Guide for Beginners: How to Choose Your First Metal Detector

Choosing your first metal detector might feel confusing at first. There are many options, technologies, and price points to consider. With some knowledge, you can select a device that opens up the fascinating world of treasure hunting. 

Let’s discuss what you need to know to make an informed purchase. 

Determine What You Need

Before you start looking at our metal detectors, it’s crucial to think about what application best suits you. 

•    Are you going to search for relics in nearby open fields? 
•    Do you plan on combing beaches for lost jewelry? 
•    Are you interested in gold? 
•    Or maybe you want to find one of the world's missing treasures? 

The terrain you plan to hunt on and the type of treasure sought will significantly influence the type of detector you choose. It’s important to know what’s available and ideal for beginner detectorists and what’s available as you progress in the hobby. 

•    The X-TERRA VOYAGER is an ideal beginner-level detector because of its ease of use. It can uncover relics, coins, treasure, jewelry, or gold. The waterproof coil lets you take this detector up to about three feet into the water. 

•    The VANQUISH Series is for the starters who demand more from their equipment. This detector thrives in challenging environments like the park, field, or beach. It’s strong against wet sand and saltwater and is also waterproof up to about 3 feet. The Vanquish Series has Minelab’s Multi-IQ technology, meaning that no type of metal will go undetected. You can use this detector to hunt coins, relics, jewelry, and more. 

•    GO-FIND Series is ideal for those looking for compact, easy, and lightweight detectors. It’s a foldable detector that can go with you anywhere easily. This makes it simple to start the hobby with family and close friends. 

What to Look for in a Beginner Metal Detector

•    Adjustable Sensitivity: Fine-tune the detector’s ability to distinguish between different types of metals. 
•    Discrimination Control: Filter out the undesirable targets and focus your search on valuables. 
•    Comfort and Ergonomics: If you plan on going out for hours, it’s crucial to have a metal detector that feels lightweight and comfortable under your control. 

Consider Budget

Metal detectors come in a wide range of price points. It's essential to aim for the highest-quality detector within your budget and ensure it has the basic features listed above. You’ll want to strike a balance between cost and functionality, like our X-TERRA VOYAGER, which comes with headphones, a collapsable shovel, and a sturdy backpack. 

Research and Read Reviews

Research online forums and ask people passionate about their hobby, what they use, and what the big brand names are in the industry (we’re confident you’ll hear our name). Find out what other enthusiasts like and don’t like about their equipment. 

You can also look for Amazon and other product reviews online to discover the metal detectors people are happiest with. As good as the company’s marketing literature may be, there is no substitute for reading informative third-party reviews from customers who have bought and used the product. These reviews can tell you how well certain features work and what people like or don’t like about the detector. 

Choosing the Right Detector Is Worth the Effort

Finding the right metal detector might take time and feel a little overwhelming. But it’s worth ensuring that you have the right tools to make the most of your hobby. By focusing on finding the right features and conducting research, you should be able to find something that fits your needs. While budget should be a consideration, make sure that you select a model that has the features you’ll be looking for. 

Look deeper into the Minelab product pages. We have several detectors that are ideal for beginner-level adventurers to the most advanced ones. We’re here to help you find the detector you are looking for.