CHOOSING A METAL DETECTOR

Choosing your detector is the most critical decision you'll make. The right machine = 80% of your success, with experience and location making up the rest.

💰 Budget and skill level

LevelBudgetOptions --------------------------- **Beginner**up to $300Garrett ACE 300i, used gear, Chinese-made alternatives **Hobbyist**$250–$650Equinox 700, Garrett AT Max, Fisher F75 **Advanced**$650–$1,300Equinox 900, XP Deus 2, Nokta Legend **Pro**$1,300+Manticore, Deus 2 Master

📍 Terrain type

  • **Beach, gold:** high frequency 18+ kHz, waterproofing, a sniper coil
  • **Fields, coins:** VDI, depth, stability. Equinox 900, Deus 2
  • **Forest, abandoned villages:** 25–30 cm depth, iron filtering, low frequencies
  • **Mineralized ground (black soil, peat):** CVMC / ground balancing is essential

⚖️ Detector weight

You'll be carrying it for hours. Under 1.2 kg means comfort for 8+ hours. The XP Deus 2 (999 g) and Equinox 900 (1.1 kg) lead the pack for ergonomics.

📡 Frequencies

  • **Low (3–7 kHz)** — depth, large objects
  • **Mid (12–15 kHz)** — all-purpose
  • **High (20–40+ kHz)** — small items (scale fragments, earrings)
  • **Multi-frequency** — the best choice for variable ground conditions