Buying A Metal Detector

Features and Capabilities of Metal Detectors Required for the Following Tasks:

Coinshooting

Requires a conventional Single-, Dual-, or Multi-frequency (for finding coins easily in areas of high mineral concentration) metal detector
Discrimination control is a must for coin hunting detectors.
Automatic or Manual Ground Balance, or both (ideal case).
All Metal mode for recovering the deepest targets.
Round search coils 8 to 9 inches in diameter or elliptical searchcoils are preferable. Searchcoils of different sizes should be used according to the specific metal detecting conditions.

Relic Hunting

Requires a conventional detector featuring a true All Metal mode and is capable of using a large searchcoil.
Ground Balancing is essential.
Headphones are required.
Hipmount configuration
Small amount of Discrimination is used only when searching for non-iron objects

Cache Hunting

Requires a manual-adjust detector that is capable of using a large searchcoil (15" in diameter and up), or Two-Box deep seeker that is designed for especially deep targets and ignores small objects.
Manual Ground Balance
Hipmount configuration

Beachcombing

Pulse Induction metal detector with Discrimination is recommended, or conventional detector featuring Automatic Ground Balance (for ignoring salt water and magnetic sand simultaneously) and excellent Discrimination capabilities.
Headphones are required (for elimination of both the sounds of surf and people).
Submersible searchcoils

Underwater Metal Detecting

Multi-frequency or Pulse Induction metal detectors with a basic mechanical configuration primarily designed for underwater searching (searchcoil is permanently attached to a short stem).
Guaranteed seal for underwater use
Headphones are essential for maximum sensitivity and depth.
Searchcoils with extra weight

Gold Hunting

Detector specifically designed for finding gold nuggets, flakes, placer, float and ore veins
Automatic and Manual Ground Balance
Automatic Ground Tracking
Precise Calibrated Discrimination
True All Metal mode
Headphones are required for maximum sensitivity and depth.
Elliptical searchcoils

Before you purchase a metal detector, you should:

1) Talk to detector owners and dealers about metal detectors and try to average what they say.
2) Ignore unsubstantiated advertising claims that are simply "sell statements" and do not increase your knowledge of detectors.
3) First check out a machine built by a progressive company that has a continuing program of detector improvement.
4) After you narrowed your search to a few models, visit a local dealer and try them out to determine which is the most comfortable for you.
5) If possible, rent a detector and try it in real metal detecting conditions.
6) Be aware of the price changes during the year. The best time for purchasing a metal detector is from Christmas to the end of January.

When buying a detector, you should:

1) Shop around by obtaining prices from different dealers, checking out listings in Classifieds, local Metal Detecting Clubs and on Internet.
2) Check for special deals on packages that include essential accessories (headphones, extra battery packs, detector bags, digging tools, etc.)
3) Check with major distributors and dealers for availability of demo detectors, usually they are sold for lower price.
4) Be careful when buying a detector on eBay.

I wouldn't advise to anyone to buy a cheap detector. Not only a good metal detector is a vehicle back through time, it's an investment. As a novice to the hobby begins metal detecting, he/she goes from curious to intrigued. From intrigued a beginner goes to serious, and from serious to addicted, and there is no backing out. One hungers for more profitable sites, more time to be in the field, and for better finds. A cheap detector would hardly provide the latter, and a treasure hunter would have to spend more money upgrading to a better machine. As an old saying goes, "A stingy person pays twice."

And finally, never forget that what makes one detector better than another is not just the detector's ability to correctly recognize the target but also is a person who operates it. Choose as good a detector as you can afford, learn its "language" well, do hard work, and you will enjoy the "fruits." Though I think that the best metal detector in the world is a shovel!

You can find and compare Specifications, Features, Prices, Users' Reviews and Ratings - all helpful Information, for all metal detectors available on the market today at Metal Detectors' Reviews Main Page.

Good Luck!

Number of pages - | 1 | 2 |

Secrets For Beginners | MetalDetectingWorld Home | Useful Tips