Metal Detector Buying Guide
Currently, an entry-level detector costs anything between NZ$170 and NZ$1000. These detectors are aimed at people looking for treasure (coins and jewellery) and generally offer a simple experience for first-time users.
What to look for
Try to keep in mind what is important when choosing your detector. Things like these are all important:
- Weight and size
- Features such as an LCD screen, internal speakers and built-in GPS
- Discrimination (so you don't dig up junk)
- Coil size
Some of the better entry-level relic machines we sell
- Minelab Go-Find 66 Metal Detector
- Nokta Simplex ULTRA WHP Metal Detector
- Minelab EQUINOX 700 Metal Detector
There are other machines that are cheaper than the above, but these offer the best bang for your buck, with manual controls that can tune the detector to what you are trying to find.
Common questions
Let's get started with some common questions that are frequently asked by first-time buyers.
How deep does a metal detector go?
You will notice that no brand lists this specification. Why? Because it's impossible to answer. The depth that any given detector will detect to is based on a number of variables, including:
- Size of the object
- The ground it is buried under
- How long the object has been buried
- Moisture in the air and ground
- Metal type
- Coil size
- Electromagnetic interference (power lines etc.)
- The orientation of the object
Is bigger better when it comes to coils?
Short answer: no. Different coil sizes are used differently. A smaller coil is better in high-trash areas where several targets are close to each other, whereas a large coil is great for low-mineralisation areas and deep searching.
Not all coils are round; some are oval-shaped for getting in between those hard-to-reach places.
Why do people always use headphones?
Sound isolation. A good set of headphones significantly increases your chances of finding buried objects by blocking background noise.
Using headphones will also improve your detector's battery life and won't attract unwanted attention from curious onlookers.
I've heard that pinpointers are a good idea, but my detector comes with a built-in one. Why should I buy one?
The accuracy of a handheld pinpointer far exceeds the pinpointing mode of a metal detector. With a bit of practice, a good pinpointer will save you hours of time.
The narrower end of the pinpointer contains a miniature metal detector coil. When it is in very close proximity to metal, it will alert you by sound or vibration. These tools are normally inserted into the hole you have dug where you think the object lies.
Gold detector or relic detector, what's the difference?
- Gold detectors are designed to find unrefined gold nuggets (as pictured), not jewellery.
- Relic detectors will find gold in its refined form, such as gold rings and bracelets, as well as other metal objects.
- Some relic detectors also have a gold nugget mode, however a gold detector will typically outperform a relic detector in gold mode.
Still need more help?
Our staff are experienced experts and would be more than happy to talk about options for you. Please call or email us today. As New Zealand's destination for metal detecting, Jacobs is sure to have the detector and accessories to help you find your treasure.