Man that is a tough call, for me if I had a friend wanting a Garrett Detector I would have to tell them to hold off for a bit longer and see where this New Vortex is at, it should not be much longer for the Vortex to become available for sale, I do know from what I have been told its not going to be like the AT Pro or the Apex, its supposed to be way better from what I have been told, whether that's the case we will not know until we have one in our hands, I personally am looking forward to seeing what the Vortex will be and will do, as I said earlier the Vortex could very well turn out to be just like the ATP turned out for me and end up just setting in my detector room next to the ATP and several other detectors that ended up being not to my Liking.
As I stated suggest to your friend to hold off for a bit longer and see where this new Vortex ends up.