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Metal detector reviews

Every machine reviewed here gets the same treatment: what the specs mean when you're actually swinging, who it suits, and the honest weak point nobody puts on the box. 12 detectors so far.

01All reviews

Minelab

Minelab Equinox 800

4.5Upper mid

One detector to cover coins, jewelry, beach, and the occasional gold hunt — without compromising on any of them.

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Garrett

Garrett Ace 400

4.0Entry-level

A first detector for parks, fields, and dry ground — someone who wants to be finding coins the same day it arrives.

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Nokta

Nokta Simplex+

4.5Entry-level

Beginners and second-machine buyers who want waterproof capability — creeks, lakes, rain, and freshwater swim beaches.

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Minelab

Minelab Vanquish 540

4.0Mid-range

Beginners and casual hunters who want real multi-frequency depth and separation without menu diving.

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Bounty Hunter

Bounty Hunter Tracker IV (TK4)

3.0Budget

Curious first-timers, kids hunting with an adult, and anyone testing the hobby before committing real money.

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Minelab

Minelab Equinox 900

4.5Upper mid

One machine for everything — parks, relics, salt beach, and gold — with the ergonomics sorted out.

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Nokta

Nokta Mini Hoard

4.5Entry-level

Children roughly 5 to 9, hunting parks, gardens, and dry beaches with an adult nearby.

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Nokta

Nokta Midi Hoard

4.0Entry-level

Children roughly 8 to 12 who are past a toy detector but not ready for the weight of an adult machine.

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Bounty Hunter

Bounty Hunter Junior (BHJS)

3.5Budget

Testing the water — a birthday gift for a child who might be interested, without committing real money.

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Garrett

Garrett Pro-Pointer AT

4.5Mid-range

Anyone who wants one pinpointer that works everywhere — dirt, creeks, and surf — without thinking about it.

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Nokta

Nokta PulseDive Pinpointer

4.0Mid-range

Divers, surf hunters, and anyone whose detecting regularly involves salt water.

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Falcon

Falcon MD20 Gold Probe

4.0Mid-range

Gold prospectors working quartz, crevices, and tailings, where the pieces are small enough that a normal probe is deaf to them.

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