Beginner’s Guide to Buying Metal Detectors

Beginner’s Guide to Buying Metal Detectors

Metal detecting is a thrilling and rewarding hobby that allows you to uncover hidden treasures and unearth pieces of history right beneath your feet. If you’re a beginner to delve into this exciting pastime, selecting the buying metal detectors is crucial. We have put together this guide to help you through the process of buying metal detectors, considering factors such as location, budget, features, and models. Let’s get started on your journey to becoming a successful detectorist!

Determine Your Budget

Before diving into the world of metal detecting, it’s important to establish a budget. Metal detectors vary in price, ranging from affordable entry-level models to high-end professional devices. As a beginner, you don’t necessarily need to invest in an expensive detector. There are plenty of quality options available that strike a balance between price and functionality. Set a realistic budget that aligns with your level of interest and commitment to the hobby.

Consider Your Detecting Locations

There is a different locations for metal detecting enthusiasts. However, different terrains and environments require different metal detectors. If you plan to search in parks, fields, and beaches, a general-purpose metal detector will suffice. However, if you’re specifically interested in detecting on beaches or underwater, you’ll need a waterproof or submersible detector. Research the types of locations you want to explore and choose a metal detector that suits your intended environments.

VLF & PI Detectors

VLF Detectors

Very Low Frequency machines (VLF) are designed to counteract the effect of ground conditions and make discrimination easier. They are extremely sensitive to iron. There is a whole range of machines available, most with discrimination. Their performance differs widely however, and they are being updated at regular intervals, so buying the latest model will ensure the latest technology.

Pulse Induction Detectors

Pulse Induction machines are without doubt the most sensitive and deep seeking of machines. However, their very sensitivity renders them unsuitable for general treasure hunting, particularly for the beginner. As usual there are two sides to the question: if your interest is primarily archaeological then you may not mind digging up nails eight inches deep, so this machine could be the one for you. They are certainly highly efficient at tuning out ground effect. I use one myself, but only for beach combing or when working in conjunction with someone who is using another type of machine.

Garrett ACE

The Garrett ACE series is synonymous with budget-friendly, performance-packed metal detectors tailored specifically towards beginners.

The series consists of the Garrett ACE 200, Garrett ACE 300, Garrett ACE 400, and the multi-frequency Garrett ACE Apex. The best overall beginner metal detector is the Garrett ACE .

To kick things off, the 8 kHz operating frequency is one of the best all-purpose frequencies you could want in a beginner metal detector. We like the 8 kHz operating frequency because it provides us with excellent sensitivity and excellent detection depth for general, all-purpose detecting scenarios.

The LCD on the Garrett ACE control box is home to many important features beginners will love. First, there are five different preset search modes you can use to metal detect with.

Each of these discriminates a different type of metal, allowing you to choose between Coin, Jewelry, Zero Discrimination, Relic, and Custom modes. These search modes make it extremely easy when starting so you don’t have to manually adjust the setting.

In addition to the search modes, the digital target ID display allows you to know what type of metal you could be digging up beforehand. Every ACE user, myself included, loves this, as you can see if a target is really worth digging.

Finally, the Garrett ACE also features a depth indicator, showing you roughly how deep the target is in the ground.

One problem I’ve encountered while metal detecting is not being able to stay out all day when using heavy metal detectors, as it can cause some serious fatigue. With the Garrett ACE , it is not an issue, as the detector only weighs 2.8 pounds.

This budget metal detector is built with an ergonomic design that maximizes user comfort. I’m a big fan of the foam used on the arm pad and handle.

Nokta Makro Simplex +

The Nokta Makro Simplex is one of the only waterproof up to 10 feet detectors you will find at this price point. I love knowing that if my hunt for gold nuggets or Civil War bullets takes me into a creek, I can continue to metal detect with the waterproof Simplex.

This waterproof feature at the budget-friendly price point is what sets the Nokta Makro Simplex apart from competitors. A metal detector you can use in wet conditions is worthless if it does not have good ground balance features. The Simplex shines here as well, as it offers automatic ground balance, as well as manual ground balance controls.

Ground balancing options are vital when you encounter wet sand and other heavily mineralized ground conditions. Every treasure hunter, myself included, appreciates having the option to automatically or manually change ground balancing on the fly.

The LCD screen on the Nokta Makro Simplex is excellent, as it contains digital target ID numbers, a battery life indicator, a depth indicator, and search mode settings.

You get four search modes, including Beach, Field, Park, and All-Metal mode. My favorite part of search modes is that they allow you to quickly begin treasure hunting without having to set all of your settings up each time.

Finally, the Nokta Makro Simplex comes with a set of wireless headphones. Wireless headphones is better, as corded headphones can be a great annoyance when you get tangled up in them. You can also get the Nokta Makro Simplex without headphones if you don’t plan on using headphones as well.

Minelab Vanquish

Minelab Vanquish gold and metal detector is the latest release from global Minelab Australia awaited device that fulfilled its promises and provided a practical high-performance device with a very economical price.

The device works according to a new search technology that was first released in the Equinox device from the same company, a technology of simultaneous multiple frequencies or Multi-IQ and the principle of this technology is to use five different search frequencies for detection of targets simultaneously, which means wider coverage of different metal targets and multiple sizes.

Minelab Vanquish offers a modern design and attractive features such as the possibility of adjusting the length to a minimum to facilitate carrying and the possibility of charging the batteries that run the device and wireless speakers and other useful features. Vanquish is a multi-purpose metal detector that can be used to meet all the needs of prospectors and gold and treasure hunters with a great economic price.

Multi-IQ Technology

One of the most important new features of the Vanquish is Multi-IQ. When using this feature in the device, the prospector can search for underground metal targets by using multiple search frequencies at the same time.

The device searches for buried targets using the following frequencies (5-10 – 15 – 20 – 40 kHz) simultaneously. This means that all small and large metal targets can be detected at the same time.

The use of this technology provides the possibility of detecting multiple buried metal objects of different precious and non-precious metals, knowing that the user can use a single frequency from the frequencies preceding the search.

Pulse Dive

Pulse Dive is a set of two devices in one package including scuba metal detector and pin pointer. It is a perfect choice for any prospector who work often to find gold or other metals underwater like in lakes or rivers or oceans, it is also a must have tool for any diver who want to find hidden treasures underwater.

Pulse Dive From Nokta is scuba detector works using Pulse Induction technology which offer best performance and detection capabilities for different metal objects.

The device designed exclusively with underwater heavy use, the unique patented design allows the user for a quick transformation from a Scuba Metal Detector into a Pin pointer and vice versa easily in a matter of seconds.

The Pulse Induction technology for metal detection offer best performance for detection of buried metal objects in all terrain, here it allows for very stable operation in saltwater or in any type of soil underwater.

The device designed and produced according to IP68 standard that offer tight waterproofing performance even at higher depths that reach here to 60 meters.

Minelab Equinox 800