The Garrett Vortex VX9 is worth buying if you will actually use its extra controls: trashy parks, competition hunts and saltwater beaches are where they pay off. Garrett gives it five single frequencies (5, 9, 13, 18 and 25 kHz) plus Multi-Freq and Multi-Salt, seven search modes, three recovery speeds, adjustable bottle cap rejection and iron boundary, and full waterproofing to 16 feet (5 m), for $550 to $600 at Garrett’s store. If you would leave it in one mode, the cheaper Vortex VX7 or VX5 gives you the same 5 m waterproof platform with fewer settings.
This review is desk research from Garrett’s VX9 product page and Vortex comparison table, checked on October 3, 2026. Nobody at Backyard Prospectors has used this detector.
Key specs, with VX7 and VX5 for comparison
| Feature | Vortex VX5 | Vortex VX7 | Vortex VX9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frequencies | 13 kHz, Multi-Freq | 5, 13 kHz, Multi-Freq, Multi-Salt | 5, 9, 13, 18, 25 kHz, Multi-Freq, Multi-Salt |
| Search modes | Zero, Standard, USA Coins, Custom | Adds Beach | Adds Beach, Thin Coins, Fast |
| MD-MF Target ID | One scale (0-99) | 2-tier | 3-tier |
| Bottlecap Reject / Iron Boundary | Fixed | 4 settings | 6 settings |
| Recovery speed | Fixed | 2 settings | 3 settings |
| Tones | 3 | 3, 5 | 2, 3, 5 |
| Sensitivity settings | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Ground balance | Auto | Auto | Auto |
| Wireless | Z-Lynk | Z-Lynk | Z-Lynk |
| Waterproofing | 16 ft (5 m) | 16 ft (5 m) | 16 ft (5 m) |
| Weight with 8.5" x 11" coil | 3 lb | 3 lb | 3 lb |
| Length | 24.75 to 56.75 in | Same | Same |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years | 3 years |
Garrett lists the VX9 at $550 to $600 (PN 1143060). In the box: the detector, an 11-inch DD coil, USB cable, strap and quick-start guide.
Who the extra controls suit
Trashy parks. The VX9 has three recovery speeds (the VX7 has two, the VX5 none), six Bottlecap Reject and Iron Boundary settings, and a Fast mode. Those are the tools for separating a coin from nearby foil, caps and nails. Garrett pitches the VX9 at parks and competition hunts for this reason.
Saltwater beaches. Multi-Salt and a Beach mode, combined with 16 ft waterproofing, let you work wet sand and the surf line. The VX5 has no Multi-Salt or Beach mode.
Thin coins and borderline targets. The 3-tier MD-MF Target ID and the Thin Coins mode give more information on the targets that are easiest to miss. The extra single frequencies (9, 18 and 25 kHz) let you choose a frequency for the target and site.
Updates. Garrett says the Vortex platform is designed to be updated, and a USB cable is in the box.
Where it falls short
- More settings than a beginner needs. Garrett says you can start in simple modes, which is true. But if you never touch recovery speed, bottle cap reject or iron boundary, you are paying for controls you do not use.
- Auto ground balance only. Garrett’s table lists auto ground balance and no manual option.
- Not a gold detector. The top single frequency is 25 kHz and there is no gold mode. For small nuggets, use a dedicated gold detector.
- Headphones and pinpointer are extra. Garrett lists neither in the box. Its own add-on suggestions are a pinpointer, headphones, a bag and a second coil.
VX9, VX7 or VX5?
- VX5: park and yard hunting on dry land, with fixed recovery speed and no Multi-Salt.
- VX7: adds Multi-Salt, Beach mode, a 5 kHz option and two recovery speeds. This is the sensible middle if you hunt beaches.
- VX9: buy it if you want every frequency, three recovery speeds and the finest target ID, and you will use them.
Who should buy it
Buy it if: you already know the basics, you hunt mixed sites including salt beaches or heavy trash, and you want to adjust the detector to each site.
Skip it if: this is your first detector and you want simple, or you are mainly prospecting for gold.
For beach work, saltwater vs freshwater beach detecting covers what changes between the two. If foil and caps are your main problem, the notch and rejection settings guide explains how rejection costs you targets.
FAQ
What does the VX9 add over the Vortex VX7?
Garrett lists three extra single frequencies (9, 18 and 25 kHz), Thin Coins and Fast modes, a 3-tier MD-MF target ID instead of 2-tier, six bottle cap reject and iron boundary settings instead of four, and three recovery speeds instead of two.
Is the Vortex VX9 waterproof?
Yes. Garrett rates the Vortex VX9 fully waterproof to 16 feet (5 m).
Sources
- Garrett, Vortex VX9 product page with VX5/VX7/VX9 comparison table (PN 1143060, $550 to $600 price band, frequencies, search modes, MD-MF target ID tiers, bottle cap reject and iron boundary settings, recovery speeds, tones, sensitivity, auto ground balance, Z-Lynk, length, weight, 16 ft / 5 m waterproofing, warranty, box contents, recommended add-ons, update-ready platform).