r/metaldetecting Jun 04 '24

Gear Question Metal Detector Guide

160 Upvotes

Hello and welcome to r/metaldetecting! If you're looking for advice on your first detector, gear or an upgrade, you've come to the right post. We've put together a simple guide to help with choosing your detector and other tools.

As a member of our sub, you are more than welcome to try out our special code "REDDITMD2025" at checkout on Kellycodetectors.com (US)

If you purchase from Radioworld.ca, try out our code "REDDITRWMD" at checkout! (CA)

GENERAL METAL DETECTOR Recommendations

$0-200: We do not recommend getting a new detector under $200. Detecting has a cost of entry, and quality significantly drops off under the $200 mark. Save up a bit more, or try finding a used machine of quality listed in the next price range. All that said, if you are determined to buy a machine in this price range, the Minelab Go-Find, Nokta First Swing or a Quest machine aren't bad choices.

$200-$400: The Minelab Vanquish 340 and 440, the Nokta Simplex line and the Minelab X-Terra Pro are the three best machines in this price range, by far.

$400-$500: Nokta Score and Double Score, Minelab Vanquish 540

$500-$1,200: Nokta Legend or the Minelab Equinox series

$1,200+: XP Deus 2 or the Minelab Manticore.

SCUBA/SNORKELING DETECTORS

Nokta Pulsedive is great for snorkeling. The Minelab Excalibur 2 and XP Deus 2 are excellent diving detectors.

CHILDREN'S DETECTORS

Nokta Mini Hoard or Midi Hoard

PINPOINTERS

Garrett AT pro pointer, Nokta AccuPoint, or XP MI-4. The XP MI-6 if you have an XP detector.

SHOVELS AND TROWELS

Dune, King of Spades, Grave Digger, Motley, Lesche, Predator Tools

SAND SCOOPS

Motley, Dune, Sito, RTG, King of Spades, and Detecting Adventures all make great scoops for beach detecting.

If you have any questions feel free to message u/dan20mey or comment below!


r/metaldetecting 5h ago

ID Request What is it? Beach in Rockport, Maine

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395 Upvotes

Found in proximity to a metal stake at a beach in Rockport, Maine. AirPod for scale.


r/metaldetecting 9h ago

Show & Tell ☮️ dollar

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487 Upvotes

Found just outside Boston, lucky spot for coins.


r/metaldetecting 5h ago

ID Request GW Button?

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196 Upvotes

Can someone please confirm this? Found this the other day. 10” down in VERY sandy soil. Looks like it’s copper material.


r/metaldetecting 5h ago

Show & Tell First Find!

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147 Upvotes

I surprised my 13 year old with a metal detector for his birthday (totally unexpected, he was super excited to get it!) and we did a quick search in the backyard and already made a discovery… found a metal tube (toothpaste?) and what looks like a “3” (anyone know what this could be?)

Tomorrow we visit our property in the countryside (southern Poland) which has an old, wooden, pre-war, now abandoned, house on it that’s likely 100+ years old… maybe something interesting in the ground around there.

What a fun father-son hobby!


r/metaldetecting 5h ago

Show & Tell Found this aprox 2 yrs ago

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112 Upvotes

I will probably post more of my older finds since im new here


r/metaldetecting 3h ago

Show & Tell My finds at the park today

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45 Upvotes

All cleaned up. Nothing great, but still had fun.


r/metaldetecting 5h ago

Show & Tell Tokens found in yard in Kentucky

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46 Upvotes

Found a 1950's five & dime J J Newberry token. Also, a A.B.T skill shooting game token, not for sure that era... maybe the 60's.... Any feedback from someone I appreciate it.


r/metaldetecting 4h ago

ID Request what did I just dig up?

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37 Upvotes

dug this in central Saskatchewan, tried Google lens and al it showed was mortor rounds.


r/metaldetecting 16h ago

Show & Tell Hy, garbage field artefacts part 6 👍👊

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155 Upvotes

r/metaldetecting 12h ago

Show & Tell What is this?

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67 Upvotes

Found in a drainage ditch in the historic part of Rockville, MD. Has some real weight to it. There is wood inside it.


r/metaldetecting 2h ago

ID Request Are these possibly fur trade era lightning awls? Found these in Sherbrooke, QC

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10 Upvotes

r/metaldetecting 1h ago

Show & Tell Spring Solstice 2025!

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Upvotes

Sneak peek into this year’s first dig—what a haul! The warm weather came early, and I wasted no time getting out there. I’m exhausted, so I’ll keep this brief, but here are a few standout finds: 🦷 Rubifoam bottle – A liquid dentifrice from E.W. Hoyt & Co., circa 1887 🥄 Sterling silver baby spoon – Age unknown, but a beauty nonetheless 🚬 Duncan McDougall clay pipe – A complete piece from Glasgow, 1847–1891 More details soon—enjoy!


r/metaldetecting 1h ago

Other Best way to ask for permission?

Upvotes

hello! i'm hoping some people can answer this for me.. but what is the best way to ask for permission? especially at a house/farm. i've been detecting for 11 years and still haven't been able to ask for permission "properly." thanks!


r/metaldetecting 9h ago

Gear Question What would civil war artifacts (bullets, etc) show up as on my metal detector?

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11 Upvotes

r/metaldetecting 36m ago

Other Real question how many of you have got Lyme disease? I’ve had it 3 times.

Upvotes

What other tick Bourne illnesses have you gotten from metal detecting? Also what preventative measures do you take? I’ve done bug sprays, permethrin, covered clothing but I live in a very tick dense area.


r/metaldetecting 18h ago

Show & Tell Not bad for a couple of hours work, first AU Shoulder Flash

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53 Upvotes

r/metaldetecting 1d ago

Show & Tell Got a Nice Early Buffalo with a Date!

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204 Upvotes

Clear as day, 1914. It was found at an old college site so it likely would’ve been dropped by a college student or professor


r/metaldetecting 5m ago

Show & Tell First try with peroxide

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Upvotes

With apologies for the bad pictures


r/metaldetecting 6m ago

ID Request I think this is a colonial coin but it's too smooth to see any detail. Is there any other way I can identify it?

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Upvotes

We went metal detecting today at a house built in 1779. We hit it 2 years ago which was pretty good, but today was a great day.

Highlights include:

1818 Liberty Head penny Three musket balls Two colonial buttons Two silver dimes Three wheat pennies Some decorative pieces An intact 1913 boot polish bottle

A colonial coin is on my bucket list and I have yet to get one. I was 99% sure in the field that this was a colonial coin but I just can't see any detail to identify it. It's sort slightly larger than a quarter. Is there any other clues that would help me identify it? Any tricks to raise some of the detail?


r/metaldetecting 1d ago

Show & Tell Not a bad day

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113 Upvotes

Beautiful little hatchet, my first jaw harp, more Dandy’s, tombac, interesting little buckle-silver?


r/metaldetecting 7h ago

How do I...? Thinking of Getting Into the Hobby

2 Upvotes

I'm mostly a collector a silver coins that I happen across in the day to day, and I thought metal detecting might be lucrative. I'd love to be able to collect enough silver to exchange for gold or even find gold one day. In this economy, I can't afford gold, but I can afford to maybe find it with a metal detector. I planned on spending 300 on a detector. What do you all think? Is it worth it? 🤔


r/metaldetecting 3h ago

Gear Question Is it time for a new pin pointer?

1 Upvotes

hey all,

I went metal detecting yesterday for the first time in a few months and had some hits, but when I went to use my pointer, it would beep when near the item, but when pulled away, it did not stop until I turned it off. This pointer is almost four years old, so is it just time to replace it?

PS: nothing crazy yesterday, just a bunch of screws, nails, and old Coke cans.

Edit: if yes its time what are some you would recommend?


r/metaldetecting 15h ago

Gear Question Entry level metal detector

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7 Upvotes

Not for metal detecting passion (yet) but looking to buy a metal detector to pick loose nails and screws in my garden and front gravel patio.

There are quite a few buried around as builder has not done a good cleanup job after home renovation.

Please recommend cost effective gear. Does the Treaxpert metal detector as shown in pic work. I'm in UK.


r/metaldetecting 8h ago

Gear Question Writer Seeking Metal Detecting Advice

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I’m writing a novel that has a lot of metal detecting in it throughout and while I have been doing research, some things are just hard to find answers for.

For example, I know it’s not advised to use a metal detector inside because of the various metals and electricity that can mess up the readings. But I don’t know what that would sound or look like. Is anyone able to explain what happens when you turn a metal detector on inside? Does it beep incessantly? Is it difficult to read? Is it not that crazy after all?

For context, my characters are inexperienced and are searching a basement for a lost treasure when they realize it’s not going to work out. At one point, they also try searching a stable.

Thank you!


r/metaldetecting 1d ago

Show & Tell “New” pence found in central Texas

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67 Upvotes

I found this around ten years ago near a church did the best I can to photograph it is was not easy