What to Know Before Buying the Product?
Before buying top rated metal detectors, you need to look for certain key features. Below we have described them briefly.
Coil
The coil is the flat surface located at the bottom of the detector that you hold above the ground, and this thing actually finds the metal. It comes with a wide variety of styles and shapes which includes double-D, concentric and spider designs. Each type of coil is good at certain things but contest with others.
For example, Double-D coils come with an excellent range of coverage, but cannot detect objects suppressed very deep. Concentric coils, from another point of view, do not cover a good range but read interred objects better. Spider coils are the most dependable of all coil shapes and can be used bushes, hedges, and grass. So, first determine what you will be using your detector before choosing your coil.
Discrimination
This feature of metal detectors will allow you to set your detector in such a way so that it will only locate the type of metal you are looking for and leave those that are trash like nails, soda can pull-tab.
Pinpoint mode
A few top-rated metal detectors come with this feature. It is used to locate an object more precisely. While all detectors will give you a rough idea where the object can be found, the pinpoint mode helps you to determine its exact location. Detectors with this feature have a sensor at the center of the coil, the button to activate the mode is normally up to the hand. once you sense that there is an object in the vicinity, pushing the pinpoint button will locate the object precisely.
Radar type
Many metal detectors come with radar that can penetrate the ground, but the quality of the radar can vary. It is also true that the quality of the radar technology has a big impact on the total cost of the device, so if you want high-end technology here, you need to shell out more money. The better radars mean they can read the density and size of the underground object accurately. So, if you truly get a clear idea of the object, ensure that you buy a detector with a high-quality radar.
Etiquette
Every metal detector includes an instruction manual which contains detecting etiquette. Detecting etiquette is about legality and safety aspect of treasure hunting. For example, you should never go on private or restricted property without the landowner’s permission, and be cognizant of other people when in a public place like a beach. If you make holes to unearth the valuables, be sure to refill any holes. And of course, you should take extra caution not to destroy any natural resources.
Sensitivity meter
The sensitivity feature on a metal detector is used for two separate reasons. One is to find objects of varying sizes, and the other is locate objects buried at varying depths. When the sensitivity is set to high, detectors will locate smaller metal items.
When it is set to low, you will be able to find large items. Setting the sensitivity to high or low have another two implications. In high case, you will find objects toward the top of the ground, and in low case, your device will detect objects that are buried deeper. Practically all detectors have an adjustable sensitivity meter, but the sensitivity range of each detector vary from model to model.
Depth indicator
Depth indicator of a treasure detector is a handy feature, though, it is a rare feature. This feature will let you know how deep you need to dig in to pull up your object from the ground. Good metal detectors come with LCD display that shows the depth of your desired object. The LCD screen gives a specific reading. The monitor displays readings in a range anywhere between one and twelve inches.
Price
Our last point is budget. Metal detectors prices fluctuate noticeably. Price of cheap metal detectors could be as low as 50 dollars while high-end products could cost you as high as $10,000. If you are a newbie in metal detecting, we recommend you to buy a low-price product which price could be below 200 dollars. But for a seasoned treasure hunter, a high-end product is a must.
How to Use and Maintain the Product?
Your success or failure in your treasure hunting expedition primarily depends on how effectively you can use the detectors. To use a metal detector, follow below six steps:
Practice sweeping
The first thing you need to learn about metal detecting is the act of sweeping the device. It is recommended by expert users that you should keep your metal detector low and slow. The search head must be low enough (but not touching the ground) for signals to penetrate deep into the soil. You must also sweep slow enough so that detector can sense a return signal or pulse which may originate from a metal (if it exists below the ground).
Test with different objects: Before heading towards your actual search site, test your device with different metals. First, try with typical objects like a coin and a nail and to mimic the real situation, bury them underground. And then test your detector whether it can detect the object. This step is particularly useful for VLFs with phase shifts.
Know different types of sound: Besides testing your device’s detecting capacity, familiarize yourself with the sounds to alert you the presence of metal underneath.
Search systematically
Once you are on search site, don’t start searching frantically. You will get more metal if you sweep towards one direction at a time, and not search randomly. Take your time to sweep area by area. If your metal detector buzzes after sensing something, isolate your search within 2 x2 square foot area near the signal that you heard.
Be patient
Metal detecting is more like a matter of luck. Sometimes you will find valuable things, while at other time you may end up with trash objects or nothing at all. So, keep patience all the time while combing a beach or a churchyard.
And now maintenance of your metal detector. You need to take care of it so that you can use it repeatedly. And finding just one gold jewelry may be enough to recover your entire investment regarding purchasing a gold finder machine. Follow below 7 steps for the long endurance of your metal detector:
Follow the instruction manual: Manufactures include procedure manual with metal detectors. Read it carefully or sensibly and do not discard it. You can also download the manual form manufacturers website for ease of viewing. Also, heed the advice of others who already own one such device.
Products with an extended period of warranty: It is better to purchase a detector with an extended period of warranty or lifetime warranty.
Keep your device in a case, box or thick bag: If your detector is fully assembled, do not let your metal detectors to rust in open elements. Buy a case or make duffel bag and keep it there. If you disassemble your metal detector when not in use, always remove the coil from the non-metal rod
Protect accessory of your detector: Use a plastic foam sheet or cushioned fabric and wrap it around the metal detector’s main housing like a bandage to protect the monitor, toggle switches, battery access cover and knobs.
Regular checking of the coil and headset wires at their connection point: Check regularly coil and headset wires at their connection points and protect the copper progs at the wire ends.
Take extra care at the wire connections: You need to be extra careful at certain points. These include the coil, the headset to the main body of your detectors and the coil wire to the main body of your detector. When assembling or disassembling, do not apply extra pressure on the connectors. During metal detecting, be cautious of any stress at the wire connections, and if you observe any stress, immediately adjust the wire wrapping on the pole.
Take your headphones from one place to another in a cloth bag: Use a bag that is lightweight and cushioned. If it is not possible, store your headphone in a doubled-up plastic bag.
Final Verdict
Metal detecting is interesting as well as a way of collecting valuable objects. Both adults and youngsters can enjoy it. Here, in this buying guide, we try to explain what features you need to look for when buying the best metal detectors, how to use it and how to maintain it. We also reviewed 10 best metal detectors. It is now time to decide. Anyway, we do not want to leave you the right way. We want to help you further with a few suggestions.
We assume that you are a newbie in treasure hunting and are looking for an entry-level metal detector. If that is the case, then NHI Metal Detector For Kids is the right choice for you. Another similar beginner metal detector is Bounty Hunter BHJS Junior Metal Detector. It has all the basic level features but includes discrimination feature. This feature is uncommon in many beginner-level devices. With this feature, you can isolate trash metals, so that you can only collect valuable metals.
For more advanced users, Jestik Garrett Ace 400 Metal Detector is a better choice. Although it will cost you over $300, this device does not miss to include any basic or advanced level features. This device can be used in a rainy day or harsh environment making it far superior than NHI Metal Detector For Kids and Bounty Hunter BHJS Junior Metal Detector.
If you want to go back to old gold rush adventure, we recommend Bounty Hunter Gold Digger Metal Detector. This is a great device for gold hunting. Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV Metal Detector is also loved by many hardcore treasure hunters because it can detect metal in extreme ground condition. Lastly, Garrett 1140900 Pro-Pointer Waterproof Metal Detector is also popular in metal hunting community since the device is fully waterproof and it can detect objects up to 10 feet below the ground. Happy buying!
