Choosing The Right Metal Detector

Metal detecting is a fun way to enjoy the outdoors, get some exercise, and find interesting treasures – but many people get lost in the first step: How to choose a metal detector. Not only is metal detecting a fun hobby, but it’s the only hobby we know of that pays for itself with the money and valuables you find! But how do you choose the right metal detector for you?

Depending on where you live, your budget, and what you’re interested in finding, there are a number of different metal detectors you can choose from. Ask yourself the following five questions to find the right metal detector for you.

How To Choose a Metal Detector for Gold, Relics, or Jewelry

Different metal detectors are better at locating different things. Define your interests before you decide on a metal detector. You’ll need a different model for gold than you would for relics or artifacts, for example. If any of your plans include searching across a riverbed or shallow stream, you’ll want to make sure you get a waterproof model or one that’s designed to be submerged.

Many metal detectors are all-purpose detectors that will find everything from coins, rings, and jewelry to relics and even gold – and they’re available within every price range.

If your main goal is to have fun and get some exercise, there are plenty of places to go coin shooting and jewelry hunting. You’ll want an all-purpose metal detector with exceptional pinpointing abilities and discrimination features to eliminate trash and junk targets.

If you’re searching for relics, artifacts, buried coins, and treasure caches, you’ll need a deeper seeking detector. These detectors will also allow you to filter out other things.

If it’s gold nuggets or gold flakes that you’re after, you’ll need a detector that operates at a higher frequency with smaller or special-shaped coils and is more sensitive to smaller gold, which is harder to register on standard detectors.

Metal Detectors for the Beach, at a Park, or at a Historic Site

Think about where you’ll be hunting the majority of the time. Do you have easy access to metal detecting on the beach, at parks, fairgrounds, mountains or water?

More gold rings and jewelry are found on beaches and lake shores than anywhere else. If you live close to the ocean, a river or lake, and want to go into the water where the entire metal detector can be submerged or dropped into the water, then you’ll need an underwater/beach/land metal detector that has a waterproof housing. You’ll also want one that can find things without the signal being disrupted by the conductivity in saltwater or on a wet sandy beach.

How Often Will You Metal Detect?

Do you want to metal detect on the weekends or whenever you can? Are you retired and planning to search for objects as much as possible — even taking your detector with you on vacations?

Most people who start metal detecting find that they truly love the hobby, so you want to consider how your detector stands up to repeated use. If you’re simply looking to find a lost item or just want to try it out, consider buying affordable metal detector before making a big purchase.

How rough will you be on your machine? You might not plan on dropping it, but you probably will. Think about all the bumps and jolts your machine will have to handle in the trunk of your car or if it gets dropped on rocky terrain. The bottom line is that you’ll want a rugged machine that is built to last. Most detectors today are built to rigorous international standards to stand up to hard use. before you buy, make sure you read the reviews for your detector and look at the warranty.

How To Choose a Metal Detector Based on Experience

Even if you’ve never metal detected before, most machines feature quick start settings that make metal detecting as easy as installing batteries and turning on the detector. With the push of a button, pre-set discrimination settings let you zero-in on finds like old coins, diamond rings, and gold nuggets while filtering out iron junk.

Automatic tuning helps you calibrate your detector for different ground conditions and cancel out interference from power lines. You don’t have to master everything about your detector right away — the in-depth features will be waiting for you when you’re ready for them.

What Price Range Works for You?

Metal detecting is a hobby that pays for itself, so don’t think of your new metal detector as an expense; think of it as an investment for fun, adventure and excitement for you, your family and probably friends once they see all the money, rings and other valuables you find!

Our advice is simple – buy the best you can afford! The better your detector, the more sensitive it will be, and the deeper it will penetrate. In general, the more expensive the detector, the more features, and automation it will have, the easier it will be to tune, and the more versatile and durable it will be. Whatever your budget, be it $200, $500, $1000, or more.

Remember… the wealth you find with your detector adds up quickly. A single killer find like a diamond ring, gold bracelet, or an old coin with a rare mint mark could pay for your detector and then some. We hear from people nearly every week about that one find that paid for their detector – it’s far more common than you think.

How to Choose the Right Metal Detector

Metal Detecting for treasures opens up a new world of excitement and outdoor adventures not only for you but can also be a great way for your family and friends to join fastest-growing hobby. Metal Detecting is a fun way to enjoy the outdoors exploring for valuable treasures of all kinds. Not only is Metal Detecting a fun hobby & sport but it’s the only hobby we know that pays for itself with the money and valuables you find. So, what’s the best metal detector for you?