Metal Detectors (49 products)

Add adventure to your next camping trip or get serious about treasure hunting with the selection of metal detectors at Johnny Appleseed GPS. View the range below and refer to our FAQs further down the page for answers to our most common questions. If you have other questions or want to learn more about a specific metal detector we sell, feel free to get in touch.

Choose the Right Metal Detector for Treasure Hunting

Whether you intend to undertake some devoted treasure-hunting or you’re just curious to see what could be buried under your feet, it’s all about having the right metal detector for the job. At Johnny Appleseed GPS, we stock Minelab metal detectors and accessories, which are well-known for their build and functional quality.

You’ll find metal detectors that offer simultaneous multiple-frequency detection or the ability to switch between frequencies depending on which metals and objects you’re hoping to uncover.

Types of Metal Detectors: Coin, Gold, Relic, and Beach Detectors

Minelab metal detectors offer various options, including multi-frequency and multi-terrain metal detectors, as well as detectors that are purpose-built for specific metals.

The Minelab X-TERRA PRO, for example, is designed to work in various terrains, such as parks, fields, and beaches. It’s also waterproof to depths of 5 metres, allowing you to scan for metals in shallow bodies of water.

It includes multiple frequency settings (5, 8, 10, and 15 kHz) so that you can focus on different metals and objects. Low-frequency ranges of 1 to 10 kHz can detect highly conductive metals such as silver, copper, and aluminium. Ranges between 10 and 20 kHz can detect things such as coins and smaller pieces of jewellery.

A product such as the Minelab Gold Monster 1000 is a metal detector designed specifically for detecting gold. It uses a frequency of 45 kHz, which is within the high-frequency range needed to detect a low-conductivity metal such as gold. It’s sensitive enough to detect even the smallest of gold nuggets within the earth.

Metal Detection Tips and Techniques for Better Results

If you're starting out on your metal detection journey, keep these pointers in mind:

    When first getting used to your metal detector, sweep it over metal objects you own such as coins and jewellery to get a sense of how the detector responds to different metals.

    As you head out, detect areas that are quiet and simple as you continue getting used to the functionality of your metal detector. Sweep your own backyard or during quieter hours in an area where people are likely to have dropped items - parks, beaches, playgrounds, etc.

    Read up on the different frequency ranges your metal detector is capable of and which metals are commonly detectable by each frequency.

    Be mindful of the fact that soil, sand, and bodies of water all have naturally occurring minerals and metals that may interfere with your metal detector - through adjustments known as ground balancing, you can configure your detector to ignore these signals.

    Make notes on the different signals and tones that emit from your detector. Doing so will help you become more aware of when a signal could denote a valuable item versus junk.

    Sweep correctly by keeping the metal detector’s coil close to the ground without touching, and slowly sweep the detector left to right, right to left, making sure to overlap each section as you progressively move forward.

FAQs for Metal Detectors

Metal detectors work through the use of electromagnetic fields. Every metal detector has a coil of wire inside that will generate an electromagnetic field once electricity is flowing through it.

The electromagnetic field generated by the coil pulses downward into the earth. When it hits a metal object, that object then reacts by emitting its own electromagnetic field. A secondary coil inside the metal detector picks up the object’s electromagnetic field and relays this signal in the form of a sound or visual cue.

The metal detector will also provide an approximation of how deep the object is based on the interaction between the coil and the metal object.

When just starting out, you can begin your metal detection adventures with a simple and approachable metal detector. A great choice is the Minelab GO-FIND range, designed with simple setup and use in mind. These metal detectors are specifically designed as entry-level solutions for individuals or families who want to have a bit of metal-detecting fun during their next camping trip or visit to the beach.

While a variety of factors influence the depths at which a metal detector can find a metal or item, there are some basic measurements you can expect.

Entry-level metal detectors will usually be able to detect objects that are 15 to 20 cm deep. Mid-range usually reach depths of 20 to 30 cm, and high-end models can go 30 to 45 cm or even deeper. Specialised models may be able to detect to depths of a metre or lower.

These are just general benchmarks, and other factors such as the composition of the soil, the types of metals and their conductivity, and the size of the object itself can all influence the depth at which they’re detectable to a metal detector.

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