Double-D coil is great for differentiating signals from various metals. The advanced discrimination mode allows you to avoid metal debris like rusty iron, screw-caps, foil, and pull-tabs.
It's not waterproof.
The Garrett Euro ACE Metal Detector is an absolute choice for searching different metal items, including coins, jewellery or even soda cans. Thanks to a large number of settings, it can be recommended for pros and beginners alike.
Coins—up to 0.25 m, Big objects—up to 0.6 m
Coin depth indicator, Pinpoint, Tone ID, Improved audio
The Stealth mode will be especially useful if you don't want to attract the attention of people around you. The ruler markings on the casing (in inches and cm) add to the convenience of use.
The Garret pinpointer is great for locating jewellery, coins and tiny objects with high precision on a small area, under the water or in piles of dirt. It can be used for pinpointing several small pieces among the bunch of other metal bits.
An easy-to-read LCD screen allows you to quickly select the desired mode, as well as adjust the sensitivity of the search. The backlit display makes it possible to use it in the dark.
A relatively small range of the length adjustment.
DR.ÖTEK has released a professional metal detector that is ideal for long-term searches. The Strong memory function allows you to search for specific objects, while the low weight and padded arm cuff provide extra comfort.
6.4 - 6.8 kHz
25 cm, Concentric coil
Coins—0.25 m
LCD screen, Sound indication
5 modes
5 sensitivity levels
Pinpoint mode, Strong Memory mode
Adjustable length from 77 to 102 cm, Split body construction, Padded arm cuff, 3.5-mm earphone jack
~1.2 kg
2 years
This model is distinguished with the widest supply of accessories, including headphones, a carry bag and a shower for extracting buried treasures.
Instructions mention American currency for reference.
The OMMO Metal Detector combines excellent performance and ease of use, making it a top choice for family use. Fitted with visual and audio indicators, it will inform you about buried valuables in an instant and ensure you never miss any metal.
~ 8 kHz
25.4 cm, Concentric coil
Coins—up to 0.25 m
LCD screen, Sound indication
3 modes
5 sensitivity levels
Coin depth indicator, Pinpoint, Battery level, 3 audio ID tones
Adjustable length from 76 to 104 cm, 3.5mm jack, Shovel, Carrying bag, 2 x 9V Battery, Headphone
1.2 kg
2 years
The Target ID allows you to pinpoint metals (iron, silver, gold) with high precision, so you can decide whether to extract it or not. Also, you can't help but like the tool's long battery life: from 4 regular batteries, it can operate for up to 25-30 hours, which's impressive.
Some may find the display angle a bit inconvenient.
The Garrett ACE 150 is accurate and simple to use, making it suitable for novice users. Despite that, it offers high performance and accuracy, so you can detect not only coins but also jewellery buried at a depth of up to 0.15 m. The epoxy-filled search coil covers even more of the surface while scanning.
6.5 kHz
16.5 cm x 22.8 cm, PROformance searchcoil
Coins—up to 0.15 m
LCD screen, Sound indication
3 modes
4 sensitivity levels
Coin depth indicator, Target ID legend, 3 levels of Tone ID, Low battery level
Adjustable length 106 -129 cm, Padded arm cuff, Detector stand, Handle grip, Headphone socket, Optional interchangeable Ace series search coils
1.87 kg
2 years
X Marks the Spot
The Euro Ace company is known as one of the leading manufacturers of high-quality metal detectors designed for both professional and amateur treasure hunters use. No wonder, it is their product—the Garrett Euro ACE model—that opens up this list.
This metal detector is featured with a Double-D coil that boasts an 8.25 kHz frequency. With this kind of performance, you can expect to have the upper hand over other treasure hunters and accurately pinpoint metal coins up to 25 cm below the ground. As far as bigger objects go, the unit will have no problems detecting them at the depth of up to 60 cm under the ground, which is nothing short of impressive. Furthermore, thanks to the elliptical-shaped design of the coil, the device will be able to easily go around the trees or in tight places between their roots. Plus, thanks to the effective coverage of around 28 cm (three times more than compared to concentric coil metal detectors), it will allow you to scan larger areas in one quick sweep. We'd also like to point out that the Garrett Euro ACE model can actually show you at what depth the object is buried.
Obviously, with all those nifty features, the device requires extra care, and it's best to err on the caution side when digging it up. So, we'd recommend using either a small shovel or a sifting scoop to help prevent scratching or breaking your metal detector when searching for hidden treasures.
Extensive Functionality
The device has extensive functionality and boasts a variety of different searching modes.
As you can decipher from the name, the All-Metal mode is designed to detect metal objects and should be activated when searching for metal "treasures."
The Jewellery mode, in turn, is used for finding rings, bracelets, watches, necklaces, and other pieces made of precious metals. The device will react only to jewellery in this mode and ignore all other trash like cans, bottle caps, etc.
The Coins mode is designed to detect coins and allows you to select several types of metal depending on what coins, in particular, you're looking for. Just like the Jewellery mode, this one doesn't react to the trash and other stuff that you may run into while coin hunting, providing highly accurate results.
Lastly, we would like to highlight that the ACE 150 detector is designed with the exclusive Graphic Target ID technology that shows the probable target along the horizontal scale. The low conductive metals like iron are shown on the left, while high conductive metals like coins are displayed on the right. Moreover, when an object is detected, the Target ID cursor will appear below the most probable target found (according to its conductivity).
All things considered, the Garrett EuroACE Metal Detector is surely one of the most intelligent and accurate models you can find on the market. It'll be a good choice for professionals looking for high-quality equipment.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £279.95 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B004779ZQW |
Magic Stick
What we have here is not a full-fledged metal detector but a pinpointing model that is intended mainly for finding coins or silver scales in a pit or heap of soil. It's an advanced upgrade from famous Garrett Pro Pointer that is suitable for all-terrain exploration and can be submerged in water up to 3 meters, making it perfect for rivers, lakes, creeks, and even ocean surf hunting. What adds appeal to it is that it has a bright orange casing, which is easy to see underwater. This makes it perfect for searching various targets, including those sunken in a murky lake.
Speaking of performance, the Garrett 1140900 pinpointer operates at the frequency of 11.5 kHz and thus, is capable of detecting not only metal objects but also pieces of jewellery. According to the specs, the device will have no problems scanning treasures up to a depth of around 30 cm, which is notably more than most other metal detectors in its class offer.
Once the Garret 1140900 pinpointer spots the metal thing, you can expect it to send you an alert notification informing you about it with a sound signal or vibration. Furthermore, the device has three sensitivity levels, allowing you to reduce the sound produced by soil or water and to detect smaller targets at greater depths.
For Your Convenience
For your convenience, the detector is designed for a single-button control, which means there are no convoluted settings and all adjustments can be done with one quick hand movement. You can adjust the power and sensitivity, choose a Stealth mode, and retune. Speaking of the latter, retuning allows you to shrink the detection signal and, consequently, gain a more precise location of your target.
In order to easily dig out small objects and removing the soil by layers, the package comes with a patented scraping blade. On top of that, the device has a built-in LED flashlight enabling you to clearly see objects in various light conditions. Thanks to this, the recovery time will be greatly reduced.
In case you forget the device, the Pro Pointer AT will start to chirp after 5 minutes of inactivity and beep for one hour, which should be enough to track it back and retrieve. Alternatively, you can use the holster (moulded into the side) and secure the detector on your belt, so it's always at hand.
For sure, this model is a great alternative to standard-sized models. It's compact, usable, and accurate. A good option for those who are just about to start their adventures.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £126.95 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B00TADH9HA |
Great Adjustability
If you're in the market for a good metal detector loaded with useful features, you may like this model by DR.ÖTEK. The main highlight of this product is that it's featured with five modes including All Metal, Pinpoint, Jewellery, Discrimination, and Memory, which make it possible to locate just about everything, from coins and silver items to golden rings, antique iron and much more. Actually, when it comes to tailor-made searching, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better model than the MT-XR.
Turning to the specs, the MT-XR features a 25-cm search coil, which allows finding objects buried as deep as 25 cm below the ground. This isn't too deep but will be sufficient for most average needs. What adds appeal to the detector is that it offers the pinpoint control, with the help of which you will be able to detect the exact location of valuable metals and things under the ground. Another benefit is that the unit's waterproof down to 10 metres so you can safely use it on the wet sand as well as for underwater exploration.
For Family Use
It should also be mentioned that the DR.ÖTEK detector is very easy to put together. On average, the assembly takes no more than 5 minutes. All the locking nuts and screws are already inserted, so you won't need to use any other tools additionally. As a nice touch, the battery comes included in the package too.
Once put together, the machine feels very lightweight and can be used for hours on end without experiencing any arm or back fatigue. Also, in contrast to some similar models, it's very easy to operate so that even young explorers will be able to use it from the get-go. Thanks to the adjustable alloy shaft of the device, the DR.ÖTEK detector will comfortably fit users of all heights and sizes. Finally, the package comes with a shovel, enabling you to dig down through the gravel and cut through thick grass with minimum effort.
So, if you're looking for a universal metal detector to bring more fun to your family explorations, the DR.ÖTEK detector will fit the bill.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £129.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B07NTZTMBG |
Ideal Detector for Kids and Treasure Hunters
If you or your children have just started their journey as a detectorist, the OMMO Metal Detector is your safe bet. It is easy to assemble and understand and has everything you need to get treasure hunting.
The OMMO Metal Detector offers three detecting modes, which will allow you to detect different types of metal, sort out the trash, and pinpoint the exact location of the target. It also has a nice LCD screen with backlighting, so if you go on your journey at night or use it in dim light, you will have no problems reading the screen. For your comfort, the handle on the unit is ergonomically designed and can be adjusted from 30 to 41 cm, making it convenient to use for both adults and kids. What we also appreciate is that it's very lightweight at a weight of 1.2 kg. So, if you're buying it for your kid, you can be sure it will not cause hand fatigue even if they use it all day long.
Speaking of performance, the machine is pretty nice, too. Fitted with a 10" waterproof search coil and 5 sensitivity grades, it can be used to detect treasures both on land (up to 8" depth for coins and up to 4 feet for bigger objects) and underwater. Of course, these specs are a bit less impressive than some other metal detectors reviewed here, but still plenty enough to let you successfully hunt for silver, gold and other precious metals.
Full Package
Although the OMMO Metal Detector is less expensive than the Garrett Euro ACE 350 and the HOOMYA TX850, it comes with quite a number of accessories. Along with the machine itself, you also receive a pair of headphones for comfortable treasure hunting in noisy places, a folding shovel, a storage bag and two batteries. The latter can be changed for rechargeable batteries if you want to reduce battery waste.
To bring it to an end, what we have here is a multipurpose detector that can help find all kinds of metals, including coins, silver, gold, iron, steel, aluminium, and copper. It's lightweight and intuitive in use while being highly accurate. Besides, you get all the necessary accessories included, which makes it a compelling case for both kids and adults.
| Last updated price | £99.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B0895J1SJK |
Best for Beginners
If you're just starting out on your metal detecting journey and aren't looking for a device loaded with gimmicky features, the Garrett Ace 150 might be the perfect deal. It's a great entry level metal detector that is accurate, easy to assemble and simple to use.
Even though this metal detector is quite affordable, it has many of the features found on professional devices, and also offers you ease of use. To start off, the Garrett Ace 150 has a large LCD screen that is easy to read in various environmental conditions. When enabled, it starts to flash indicating a discovery. For your convenience, the unit also makes a sound once it passes over metal objects, so you can't miss valuable finds.
In general, this model has only three modes and requires no complex adjustments. Despite that, it demonstrates impressive performance at locating not only coins, but also specific metals like nickel and iron and jewellery. Equipped with an epoxy-filled search coil, the unit is able to find treasures at a depth of up to 0.15 m, which is more than many other machines with coils of a similar size.
It is handy that the sensitivity mode can be adjusted to make any sound you want by the nature of the sweep. This way, you can either go for the standard settings or set a beep by selecting the audio tone that you like best. On the downside, there's no volume control included. However, if you find the beep sound too loud for hunting in parks or beaches, you can always use a set of headphones (not included).
American Quality
Using the Garrett Ace 150 is quite simple. It comes with detailed, easy-to-follow instructions, so the assembly process takes just a few minutes. Also, the machine feels very solid and well-made. In fact, unlike many other machines in its price, it's actually made in the USA, not China, which favourably sets it apart from the competition.
It's worth noting that this model is not completely waterproof. However, if you don't live near the river or aren't particularly interested in getting into the underwater hunting, this won't be an issue for you. Moreover, you can still use it at the surf's edge and even submerse it in shallow water as long as you don't submerge the control box in water too.
What we also find amazing about this machine is its battery life. Operating from 4 regular AA batteries, it can be used for up to 25-30 hours non-stop, which should suffice for a two-day trip.
To sum up, the Garrett Ace 150 is one of the best metal detectors for novice users. Even though it belongs to a budget price range, it doesn't lack in accuracy and can pinpoint the most common metals, including jewellery, at a depth of up to 0.15 m. The fact that it's made in the USA is a strong selling point too.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £149.00 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B0009VSB06 |
What Is a Metal Detector?
A handheld metal detector is a tool that consists of an oscillator, which produces an alternating current that passes through a coil generating an alternating magnetic field. When the coil gets close to a piece of electrically conductive metal, eddy currents (also called vortex of Foucault currents) are induced in the metal, thus producing a magnetic field of their own. The distortion of the magnetic field caused by the presence of a metallic object can be detected if another (identical, D-shape or concentric) coil is used to measure the density of the magnetic field. Nowadays, a metal detector is not only an instrument for finding various metal objects under the ground but also a nice entertainment for a whole family or friends. The search for ancient coins and artefacts is an exciting occupation for your children to get involved in, which allows them to discover new things about the history of your area. Using a handheld metal detector is a hobby that can be fun and interesting as well as profitable. The practical use of a metal detector can help you clean a land plot of metal scrap and junk buried under the ground or find an adornment lost in your garden.
To help you make the right choice, we have reviewed 5 different metal detector models and singled out the main features you should keep in mind when buying one. If you are a fan of alfresco pastime, using headlamps and sleeping bags can make your staying outdoors much more comfortable.
What Features to Compare
Specifications
When looking for a metal detector, it’s important to consider certain things that directly affect its efficiency. Estimate the operation frequency to see what types of metal the chosen detector can “sense”. If you need a basic tool for seeking custom metal objects on your land plot, consider models with operating frequency of 5 kHz. They are pretty much affordable and can easily detect most non-precious metals. Metal detectors that offer 6 to 9 kHz operating frequency can fit jobs that require detecting precious metals and ancient coins. There are also metal detectors that work at 10 kHz frequency; they would become an optimal choice for users who plan to use it for picking artefacts, adornments and precious metal objects dug deeply in the ground.
A detector coil type, its size, and shape are of great importance, too, when analyzing metal detector features. The most popular coils used by metal detector vendors are mono coils because they are very effective in detecting custom and precious metals at different depths. These advantages render them a number one choice for the vast majority of middle- and entry-level metal detectors.
DD-shape (D-shape) coils are grouped back-to-back to form a circle, which enables them to detect a type and burial depth of metal with high precision. Such coils are often used in professional metal detectors. Speaking of size and shape of a detector coil one should remember that the bigger coil covers a larger area and can be swept over the same territory faster but this comes as a tradeoff for a slightly reduced detection precision. Smaller coils, on the contrary, can locate metal objects more precisely due to a smaller area of coverage, but they require more time to perform the search on a specific territory.
Operation Modes and Controls
The next group of aspects for you to consider includes device operation modes and controls. For example, different configuration profiles of a metal detector allow detecting specific types of metal and discarding the other, which enables discrimination among the artefacts you are after and prevents you from digging for a scrap. Thus, applying your own configuration profile greatly increases the search efficiency. Some metal detectors support a depth meter function, with which you can obtain information on the burial depth of a precious ring or a coin. The feature of detector sensitivity adjustment provides easier search and makes it possible to filter interference and noise produced by mineralized soil or nearby transmission lines. Extra features, such as determination of the type of a metal object or even a denomination value of coins are the pros when considering a metal detecting device. A digital pinpointer feature provides detailed info on object location in the ground so, you can excavate this object without damaging it. A big and informative screen and various data displaying configurations allow you to choose a mode that suits you best and easily read the detector info. While a multitone sound indication of metal detection empowers you to distinguish different metals by ear.
Extras
Having decided on the specifications and operation modes of a metal detector you are about to purchase you should gain insight into its extras, which facilitate its use. If you plan to search for coins and adornments in the water we strongly encourage you to buy metal detector models with waterproof coil assemblies in order to avoid damaging the detector. To be able to search for artefacts and precious metal objects under adverse weather conditions, you need to pick a detector model with a rainproof control unit. Some detectors feature a shaft with an adjustable length to help you further customize your device and be sure of its comfortable long-term service life. The collapsible or foldable design of metal detectors will help you transport such devices in your vehicle’s trunk or in a bag. The Bluetooth or smartphone connectivity enables you to save location data and search results as well as share your data with other detectorists. Small weight of a metal detector is also a big advantage if you need to use it continuously.
Sources:
1. 10 Tips to Using Your Metal Detector Correctly, eBay. August 19, 2016.
2. The Best Metal Detectors for Beginners, eBay. March 3, 2016.
3. Metal detector, Wikipedia. November 16, 2016.
4. Report treasure, GOV.UK.