The Nokta Simplex and the Minelab Vanquish are the two detectors UK beginners compare most often. They cost about the same, they’re both light and simple, and they’re both well reviewed. But they’re built around different ideas, and the right choice depends on where you’ll detect.
How we compared them: from the manufacturers’ specifications, the Amazon UK listings and reviews, and current UK prices. We haven’t tested them side by side ourselves.
The short answer
- Mostly fields, and you want the best performance on UK soil: Minelab Vanquish 340 (about £199).
- Fields and beaches, and you want it fully waterproof: Minelab Vanquish 360 (about £259).
- You want to go into the water, and value features like a torch and vibration: Nokta Simplex Lite (about £200).
- You want wireless headphones and a lighter shaft: Nokta Simplex Ultra (about £300).
The key difference: multi-frequency vs single frequency
The Vanquish uses Minelab’s Multi-IQ, which runs several frequencies at once and sets itself up automatically. That gives it more stable performance on wet, mineralised UK ground and on wet salt sand, where single-frequency detectors tend to chatter.
The Simplex is a single-frequency detector. That’s a well-proven design and it works well on most inland sites, but it’s more affected by difficult ground and wet salt sand than the Vanquish.
For most people detecting UK farmland, this is the deciding factor, and it favours the Vanquish.
Where the Simplex wins
- Waterproofing. The whole Simplex is waterproof to 5 metres. The Vanquish 340’s control box is only water-resistant, although the newer Vanquish 360 closes this gap with full IP68 waterproofing.
- Features. The Simplex has a backlit screen, a built-in torch, and vibration on targets, which helps underwater or when you can’t hear. It also offers more manual control once you’re experienced.
- Wireless audio on the Ultra. The Simplex Ultra adds Bluetooth for wireless headphones and a carbon-fibre shaft.
Side-by-side comparison
| Vanquish 340 | Vanquish 360 | Simplex Lite | Simplex Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (approx.) | £199 | £259 | £200 | £300 |
| Frequency | Multi-IQ multi-frequency | Multi-IQ multi-frequency | Single frequency | Single frequency |
| Waterproof | Coil only | Fully, to 16ft (about 5m) | Fully, to 5m | Fully, to 5m |
| Weight | About 1.2kg | About 1.2kg | About 1.2kg | About 1.2kg |
| Extras | — | — | Backlight, torch, vibration | As Lite, plus Bluetooth and carbon shaft |
| Amazon UK rating | 4.3 (703) | 4.6 (28) | 4.4 (274) | 4.3 (247) |
Prices are Amazon UK prices checked in September 2026 and change often.
The detectors
Minelab Vanquish 340 (about £199)
The most recommended beginner detector in the UK. It has Multi-IQ multi-frequency, automatic setup, and Park, Field and Beach modes, and it weighs about 1.2kg. Its one weakness is the water-resistant control box. It's rated 4.3 stars from 703 Amazon UK reviews.
Minelab Vanquish 360 (about £259)
The newer Vanquish keeps Multi-IQ but is fully waterproof (IP68, submersible to 16ft), with a new 10-inch V10X coil. It combines the Vanquish's stability on UK ground with the Simplex's waterproofing, which makes it our pick for most people who can stretch to it. See our Vanquish comparison.
Nokta Simplex Lite (about £200)
Fully waterproof to 5 metres, with a backlit screen, a torch and vibration alerts. It's the better choice if you'll wade into the sea or detect in rivers where you have permission, or if you want more hands-on control as you gain experience. It's rated 4.4 stars from 274 reviews.
Nokta Simplex Ultra (about £300)
Everything the Lite has, plus built-in Bluetooth for wireless headphones and a lighter carbon-fibre shaft. It's rated 4.3 stars from 247 reviews. Worth it if you hate headphone cables, but for the same money the multi-frequency Vanquish 460 is worth a look. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Our verdict
For most UK beginners detecting farmland, the Vanquish is the better detector, because multi-frequency matters more on British soil than any extra feature. If you can afford it, the Vanquish 360 gives you that plus full waterproofing. Choose the Simplex if you’ll spend real time in the water, or if you like the idea of learning manual settings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nokta Simplex good for beginners? Yes. It’s simple to start with and has more to learn later. It’s single-frequency, though, so it’s less stable than the Vanquish on wet salt sand and mineralised soil.
Is the Vanquish waterproof? The 340 and 540 have a waterproof coil but a water-resistant control box. The newer 360, 460 and 560 are fully waterproof.
Which goes deeper? It depends heavily on the ground and the target. On mineralised UK soil, multi-frequency generally gives the Vanquish more stable depth. See our guide to how deep metal detectors go.