How to choose a metal detector?

If you feel an adventure spirit in you and want to find and dig out a real treasure, then such a device as a metal detector is simply a necessary tool for you. But in order to start an exciting search, you will first have to purchase a device that will meet the task. As a rule, people are interested in gold and military relics, so we will leave the devices for finding wiring and underground communications for housing and communal services workers. Since such a device is not designed for a couple of seasons of service and is quite expensive, before buying it, you should understand the question: how to choose a metal detector? - That's what we’ll talk about in our article.

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The principle of the metal detector

The basis of this device is made up of two elements, namely the control unit and the coil. Due to electricity, the coil forms an electromagnetic field that responds to a metal object. In this case, the control unit correctly integrates the signal that comes from the coil, and is responsible for setting up and controlling the device.

Important! Electricity, which is necessary for the operation of the metal detector, comes from accumulators, batteries of the type AA or “crown”.

As soon as a metal object is in the range of the detector, the device emits a characteristic sound, thereby alerting the find. The tone of the sound can go from low to higher - this will depend on the size of the object and proximity to it.

The screen also displays all the necessary information, including advanced parameters, for example, the exact identification of the object, the depth of the target, the type of metal and its value.

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Choosing a metal detector for the price

Any metal detectors bring finds, regardless of cost. Moreover, sometimes it happens when inexpensive models knock out more coins than their more expensive counterpart detectors. By and large, the following points can affect the cost of this device:

• Accuracy in determining the find. Having traveled more than one kilometer in a field with a metal detector, digging out more than a dozen pits, many people have a question: dig or not dig another dubious response? Perhaps this is a forged nail, a path and 18 centuries, however, there is little value in such a find. Or maybe this is a golden ring ... And the only clue in this matter will be information about the purpose that the device gives out. The more accurate and informative this data is, the less you will have to dig holes in which finds do not meet expectations.
• Coil apparatus. For a beginner, most likely, it will be a discovery that the coil of such a device costs half a device, and in some cases even more expensive than the metal detector itself. And of course, the detector coil determines its global parameters. A universal coil represents a wide range of goals, but a highly sensitive variety gives a particular advantage when searching for different coins.

Important! The DD coil will make it possible to compensate to some extent the effect of mineralization, and work on the beach search better than the Mono coil.

• Comfort search. After going through a search season with more than one search season, many begin to appreciate the ability of the device to create certain comfort. Convenience and speed of assembly in a marching state and working. The weight of the device, even an extra couple of hundred grams, at the end of the day will affect hand fatigue.Screen quality, ease of operation, dusk lighting, the ability to use various accessories - all these are trifles that can add joy to finds when buying a really good metal detector.

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Destination metal detector

To choose a high-quality metal detector, you must first decide what its purpose will be, immediately outlining the range of possibilities. Globally, all metal detectors fall into four main categories. Moreover, each of these categories has its own special task:

• Ground - the most common among fans of cops. And although such models are designed for searches on the ground, some coils of these devices are waterproof, allow immersion in water, thereby allowing you to search for finds on land and shallow in water.
• Amphibian - full-fledged soil metal detectors with the ability to search both on the ground and with complete immersion in water to a depth of 3 meters. As a rule, such models have increased resistance to dirt and dust. Moreover, such devices can be washed after running under running water.
• Underwater - are divided into two groups. Amphibian models that allow you to search under water at a depth of 3 meters. And completely underwater metal detectors, which are able to provide search for objects tens of meters under water.

Important! Underwater metal detectors can also be used to search on land.

• Deep - have a narrow specialization in the search for finds, where the most important indicator for the device is the depth of detection of the object. The depth of such devices starts from 50 cm and lasts up to five meters.

Important! For such a depth, the size of the target should be at least a helmet.

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Metal Detector by Parameters

When choosing a metal detector, it is important to consider its parameters and equipment. A large coil gives a significant increase in depth in the ground to find.

Important! By and large, all metal detectors bring finds. However, choosing the most suitable for you, you will get comfort and pleasure from the search process.

Kinds:

• Devices with a large coil. The dimensions of the search coil in metal detectors directly affect the depth of detection of finds. The larger the coil, the greater the depth. A large metal detector coil starts at 11 inches. Coins easily step over 30 cm. The maximum depth of such coils is more than a meter (large finds).
• Dual coil devices. As a rule, standard metal detector coils are designed for universal search with different types of finds. However, the places you search for may be different. You can get into real trash where only the Sniper reel can handle it, but there are places where objects lie at a depth deeper than the middle, and you need a reel of increased depth.
• Devices with VDI. You can increase the accuracy of the device in determining the find using the VDI (Target ID) value, which is the conductivity of the metal contained in the find. For example, the number 5 will correspond to black iron, while 94 will mean silver. The large graphical scale of the device is an advantage, however, it can not always show the find as accurately as the VDI value.

Important! In more expensive models, VDI shows two components: inductance and conductivity.

• Devices with tuning to the ground. A very important advantage of medium metal detectors is the ability to tune the device to a specific soil and cut off the effect of mineralization. This setting increases the accuracy of metal discrimination, which has a good effect on the number of holes in which you could not find what you expected. Ground tuning is a great help in finding on the beaches, as you can remove the influence of salt (sea) sand.
• With a color screen. Most metal detector models have a black and white (monochrome) display. Such a screen is perfectly readable in the sun and has low power consumption. And yet, every year the technology develops, devices with large color screens gradually appear.So far, such color displays are only pleasing to the eye, but, unfortunately, they do not add finds.

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Choose a model

In order to make it easier for you to choose a high-quality metal detector, we decided to present you several models with their characteristics.

Garrett ACE 150

This metal detector has been deservedly popular with beginners for more than ten years. The device provides a set of necessary functions, reliable and simple:

• The bar has an S-shaped bend and is disassembled into three parts.
• The model is very convenient to use.
• The weight of the device is 1.2 kg, there is a soft armrest.
• The device is equipped with a 9 ”concentric coil.
• It works with a frequency of 6.5 kHz.
• Suitable for searching military artifacts, jewelry, coins.
• Discrimination is not regulated; there are three modes of operation.
• Off-ground tuning is automatic.
• Sensitivity has four levels of adjustment.
• Screen without backlight.
• It is powered by four AA batteries, which is enough for 40 hours of searching.
• There is a ¼ jack for headphones.

Minelab X-Terra 305

This model is suitable for both beginners and useful for long practicing seekers. Here is what distinguishes this good metal detector:

• The bar has an S-shaped collapsible design.
• Weight 1.3 kg.
• The device is equipped with a 9 ”mono coil with an operating frequency of 7.5 kHz.
• The device is compatible with proprietary coils at 7 and 18.75 kHz.
• Discrimination can be configured manually.
• The device notifies the find through sound and image on the display.
• It can determine the depth of the object.
• Off-ground manual or automatic.
• It has an informative LCD-display without backlight.
• Simple operation.
• There is a setting of sound frequency and volume, threshold background.
• The device is powered by four AA batteries.
• There is a headphone jack.

Teknetics Alpha 2000 11DD

This model is distinguished by the availability of 11 ”Double-D coils. As for the characteristics of the metal detector:

• The operating frequency of 7.81 kHz will be appropriate for the search for jewelry, coins, large objects.
• The weight of the device is 1 kg.
• The bar is folding with an armrest.
• The model does not have much variety in robot modes.
• The discrimination scale consists of eight types of metals.
• The device determines the depth of the find in inches.
• The sensitivity setting has five levels.
• There are ten steps volume, the sound can be turned off completely.
• There are two different headphone jacks.
• It is powered by one 9V crown.

Bounty hunter discovery 2200

A fairly simple, but functional metal detector:

• Equipped with an 8 ”concentric coil with a frequency of 6.7 kHz.
• With it you can find artifacts, jewelry and coins.
• The device weighs 1,134 kg, the bar is disassembled into 2 parts.
• It works in discrimination modes and All Metal.
• The Notch function allows you to ignore unnecessary groups of metals.
• Sensitivity has five levels of adjustment.
• The display shows the battery charge and the depth of the object.
• The device works for 20 hours from a pair of 9V crowns.
• There is a ¼ headphone jack.

Minelab GO-FIND 40

The modern design of this device allows you to quickly and efficiently work. Due to the special design of the rod, the device does not take up much space, is widely adjustable in height and quickly develops.

Characteristics:

• Folded length - 55.5 cm, unfolded - 130.5 cm.
• Weight - 1.06 kg.
• It is equipped with a 10 ”mono coil, the frequency of which is 7.8 kHz. This coil is waterproof and able to withstand immersion to a depth of 0.6 meters.
• The model provides the user with a fairly wide functionality.

• There are three modes of operation: cutting off all trash metals, ignoring iron, All Metal.
• The sound volume can be adjusted.
• There is a headphone input.
• There is a Pin-Point mode.
• The device can sync with a smartphone via Bluetooth, the app is on the App Store and Play Market for “Go-Find”.
• Sensitivity has four levels of adjustment.
• Automatic detuning from the ground.
• The screen has a built-in backlight.
• The device is powered by four AA batteries.

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Stock footage

Thus, if you decide to try yourself in the search for ancient artifacts, coins or jewelry, the first thing you need to do is to choose a high-quality metal detector. These devices are different, so when choosing it is necessary to build on many factors. We hope that the information in our article will help you choose a high-quality and convenient device with which you will find many valuable gizmos.