Hand-held Metal Detectors are designed to safeguard security-sensitive areas like schools, courtrooms, corrections facilities, sports events, businesses, nightclubs, bars and other public areas and events. They are used along with walk-through metal detectors. Construction crews and woodworkers also use hand-held metal detectors to find dangerous nails or other metallic debris in reclaimed building materials and trees.

A recent study proves that hand-held metal detectors are just as accurate as x-rays in finding coins and other metallic objects swallowed by children. They are cheaper and radiation-free, are usually lightweight, highly sensitive and require little maintenance. The special shape of the sensitive surface makes operation of the device easy, unlike portable metal detectors with ring transducers. They come with 9V batteries or rechargeable NiMH batteries.

Hand-held metal detectors are most commonly used for body searches for weapons in crowd control, and checking parcels and letters. Garret manufactures some of the best hand-held scanners in the world. The Garrett Enforcer G-2 is the smallest body scanner and sensitive enough to detect even the smallest of knives or guns. The most popular one is the Super Scanner. It can detect hatpins as small as one inch.

When hand-held detectors are switched on, a red signal pattern in transmitted from the coil to the ground. When the signal comes in contact with a metal, it interrupts the signal and the detector alerts the user with an audio signal and flashing lights. Hand held detectors are of various types — commercial, professional, all-purpose, beach, gold metal, relic metal and 2-box deep searchers.

Several different kinds of metal detectors exist, I will explain how they work while trying not to get too technical. There are three major classes of metal detectors available.

The first type of metal detector is the PI, which stands for Pulse Induction. Pulse induction means that you are creating an electromagnetic pulse that exits the coil, bounces off a target, then returns to the coil giving a report on the target it hit.

Pulse induction detectors are usually more sensitive to smaller and deeper targets. The down side is they also pick up more trash targets and have a difficult time telling good targets apart from bad targets.

Another detector type is the VLF, which stands for Very Low Frequency. This kind of detector is versatile and commonly used. It uses phase demodulation to discriminate between types of metallic objects like iron and gold. It does a good job at telling the difference between good objects, like gold and treasure, and trash such as nails, bottle caps etc.

Yet another is the BFO, or Beat Frequency Oscillator. The beat frequency oscillator is a low cost circuit design. It has two coils, one at the end of the arm of the detector and one in the control box on the handle. These coils form a pair of tuned oscillators. The oscillators are tuned so that the difference in their frequencies is an exact multiple of each other. The presence of any metallic object will produce a change in either oscillator and thus produce an audible beat frequency harmonic tone.

Each of these technologies has trade-offs, usually between cost and their ability to sense small valuable objects. Newer advances are coming every day. Most of these are in the area of using special digital signal processing of the return signal. Every conductive object has a peculiar signature spectrum that tells a bit more about the object and can also be filtered out to separate junk (iron & aluminum) from Gold Treasure. As technologies advance the price for more capable equipment drops. This in turn opens new depths and more trashy areas to be hunted for treasure.

Please remember to hunt responsibly, avoid trespassing and fill your holes when you are finished. Enjoy hunting for buried treasure!

There are many kinds of metal detectors – gold detectors, coin and jewel detectors, relic hunting detectors, beach-hunting detectors, and underwater metal detectors. Buying a metal detector can be a tricky affair. Before one decides to buy a metal detector, here are a few points to consider.

How often will it be put to use? If it is for a new hobby, it may be a good idea to buy a one with a lot of features.

Where it will be used? Will it be used on the beach, underwater, or in the woods?

Who will use it? If it for use in the family, there are detectors that have adjustable arm cups and separate pouches to mount the electronic box.

How much will you spend on a detector? It is advisable to be a little flexible in this regard so that one can buy one that most suits the requirements.

Buying used metal detectors usually offer the best value for your money. It is always best to buy used metal detectors from a respected dealer, rather than a classified ad. Most dealers offer a money back guarantee or a trade-in option. If you are buying from someone other than a dealer make sure it is someone you know and trust. Most dealers sell only tested metal detectors.

Prices of used metal detectors vary from $275 to $700 for all-purpose metal detectors. Underwater metal detectors can cost around $500. Most used accessories can cost $200. It is also a good idea to keep in mind that a used metal detector will not have the manufacturers warranty, but dealing with a reputable dealer will eliminate some of the risk.

Metal detectors come with a control box that contains the circuitry, controls, speaker, batteries and the microprocessor; a shaft that connects the control box and the coil; a search coil that actually senses the metal; and a stabilizer that keeps the unit steady as it is moved. The performances of the detectors are based on the features of these parts.

Tesoro Metal Detectors

At less than 2½ pounds, the Tesoro Golden Max lets you control what you want to find. It is the lightest detector in the market with full size depth, sensitivity, four tone audio ID and a user adjustable Notch Filter Discriminate. The Tesoro DeLeon is a Target Identification Detector (TID), named after the famous explorer Ponce de Leon, who searched Florida looking for treasure and the Fountain of Youth. The DeLeon is designed as an easy to use, turn-on-and-go detector.

Whites Metal Detectors

The Whites E-series metal detectors include the following models. DFX™ brings together the ultimate combination of sophisticated microprocessor technology, and turn-on-and-go simplicity. It has an operational frequency of 3 kHz and 15 kHz. The XLT® Metal Detector is high-performance simplicity and versatility at its best. It has five programs to choose from along with 10 Basic Adjustments, and 29 Pro Options. The MXT has three completely separate operating modes — gold prospecting, coin/jewelry, or relic.

Prizm series

The Prizm series include Prizm II, III, IV, and V. All have a pinpoint mode that zeroes in on target location, instruction videos that show when and where to hunt.

Fisher Metal Detectors

Dr. Gerhard Fisher, a German immigrant, obtained the first patent ever issued on aircraft radio direction finders in the late 1920s. Fisher’s 1266-X comes factory shipped with 8-inch Open Center Spider Coil, instruction manual and Fisher’s 5 Year Warranty. It has a duel discrimination system, which will allow you to search at a great depth. This unit does not work very well on wet saltwater beaches.

Garrett Metal Detectors

The Garrett Super Scanner hand-held detector can detect a medium-sized pistol from distance of 9″” and even a tiny 1” piece of jewelry. Simplicity of operation of this metal detector is unmatched. The Garrett SuperWand Security metal detector is one of the most popular metal detectors. It provides uniform sensitivity 360° along the scan area and pinpointing at the tip to detect weapons and other metal objects with extreme accuracy. The Garrett Magna Scanner PD 6500 Walk through metal detector has some unique features. Its ultra-enhanced multi-coil detection field pinpoints the exact location of any metal object within 33 distinct areas of the archway.

Bounty Hunter Metal Detectors

Bounty Hunter metal detectors are made by First Texas Products. The Tracker IV priced at $160 is streamlined in appearance, with only two operating controls and a mode selection switch. The Tracker IV has a built-in Automatic Ground Tracker that maintains ground balance. The Bounty Fast Tracker offers value for your money. It is a user-friendly instrument that delivers effective performance over a wide range of conditions and applications.

Minelab Metal Detectors

The Minelab Explorer II priced at approximately $1395 is a coin and jewelry detector with an operating frequency between 1.5 – 100 kHz. The signal travels deeper at a lower frequency and the signal detects objects close to the surface at a higher frequency. The Minelab Quattro MP, priced at approximately $1300, is suited for use in parks, beaches or the battlefields. Minelab’s FBS technology provides outstanding performance even on saltwater beaches.

Metal Detector Reviews Are Beneficial

Metal detector reviews will help you find the best detector to fit your needs. Metal detector reviews will help you check out reliability of particular manufacturers, makes, and models. You should look at several different metal detector reviews prior to buying, to ensure you find a detector that will do all that you need it do, want it to do, all at a reasonable price.

What Will I Find In Such A Review?

Alerts: Detectors have an audio signal or beep, but by reading a review you will find out if the detector has a vibrating option, or a variety of tones to let you know the different types of metal you are detecting.

Depth: Metal detector reviews will let you know how far down (depth) the detector can sense metal. By reading metal detector reviews, you will find that some detectors can detect any metal object as deep as 12 inches, while some can not only detect, but also tell exact depth location.

Detection Mode: The metal detector reviews will also tell you information regarding detection modes. Usually there are detectors that have four different modes. These modes are relics (bullets, buttons, etc.); prospecting; coins; and jewelry. The metal detector reviews will let you know if you are able to use one of these modes alone, or if you can use two modes at the same time. If you use a single mode, you will have better success (or better chances) of finding what you set out to find.

Ground balance: Did you know the ground contains metal that occurs naturally in its soil? Detectors can tell you how sophisticated the detector is to find and cancel out those natural types of metals. The better makes and models of detectors will be able to tell you the exact types of metals you are looking for as you find them.

Battery life: Detectors will usually run on AA batteries, which will usually last approximately 20-30 hours.

Sensitivity: Metal detector reviews will be able to measure which makes and models have the best adjustable sensitivity ratings. This is an important factor when detecting, so you can distinguish between ground metals and your hidden treasures.

Display: Another topic metal detector reviews will cover is display. The display on detectors will vary from simple measures to complicated measures. Take a look at the models you are looking at to see what they have to offer in display.

Where Can I Find Good Reviews?

There are online sites offering reviews on metal detectors, makes, and models. Look at more than one site and review before making your final purchasing decision. Reviews are mostly opinions, so get a wide range to help you make your choice. You will be able to make an educated decision on your own, and have confidence it was the right one.