Metal Detector Review

The allure of finding treasure has captivated humankind for thousands of years. From the pharaohs of Egypt, who began by excavating the Sphinx, to the recent story of a treasure hunter locating a World War II British merchant ship containing a load of platinum bars worth 3 billion dollars, dreams of fortune and untold wealth coarse through the veins of adventure seekers worldwide.

While the average person may not have the financial resources to find sunken ships worth 3 billion dollars, there are a number of entry-level metal detecting devices that will appeal to the serious treasure-hunting enthusiast. Detectors such as the Minelab X-Terra 305, the White's Coinmaster and the Teknetics Alpha 2000 are proficient at finding valuable coins, small relics and even nuggets of gold. Here you will find more articles on metal detectors.

Today's best metal detectors are capable of combing various types of terrain – school parks, mountainsides, beaches – providing hours of entertainment for not only individuals, but for families looking to bond over a new and exciting hobby. After reading what to look for in metal detectors, we invite you to take a look at our best metal detector comparisons and reviews.

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Metal Detectors: What to Look For

Performance
A metal detector's performance can be attributed to numerous factors, but two of the most important components include operation frequency and the size and shape of the search coil. Operation Frequency- Measured in kilohertz (kHz) refers to the number of times the signal is transmitted and received by the detector every second. Generally, lower frequency detectors provide better sensitivity to silver and copper and provide greater depth detection. Hunters in search of small metals and natural gold favor higher frequency detectors. However, their sensitivity to small metals makes them less than ideal to use around trash-heavy areas.

Metal detecting search coils come in a proliferation of shapes and sizes. Some are better suited to certain hunting conditions than others are. The three most common coil shapes are elliptical, round and rectangular.

Features
With recent advancements in metal detection technology, it is easy to be swept away with all the features, options and other bells and whistles included in today's metal detectors. Terms like discrimination, operation frequency and pinpoint mode are thrown around with reckless abandon. While the seemingly infinite number of features and options may seem overwhelming to the uninitiated, manufacturers offer a considerable amount of help, increasing the odds that you'll discover something truly special or unique.

While a wide array of features is available in today's metal detectors, some are more valuable than others are. A few notable features include:

 Discrimination Mode –This feature allows your detector to reject certain metals, such as pull-tabs and other items considered junk.

Search Mode – Often refers to a preset function like "All Metal," "Jewelry" or "Coins" mode. This feature optimizes your detector's settings in relation to the type of target you are hunting. A great feature for the treasure-hunting novice.

Target ID – This feature allows you to identity targets based on their conductive or ferrous properties. As soon as you detect a target, you are provided with a picture or word that indicates the most likely type of target found.

Build & Design
Despite possessing an incredible amount of technology, most entry- level metal detectors are lightweight, making them ideal for extended treasure-hunting quests. In fact, many entry-level metal detectors weigh in well below three pounds.

Battery life among metal detectors varies greatly. Depending on battery size, your metal detector can last between ten and forty hours before the battery needs to be replaced.

Help & Support
When dealing with a product as potentially complex as a metal detector, access to elite customer support is paramount. All manufacturers should at the very least provide telephone and email support; the best will ideally provide comprehensive FAQs and user forums. Finally, it is important to purchase a metal detector with a sufficient warranty. While modern metal detectors are durable and well built, they are laden with electronics and can be prone to malfunctions.

Today's entry-level metal detectors blend feature-rich technology with user-friendly controls, making them perfect for the serious treasure-hunting enthusiast, or for anyone wanting to discover a fun and rewarding hobby.