Welcome to MetalDetectorRatings.net, your one-stop free resource for metal detector reviews, detecting tips and buying guides. Metal detecting is an exciting and unpredictable hobby that's enjoyed by thousands of people from across the globe. Some who've only found the odd metal button, and others who have stumbled across all kinds of valuable objects. Feel free to read our articles for excellent guides, reviews and ratings, and if you enjoy what you find why not tell a friend or two about us! Let's kick things off with a brief look at the background of metal detecting.
A Crash Course in Metal Detecting
Metal detecting has been around since the late 19th century as physicists were learning to understand the principles of electricity and magnetic fields. Metal detection devices back then were crude and unreliable, and not worth the effort needed to operate them. One such example was a detector used by Alexander Graham Bell to find a bullet lodged in the body of President James Garfield. Although his attempt failed and Garfield died the development of metal detectors continued.
Today, those involved in the hobby of metal detecting are called “metal detectorists.” Some folks who believe that name sounds a bit elitist prefer something more along the lines of “treasure hunter.” Regardless, the metal detecting hobby has grown in the U.S. to the extent that domestic manufacturers of metal detectors produce more than 500,000 units annually.
How Metal Detectors Work
Metal detecting devices work on the principle of electromagnetic fields. An electromagnetic field is transmitted by a coil, while a receiver measures that field according to its design. As long as the receiver “hears” the signal it's supposed to, the metal detector registers no change. Once the electromagnetic field hits a metal object, its frequency is interrupted and an alarm is sounded to let the user know that metal has been discovered.
Think of it in terms of a radio. When you first turn on a radio that's not tuned to any specific station, all you hear is static; but as you move the tuner, that changes the frequency of the vibrations inside the receiver. When that frequency matches the frequency a radio station is broadcasting on the static disappears and you hear music. In very simple terms, that's how a metal detector works.
It seems pretty simple, but the most difficult part of metal detecting is learning to distinguish between "noise" and valuable objects. A bottle top or pull tab from a can will register because they are metal; however, they are not valuable enough to waste your time digging up. A highly skilled detectorist is able to recognize the various beeps and sounds made by his device to determine where and when to dig.
Different Categories of Metal Detecting
As a hobby, metal detecting can get old and frustrating very quickly if you don't set some parameters for yourself. There are just too many metal objects in the soil to check everything that registers a beat. One of the first things you should do, even before purchasing your first metal detector, is decide what type of object you'll be searching for primarily. There are five basic categories of metal detecting:
Coin Hunting
Coin hunting is one of the more popular types of metal detecting because it offers the potential for a quick profit. It involves visiting venues where large groups of people have recently gathered. Such venues include sporting events, outdoor concerts, parades, etc. The coin hunter is more or less scanning the soil for newly dropped coins. Once in awhile a coin hunter will find something old and rare, but more often than not, loose change is the bounty of the day.
Relic Hunting
Relic hunting is similar to coin hunting in both name and practice. Relic hunters are looking for historical artifacts in places where large groups of people congregated in the past. Old coins, bullets and ammunition, ax handles, and belt buckles are some of the items the relic hunter is after.
Treasure Hunting
Treasure hunting is exactly as the name suggests: it is a search for various items rumored to be hidden but whose existence might be questioned in some cases.
Prospecting
Prospecting is the search for valuable metals like gold, silver, and copper.
Beach Combing
Beach combing is probably the one type of metal detecting we most often think of. We imagine old men, in Bermuda shorts and sandals, sweeping the beach early in the morning for treasures dropped the previous day. Beach combing is exactly what you imagine except that Bermuda shorts are not required!
Different Types of Metal Detectors
Though there are literally hundreds of different models to choose from, there really are only three basic types of detectors. You should talk to a qualified salesperson or experienced hobbyist who can help you select a good model depending on your goals and the type of terrain where you'll normally use the detector. The three basic types of metal detectors are known as Very Low Frequency (VLF), Pulse Induction (PI), and Beat Frequency Oscillation (BFO).
VLF Metal Detectors
VLF Metal detectors are the most popular ones on the market for the general hobbyist. They are the one-size-fits-all detectors usable in the widest variety of geographies and metal detecting strategies. VLF units utilize two coils; one to transmit and one to receive. They work well in detecting most metals and can be used on a variety of terrains. Most modern VLF detectors are built with electronic tuners that allow the user to reduce signals from unwanted metal like steel and aluminum.
PI Metal Detectors
PI detectors are more expensive and specialized for treasure hunting in deep soil penetration conditions. These detectors use a single coil for both transmitting and receiving. This is accomplished using Pulse Induction. The coil sends out a signal then quickly switches to reception mode and then switches back again; a process repeated endlessly until the coil measures a disruption in the electromagnetic field. That disruption will produce a sound in the controller box and alert the user that metal has been found. Pulse induction detectors are commonly used in secure locations to search for weapons.
BFO Metal Detectors
BFO detectors are the least expensive and very popular with novices. The BFO detector utilizes two coils just like the VLF. The biggest difference between the two is that BFO units can't tune out unwanted metals. Thus, novices must learn to distinguish between various sounds and patterns in order to determine if a found object is worthless or valuable.
If you're new to the hobby we would recommend you start with a beginner model until you're sure this is something that really interests you. Many people invest hundreds of dollars in top-of-the-line equipment only to discover after a few hunts that they're bored and no longer wish to pursue metal detecting. If you purchase your first detector and find that you're thrilled after a few outings, you can always upgrade to a better and more expensive model.
Happy hunting!