VortexMulti-frequency
Vortex VX9
5-25 kHzFrequency
16 ftDetector
2.9-3 lbTwo weights
View on Amazon Vortex VX9 (opens in a new tab)Affiliate link
Garrett · Multi-frequency detector
Garrett Vortex VX5
The Vortex VX5 is a multi-frequency Garrett detector with one single-frequency option, 13 kHz. It can go fully underwater, to 16 ft (5 m), and weighs 3 lb.
13 kHzMulti, or this single frequency
16 ftWaterproof
3 lbWeight, 1.38 kg
| Technology | Simultaneous multi-frequencyGarrett calls it MD-MF |
|---|---|
| Frequencies | 13 kHz13 kHz, Multi-Freq. |
| Waterproofing | detector submersible to 16 ft (5 m) |
| Weight | 3 lb (1.38 kg) |
| Coil | 11-inch DD |
| Battery | Not published |
| Battery life | Not published |
| Search modes | Zero, Standard, USA Coins, Custom |
| Sensitivity | 8 levels |
| Target ID | One target ID scale, 0 to 99 |
| Display | Backlit LCD |
| Headphones | Z-Lynk wireless built in; no headphones in the box |
| Warranty | 3 years, limited parts and labor |
| Status | In the current range |
Source: Garrett, Vortex VX5 product page (opens in a new tab), read Oct. 16, 2026.
- Not publishedBattery: Garrett names no battery type on the VX5 page; a USB cable is listed in the box.
- Not publishedBattery life: no figure in hours on the VX5 page.
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How it differs from its neighbors
Garrett's Vortex VX9 is the fuller model. Its single settings run from 5 to 25 kHz, five in all, plus Multi-Salt for the beach. Three more modes join the list, Thin Coins, Beach and Fast, and IDs move to Garrett's 3-tier MD-MF Target ID.
Garrett's ACE Apex lists 5, 10, 15, 20 kHz, Multi-Frequency, Multi-Salt as its settings, but Garrett rates only its Viper coil as waterproof. The AT Max runs one frequency, 13.6 kHz, and is waterproof to 10 ft (3 m).
Neither the VX5 nor the VX9 ships with headphones, but each has the Z-Lynk wireless link built in. Both carry a warranty of 3 years, limited parts and labor.
| Spec | DetectorVortex VX5 | DetectorVortex VX9 |
|---|---|---|
| Frequencies | 13 kHzMulti, or this single frequency | 5-25 kHz5, 9, 13, 18, 25 kHz |
| Waterproofing | 16 ftDetector, 5 m | 16 ftDetector, 5 m |
| Weight | 3 lb1.38 kg | 3 lb (1.38 kg) in the comparison table2.9 lb in the page textGarrett publishes both. |
| Battery | Not published | Not published |
| Target ID | One target ID scale, 0 to 99 | 3-tier MD-MF Target ID |
| Display | Backlit LCD | Backlit LCD |
View on Amazon Vortex VX5 (opens in a new tab)Affiliate link | View on Amazon Vortex VX9 (opens in a new tab)Affiliate link |
Facts from Garrett's page for each model, read Oct. 16, 2026.
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Other Garrett models to compare
Three facts per model on one scale; open a card for its full spec sheet.
ACEMulti-frequency
ACE Apex
5-20 kHzFrequency
CoilWaterproof part
Not publishedWeight
View on Amazon ACE Apex (opens in a new tab)Affiliate link
ATSingle frequency
AT Max
13.6 kHzFrequency
10 ftDetector
Not publishedWeight
View on Amazon AT Max (opens in a new tab)Affiliate link
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Questions about the Vortex VX5
Answered from Garrett's product page, read Oct. 16, 2026.
Garrett rates the whole VX5 for submersion, down to 16 ft (5 m).
On its MD-MF platform, the VX5 offers 13 kHz, Multi-Freq. in Garrett's words: one single frequency, or multi-frequency. The VX9 adds four single frequencies and Multi-Salt.
Not in the box. The Z-Lynk wireless link is built in, so pair your own Z-Lynk set.
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