For someone new to the hobby of treasure hunting, you are in for a big treat. It is one of the most exciting and fulfilling activities that can be done solo or with others. It is a great excuse to get outside and explore new places you may have never been to.
When it comes to the equipment that you need, many people presume they will have to purchase expensive high-end equipment for the task. This is a common misconception that keeps a lot of people from trying it out.
Beginners don’t need expensive equipment to get started, just a standard detector and a little bit of information can set you up for success.
But what information is that? Don’t you worry, we’ve laid it all out for you in this handy beginner’s guide.
Questions to Consider First.
Before getting started there are a couple of things to ask yourself to see what you want your experience with metal detection to look like. These questions set ground rules and requirements for the equipment that you need so you can save time and money.
What are you hoping to find?
Not every metal detector will work for all metals. You should know exactly what kind of metals you generally want to hunt for, as there are specific features for metal detectors that will make this task easier. Be it gold, silver, lost jewelry, coins, etc., knowing beforehand what you’re hunting for will make it easier for you to choose a detector that is compatible with your goals.
Where are you hunting?
Because not all detectors work well or at all under the same conditions, you need a general idea of where you’re planning to conduct your searches. If you are planning to search on land, you will need a detector that works best for dry land. However, if you are planning to dive in water or go near it, you will need a detector that will work best in these conditions. Using a detector that isn’t compatible with water can quickly land you with a broken piece of equipment.
It is also important to consider which detectors come with a ground balance feature. This feature allows you to conduct your search in different soils without any problems. Planning before buying can save you a lot of hassle and potential expenses.
What’s your budget?
Metal detectors come in different price ranges, so it really depends on how much you’re willing to invest in your hobby. However, it is never wise to rush into something more advanced at the start. You can easily find a reasonable option that still offers you a lot of features. If you go for something more expensive you might get the best features, but if you are new to the hobby you might not know how to optimize it for what you need at the time. We have a whole article on detectors you can get if you have a lower budget.
Touch or knob?
Depending on the metal detector, you can either turn knobs or touch to change the metal type that you are searching for. You should look through some options and see which method you are more comfortable with.
Standard or advanced?
If you are comparatively new to the hobby, you might want to opt for a standard version of a detector. An advanced version will offer you a lot of different features, but you might end up confusing yourself. It is best to start with a simpler version and then move up as you learn the craft.
What can you expect to find?
Every metal detector has its capacity. Some are capable of finding scattered coins on the surface, whereas others will go deep within the ground and help you find gold nuggets.
Metal detecting takes time and patience, so while it is an enjoyable hobby a search for higher rewards means that you need to put in extra effort and use advanced equipment.
A beginner’s detector is often capable of finding treasure at a limited depth. Coins, relics, and jewelry are some everyday items that you can expect to find with ease. However, you are less likely to find gold nuggets or other items using these detectors.
Are these detectors suitable for kids?
A child’s ability to work a detector is directly proportional to his/her age. If the child is old enough to carry the detector and understand its functionality, it is, by all means, permissible for your kid to use it without any issues.
Treasure hunting is a valuable activity to engage the children in. You can easily find a range of detectors that are relatively lighter in weight and easy to understand. Let your kids start with these simpler detectors and once they have excelled beyond it, you can always buy them a more advanced version.
But what detectors are best for the beginners? Here are a few we recommend.
My Top Recommendations For Beginners
You can check out some of my favorite detectors that I feel would suit an entry level person looking to jump into the hobby. I’ll most likely be adding more options to this list but for now I think these are some great options!
Fisher F22
Fisher F22 : This detector has a 9” coil and a bright LCD that allows you to skim through and identify objects with ease. It is reliable and has a high re-tune speed, which allows you to move from one signal to another in no time. This way, you do not waste time, can identify what isn’t a viable dig, and carry on with your search.
This detector is highly convenient and categorizes different metals with different IDs, which means that you do not have to dig it up to know more about your discovery. It also allows you to set various alerts for different types of metals. For example, you can choose custom sounds for junk or iron so that you instantly recognize what you have detected and move on to find your next target.
Pros:
- The coil is water-resistant, and you can use it at different water levels.
- You can adjust the audio according to your needs.
- It has a large LCD screen which is easy to use.
- The detector is capable of changing the frequency at high speed.
- The device identifies precisely the depth to which you need to dig to find the treasure.
- It is lightweight.
Cons:
- The device does not let you adjust the ground balance manually.
- It may be out of budget for some.
Garrett Ace 300 Metal Detector
The Garrett Ace 300 : This detector is widely considered to be the best detector for beginners. It is highly efficient in identifying the hidden treasure and does it in a convenient way for the just starting out beachcomber.
This model comes with five different modes. If you know what metal you are searching for, you can switch the detector mode to that specific object. It will cause the detector to go off only when you find that particular object.
The detector will identify the estimated depth to which you need to dig to find the treasure. It saves a lot of time and energy and motivates you to keep going all day.
Pros:
- The detector is excellent for beginners, as it is easy to use.
- It offers depth indication, which pinpoints the levels to which you need to dig to find the treasure.
- There are five different search modes that you can choose from: Relics, Coins, Jewelry, Any, and Custom.
- It allows you to switch between audios.
Cons:
- It does not offer manual ground balance adjustment.
- It does not work under saltwater.
Teknetics EuroTek PRO
The Teknetics EuroTek PRO offers high iron detection, which allows the user to sidestep anything that isn’t actual treasure. The detection coil is waterproof, which allows you to conduct your search both on land and in water.
The device also offers audio adjustments that allow you to customize your search alerts based on the metal that you find.
Pros:
- The detector is lighter in weight in comparison to other detectors.
- It is easy to understand and use.
- It is water-resistant.
- It offers precision and pinpoints the location of the treasure.
Cons:
- It does not offer manual ground balancing.
- Unlike other detectors, you will have to manually assemble it.
Bounty Hunter Tracker IV
Bounty Hunter Tracker IV is an excellent device for beginners and children. It offers a great variety of options, but it is easy to understand.
You can switch easily between different modes, which means you can conduct selective searching. The detector offers all-metal searching, tone differentiation, and full differentiation via which you can limit your search results.
The coil attached is waterproof, but the overall device is not. You can use it in freshwater, but i wouldn’t take it into the deep sea.
One of the best features is its automatic ground balancing, which is not something you can typically get within this price range. It lets the user identify if the ground is high in minerals so you don’t follow a false result.
Pros:
- It is easy to understand and handle for people of all ages.
- It offers great value for the lower price.
- The device has three different modes that you can work on.
- It has an automatic ground balancing feature.
Cons:
- The device does not have a volume control, which means you cannot make the noise quieter.
- It lets you identify the treasure but does not offer precision in finding out the exact depth to which you need to dig.
Final Thoughts
If you’re stepping into the world of treasure hunting for the first time, it is advised that you don’t invest a ton of money right away. Test the waters a little and do your research so you know exactly what you should be considering and how much it will cost you. Another tip is to check different forums and ask around!
There are a lot of companies that will offer you different advantages and try to lure you in. However, your specific needs are important so identifying and answering your questions and committing to something when they’ve been answered is imperative.
