With geography out of the way, let’s dive into the landscape. These machines typically start in the $500 range. Metal detectors that are considered mid-level on up have features and technology built-in to combat performance issues related to iron and salt. And the average user does not live in Virginia, the Pacific Northwest or hunt saltwater beaches. Remember, entry-level detectors are designed for the broadest set of users. If you live near the coast and want to hunt beaches on the wet sand, surf and/or water, the salt will have the same effect on your machine as did the iron. See our guide here on the best saltwater beach metal detectors.īottom line? Iron and salt can wreak havoc on your entry-level machine, confuse your detector and mask good targets. This high mineralization will cause you to walk right by good targets at depths more than a few inches. You’ll find that you get a lot of ‘chatter’ and false signals from the detector. To keep this super simple, we’re just talking about iron.Īreas like Virginia and the Pacific Northwest have higher levels of iron in their soil – often referred to as areas of ‘high mineralization’ or ‘hot ground.’ In these types of areas, entry-level machines have a tough time performing well. GeographyĪcross the United States, there are areas of the country with very different soil compositions. So this question not only pertains to where (geographically) in the country (or world) you’re located, it also relates to the types of areas you want to hunt such as beaches, rivers, lakes, etc.
Once you’ve identified the type of hunting you want to do, the next question is, “where will I be doing the bulk of my detecting?” Where will you be hunting For more on the best gold nugget machines, read our complete guide here. As long as you don’t plan on doing any gold prospecting, then an all-purpose entry-level machine is all you need to get started.
These machines are the most economical but if budget is not a concern, then, by all means, go for something like the Garrett ATX, Minelab GPX or Minelab GPZ.
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You’ll need a specialized gold prospecting machine like the Fisher Gold Bug Pro or Tesoro Lobo. If you’re hunting for small gold nuggets or flakes, an entry-level machine is not going to cut it. If you’re serious about metal detecting, the first question you need to ask yourself when choosing a metal detector is, “ what do I want to find?” Coins? Jewelry? Relics? Gold nuggets? The entry-level detectors we talk about in this article are built for all-purpose detecting – meaning coins, jewelry, and relics. If you’ve decided that you’re serious about getting into metal detecting, after you read this post you should check out my Ultimate Guide to Metal Detecting here. What do you want to find? While there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s not the focus of this article. Toy machines are intended for folks who just want to muck around now and then on their summer vacation. Generally speaking, any machine priced under $150 is considered a toy.
Understand that there is a significant difference between real metal detectors, and toy metal detectors. It’s not intended for those who just want to buy a cheap detector from Walmart. Buyer’s Guide How serious are you about metal detecting?Īll of the content in this article is geared toward folks who are serious about getting started in this amazing hobby.