Are you someone who is interested in metal detecting and would like to start with that hobby?
This is the place for you! We have gathered the best metal detector for beginners along with some useful information about metal detecting. You’ll learn everything you need to know and find the model with features important to you. Just keep reading!
What Is A Good Metal Detector For A Beginner?
If you are interested in starting to do treasure hunting and have informed yourself about this great outdoor activity, this is the article for you. We will describe the best metal detectors for beginners that are offered on the market and give you information that you need to know before you decide to buy one.
Different Kinds Of Beginner Metal Detector
It’s great if hobby metal detectors are made to easily understand and used, but also set with various types of options that will entertain even more experienced treasure hunter. There are a lot of different models. All of them have a control box with certain buttons and a display that shows you all important information.
Beginners Guide To Metal Detecting
Easy to read display is very important if you are yet to learn everything about metal targeting. On the display is often shown metal target indicator which will show you when you are approaching a metal object which will be signaled with audio and vibrating sounds also. There is also the depth of the metal object, sensitivity range and other.
What Do Best Starter Metal Detector Have
Most beginner metal detectors are automatically tuned and have already defaulted many settings which makes it easier to use it because you can just go outside and start your search. But, it’s important to understand what certain features and why there are important.
Metal Detecting Tips For Beginners
One of these important preset features is a ground balance. This is setting which is desirable for the device to have even if you are a beginner and doing this as a hobby. It’s preventing false signals to happen that can frustrate you if they start to happen often in your search. Submersible waterproof coil and lightweight design are other features on which you should focus.
Beginner Metal Detector Recommendations
Waterproof coil enables you to search underwater, in wet grounds, at the beach or during rainy weather, which makes this activity a lot more fun. Heavy devices will make you tired after a short amount of time if you aren’t strong enough so lightweight made the design is desirable. In this review, we will show you 5 models that we found on market and describe their design, features and other technical specifications so you can more easily decide which is the best model to start with.
5 Best Metal Detectors for Beginners
Best Waterproof Beginner Metal Detector
Treasure Cove TC-1018 Metal Detector
This device has a very informative LCD display and self-tuning ability which makes it best metal detector for beginners. There is a very simple view-meter which will show you if you found the metal object. Enables you to see the composition of the target and depth of its location. You can control volume of signals, adjust discrimination and sensitivity range.
It shows you battery life and indicates you when you have to change it. There is input for headphones jack so you can hear more clearly faded signals and have a better chance of detecting treasures. Package includes headphones, carry bag and shovel. Manufacturer provides you with a 10-year warranty in case of damage.
One of great features is stem’s adjustable length. The entry level metal detectors is 9 inches long, 6 inches wide and 22 inches high. It weighs 1.5 pounds and it’s built from aluminium which gives it a very lightweight design. This ensures that you are comfortable when holding it and you will not get tired after using it.
Search coil is waterproof so you can search for metal objects under shallow water and in wet ground. The coil is 7.5 inches wide. It has a detection range up to 8 inches. This is one of hobby metal detectors which have a very simplified system, but highly efficient so you can be sure you will have positive results.
System has three modes: all metal, pinpoint and discrimination mode. First one will enable you to find any metal object while the second one will make the device very sensitive to the metal presence and it will make constant tone which will become louder as you are closer to target. Last third mode ensures that you can distinguish between targeted metal and trash.
Best Beginner Metal Detector For Gold
Garrett Ace 250 Metal Detector
This model is 11.1 inches long, 22.1 inches wide and 5.1 inches high. It weighs 4.48 pounds and therefore its not heavy so you can enjoy the experience of treasure hunting without getting tired. 4 AA batteries are needed for device.
Control display and simple tuning of the device are making it ideal beginner metal detector. Nevertheless of simplified use, you can be sure that you can enjoy it even when you get more experienced and the high quality made parts will provide you with the best results.
There is an accept/reject button that enables you specific metal targeting while you are eliminating items that aren’t of your interest. The electronic pinpoint enables you to specify exact location of the target. Beside its location, system shows you the depth of the metal object.
Sensitivity range can be adjust to 8 levels depending on different ground conditions. This best entry level metal detector can detect wide ranges of metals: iron, copper, gold, silver, jewelry, coins etc. Coil is waterproof so you can put in shallow water, but you must be cautious not to wet control box because it will get damaged.
Unlike the previous model, the package doesn’t include headphones. Item has 1/4 inches big jack for a headphones so you can buy yourself one, but the product has built in speaker so you will hear signals when approaching to the target.
Best Beach Beginner Metal Detector
Teknetics Alpha 2000 Metal Detector
If you have decided to start doing treasure hunting in your free time, this is one of hobby metal detectors that will enable you to learn everything very fast and give you high quality performance at the same time.
Easy-to-read LCD display shows you all important informations such as the type of metal that you have targeted, depth of the metal object, sensitivity range, and discrimination mode. There is also a battery life indicator which will alert you when is time to change batteries. System requires one 9V alkaline battery.
Sensitivity range is adjustable and discrimination is defaulted by categories. The intuitive menu system makes this device a great beginner metal detector. Device has preset ground balance feature that will automatically adjust your device to the level of mineralisation in soil and prevent false results.
System has all metal motion mode. Waterproof search coil is 8 inches wide. It can be put in shallow water and enables your search of metals on the beach and wet ground. Operating frequency is 7.8KHz.
Its length is 10.2 inches, width is 8.2 inches and height is 28.5 inches. Stem’s length is adjustable which is great user-friendly feature. The good starter metal detector is comfortable to hold because it has padded armrests, soft handgrip and it weighs 2.3 pounds so it’s not heavy. Arc stand prevents damage to detector when set on the ground. In case of damage, the product has a 5-year limited warranty.
Best Cheap Metal Detector
New Home Innovations Metal Detector
Unlike the previous model, this is a great beginner piece because it comes with a big and detailed manual on how to enter the metal detecting world. Also, you don’t have to worry about reading the detector as it comes with controls that are simple to understand. You don’t have to set the detector by yourself, you can easily choose the pre-set mode and that is why it is so popular among beginners.
This metal detectors detects many things: gold, iron, copper and even silver. That means you can easily start with something simple like coins, but you can continue with more attractive findings like jewelry, gold nuggets or other. The good thing about this detector is that is comes with waterproof coil so you can expand your search to the beach.
Just like other beginner detectors, this one comes with easy to understand controls. The things you have to adjust to your environment are sensitvity range and set discrimination mode. You can even plug in headset if you want to hear weak signals even if you aren’t near the treasure.
If you want to be precise about the location, use pinpointing function. But, keep in mind that this model comes with 6-inch of detection range. Also, it is a battery-operated metal detector so always have spare 9V batteries with you.
Package includes 5 in 1 folding shover. It means you can easily use it as a shovel, saw, pick, bottle opener and compass. The dimensions are: 24 inches long, 7.5 inches wide and 5 inches long. This lightweight unit weighs only 2.65 pounds.
Best Deep Beginner Metal Detector
Bounty Hunter QSIGWP Metal Detector
This model has very simplified control display and automatically defaulted certain settings so it’s great as beginner metal detector. The LCD display has four-segment digital target identification and three-tone audio which enables you to identify a very accurate certain metal object. Display also gives you a view of varying distances. There are simple push button controls for discriminations and depth. You can reject certain target with one button also.
Device detects a variety types of metals: iron, aluminium, zink, coins, jewelry etc. Sensitivity range is adjustable. Ground balance is preset and it neutralizes the impact of minerals in the ground on the results of the search. Detection range is up to 5 inches for coin-sized objects and 3 inches for larger metal items.
This good beginner metal detector is the best metal detector for beginners because it comes with pinpointer which helps you to be more sure of the metal’s position. Pinpointer has its own audio and vibration signals. It’s operated with one 9V battery which isn’t included in the package. It has one control for adjusting sensitivity range.
System of this product operates with two 9V alkaline batteries that need to be replaced when the battery life indicator is low. Batteries aren’t included in the package. Signal frequency is 6.6KHz. Control box has 1/4 inches audio jack for headphones which aren’t included.
Waterproof search coil is 8 inches wide. It can be put in shallow water, wet ground or highly mineralised ground such as the beach. The high quality performance of this hobby metal detector will provide you with only positive results. Device is 28.3 inches long, 6 inches wide and 10 inches high. Stem length is adjustable and the coil is also interchangeable. Padded armrests and cushioned handgrip makes it comfortable to hold. Also, it weighs only 1.9 pounds so it is easy to carry it.
Conclusion: Have You Found Your Beginners Metal Detector?
We found some of the best models currently available on the market. In my opinion, the Teknetics Alpha model has some of the best features. It has a numerical depth readout and adjustable sensitivity. If you want to learn more, check out my article about the best hand held metal detectors and also the one about the best portable metal detectors.