Garrett ACE 300 vs 400 vs Apex: Which ACE Model to Buy

Short version: the ACE 300 covers core coin and relic hunting with digital target ID and iron resolution; the ACE 400 adds iron audio and adjustable frequency for busier sites; the ACE Apex steps up to multi-frequency detection and wireless Z-Lynk audio for the widest range of ground conditions.

Shoppers comparing garrett ace 300 vs 400 or garrett ace 400 vs apex are usually deciding how much detector they actually need. This page lines up the current ACE lineup so you can match the model to your budget and the kind of sites you hunt.

ACE Model Comparison Table

ModelTierKey Differentiator
ACE 250EntryElectronic pinpointing, five search modes, accept/reject discrimination
ACE 300MidDigital Target ID (0-99 scale) and iron resolution for trashy ground
ACE 400Mid-upperAdds iron audio and adjustable frequency over the ACE 300
ACE ApexFlagshipMulti-Flex multi-frequency detection plus Z-Lynk wireless audio

Source: amazon.com

ACE 300 vs ACE 400

Both the ACE 300 and ACE 400 use a digital target ID on a 0-99 numeric scale to help identify metal conductivity, and both include electronic pinpointing with a non-motion all-metal mode for locating a target before you dig. The ACE 300 leans on iron resolution to improve target separation in trashy areas, while the ACE 400 adds an iron audio feature, letting you hear iron trash signals before digging, plus adjustable frequency to cut interference from electrical sources or nearby detectors. If your searches lean toward garrett ace 400 vs 300, the practical question is whether you hunt crowded sites or near other detectorists often enough to need that frequency adjustment and iron audio - if not, the ACE 300 covers the same core discrimination approach for less.

ACE 400 vs ACE Apex

The jump from ACE 400 to ACE Apex is bigger than the 300-to-400 step. The ACE 400 keeps to a single operating frequency with adjustable frequency controls, while the Apex brings Multi-Flex technology, letting you choose between 5 kHz, 10 kHz, 15 kHz, 20 kHz, Multi-Frequency, or Multi-Salt modes depending on ground and target type. The Apex also adds Z-Lynk wireless technology (rated six times faster than Bluetooth for real-time, cable-free audio) and a Viper searchcoil built for broad coverage with strong target separation in trashy ground. For anyone weighing garrett ace 400 vs apex, the Apex is the pick if you want frequency flexibility across different soil and target types; the ACE 400 is simpler and still covers iron audio and adjustable frequency for most coin and relic sites.

Where the ACE 250 and ACE 350 Fit

The ACE 250 remains available as the budget entry point, with electronic pinpointing, five search modes, and accept/reject discrimination, but without the digital target ID scale the 300 and 400 use. The ACE 350 sat between the 250 and 400 in an earlier generation of the lineup and isn't part of Garrett's current retail offering, so if you're comparing garrett ace 350 vs 400 or garrett ace 250 vs 400 for a new purchase, the practical comparison today is between the 250, 300, 400, and Apex above.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the real difference between the ACE 300 and ACE 400?

Both use digital target ID and electronic pinpointing. The ACE 400 adds iron audio (hearing iron signals before digging) and adjustable frequency to reduce interference, which the ACE 300 does not include in the same form.

Is the ACE Apex worth it over the ACE 400?

If you hunt varied ground - dry soil, wet sand, or salt-heavy areas - the Apex's Multi-Flex frequency selection and Multi-Salt mode give it an edge the single-frequency ACE 400 doesn't match.

Can I still buy a Garrett ACE 350?

No, the ACE 350 isn't part of Garrett's current lineup. See the ACE series hub for the models currently sold.

Which ACE model is best for a beginner on a budget?

The ACE 250 covers the core discrimination modes beginners need at the lowest price point in the current ACE lineup.

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