While most have heard of gold prospecting with metal detectors, some of you may not be familiar with some of the brands associated with gold prospecting and metal detectors. The metal detecting sector is made up of several popular brands with various price points. There are plenty of options for the beginner up to $200 for a new metal detector. There are also good options for those with more experience or prepared to pay a higher price for a more quality detector. Below we’ll go through 5 popular metal detector brands and an example of one of their metal detectors.
What to look for in a metal detector?
Before we get into the brands of metal detectors let’s recap on a few points to look for when looking at metal detectors.
Depending on where you are looking to go metal detecting, will also determine the type of detector you will be looking to purchase. Someone looking to go metal detecting along a beach will be looking for a different detector compared to someone going prospecting in more rocky terrain where the target is meters below the surface.
Ideally your chosen detector will have some of the following points:
- Range/Depth of the Detector – greater depths will require a metal detector that can access lower frequencies.
- Coil Size – A larger coil (in most cases) will allow a deeper range of detecting.
- Preset detector mode – Top of the range (and more expensive models) will have a lot of preset modes. Alternatively preset modes will also help beginners as they won’t have the experience to understand their detector and operate at multiple frequencies and which could lead to a disappointing detecting experience.
- Ground Balance – Allows you to ignore trace metals to focus on a proper find.
- Discimination – Further to ground balance, helps you to accurately detect something you are looking for rather than offering confusing results.
- Quality battery life
- Suitable carry strap
Obviously your experience will also determine what metal detector you will be chasing (budget will also be a factor here as well).
Building your gold prospecting kit
Budget is one of the biggest factors when building your gold prospecting and metal detecting kit. Those with a near unlimited budget can get top of the range metal detectors (or a detector for the various locations you may wish to prospect at) as well as all of the gold prospecting accessories you heart desires.
For those on a much smaller budget do your research, look out for specials from various brands or online stores or even look for 2nd hand options. Aside from budget, other questions you will need to ask yourself include:
Where will you be prospecting and what will you be searching for?
As mentioned above, detecting on a popular beach is a lot different to detecting in terrain similar to the Grand Canyon. The difference in location will determine not just the type of metal detector (very low frequency detectors compared to pulse induction detectors) you’ll choose but also some of the accessories you’ll require.
How often will you be gold prospecting?
As you would expect, more prospecting, more wear and tear (particularly on your metal detectors). In this case you’ll be looking for high quality durable equipment with back up parts (ie battery for metal detectors).
What other accessories will you be looking for?
Will you be prospecting on land or on/near water? If you are going to water you will need a pan and sifter as well as some other accessories?
If you are getting out amongst the hard rocks then you’ll at least want a backup battery for your detector and some other accessories to get the most out of your prospecting.
5 popular metal detector brands
1. Minelab
Probably the most popular metal detector provider, Minleab has one of the biggest and diverse ranges of metal detectors on the market. They have a range that is suitable from the beginner through to the more experienced prospector and treasure hunter.
About: Minelab are serious metal detector providers! Minelab is an Australian based company that provides market leading metal detectors and high quality accessories. Minelab’s technology is so successful that armed forces and humanitarian organizations use their detectors to search for land and underground explosive mines.
Minelab offers a range of metal detectors (such as the Vanquish or Equinox ranges) that are suitable for finding valuable items such as coins whilst they also have a range of detectors that are focused on gold only (such as the GPX detectors).
Minelab detectors are top of the range, last a long time and have a decent resale value on the 2nd hand market. Minelab also have a social media presence with their instagram and facebooks pages as well as a YouTube channel.
Best Metal Detector: For gold hunters, this will have to be the GPZ 7000. This detector has a depth increase of nearly 40% from the Minelab GPX series of detectors. The Super-D coil adds an extra level of sensitivity to find the gold that nearly all detectors would miss. The GPS locating and PC mapping is a great help and if there are hard to find gold nuggets where you are prospecting, the GPZ 7000 will find them.
Best Accessory: XChange 2. This software connects to the GPZ 7000 so you can map all your finds and these are stored through this software on your computer. You can categories and map all prospecting locations and can easily access locations of interest for future prospecting adventures.
2. Teknetics
About: Teknetics are a popular brand of detectors that offer a great range of affordable metal detectors. Teknetics are an American based company and have been producing metal detectors since 1983. Currently owned by First Texas Holdings Corporation, Teknetics also have a social media presence with their social media pages showing off the latest finds of their customers.
Teknetics also have a great range of accessories such as their Diggers and Sand Scoops to help make a better metal detecting or gold prospecting experience.
Best Metal Detector: We will have to go with the T2 Classic as the go to Teknetics Metal Detector. From the Teknetics website “This classic high-performance multi-purpose professional grade metal detector from Teknetics is back! The original T2 set the benchmark in advanced electronic technology and functional design in the metal detector market. Its legendary performance coupled with its lightweight and perfect balance make the T2 the best metal detector in its price range.”
Best Accessory: Teknetics don’t have any high end software or apps however they do have some quality prospecting accessories. Our choice would be the Teknetics Metal Sand Scoop which is a durable sand scoop that allows you to dig in your selected area and after scooping the dirt, this will escape through the holes in the scoop with the metal scoop keeping the larger finds and hopefully some gold.
3. Fisher Research Labs
About: Fisher Research Labs is the oldest company on this list and some will say this company through their early products founded the metal detecting industry. The company was founded in 1931 in Palo Alto California, by Dr Gerhard R Fisher and the first product was the Metallascope.
Aside from helping the U.S Government during World War II and the Korean War, Fisher continued to provide quality products to the growing metal detecting community. Eventually moving to larger premises in Belmont California (and being acquired by First Texas Holdings Corporation) the name Fisher Research Labs is synonymous with quality affordable metal detectors with many happy customers.
Best Metal Detector: Either the Fisher 75+ or the Fisher CZ-21 Quick Silver (for those looking underwater for treasure). The Fisher 75+ offers the most versatility and greatest depth of all the Fisher Research Labs detectors. This detector is very light and has great and great specifications to make any prospecting expedition a likely successful one.
The Fisher CZ-21 Quick Silver is one of the best underwater detectors on the market. It is suitable underwater (salt or fresh) up to 250 feet and is of the highest quality.
Best Accessory: Fisher Arm Strap. A very helpful accessory for those wanting additional support during those long gold prospecting sessions.
4. Garrett Metal Detectors
About: Starting as a small husband and wife business (from their garage) in 1964, Charles and Eleanor Garrett have built Garrett Metal Detectors into an industry leader not just in the retail metal detector industry but also in the industrial space.
With a background in electrical engineering (and working in Texas Instruments Space and Electronics division), Garrett created their first detector (the dual searchcoil Hunter) in 1964.
Garrett Metal Detectors quickly became market leaders with their patented search coils and eventually expanded into the industrial space with their walk-through metal detectors at major sporting events.
Garrett also established the International Treasure Hunting Society in 1979 which offered $100,000 in prizes and attracted substantial attendance.
Garrett is a market leader in the metal detecting space, providing great value detectors all enthusiasts can enjoy.
Best Metal Detector: Many to choose from we will go with the Garrett Axiom. Probably the best pure gold focused metal detector on the market, the new Axiom has specifications that are second to none. As per the Garrett website this detector with “advanced pulse timings provide enhanced sensitivity and complete versatility in the most extreme mineralized soils and in saltwater.” has enhanced sensitivity and versatility.
With its independent dual-channel ground balance (among other specifications) the Axiom is able to target large findings all the way through to small nuggets. For the quality of product, the Axiom is light and easy to use and is a serious metal detector for the serious enthusiast (with a price tag to match).
Best Accessory: Garrett Edge Digger. A must have when visiting rugged terrain, this digger has a serrated edge that will enable you to get through the hardest soil. Also comes with a carry sheath cover for belt mount use.
5. Nokta Detectors
About: The first company on this list that is based out of Europe is Nokta. Based in Turkey (Istanbul), Nokta has been in business since 2003 and since then has made a name for itself on the world stage with its metal detectors. Nokta have also expanded into the science/technology space with their new company Quall.
Best Metal Detector: The Nokta Invenio Pro. This is a quality detector that combines a detector with top specification with a imaging system which shows the area and the depth/shape of the scanned area on a screen. Combined with AI, this will give you the ultimate detecting experience. This detector is also relatively light, offers a wireless connection and comes in 17 different languages.
Best Accessory: You wouldn’t really call this an accessory, however taking into account the focus Nokta has with underwater and waterproof detectors, the PulseDive Scuba Detector is our choice. This detector is easy to hold and use underwater. It’s light and compact and won’t interfere with divers exploring the deep blue sea.
As mentioned above your metal detector choice will be determined by several factors as well as your current budget. All brands on this list offer quality metal detectors at a decent price. Should you wish to take this hobby further most brands on this list have quality detectors at the higher price (such as Nokta, Minelab and Garrett). If you are on the fence about gold prospecting or metal detecting, feel free to visit your local store and try out one of their detectors or alternatively don’t be scared to invest in a quality 2nd hand metal detector.