Nokta Legend Review UK: A Detectorist's Honest Opinion

When the Nokta Legend was announced, the hype in the metal detecting community was palpable. It promised to be a game-changer, bringing simultaneous multi-frequency (SMF) technology to a much more accessible price point.

Released in early 2022, it was touted as a machine that could do it all. I remember thinking it sounded too good to be true.

I've now spent countless hours with the Legend, from frosty mornings in plowed fields to warm evenings on the coast. I can tell you the feeling has evolved from skepticism to genuine respect.

It’s a machine that has surprised me, challenged me, and ultimately, helped me find some incredible things.

Unboxing & Initial Setup: 9/10

There's a special kind of excitement that comes with opening a new detector, and the Legend Pro Pack didn't disappoint.

Lifting the lid, I was immediately impressed with the sheer amount of gear: the standard 11" x 9" LG30 DD coil, a smaller 6" coil for trashy areas, a spare waterproof battery, and a pair of quality Bluetooth aptX Low Latency headphones. Assembly is a breeze. I love the tactile feel of the carbon fiber shaft sections as they click together; it feels modern and light in your hands.

The whole process from opening the box to having a fully assembled detector takes less than five minutes, no tools needed.

Powering it on, the screen is bright, and the startup is quick. I find the initial setup incredibly intuitive. The Legend boots right into Park mode, which is a perfect, stable starting point.

Connecting the Bluetooth headphones was a relief; it’s a simple, one-time pairing process, unlike the frustrating reconnecting I've had to do with other detectors.

Honestly, the menu is so logically laid out that I was out in the garden swinging it within minutes, finding a modern penny almost immediately, without even glancing at the manual.

Design, Build Quality & Ergonomics: 8/10

The first thing I notice when I pick up the fully assembled Legend is its weight and balance. At just over 3 lbs (1.4 kg), it’s not the lightest machine out there, but after a four-hour hunt, my arm doesn't have that familiar ache I've gotten from heavier, more front-heavy machines.

The carbon fiber shaft really does make a difference in reducing fatigue over a long day. The rubberized grip feels secure, even with muddy gloves on.

Its IP68 waterproof rating gives me real confidence. I've had it submerged in a local river without a single worry, hosing it down completely when I get home.

However, it's not perfect. The arm cuff, while adjustable, feels a bit thin and plasticky. It just doesn't inspire the same confidence as the rest of the detector's rugged build. I keep waiting for it to crack on a cold day, though it hasn't yet.

Also, while the telescopic shaft is great for collapsing it down to fit in the car boot, the locking cams can be a bit stiff.

I've found myself really having to put some muscle into them with cold, wet hands, which can be frustrating when you're trying to make a quick adjustment in the field.

Key Features & Technology: 9/10

The standout feature is undoubtedly its Simultaneous Multi-Frequency (SMF) technology. This is where I went from skeptic to believer.

I took it to a field I had hammered with my old single-frequency machine, a place I thought was "hunted out." In the first hour, using the Legend's "Field" SMF mode, I pulled a deep, whisper-thin silver sixpence from a spot I must have walked over a hundred times.

The feeling was electric; it proved the technology wasn't just a gimmick. It genuinely sees targets that other machines miss.

Beyond SMF, the "FerroCheck" feature has saved me from a lot of pointless digging. I remember getting a solid, high-tone signal, but the FerroCheck bar showed significant iron content. I was tempted to dig anyway, but trusted the machine. After pinpointing, I used my spade to scrape away the topsoil and saw the unmistakable shape of a huge, rusty bolt.

The Legend had correctly identified it as iron trying to fool me, and that's a feature I've come to rely on. The included Bluetooth headphones are also fantastic, providing crisp, lag-free audio that makes distinguishing subtle target tones so much easier.

In-the-Field Performance: 8/10

In a local park littered with ring pulls and bottle caps, the Legend's target separation is where it truly shines. I run it in Park mode with the recovery speed bumped up a notch.

The result is an almost musical experience, with the detector chirping out distinct, repeatable signals for coins nestled right beside junk. I can clearly hear the difference between a clipped, iron grunt and a rounded, high-pitched coin tone. I'm digging pennies and dimes at depths of 8-10 inches with confidence, which is incredible for such a trashy site.

On the beach, I switch to Beach mode, and the machine becomes incredibly calm. I can wade into the surf, with waves washing over the coil, and it stays silent until it hits a target. That stability is something you just don't get with many detectors in this price range.

I remember hearing a faint, sweet high tone over the sound of the crashing waves. I dug down into the wet sand and my scoop came up with a delicate silver ring. It's moments like that, hearing a whisper of a signal through the noise, that build your trust in a machine.

User Experience & Learning Curve: 7/10

For a detector with so many features, the Legend is surprisingly easy to get to grips with. A beginner can take this machine out of the box, turn it on, and start finding things in the default Park mode without feeling overwhelmed.

The presets are genuinely effective, and for a long time, that's all I used.

However, to truly master this machine, you have to put the time in. I remember getting frustrated with false signals on mineralized ground until I spent an evening reading forums and watching videos about manual ground balancing.

The next day, I went back to that same difficult spot, manually ground balanced the Legend, and it was like using a completely different machine—it ran smooth and silent.

It's a detector that rewards you for learning its language. While it's fantastic for a beginner to grow into, someone looking for a purely "switch on and go" experience might find the deeper settings a bit daunting.