Garrett and Minelab have been selling metal detectors for a long time and both are respectable brands. Each company has a fierce allegiance of customers. I personally own metal detectors by both companies and I have big respect for both of them. But how does the Minelab Vanquish compare to the Garrett Ace Series of metal detectors?
The Minelab Vanquish outperforms the Garrett Ace series of metal detectors in depth, target separation, multi frequency options, and audio options. The Vanquish is a simplified version of the Minelab Equinox which is one of the most popular metal detectors on the market today.
Its obvious that Minelab is going after the low to mid-range metal detector market. For Garrett this would be their Ace series of metal detectors. In this post, we will compare both series of metal detectors to determine their distinct differences based on the features that will be compared below.
Which Metal Detector Has Been Around Longer?
The Minelab Vanquish didn’t enter into the market until late 2019 to early 2020 for U.S. customers. Garrett’s Ace series of metal detectors has been around for several years.
Which Garrett and Minelab Metal Detectors Are Compared?
For this comparison I am going to compare the Garrettt Ace 250, 300, and 400 against the Minelab Vanquish 340, 440, and 540. I picked these machines because they appear to be very similar based on what I can determine. Garrett has sold an ACE 350 previously but it is no longer listed on their website so I only compared to what is listed which is the 250, 300, and 400.
Price Comparison
Lets start out by comparing the price of each detector. Most of us usually look at the price first before we look at anything else. However, to fully caveat the prices for the Vanquish series I can only reference what I see listed. At the time of this writing I only see once reference to MSRP from Kellyco and that is what I’m using.
As far as the Garrett pricing, I am using what Garrett lists of their website. There will be better deals out there somewhere but this will give you a baseline to start with.
The table below compares each metal detector by their MSRP price and the listed price on Kellyco. I included clickable links to Kellyco’s website in case you want to learn more or purchase a Minelab Vanquish or Garrett Ace Metal Detector.
Garrett Ace 250
MSRP: $249.95
from: Kellyco Metal Detectors
Garrett Ace 300
MSRP: $299.95
from: Kellyco Metal Detectors
Garrett Ace 400
MSRP: $399.95
Retail Price: $399.95
You Save: $59.99
from: Kellyco Metal Detectors
Minelab Vanquish 340
MSRP: $199.00
from: Kellyco Metal Detectors
Minelab Vanquish 440
MSRP: $279.00
from: Kellyco Metal Detectors
Minelab Vanquish 540
MSRP: $369.00
from: Kellyco Metal Detectors
Minelab Vanquish 540 Pro Pack
MSRP: $499.00
from: Kellyco Metal Detectors
Clearly, the Vanquish is offering a much lower price but are they better machines? I'll go into more detail below on the technical specs of each machine.
How Many Search Modes Do You Get?
Garrett's Ace series as mentioned above (250, 300, and 400) all have 5 search modes and they are listed below:
| All Metal | Jewelry | Custom | Relics | Coins |
On the other hand, Minelab's Vanquish series varies with the Vanquish 340 only having 3 search modes while the 440 and 540 are the same as Garrett's Ace Series. The Vanquish search modes are listed below:
| Vanquish 340 | Vanquish 440 | Vanquish 540 |
| Coin | Coin | Coin |
| Jewelry | Jewelry | Jewelry |
| All Metal | All Metal | All Metal |
| Relic | Relic | |
| Custom | Custom |
It appears that Garrett may have the upper advantage for this comparison but not by much. Minelab's tech specs only show the Vanquish 440 and 540 offering a custom and all metal search mode. All three of the Garrett Ace metal detectors offer 5 search modes.
Which Search Coils Come Standard With Each Machine?
This is where Minelab starts to pull away from Garrett. The Double-D (DD) has been one the best performing coils on the market and Minelab chose to include a DD coil with every Vanquish.
However, Garrett does not include a DD coil with every machine. They offer a concentric coil with two of their models. Regardless, lets break down the type and size of the coil that each series includes with their metal detectors.
| Garrett Ace 250 | Garrett Ace 300 | Garrett Ace 400 |
| 6.5" x 9" Concentric Coil | 7" x 10" Concentric Coil | 8.5" x 11" DD |
| Vanquish 340 | Vanquish 440 | Vanquish 540 |
| 10" x 7" DD | 10" x 7" DD | 12" x 9" DD |
Minelab clearly sets the bar higher by offering a DD coil with each version of the Vanquish and Minelab is also providing a slightly bigger coil as well.
What Frequency Does Each Metal Detector Use?
The frequency used by these metal detectors is the single most important feature that is being compared in this article. Minelabs multi-frequency technology (Multi-IQ) metal detectors have been proven to be better than single frequency metal detectors.
The Garrett Ace Series of metal detectors operates on one frequency with a the ability to adjust the frequency slightly. Minelab is completely different.
The Minelab Vanquish series of machines offers Minelab's Multi-IQ Technology where it simultaneously scans multiple frequencies at the same time. Lets look at a comparison of each machine by operating frequency so you can see for yourself.
| Garrett Ace 250 | Garrett Ace 300 | Garrett Ace 400 |
| 6.5 kHz | 8 kHz | 10 kHz |
| Vanquish 340 | Vanquish 440 | Vanquish 540 |
| Multi-IQ (Frequencies) 5, 10, 15, 20 and 40 kHz | Multi-IQ (Frequencies) 5, 10, 15, 20 and 40 kHz | Multi-IQ (Frequencies) 5, 10, 15, 20 and 40 kHz |
How Much Does Each Machine Weigh?
Weight is another important factor. The heaver the machine the harder it is to swing. Both series of machines are close in weight but lets chart their weight so you can see for yourself.
| Garrett Ace 250 | Garrett Ace 300 | Garrett Ace 400 |
| 2.7 lbs | 2.8 lbs | 2.9 lbs |
| Vanquish 340 | Vanquish 440 | Vanquish 540 |
| 2.6 lbs | 2.6 lbs | 2.9 lbs |
As you can see, the Vanquish 340 and 440 are 1 pound lighter than the Ace 250 and 300. Not much of an advantage for this comparison but Minelab does have a slight advantage.
What Type of Batteries Does Each Metal Detector Come With?
The Garrett Ace Series of metal detectors comes with 4 AA Alkaline batteries. The Minelab Vanquish 340 and 440 come with 4 AA Alkaline batteries. The only difference in this category is that the Vanquish 540 comes with 4 AA NiMH rechargeable batteries.
Target ID's Are Very Different For Each Series of Metal Detectors.
This comparison will be based solely on the Target ID that each machine uses. Minelab and Garrett couldn't be further apart in this category and this really comes down to what you are willing to learn or adjust to. If you are a veteran Garrett owner you will be very familiar with the Target ID options of the Garrett.
Minelab however, has made some bold changes to their Target ID. It looks like they are sticking to a similar Target ID similiar to what they are doing with the Minelab Equinox by using -9 to 40. Owners caught on quickly to this scale. To simplify things a bit lets break each series down a little more to see the difference.
| Garrett Ace 250 | Garrett Ace 300 | Garrett Ace 400 |
| 12 Target ID Segments | Scale: 0 to 99 | Scale: 0 to 99 |
| Vanquish 340 | Vanquish 440 | Vanquish 540 |
| Scale: -9 to 40 | Scale: -9 to 40 | Scale: -9 to 40 |
This category won't determine any clear advantage. Although the Ace 250 has only 12 segments of Target ID where as the 300 and 400 use the familiar 0 to 99 scale.
What Kind of Warranty Comes With Each Machine?
The final comparison will be based on the warranty of each machine. Its important to have a good warranty and its even more important to know if your metal detector breaks that someone is going to honor their warranty and fix the problem. I have had nothing but a great experience with Garrett's Customer Service Department. They are always fast, courteous and they honor their warranties.
I have no experience with Minelab's Customer Service. I haven't anything break on my GPX 4500 as of today (knock on wood). Regardless, I have been told that Minelab has a good reputation in this category as well but lets look at the warranties being offered by each series of machines.
- Garrett Ace Series offers a 2 Year Limited Parts/Labor on each Ace Series metal detecor.
- Minelab Vanquish Series is not listed on Minelab's website under their warranty section but they do claim, "All Minelab detectors are engineered in Australia, manufactured to exacting standards in ISO 9001/2000 quality accredited facilities, and backed by up to 3-years transferable warranties."
Is There a Clear Winner?
I would have to say that the Minelab Vanquish Series of machines will overrun the market for these types of metal detectors. Price and Multi-IQ are the game changers in my opinion. But many Garrett Ace owners will stand by their machines.
Realistically, both series of metal detectors are good and both will find coins, relics, etc. It is really a matter of walking over a target to hear it. Both series of metal detectors will hear the same targets. It comes down to price and features. I think the Vanquish outshines and out performs the Ace Series but it really depends on what you are looking for in a metal detector and your budget.
I hope this post was able to provide you some useful information to help you determine which metal detector best suits your needs.
Where Can You Buy a Vanquish or Ace Metal Detector?
If your local supplier doesn't supply Garrett or Minelab Metal Detectors another great option is Kellyco. They have been around a long time and they carry just about anything you need including the metal detectors in this article.
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