A Beginner’s Guide to Metal Detecting

You’ve seen them at the beach or maybe at your local park: modern-day treasure seekers scanning the ground with metal detectors. For most people who do it, metal detecting is a fun hobby. After all, you never know what it’ll turn up: money, a lost ring . . . your own keys!

But some people use metal detectors to do historical research (and maybe find a few relics) while others actually hope to find something of value. In fact, one of the largest gold nuggets ever found in California was discovered by a hobbyist using a metal detector. Now known as The Mojave Nugget, it weighs more than 10 pounds! (For a list of other amazing finds, read this.)

No matter what you’re hoping to find, metal detecting can be a fun way to explore familiar landscapes. Here’s how to do it:

Beginner’s Guide to Metal Detecting

1. Choose a metal detector and familiarize yourself with its settings. The type of metal detector you use depends on what you plan to do with it. High-quality metal detectors can be expensive so it might be better to buy a cheaper version first. We’ve included a list of the top eight metal detectors at the end of this post. (Our first pick is an expensive option for beginners.)

2. Gather additional gear. Besides a metal detector, you’ll also need a pair of headphones (that plug in to the detector), a small shovel or trowel (to dig up what you find), and gloves.

3. Practice using the metal detector in a familiar place such as your own yard. Hold the metal detector in front of you about 6 inches off the ground. As you walk in a straight line, slowly sweep the metal detector back and forth in a half circle. Stop when you hear a beep and focus on that spot, sweeping the metal detector back and forth. If you’re able, use your trowel to dig up the spot. (Be careful not to dig holes in public places such as parks.)

4. Find a place you want to hunt and get permission. Many public parks prohibit metal detecting so it’s a good idea to research before you go. Private property and land can often be a good place to go metal detecting but make sure you get the property owner’s permission first. They might even be able to tell you good places to hunt!

Bonus Tips:

  • Expect to find more trash than gold nuggets (or other treasure).
  • Carry a bag to collect what you find.
  • Try hunting in the spring or after it rains. These are two of the best times to be out with a metal detector.
  • Bring extra batteries or power.
  • If you specifically want to hunt for gold, you’ll need a metal detector designed for this purpose. The final metal detector on our list is a good bet.

8 Metal Detectors Worth Buying

ToolGuards Metal Detector

TOOLGUARDS Metal Detector Easy to Use Carry Bag & Shovel (2019 Model High-Accuracy)
  • ❗CAUTION: INSERT MICRO-PLUG ACCORDING TO THE ALIGNMENT! An incorrect connection can occur in very low or no signal❗💰LET YOUR TREASURE HUNTS BEGIN…. Are you ready for an adventure of a lifetime? Now you can start enjoying the thrill of finding artifacts like old coins, gold, tools, jewelry, and more with our premium ToolGuards Metal Detector!
  • ✅ ENJOY SEARCHING ON LAND & WATER! Now you can enjoy your treasure hunting in the water too! We created our deluxe metal detector kit with a waterproof coil and carrying bag, so you can uncover the mysteries on all terrain!
  • ✅ NEWEST 2019 MODEL - GREAT FOR ALL AGES: Metal detecting is a great hobby for men, women, and children of all ages! Our easy-to-use and extremely durable Metal Detector includes an adjustable knob to match your height and preference!
  • ✅ FEEL CONNECTED TO THE PAST— Do you love finding buried treasures in the Earth and wondering about the stories of who left them behind? That feeling of excitement is priceless!
  • ✅ SUPERIOR COMFORT FOR AVID DETECTORISTS— Your comfort and enjoyment is our #1 priority! Enjoy our Metal Detectors comfortable armrest to support your arm- even on long expeditions! Your product comes with a 1-Year Warranty!❗MANUAL IS INCLUDED AND SHOULD BE READ PROPERLY BEFORE USE❗

Bounty Hunter Tracker IV Metal Detector

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Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV Metal Detector with 8-inch Waterproof Coil
  • Model Number: Tracker II
  • 8-in, waterproof, interchangeable coil
  • Dual-tone discriminate
  • Sensitivity adjustment
  • Discriminate adjustment

RM Ricomax Metal Detector

RM RICOMAX Metal Detector for Adults & Kids - High-Accuracy Metal Detector Waterproof LCD Display [PP Function & DISC Mode & Distinctive Audio Prompt] 10 Inch Waterproof Search Coil (GC-1028) , Black
  • TRUE DISCRIMINATION MODE - This metal detector can detect metals including iron, aluminum, gold, bronze, silver and their articles in all-metal mode. Just press the button, you can simply set the target range Up to 7.1’’ inches deep or eliminate the metal you don’t want. Then, you can accurately find the certain metal you want. The crossed frame is for items eliminated and two 9V alkaline batteries are required
  • HIGHER SENSITIVE & WATERPROOF SEARCH COIL - The bigger the search coil is, the higher the sensitivity. The increased size of the search coil to 10 inches makes metal detecting MORE EFFICIENT. And the WATERPROOF stem and coil enable you to use our metal explorer underwater, especially suitable for outdoor activities, on the beach or in the stream. But it is should be noted that the control box is not waterproof
  • MORE INTUITIVE LCD CONTROL BOX - A control box with LCD will simplify your metal detecting a lot. The detection mode, sensitivity level, battery condition, and volume level can be known at a glance. An arrow displayed below the target icon will clearly tell you detecting a object. The depth of the target is also displayed. Compared to the knob and dial, button and LCD are obviously more accurate and convenient
  • P/P FUNCTION & DISTINCTIVE AUDIO PROMPT - There are distinctive audio tones in our metal detector for different types of metal. So after a period of time use, you can tell what type of metal you've detected just by audio tones. And the P/P function enables you to pinpoint a target accurately. Operating steps have been written in the manual which comes with the metal finder. All we have done is let you find the target more easily
  • YOUR INVESTMENT IS FULLY GUARANTEED - We are confident that our metal detectors are manufactured under strict quality standards to give our customers the best experience. Any problems or questions just contact us via Amazon. We will do our best to provide perfect after-sale service for you

Garrett ACE 200 Metal Detector

Garrett ACE 200 Metal Detector with Waterproof Search Coil and Treasure Sound Headphone
  • Garrett ACE 200 Metal Detector with 6.5" x 9" Waterproof Coil, Garrett Treasure Sound Headphones, Instruction Manual, Batteries, and a Two-Year Warranty
  • New Digital Target ID: 0 to 99 scale offers target information
  • New Camlocks for increased stem stability
  • New Includes Pulse-Width Modulation audio: sharper, more responsive audio
  • Light weight with big performance at a small price

Fisher F22 Weatherproof Metal Detector

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Fisher F22 Weatherproof Metal Detector with 9 Inch Weatherproof Coil, All-Purpose, High-Sensitivity, Deep Seeking Metal Detector, Pinpoint, Easy to Use
  • ALL PURPOSE METAL DETECTOR: Weatherproof metal detector that can detect Jewelry, Coins, and Artifacts on land and shallow water. Finds metal targets on the surface and buried up to nine inches deep.
  • TREASURE HUNT IN ANY CONDITION: This metal detector is weatherproof for use in the harshest weather and environments. Rain or shine, this metal detector can find treasure.
  • JUST TURN-ON-AND-GO: A metal detector made for adults but easy enough for a child to operate. Easy-to-use features like discrimination, sensitivity, notch, and pinpoint make finding treasures buried deep underground a breeze.
  • ACCURATE ALL METAL DETECTORS: This underground detector distinguishes between valuable targets and unwanted metals. Quickly identify all types of buried targets by Target Categories and a 0-99 numeric Target-ID, enhanced with a 4-Tone Audio-ID System.
  • LIGHTWEIGHT ERGONOMIC & COMFORTABLE: This well-balanced weatherproof metal detector weighs approximately 2 pounds and has a padded hand grip and arm cup for comfortable treasure hunting.

Fisher F75 Metal Detector

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Fisher F75 Multi-Purpose Metal Detector
  • Lightest weight / best ergonomics in the industry - powerful performance trigger-actuated target pinpointing with variable audio pitch - large lcd screen with 0-99 numeric target identification display
  • Double-filter discrimination modes for searching in trashy areas - magnetic mineralization bar graph and readout - trigger-actuated fastgrab ground balance
  • Non-volatile memory saves settings - backlight – for low light hunting conditions - low operating cost – typically 40+ hours with 4-aa alkaline batteries
  • Double-D Waterproof Search Coil - Rain Cover for Control Housing & Battery Housing Available
  • Recommended for: coin shooting, relic hunting, beach hunting, gold prospecting. Operating humidity range: 0-90% non-condensing

Garrett Waterproof Metal Detector for Gold