us with Metal Detecting in the rain ?
I must emphasise i don’t intend to use the Legend metal detector as a wader or diving machine, but i do sometimes use a metal detector in rivers, streams, brooks, etc. with the detector coil in the water, and maybe the lower shaft submerged, but that’s the maximum depth of me being in the water, so if the headphones are not submerged or subjected to the water of any kind i will be able to use the legend with its wireless headphones that come as standard, with the added bonus of being able to lay the machine down in the water whilst retrieving a signal, a good tip here is to secure your detector to your body via a lanyard, this stops it floating away or even worse sinking…
Failing that, if i were to use the Legend in the Rain i would then have one of two choices, one being to use either a large hood or cover over my head, or the second choice i would then have to consider purchasing an after-market set of waterproof headphones, now to understand the difference between standard headphones and waterproof headphones we have to look inside and see what they are made from, first the standard headphone then the waterproof headphones ( this last link will take you to the detector pro website, although it is printed below [ i know the green headphones shown do not work with the legend, i am working on it ] – )…
So, what is out there ?
I am a great believer in going original, as in whatever the company has built and produced is best for the machine, but again what works best-! For example, my go-to aftermarket coil is the SEF, i got into the DD Coil when i had the Silver Sabre which came with the stock 8″ Concentric Coil, which was the best coil for the detector as a general coil, but i liked the stability of the Tesoro DD coil, which to get the best out of it invoked a slightly slower detecting sweep, everyone told me the depth was less due to the cone shape of the concentric detecting pattern, but with the DD coil you get a broader detecting pattern so although depth is slightly on the minus side with the DD coil, whilst on the concentric coil you have a slightly more chance to get deeper than with the DD coil, but with the DD Coil you gain a greater width of detecting as you sweep, which seemed to me, to be the optimum way to go, as most Artefacts & Coins are within the plough depth, so once the DD coil was put onto any of my metal detectors it never came off, hence why i still love the T2, which was born as a wide scan machine…
The Nokta Waterproof Headphones blurb reads;
It features robust and waterproof construction, allowing you to detect on land or in shallow waters confidently. They are designed to withstand moisture, dirt, and dust, ensuring durability and reliability in any weather.
With their optimized design, these headphones deliver superior audio performance, reproducing clear and crisp sound. You’ll hear even the faintest signals emitted by your metal detector, enabling you to distinguish between different targets and increasing your chances of finding valuable items.
Comfort is prioritized during long detecting sessions. The adjustable headband ensures a secure and personalized fit, while the cushioned ear cups provide maximum comfort, allowing you to focus on detecting without distractions.
The practical features of these headphones further enhance your experience. The extended cable offers freedom of movement, and its reinforced design resists tangling, making it easy to handle while on the go. Convenience is at your fingertips with the built-in volume control knob on the ear cup. Adjusting the audio volume is effortless, eliminating the need for external devices or metal detector settings adjustments. Embark on your metal-detecting journey confidently, knowing that Nokta Waterproof Headphones are built to endure and provide exceptional performance. Unleash the full potential of your metal detector and discover hidden treasures like never before.
So the only other option which i like is the grey ghost amphibian…
The description below comes from various sources on the internet, not least of all Detector Pro…
Gray Ghost Amphibian II Headphones for the Legend…
Gray Ghost Amphibian II Headphones incorporate several dramatic improvements in weatherproof/submersible headphone design, and this is why i think i might have just fallen for the sales blurb, as the write-up is impressive…
These headphones are intended to replace your manufacturer’s land headphones and after-market waterproof headphones, now you can use one set of headphones for both land and underwater. The design is 100% waterproof and totally submersible to a maximum of 200 feet! No compromise in sound quality or functionality. Plus! a new internal design allows for louder volume.
Read the Technical Specifications, then Read them Again:
Look at the length of the headphone lead from the jack plug, 1.4mts that’s a fair old length of curly cable, so if these are sold with the promise of not being ripped off your head every five minutes, IE by the surf, entering or exiting the water or tide, let’s hope the occasional treading on them in a clumsy moment might also be forgiven, so If you tread on them, and they stay put that’s great, i also understand these headphones are fully submersible and that is why the lead is so long, but using these for land use that long lead has other uses…
If we look at the control box housing it looks strong but how strong is strong, attaching a lead to the back of the control box introduces a strain on the control housing, to combat this, & with this lead being so long, it allows us to alleviate some if not all of that strain by using stratigiclly placed tie-wraps to attach at least some of that lead to the stem, once your headphones are pluged in you then can gently curve the lead down towards the stem, this is where the first tie wrap holds it in place, then place the headphone cable along the stem and under the control box housing, placing another tie wrap just forward of the hand grip, before continuing along the top stem to go under the arm cuff, using at least a further two tie wraps, this also allows you to exit the lead away from the housing and out of the rear of the arm cuff & exit from the left-hand side of the detector, where the lead will cross your body allowing the headphones to comfortably sit over your head with the lead properly in place on the left-hand side of your head, thus eliminating any chance of the lead pulling the headphones off your head ( well thats the theroy )…
Technical Specifications:
- Heavy-duty 48″ Coil Cable with Waterproof Plug
- Solid-state Speakers
- Designed for Maximum Sensitivity, efficiency, and durability in dry or wet conditions regardless of depth.
- Special Sound-blocking Muff Design
- Eliminates ambient noise up to 24 decibels.
- Heavy-duty Thick, Plush, Soft Polymer Cushions
- With full-ear surround.
- Heavy-duty Muff-to-Muff Connection Cable
- Adjustable Fully Padded Headband
- No screws, No wire frame, No rust!
- Compact Carry and Storage – Convenient foldable design.
- Built-in the USA!
Warranty:
Gray Ghost Amphibian II Headphones are warranted to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for 2 years as long as they are owned by the original consumer purchaser. This warranty is not transferable.
Here is a good sales blurb for the use of Amphibian Detector Pro Headphones…
These headphones are a Radical “redesign” of the traditional method of waterproofing wired connections on Piezo transducers: All underwater headphones use a Piezo-type “buzzer” speaker system because headphones typically on land, use paper speakers which would disintegrate after getting submerged, hence why Detector-Pro have carefully thought all of this out to produce a set of headphones like no other…
However, the tonality of the piezo system is unfortunately compromised due to the piezo being dampened with silicone to waterproof the connection, which actually degraded the “buzzing” action of the Piezo.
So Detector-Pro developed a waterproof “sound box” for the Piezo and the connections are internal, hence the Piezo will now deliver its full range of audio, rivalling the headphones we are used to whilst detecting with and the traditional paper speakers…
Plus these speakers have simple conformity giving the user…
- Quality, comfort, fit, and finish you expect from Gray Ghost: Once worn, you won’t believe our headphones are designed for underwater use. They are as plush or plusher than most land phones. They fit snugly and have soft cushions that won’t slip off when encountering waves, submersing your head, or diving for treasure. Detect for hours in total comfort.
- Attention to detail: We read the user forums to learn everything we could to improve and surpass the Nokta Makro headphones. Our improvements make the detecting experience much better. Improvements like lengthening the coiled wire cord and leaving enough straight wire coming off the connector to allow clipping to the hook under Nokta Makro’s arm cuff. This feature keeps the cable out of your way, eliminates a stress point at the rear of the detector, and helps keep the cable tangle-free.
- Longer Cable Wire: Our coiled wire is longer, stronger, and more durable than most standard headphone wiring. We make our waterproof headphones last!
Gray Ghost Amphibian Headphones: incorporates several dramatic improvements in weatherproof/submersible headphone design.
Finally, we are told there is no compromise in sound quality or functionality. Plus! The new internal design allows for louder volume…
So finally… price comparison…
I will leave this up to you as i am not selling anything… but the Nokta headphones come in at £ 169.99p without any further details as to how or why they are waterproof, whilst the Detector Pro gives a fair account of its product which retails at £ 159.00p, with a good sales pitch, but as i already own a set of Gray Ghosts, & the quality is exceptional, the sales pitch on the waterproof headphones seems to be legitimate…
FOOT-NOTE…
You can now get the Nokta Waterproof Headphones for £ 129.95p from Spin-A-Disc Metal Detectors, which also happens to sell the Gray Ghost Headphones for £ 137.95p, all be it on the Bay of Thieves…
(-so i am going to own the Gray Ghost headphones, very soon-)
So, following on from my earlier post about the waterproofness of headphones, and the cause of their demise, my choice was simple, Paper or Piezo…
I have chosen wireless for the sunshine or milder weather, and, to participate when it is damp, or raining & the weather wants us to stay indoors, i can still go out by using my new set of waterproof headphones…
Yes, i committed myself to purchasing a set of Detector Pro Amphibian waterproof headphones, for the inclement weather…
All this time I’ve been detecting with a twenty-seven-year-old pair of Predator headphones, without any trouble & i must admit these are such good headphones and so comfortable, a few hours or longer it makes no difference, they work so well ( and still work fine-all be it the ear muffs are splitting ) but to use them with the legend i must use a fly lead, which i have emailed Crawfords about, but as the Legend comes with a set of wireless headphones, i have been convinced that this is the way forward, so Blue tooth for now and the newly purchased gray ghost amphibian wired headphones, will make a wet appearance…
I must admit the Gray Ghosts headphones do have a very poor finish to them, the holes drilled into the ear cups have not been finished off properly, ( which i assume allows for the water to drain out ) there is trailing plastic, visible where the holes have been drilled & randomly placed, whilst with the tiny little bungs used to seal and hold the overhead cables into the cups, these don’t fit properly, which seems to have happened, on the rest of the wires on the headphones, and i have had to adjust the wires to get them to sit properly in their respective holes… So, saying that i hope I’ve made the right choice, but that’s the problem ordering blind on the internet, plus the bag was sealed so Spin-A-Disc would have known no difference…
So, i have checked them, and they sound superb, good tone, and are crisp and clear, a good length of straight cable will allow the headphones to be clipped to the upper stem, creating hardly any stress on the control housing…
Shown in the photograph above right is the little sealed box, which makes all the difference, no water ingression, and everything is watertight…
When i purchased the waterproof headphones from SPIN-A-Disc, i also bought a box cover, with all the choices out there the best ones seemed to be the Nokta original ones, mainly because of the raised controls highlighted in red, ensuring you always hit the right button… why everyone uses neoprene is beyond me, when CORDURA is just as good, especially on a waterproof machine, and your main aim is to try to keep everything clean, now I’m ready to get out there and get wet & dirty…
Whilst looking for a practical bag / holdall / shoulder bag for the Legend, i do have my eyes on the Nokta backpack as a practical carry-all whilst out in the field, due to trying to carry all the equipment in a shoulder bag, although the shoulder bag worked it was rather awkward, and kept falling down off my shoulder when “detecting walking” around the edges of the fields to get to my chosen fields, especially when bending down …
As part of a backstory, I have now gained my first permission, so I will no longer rely on paid digs. Although I have detected the new farm three times without any great success, I will now attempt a weekly write-up on the progress. So far, the results are not all that promising. I am still struggling with the legend and continuing to rely on the Black T2, but I have found a coin on each dig, all be it pre-decimal.
with all this rain lately the Legend is a blessing in disguise, it has not failed, even when it’s knee-deep in mud & water, and although not one for using a pin pointer, i am slowly being converted to the Acupoint, after trying without success on the Teknetics pin pointer, which interfered badly with the T2, but whilst using the Acupoint with the Legend it is supposed to cut into the headphones when switched on, i have upgraded to 1.13 and it worked indoors, but again it did not work out in the field, so that needs working on again…
i will post photos next time that are relevant to the day’s dig, along with the Acupoint, & the Legend, but carrying all this equipment is becoming a bit of a struggle without a backpack and having to walk up to twenty-odd minutes to the fields, because i have to park up in the farm yard, (- but i am not complaining about where i have to park, as i am grateful for the permission-) i have tried carrying a “body cross over-the-shoulder bag” but to me, it was uncomfortable and kept falling forward when bending down, so although a small niggle, but i am finding paying nearly Ninety Pounds (- £ 90.00p -) for a Nokta backpack a little hard to swallow…
Well, this is the demo from Nokta themselves for thee beast mode and it is really interesting…
25 – 04 – 2024 –
Nokta Detectors
Dear Valued Legend Users,
Thank you for testing the Legend software update v.1.14 Beta 1 & 2 test versions and your valuable feedback. We have now removed the Beta versions from our website and we’re ending the testing stage here.
We’ll work on a few more tweaks and release the final version in the upcoming weeks. Please use v.1.13 until we give you the final update of the v.1.14.
The Legend – Version 1.14 Beta 2 Test – RELEASED!
Updates Made:
1) When switching to Beast mode, All Metal discrimination pattern will be selected automatically. When switching from Beast mode back to Gold Field mode, the last selected discrimination pattern in Gold Field Mode will be restored.
2) Update in the Ground Balance Menu
a) When selecting between FerroCheck (FC) and Mineralization Indicator (GI), the ‘FC’ or ‘GI’ indicators displayed on the right side of the screen have been moved to the left.
b) The ‘FC’ or ‘GI’ indicators which remain on the screen until exiting the menu will be automatically cleared from the screen after 2 seconds.
c) When the Tracking feature is activated, the ground balance level flashes on the screen. In Beast mode, when the Ground Balance 2 is activated while the tracking feature is on, the ground balance level will be shown steady to avoid confusion.
3) General improvements have been made.
#BeastModeBeta2#LegendBeastMode#NoktaLegend#Nokta#NoktaDetectors#TheLegend#MetalDetecting#MetalDetector#TreasureHunting
this is the new realise of 1.17
Legend update is available now “all be it in Beta Mode” for a ten-day period, this looks different from the other updates, and these guys are not pushing anything here just trying to improve the metal detector…
might be worth trying this one
OK, this is how it seems to work on your Detector once it is installed… All seems ok but i am still trying to understand the iron bias to zero, but never mind i will get there…
Well, this is the demo from Nokta themselves and it is really interesting…
Now things are hotting up & looking interesting… 16-04-24
ATTENTION!
WHEN USING THE BEAST MODE:
1) YOU MUST GROUND BALANCE
2) USE DISCRIMINATION PATTERN ‘A’ NOT G!
We will give a new version soon where the Beast Mode will revert to A Discrimination pattern by default.
On a separate note, we will share a demo of it tomorrow so you understand the goal of this mode.
This mode enables you to detect targets that didn’t ”exist for the detector” so to say. So to expect this mode to ID/discriminate/unmask just like a Park or Field mode is unrealistic.
If we could hit these targets in the Park or Field modes, then we wouldn’t need a separate Beast Mode to begin with! Hope this makes sense for some if not all.
First we had this on the 15-04-2024 –
ATTENTION!
Dear Valued Legend users,
It seems like many have not understood the Beast Mode! This includes even some of the more experienced users.
Please be patient and we will make a demonstration of it for you! Please refrain from making comments such as ”it doesn’t work” unless you really understand the goal of it and how you can test it.
Testing it with coins that you can already detect in other modes will not demonstrate the capabilities of the mode!
Hang tight…we will show it to you here
! Thanks in advance for your patience.
Are you going for it ? i never knew this was available, until people were saying it was no good…
This was released today from Nokta, and you can upgrade with the Beta mode
udigidig.com 