Best Metal Detector for A Beginner

Short Answer

Metal Detecting is a great hobby, but it can be a little intimidating for beginners.  Outside of learning how metal detectors work, where to detect and what to find, the biggest hurdle is how to choose the best metal detector for a beginner.  The Fisher F22 and the Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV two great options at affordable price points to get you treasure hunting! 

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Fisher F22

The Fisher F22 is one of the best metal detectors for beginners.  It has an easy to read LCD screen, adjustable sensitivity, and waterproof search coils.  The F22 intuitive controls are great for the beginner and its many features will grow with the detectorists, allowing for years of treasure hunting.

Check Price of Fisher F22

Check out our Fisher F22 Review for a detailed and comprehensive review about this Metal Detector.

Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV

A best buy is the Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV.  About half the cost of the F22, the TK4 has 3 modes of operation, automatic ground balance, and a waterproof search coil.  It does not have an LCD screen but is controlled by easy to use knobs.

Check Price of Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV

Check out our Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV Detector Review for a detailed and comprehensive review of this product.

Both of these metal detectors are great options for beginners, but neither will work well on the beach.  If you are looking for a detector for the beach check out this buying guide.

Scroll down for more detailed information for beginning metal detectorists.

Find the right detector, then find your treasure!

Longer Answer

3 Types of Metal Detectors

Metal detectors work on the principle of electromagnetic induction.  The transmitter coil sends out signals that react to metal in the ground.  The receiver coil picks up the new signal, sends it to the control box where it is analyzed and the results are displayed.  Locating valuable objects depends on a variety of factors including, the size of the object, the type of metal, the amount of soil mineralization and the metal detector technology.

Very Low Frequency– VLF metal detectors are the most common and the lowest in price.  These detectors send out a signal on a single frequency. VLF detectors can tell what type of metal is in the ground but do not work well in highly mineralized soil or in or around saltwater.

A good metal detector for a beginner is a VLF machine for around $200, like the Fisher F22 or the Bounty Hunter TK4.  These units offer a load of great features at a price that will not break the bank. The low price point fits any budget and will make easier to upgrade parts and add accessories as necessary.  

Pulse Induction– PI machines are more expensive than VLF detectors but work well in mineralized soil and saltwater.  They can not discriminate, or tell the difference, between different types of metal in the ground.

If you live near the beach or plan on hunting only at the beach, it is probably worth starting out with a PI detector.  These machines will cost more than twice as much as a VLF detector, but they are optimized for treasuring hunting in saltwater and most are 100% waterproof.  The Fisher CZ-21 or Garrett Sea Hunter Mark II are good options.

Multi-Frequency– MF metal detectors are very expensive, starting at over $1,000 and running into the $10,000’s.  You get what you pay for, these units work well in any environment and are packed with advanced features.

Beginners should probably avoid Multi-Frequency metal detectors.  Aside from the cost, the units start at $1,000, MF detectors are highly sophisticated and have a learning curve that might overwhelm new users. That being said, the Minelab XXX is a great MF device that will work well in any environment.

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Key Metal Detector Features

There are so many features and options on metal detectors it can be overwhelming for beginners.  Here are some important features your first metal detector should have:

  • Waterproof Coil– Do not buy a metal detector without a waterproof coil, it will be next to useless!  The coil should be able to move through dewy grass and be completely submerged in puddles and shallow water without shorting out.  
  • Weatherproof Control Box– The Control Box is the computer brain of the metal detector and it must remain dry at all times.  Weatherproofing will protect the machine from a sudden rainstorm or tall wet grass. If you are planning on hunting on the beach make sure your unit is waterproof!  You never know when a big wave will crash up on the shore.
  • LCD Display– This one is a little controversial, but an LCD screen is the way to go for a beginner.  The LCD screen offers more information about whats in the ground and more control over the unit. Look for a detector with a backlit LCD, it makes it easier to read in low light.
  • Ground Balance– Ground balance eliminates signals from minerals in the soil so the detector only flashes on larger pieces of metal.  This feature eliminates a lot of unnecessary digging and makes for a more enjoyable experience. Ground balance can come preset or be manually adjusted.  Beginners should stick with the presets until they get a feel for the detector, then transition over to manual adjustments.
  • Adjustable Shaft– The shaft is the pole that connects the coils with the control box.  Beginners should be able to adjust the shaft for maximum comfort and reach. 
  • Weight– Some metal detectors can weigh up to 5 pounds.  Imagine swinging a sack of flour for hours at a time…. Beginners should get a lightweight machine in the 2-pound range.  If the unit is heavier considering adding a harness to lighten the load.
  • Warranty– Metal detectors are precision scientific instruments.  They are designed to take a beating, but like all technology, they can and will malfunction.  A good multi-year warranty will cover manufacturer defects and give some peace of mind to the purchase.

There are a lot of other features like iron audio, different coil sizes, and designs, and, even, GPS tracking, that are cool, but not really necessary for the beginner.  Newbies should get the hang of metal detecting, then pick and choose which accessories or upgrades are needed.

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Metal Detecting Accessories

All you need to go metal detecting is a detector and a good pair of shoes.  Like any hobby, there are a lot of different metal detecting upgrades and accessories available, some useful, others not so much.  Before splurging on a bunch of accessories, take some time to get to know the detector, how it works and its limitations. There will be a few must haves, but not many.

Shovel or trowel– this small shovel will dig discreet holes in the ground to recover lost items.  These can be picked up for a few dollars at any home improvement store.

Treasure bag or pouch– Storage for all the buried treasure is a must.  It is better to get a bag made of mesh so loose dirt can fall off as you walk.  Make sure the opening and closing of the bag is one-handed and the holes are big enough for dirt but too small for any treasure to fall out.

Carrying case– A carrying case will protect the machine during transport and keep all metal detecting accessories organized and ready to go.

Extra Batteries– Most detectors have a long battery life, but always have some spares handy just in case.

Sand scoop– A must have for beach hunters, the sand scoop saves detectorists back and knees by eliminating the need to bend over every time the machine beeps.  Try to find one with a wide mouth and handle just long enough to reach the sand.  

Water, sunscreen and bug spray are the most important metal detecting accessories.  Being comfortable and hydrated helps extend treasure hunting time and limits physical injuries.

Be wary of accessories that come bundled with metal detectors.  These items, while useful, are usually of low quality and need to be quickly replaced.  While the free accessories are better than nothing, new treasure hunters should be able to quickly figure out which are necessary and upgrade accordingly.

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Beginner Metal Detecting Tips

Try to avoid the temptation to buy an entry-level metal detector under $100.  In recent years the market has been flooded with lower cost inferior models produced by foreign companies.  Along with the lower quality, the customer service can be tricky and shipping costs for any sort of repair add up fast.  Sticking to well-established brand names will help avoid these issues.

Be sure to read the manual before treasure hunting.  Most metal detectors are ready to go out of the box, but some minor tweaks might be required.  The manual is full of helpful information on which settings to use and how to troubleshoot any issues that might arise.  Also, check out YoutTube. There are thousands of how-to videos on every model of metal detector imaginable.

Laws governing metal detecting are very confusing.  The rules and regulations vary on Federal, State, and Locally owned land. A good bet is to check with a local metal detecting club to find out where is fair game.  Also, be careful not to trespass on private land without permission.

Under no circumstance is metal detecting allowed in cemeteries.  They seem like prime targets, especially the old ones, but it is disrespectful to both the living and the dead.

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Conclusion

A good metal detector for a beginner should cost around $200.  While not exactly cheap, units at this price point deliver an easy to use machine with enough advanced features to grow with the detectorist for years.  Less expensive units will struggle to differentiate between trash and actual finds making for a very frustrating treasure hunt. Purchasing a metal detector more expensive than this would be overkill as the complexity of the features ad settings could overwhelm a beginner.

After reading the manual, practice with the unit in the house and around the yard.  Learn how the detector reacts to different metals in different environments, understand the different tones and readings, play around with the buttons and settings.  Be sure to check out YouTube and metal detecting forums for advice on how to use your detector and the optimal settings for different metals and environments. Then head out and find some treasure!

 

Find the right detector, then find your treasure!

1 Comment
  1. […] brands, models, along with other options to select from. Getting comfortable with what to look for the best metal detector for beginners will make this a more straightforward […]

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