When it comes to selecting the best metal detector on the market, one of the crucial factors to consider is its frequency. Frequency is important because it affects how deep your metal detector can penetrate the ground and the size of the object it can detect.
As a rule of thumb, the lower the frequency of a metal detector, the deeper it detects. On the other hand, the higher the frequency, the greater the detector’s sensitivity to finding smaller objects and the shallower it penetrates.
Additionally, metal detectors are also categorized based on the type of operating technology used. The three main ones include; Single Frequency Detectors, which are the most basic type and operates using one frequency, such as BFO (Beat Frequency Oscillators). Then there are multi-frequency detectors that allow multiple-frequencies selection but still operate with a single frequency at a time. Lastly, Multi-Spectrum Detectors that operates with multiple frequencies simultaneously.
We’re going to look at the best Multi-Frequency metal detectors that promise to make your metal detecting more efficient.
| Name | Search Coil | Battery | Operating Frequency | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garrett Ace Apex | 11"Apex Viper coil DD | Rechargeable Lithium-Ion | 5, 10, 15, and 20 kHz Simultaneous Multi-Freq. and Multi-Salt | 2.5 lbs |
| Minelab Equinox 800 | EQX 11" Double-D | 1 Lithium-ion | Multi, 5kHz, 10kHz, 15kHz, 20kHz, and 40kHz | 2.96 lbs |
| Minelab Equinox 600 | 11" Double-D Smart | 2 A | 5, 10, and 15kHz | 2.94 lbs |
| Nokta 11000702 Impact Pro | IM28 Waterproof DD | 4 AA | 5Khz, 14Khz, and 20Khz | 4 lbs |
Garrett Ace Apex
Topping our list is Garrett Ace Apex, which stands out from the rest due to its state-of-the-art construction, impressive features, and efficient performance when it comes to treasure hunting.
Key Features
Some of the detector’s highlight features include:
Multi-Flex Technology
This multi-frequency metal detector uses the brand’s Multi-flex technology, which allows you to select a specific search frequency from the preset single frequencies (5, 10, 15, and 20 kHz). This will enable you to limit the detection to a specific type or size of metal.
It also provides you with options that ensure excellent detection for all target types and sizes in multiple kinds of soil. It is also highly versatile as you can use it for beach hunting, relic hunting, shallow water wading, coin shooting, as well as prospecting.
User-Friendly Design
At only 2.5 pounds, this device is incredibly lightweight and won’t weigh you down even after hours of searching. It is also well-balanced, so you won’t have issues swinging it for extended hunting sessions.
The detector features a waterproof DD Viper search coil, meaning you can efficiently detect in shallow waters without any problem. The search coil is also large enough to give you better ground coverage and depth search.
It also flaunts a modern control panel with an intuitive menu system. This includes efficient buttons for the frequently used features and settings, allowing you to quickly and easily adjust the settings for optimal performance. There is also a large backlit LCD screen, which makes it easy for you to read the numbers while also allowing you to go hunting at night.
Six Detection Modes
This versatile detector boasts a range of detection modes, which include jewelry, coins, zero, US coins, custom, and relics.
Wireless Audio Capability
One of the main highlight features of this metal detector is integrated Z-Lynk technology. This allows you to pair it with your wireless headphones for ultra-fast audio while you’re out detecting. It also features a headphone jack, so you can seamlessly connect your wired headphones whenever you want.
Z-Lynk is nearly six-times faster than Bluetooth, which allows you to pick up signals without any lags or delays.
Advanced Audio System
For its audio, this detector features an Iron Volume that allows you to reduce the volume of iron objects without interfering with that of non-ferrous targets. It also comes with a unique iron audio feature where it makes a distinctive sound upon the detection of ferrous metals. This makes it easy for you to distinguish various iron targets.
High-Resolution Ground Balance
Featuring a high ground balance resolution of 175 points means you can effectively search on a range of terrains, including saltwater and ferrous fields.
Minelab Equinox 800
Another high-performance multi-frequency metal detector is the Minelab Equinox 800, which features lightweight yet robust construction, incredibly fast recovery speed, and plenty of other amazing features at an affordable price.
Key Features
Some of the distinctive features of the Minelab Equinox 800 include:
Multi-IQ Technology
This detector features Minelab’s innovative multi-frequency technology known as Multi-IQ, which allows you to use a spectrum of frequencies simultaneously for a more efficient search. This means that you’ll hardly miss any metal target.
The detector also offers you up to five single frequencies to choose from, including 5, 10, 15, 20, and 40 kHz. The single-frequency option is ideal, especially when you want to find a specific metal type or suit your hunting location.
Advanced Audio
The multi-frequency detector allows you to shift tones and volume for non-ferrous targets. This can be amazingly helpful, especially if you rely on tones when hunting or for anyone with hearing impairment for a particular tone.
Apart from the common automatic Noise Cancel function, the Equinox 800 also gives you a manual override option that’s important when you’re hunting close to other detectors or in fields with high electrical interference.
4 Detect Modes
Apart from offering eight levels of detect speed, this detector provides four different modes for more efficient detection. These include;
Gold Mode
The gold search mode is specially optimized for detecting small gold nuggets. This is typically achieved by tuning your detector to the 40 kHz single-frequency. (For better gold detecting options specifically check out this gold detecting article)
Park Mode
This mode is most useful when you’re detecting in high-trash fields. As a beginner, you should consider setting this as your default search mode.
Field Mode
This mode is best suited for detecting in low trash fields as it’s more sensitive to smaller objects. This also means it usually detects more trash than the park mode does.
Beach Mode
You should switch to this mode when you’re detecting on sand or in the water. This mode ground balances your detector for sand and saltwater while maintaining a high sensitivity level.
Minelab Equinox 600
While the Equinox 600 isn’t as advanced as the Equinox 800, it’s still undoubtedly one of the best all-purpose detectors you can find out there. This is mostly because of its multi-frequency IQ technology, solid build quality, and outstanding performance.
Key Features
Here are some of the stand-out features of the Equinox 600:
Lightweight and Waterproof Design
Weighing only 2.96 pounds, this detector is exceptionally lightweight, meaning you can spend the entire day searching without feeling tired. It also has a rugged design that’s waterproof, meaning it’s completely submersible so you can confidently use it for detecting in rivers, lakes, beaches, and other terrains.
Search Modes
This machine boasts three preset search modes, Beach, Park, and Field. These modes help you set up the most suitable detecting settings for the most common hunting environments. The Park mode provides higher discrimination against trash while creating the perfect ground balance. On the other hand, the field mode gives you a suitable sensitivity, discrimination, and depth penetration for detecting in field soils. Lastly, the Beach mode offers you lesser sensitivity for trash items but better detection on saltwater and sand.
Intuitive User Interface
The Equinox 600 has a clear LCD screen that displays large target ID numbers, enabling you to obtain a reading on your target more accurately. This helps to ensure you don’t miss any target detected.
It also features intuitive buttons that allow you to quickly change both the detect mode and operating frequency for a hassle-free and dynamic searching experience. Through the interface, you can as well create a personalized discrimination pattern, view battery, and wireless audio status, and adjust other detecting features, like ground balance.
Wireless Audio Capability
This detector is designed to offer compatibility with ultra-fast wireless audio using WM 08 and aptX Bluetooth/low latency headphones.
Nokta 11000702 Impact Pro
Last on our list is the Nokta 11000702 Impact Pro, which is a high-performance machine with multiple frequencies, lots of high-end features, and advanced discrimination ability for the ultimate detection experience.
Key Features
Here are some of the highlight features of the Nokta 11000702 Impact Pro:
Ѕеlесtаblе Frеquеnсіеѕ
Thе Nokta Іmрасt Pro features three different operating frequencies, including 5, 14, and 20 kНz. This lets you choose the ideal frequency based on the metal type and size of your target to increase your chances of success. You may, for instance, choose the 5 kHz frequency when searching for highly conductive objects as well as large objects buried deep in the ground.
The 14 kHz frequency is mostly the default setting for most people as it works best in finding all metal types buried at any depth. 20 KHz, on the other hand, is more sensitive to metals with low conductivity such as gold and nickel, and best suited for locating targets found close to the ground surface.
Search Modes
The Impact Pro boasts a whopping twelve search modes, which allows you to hunt out varying targets like deep treasure caches, relics, and coins. This detector also performs incredibly well and efficiently on a range of terrains, including parks and wet beach sand. This allows you to search much easier as you don’t have to make any additional adjustments.
Weight to Balance Ratio
When fully assembled, this detector weighs a hefty 4 pounds, which can be a bit challenging to carry or it swing around for some people. However, despite its heavier weight, many users have reported it to have an outstanding balance. Due to its great balance, you can swing it almost all day without experiencing any fatigue.
Conclusion
When choosing the right metal detector for you, you should opt for one that matches your skills, requirements, and that falls within your budget. However, all the above-listed multi-frequency detectors are some of the best you can find out there and come with all the specs necessary to making your metal detection a success.
