How to Make a Homemade Metal Detector

Making your own homemade metal detector out from materials that you can simply find around your house can be an interesting activity. 

There are actually many tutorials around the internet that you can find. But, do they really work?


I actually came across a certain website that teaches you on how to create a simple metal detector out from a calculator, two pieces of CDs, headphone and one 9 volts battery. 

Unfortunately, the project that I made didn't worked. Perhaps I didn't do it right.

Moreover, I found a much better result in building simple and cheap metal detector electronic projects. 

The simplest and cheapest homemade metal detector that I made uses a 555 IC (Integrated Circuit). Any electronic enthusiasts are surely familiar about this type of electronic component.

Here's the link to the website that teaches how to make your own homemade metal detector out from a 555 IC:

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-cheap-and-simple-metal-detector/

This MD doesn't just actually consists of a 555 IC, there are also other components that you need such as resistors, capacitors, speaker, battery and etc... 

The good thing about these electronic components is that, they are very common where you won't have a hard time buying them from any electronic shop.

Another interesting MD that you can make at home is James Hobson's DIY Metal Detector. It also require a 555 IC timer but with better and improved design as compared to the other one mentioned above.

The basic concept on how this MD works is that, it utilizes a search coil made from copper wires in which it transmit frequency signal. 

If the coil is placed near a metal or magnet, the output frequency will be affected which causes the 555 IC to generate a different audible sound.

Here's the link to James Hobson's homemade metal detector:

http://hackaday.com/2013/09/28/diy-metal-detector/

Perhaps the best homemade MD that I built is the design owned by Gary from Chemelec website. Although, it isn't actually for beginners where it requires some good understanding in the field of electronics.

Unlike the other two simple projects mentioned above, Gary's PI MD is composed of several electronic components. 

And unfortunately, there are some components that are no longer available in the market. Thus, you should know how to find the right "substitutes" for those missing components.

Anyway, if you are really interested in building Gary's homemade metal detector, it's best to purchase the complete kit on his website. 

This way, you don't have to go through the trouble of acquiring all of the necessary components.

Here's the link to Gary's Pulse 2 version of metal detector:

http://chemelec.com/Projects/Metal-2a/Metal-2.htm

And finally, for more list of metal detectors that you can build at home, check out Geotech's metal detector projects:

http://www.geotech1.com/cgi-bin/pages/common/index.pl?page=metdet&file=projects.dat

Overall, learning how to make a homemade metal detector can actually be a lot more fun than using the tool you made out in the field.

Garrett ACE 250 MD Review

Another metal detector being praised by many metal detector hobbyist is the "Garrett ACE 250". It's another MD that has proven quite effective for hunting buried objects down the ground. 

Garrett ACE 250 actually offers a unique feature that allows you to accurately locate metals.

Garret ACE 250 is one high quality metal detector that is available on the market today. It is perfectly designed by the manufacturer to find coins and other precious metals. 

This tool actually consists of several interesting features that will surely impress you.

One of its best feature is the GTAx and GTI lines packed into one which makes it completely an amazing tool for hunting metals.

Features of the Garrett ACE 250


- It is made out from the highest quality type of materials which makes it durable enough to withstand rough handling outdoors.

- It has an impressive graphic target ID which consists of 12 elements "notch discrimination". This will allow you to ensure accuracy of the target.

- Adjust the sensitivity for deeper penetration down the ground.

- An electronic pinpointing feature to locate the exact spot of the buried item. In addition to its pinpointing feature, it also has a "coin depth gauge" which gives you an estimate depth of the target for easy recovery.

- It can scan large area of about 10 inches accurately.

- You can use a headphone jack in order to listen into the audible alert quite more effectively.

Pros and Cons of the Garrett ACE 250


The main reason why I promote metal detectors on this blog is that I am actually recommending them. I do recommend them because I myself own one of them such as this Garrett ACE 250.

Here are the pros and cons that I found about this tool:

Pros

Garrett ACE 250 really does all of the interesting features that are mentioned above.

To tell you one of its feature that really impresses me a lot is its accurate and quick scanning capability. 

Unlike most metal detectors, I am able to cover wide ground areas in just a matter of few minutes. It really saves me a lot of time which allows me to visit other places to detect.

When it comes to setting up the equipment, I find it quite easy with no challenge at all. 

There's actually a written manual with detailed instructions on how to set it up. Other than that, its complete with the necessary information on how the product works.

Cons

I wouldn't describe above that Garrett ACE 250 impresses me a lot if there is a negative aspect that I can tell about it. Well, there is none. I can say that it's one of the best and reliable detector around.

Unfortunately, I've encountered some individuals claiming that this metal detector isn't cheap but too pricey for their pocket. 

The reason for this is that, the manufacturer didn't just focused on the technological features of the equipment but also on the quality of the materials used to built it which ensures durability.
Overall, Garrett ACE 250 is a metal detector that is best recommend for metal hunting purposes.

TM808 by Whites Electronics

The "TM808" is a type of metal detector designed by Whites Electronics as deep penetrating MD. According to the manufacturer, it can detect a large buried object several feet down from the ground.

As one of the treasure hunter who gained interest in recovering the hidden Japanese treasures in the Philippines, I decided to purchase White's TM808 due to its product feature as a deep penetrating metal detector. 

According to the product description, this tool can actually detect a compact car at 20 feet or 6 meters depth which sound pretty amazing.

Upon purchase, you need to assemble the detector which consists of the control box and the front & rear loop antenna. You have to refer to the instruction manual on how to properly put them together.

TM808 Control Box


The key in achieving a successful detection with the TM808 is being able to adjust the settings from the control box. 

It is really a quite sophisticated equipment that it requires a lot of constant practice before achieving good results.

Here are the following adjustable settings of the TM808 that must be perfectly tuned:

1. Threshold

The "Threshold" rotating knob serves two function. First, it acts as the power ON and OFF of the equipment. And second, it is the volume control.

When powering the equipment ON, the control box will first perform a "battery check"

On the battery indicator, the arrow should stay on the yellow highlighted area for a few seconds before it goes back to the starting position (left side). 

If it happens that the arrow didn't reach the yellow highlighted area then it means that the battery needs to be replaced.

As for volume, it is important that you have to set it at its slightest audible sound.

2. Signal Balance

For beginners, it's best to set the signal balance at the normal range. This setting is actually intended to minimize interferences that is being picked up by the detector. 

Some of these interferences includes extreme ground mineral contents, electrical sources, radio signal, mobile phones and etc...

If interferences are causing the detector some problem, the signal balance knob must be adjusted towards the (-) negative side. 

On the other hand, if there are less interferences then set it towards the (+) positive side.

3. Ground Balance

Just like the signal balance above, it's best to set the setting of the ground balance at the normal range especially for beginners.

You should only set the setting towards the (+) positive side on a mineralized ground. On less mineralized ground, you can set it towards the (-) negative side to improve sensitivity.

4. Automatic Threshold

The automatic threshold is in the form of a toggle switch. Toggle it up to enable "Auto" while toggle it down for "No Auto".

Complete beginners are best advised to use the Auto mode because the equipment automatically does the adjustment of its threshold hum. 

Setting it to No Auto mode requires skill because you have to press the reset button manually which is located at the end of the handle in order to reset the threshold hum. 

And, the proper way to do it is to press it for at least 3 to 5 minutes before release.

Pros and Cons of TM808 Metal Detector


It was on 2010 when I purchased my TM808 metal detector. That means, I've already been using it for 5 years. And through those years, I have some pros and cons that I've observed on this equipment.

Pros

Based on my own actual experience, TM808 is best used on beaches and on areas with low mineralized ground. 

I was actually able to detect several large pieces of metal scraps buried at around 3 to 6 feet on these kind of areas.

Another positive aspect that I like most about TM808 is that, the battery could last for several days of constant usage.

Cons

TM808 tends to become unstable when used on a ground with high mineralized contents. No matter how I hardly adjust the ground balance, I still couldn't achieve stability.

Another negative aspect of the TM808 is that, it's not user-friendly which means that it's not for beginners. 

It has a very sophisticated settings that most of my fellow treasure hunters who borrowed it find it quite hard to adjust.

And lastly, it is not a cheap metal detector.
Moreover, the TM808 metal detector could prove a useful tool in detecting deep buried objects if used on the right place and its settings are correctly adjusted.

Fisher F2 Metal Detector Review

The "Fisher F2" Metal Detector is a recommended tool for beginners. 

It is actually perfect for coin-shooters and relic hunters because this MD is capable of detecting metal scraps, gold, silver and all other sorts of metals with good accuracy.

Searching for reviews, you will find a lot of positive reviews about Fisher F2. And you know what? "I totally agree with them"

Fisher F2 is one of my favorite metal detector in my arsenal. Through my experience with it, I was able to find some of my precious collections of old coins.

Control Box

The control box of the Fisher F2 metal detector consists of an LCD screen and some few buttons. Through the LCD screen, you can make all the necessary adjustments such as the discrimination feature. 

To discriminate out different categories, press the "plus sign" button. The "notch" button on the right works the same where it filter out certain items as well.

On the left side of the LCD screen is the sensitivity setting. Adjusting to its proper setting can increase depth penetration and stability. It also becomes a lot more accurate minimizing false signals.

The most interesting feature that I like most about Fisher F2 is its capability to determine the depth of the buried item. 

Assuming that you swept the search coil of the detector on the surface of the ground and it found something under, it will cause a sound alert. On the LCD screen, there's also a number. Just on the right of it is the depth indicator.

Another interesting feature of the Fisher F2 that amazes me is its pin-pointing capability. 

There's a pin-point button the you press-and-hold allowing the equipment to locate the exact spot of the buried item. This procedure does not require the search coil from moving.

Batteries

The required battery for the Fisher F2 metal detector to work are two pieces of 9 volts batteries. I strongly recommend that you should buy rechargeable batteries. 

You may also want to buy additional batteries as spares in case that you will be spending a lot of hours hunting out in the field.

Search Coil

The size of Fisher F2's search coil consists of 8 inches in diameter. In my own opinion, I think that this is just the right size that allows you to swing it at a normal pace.

Water Proof

Fisher F2 MD isn't just applicable for use on dry lands. The manufacturers have designed and made use of materials that allows this metal detector to be used underwater or alongside the beach. 

In short, its waterproof.

Fisher F2 Metal Detector Pros and Cons


Regardless of how good a certain product, there are always pros and cons coming from different users' experience or feedback.

Based on my personal experience in using Fisher F2 on my treasure hunting career, here are the pros and cons according to my observations:

Pros

- The discrimination feature of Fisher F2 is quite amazing. It is indeed quite good at separating trash from the real treasure that I seek.

- As I stated above, the depth indicator of the Fisher F2 is my most favorite feature of this equipment. It's because it is actually very important for me to determine the depth of a certain buried target to know which digging tool to use.

- I noticed that the materials used in the construction of this metal detector is made from high quality materials which makes it highly durable.

- The first time that I used my Fisher F2 MD, I had no trouble in setting up its settings. I find it very easy, no wonder why the manufacturer claims that its perfect for complete beginners. Anyway, there is still a complete detailed manual included on the package to help you out with the setup.

Cons

There is no con that I can say about Fisher F2 metal detector but the price. Some people find it to be quite pricey, despite, there are other cheaper MDs which offers the same features.

To explain the reason about its high price, the manufacturer actually used high quality durable materials. They wanted to ensure that their product will surely last long enough for their costumers to be completely satisfied. Overall, Fisher F2 metal detector is currently one of the best MD around that I do recommend for both beginners and professionals alike.

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The Fisher F22 is a weatherproof metal detector designed for all-purpose use with a high-sensitivity, deep seeking capability. 

It features a 9-inch weatherproof coil and is easy to use, making it an ideal choice for both beginners and experienced treasure hunters. 

The detector has a pinpoint feature that helps to locate the exact location of the detected metal, allowing for more precise digging. 

The Fisher F22 also has several preset modes for different types of metal detecting, making it versatile and adaptable to a variety of environments and targets. 

Overall, it's a reliable and efficient metal detector that can help you discover hidden treasures with ease.

Used Cheap Metal Detectors for Sale | Where to Buy?

Aside from the brand new cheap metal detector products, there are also some used (or second-hand) cheap metal detectors that you can choose to buy. 

The good part is that, "the older the model of the MD, the cheaper the price will be".

Some treasure hunters are actually fascinated by the latest and improve new models of MDs that are released by their favorite manufacturers. 


Thus, they end up accumulating their old equipment in their storage room that they no longer use. 

For this reason, they have to sell their old and un-used MDs to clear the room for their new purchased equipment and to make some money as well.

Other people who decides to sell their MDs are not really treasure hunters. 

They probably just gave a try on this kind of hobby if it interest them to engage on the activity. Unfortunately, they did not so they decide to sell their equipment.

Where to Buy Metal Detectors Online?


Today, the best method to search for sellers of used or old metal detectors is via online

Simply use your favorite Search Engine and a list of large online store websites will be provided on the results.

When it comes to selling online products, there are two best websites that I recommend and they are the following:

1. Amazon

Amazon has become the largest online store around selling various items from brand new to used items. 

Other than the largest, it is also the most trusted online merchant that when you purchased a certain item, it will surely get delivered into your specified address.

I myself love Amazon where I already purchased a lot of different stuffs from them. And through my experience, I never had any problem about their services which is the reason why I highly recommend it.

Amazon actually have several lists of used metal detectors and they come at a cheaper price as compared to their brand new counterpart. 

But before you can purchase any items, you need to create an account. Don't worry, creating an account will only take a few steps which can be completed in just a matter of minutes.

Once you have created your account, "search" for your product. On this case, your keyword is "metal detectors".

A list of metal detectors will be shown but you have to filter out the brand new from the used products. To do this, you have to look for the "Buy used" button and then click it. 

This will only show all used metal detectors on the list for you to choose and buy.

The most interesting part of buying a product in Amazon is that, you can read the reviews of other real customers who already purchased the product. 

They get to share their experience about it which can help you decide if you really wanted to buy the item or not.

2. Craigslist

Craigslist is also another large online store that sells various stuffs. There are actually a lot of people who are selling their used items at Craigslist offering them at a very low price. 

However, there's a big difference between Craigslist and Amazon. You can get scammed at Craigslist if you do not know what you are doing.

There are actually many complaints on Craigslist where the customers who bought or paid for an item didn't received their product. But, why I am recommending it?

I do recommend it because Craigslist has a good list of used metal detectors. And to avoid scammers, you really have to check for the reputation of the seller. 

Investigate to make sure that the seller has a good reputation and highly trusted.

Where to Buy Used Cheap Metal Detector Offline?


If you are afraid of handling out your credit card information to buy stuffs online, there's nothing to worry about because there are some alternative or offline method to buy used cheap metal detectors.

Newspaper

You can check your local newspaper right on the classified ads section. If you are lucky, you can find someone who is selling his used metal detector. 

But in most cases, there is none. It's because posting an ad on a newspaper requires payment. This is the reason why most sellers would prefer to post their items online because its free.

Overall, the best place to buy used cheap metal detectors is at Amazon. It's risk free because they are highly trusted where your item will surely get delivered without worries.

How Metal Detectors Work?

The best way to explain "how metal detectors works" is to explain it in the most basic or general concept. It's because it would take us several pages to explain how those sophisticated MDs work.

All MDs are actually composed of three basic parts which are the battery, control box and the search coil. Let's explain them further:

MD Battery

Since metal detectors are designed to be taken outdoors, they require batteries as their main power source. 
And it's not just ordinary batteries, it must be batteries that could provide consistent power into the MD for a long duration period of time.

Batteries

Some MD manufacturers even have their own manufactured batteries which are best recommended for their equipment.

Take note, there are some MDs that could get easily damaged when the wrong type of batteries are used. 

I already have two incidents where I tried installing 1.5 volts batteries into a MD that requires 1.2 volts batteries.

One common question when it comes to batteries is that, "Which one is better, a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery?".

Based on my own personal opinion, a rechargeable battery is much better to use for MD because it can save you money and the hassle of going to the market to buy for replacements. 

Rechargeable batteries are indeed much expensive than the non-rechargeable, but rechargeable batteries tends to serve a longer period of use. 

They actually provide hundreds and even thousands of more hours which is comparable to buying several non-rechargeable batteries.

Aside from saving you some money, rechargeable batteries are also better for the environment. NiCad rechargeable batteries don't have much cadmium contents as non-rechargeable do. 

You have to know that non-rechargeable batteries are full of mercury, lead and cadmium which are bad for our environment.

Search Coil

The search coil of a metal detector is the part used by the operator in scanning the surface of the ground. 

What it does is that, it sends out a powerful electromagnetic field which penetrates the ground. If it happens that a certain object is on the spot, the transmitted electromagnetic field will first energize the object. 

Once fully energized, the object will send or deflect the signal back at the opposite direction.

Signal Transmission

As a result, the deflected signal will be picked up by the search coil and then processed by the control box into an audible or visual output.

Inside the search coil, it actually consists of copper wires that are tightly wounded. 

There are actually two sets of wounded wires, one is the transmitter (responsible for transmitting the signal) and the other one is the receiver (responsible for receiving the signal).

Search coil is an important part of a MD so you really have to take good care of it not to get damaged or disfigured. If this happens, the accuracy of your MD will be affected which could lead to poor results.

Control Box

The control box of a metal detector is like the brain of the equipment. It is the one that processes the transmitting and receiving of electromagnetic field into the search coil. 

And just like what I mentioned above, once a signal has been picked up, the control box will immediately convert the signal to alert the operator that a certain item has been found.

Control Box

Inside the control box, you will find electronic components such as resistors, capacitors, ICs and etc... If you know nothing about electronics, it's best not to tinker on them as this could lead to damages.

Operating a Metal Detector


Learning how to operate a metal detector will give you a much better understanding about how a metal detector works. 

The most common procedure of operating a MD is to hold it with one of your arm. Some of them can be heavy but manufacturers these days are now able to find ways to use lightweight and durable materials.

While holding your equipment, position the search coil on the surface of the ground. 

Take note, the search coil must not be resting on the surface of the ground where there must be an allowance or short distance apart. The reason is that, you will be sweeping the search coil from side-to-side.

Traditional MDs will generate an audible sound once you passed the search coil on a spot with buried metallic object. 

MDs that are enhanced with digital technology have visual screen offering some helpful information about the target such as depth, type of metal and etc...

Once you have located a target, the remaining task is for you to dig.

Settings:

Metal detectors designed for the amateurs have only few basic settings. Some are even too simple to use where all you have to do is to turn it ON then you are ready for the search. 

Others have few settings consisting of a few buttons to press. For example, the Bounty Hunter Gold Digger has two modes of operation. 

First mode is to detect all types of metals while the second mode enable its Trash Elimination function.

However, MDs designed for the pros consists of several sophisticated settings.

It would really take some time and constant practice before an average individual can fully understand and operate the equipment correctly.

Discrimination Setting

The discrimination feature of a MD allows you to differentiate metals which is very useful in avoiding junks. 

Sophisticated MDs offers the option for you to choose specific type of metals to be disregarded by your equipment. Without this feature, you will have to dig every target located by your MD.

Depth Setting

Only metal detectors used by professionals are equipped with Depth Settings. This is a feature that allows you to determine the depth of a certain buried target under the ground. 

With this feature, it will help you dig and uncover the object a lot much easier.

Ground Balancing

One of the most important setting of a MD that needs to be properly adjusted is the Ground Balancing

If you do not know it yet, soil or sands do have traces of elements such as iron and many other minerals. 

Some areas have higher contents of these elements while others have lower. The problem here is that, these elements causes interference responsible for generating false signals. 

As a result, you end up digging a target that is not there the first place.

Innovators of our time has taken a closer look into this issue and they found a solution through Ground Balancing technique. 

Most MDs that are available in the market today are now equipped with this feature. Advance models even has the capability to perform the task of adjusting itself automatically.

Microprocessor

The application of microprocessor into MDs is the one that made huge improvements enhancing them with a more accurate detecting result. 

This component is found inside the control box responsible for every operation of the equipment. If it gets damaged then the MD will no longer be functional.

To sum it up, a metal detector works in a way that it transmit electromagnetic field down into the ground. 

Once the signal came across a certain metallic object, the signal will bounce back into the direction of the search coil. Then, the control box will process it into an audible sound.

Cheap Metal Detector Buyers Guide

Every buyer surely wanted to buy a reliable and cheap metal detector. Since its cheap, it saves them money but there are actually some risks involve. Not all cheap MDs can meet buyer's own expectations.

Today, there is a growing number of cheap MD products in the market that are made in China. The majority of these products have tempting low prices that attracts many buyers. 

Aside from the price, another marketing strategy used on this cheap products are their attractive housings.

You have to know that what importantly matters when it comes to metal detectors is that, it's all about the quality of their circuitry where it really delivers the features stated on the manufacturer's product descriptions (not the visual appearance)

Unfortunately, a lot of low quality imported products are now included on the market. And most likely, any unsuspecting beginner can be tempted to buy one.

Low quality cheap metal detectors products usually costs around $50 and below. Do not be fooled by the price especially when it's an imported product from China. 

A good and reliable metal detector with the cheapest price starts between $150 to $250.

I'm actually speaking through experience because I had once purchased a cheap imitation of MD made in China. 

I was very disappointed that it didn't met the depth-penetration as claimed by its manufacturer. Worst, it got broken in just a short period of time. It's just a total complete waste of money.

Finding the Right and Affordable MD


In order for you to find the right and cheap metal detector for you to buy, it is important for you to consider where you are going to use it. 

For example: if you intend to use it for underwater hunting, you should choose waterproof Metal Detectors.

Cheap Metal Detectors

Here are some other important aspects that you need to consider when choosing a MD to buy:

1. Features

The features of a certain MD are often indicated on the product's descriptions. It indicates all the interesting capabilities of what the MD can actually do. 

So if the product meets the criteria of what you need then proceed on the next aspect.

2. Durability

It would really be pointless when the MD that you just recently bought got broken in just a matter of few weeks or months. 

This is the reason why it is also important to check the durability of the product. Although, it may be hard to tell the durability of a MD unless some testing are performed right in-front your eyes before you buy. 

My best advice is to ask previous customers who bought the same type of product. Or, read user reviews about it.

3. Warranty

If you cannot confirm the durability of the product, at least make sure that the manufacturers offers a warranty. A few years of warranties is already good enough to cover most manufacturing defects.

Some manufacturers offers an amazing long period of warranties (some even offers life-time warranties) which could attract a lot of potential consumers. 

It is actually a marketing strategy. But to let you know, the warranty of any product will only remain active as long as the company is still running their business. 

If it went bankrupt then sorry, all warranties of their products will no longer be entertained.

Instead of focusing on the warranty of the MD, it's a lot much better to pay more attention into the quality. It's because a high-quality product ensures longevity of the MD.

Used or Secondhand MDs


Common to all technologies, their price tends to drop as new and better models are released by the manufacturers. Other than the age, used or secondhand items also affects the price.

Although, there are some risks involve when buying a used metal detector. It's because you will personally be dealing with the individual who owns the equipment. 

And, the most common medium today for transactions is through online.

The risk is that, you will have to send the payment first. If it happens that you made a deal from the wrong person, your item will never get delivered.

Top 3 Cheap MDs Recommendation


As I stated above, prices for reliable and cheap MDs ranges between $150 to $250. And, avoid those that are below $50 especially China products.

Here are the following top 3 cheap MDs on my list of recommendations:

1. Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV Metal Detector

The top number one on my recommended list is the "Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV". I made it as the first due to its user-friendly features and simplicity which are perfectly suitable for complete beginners.

Most MDs actually requires constant adjustments on their sensitivity settings in order to achieve good results. 

Adjusting the settings correctly is actually a skill gained only through experience in using the MD. Thus, a complete beginner who is seeking to achieve fast result will most likely get disappointed.

But when it comes to Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV, beginners won't have to face the trouble of adjusting the settings. 

It's because this MD has an automated circuitry that automatically does the adjustments.

Aside from its automatic setting adjustment feature, Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV offers three different modes of operation.

Motion All-Metals Mode
- All kinds of metals will be picked up.

Full Discrimination Mode
- Iron contents and other sorts of trash will be rejected.

Tone Discrimination Mode
- Signals an alert of either one or two audio tones of an array of different types of metals.

Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV is also perfect in detecting on shallow water. It's because the search coil and stem are made of waterproof materials.

And finally, the manufacturer claims that Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV is capable of detecting a 6 inches diameter can buried at a depth of 30 inches.

Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV is currently available on Amazon at a cheap price of only $90.33

2. Fisher F2 Metal Detector

Common to all complete beginners is that, when detecting, they tend to swing their detectors very fast in order to cover more grounds. 

This is a bad practice because most MDs requires time to receive the transmitted signal. Thus, MDs needs to be swept at a normal pace.

But when it comes to the Fisher F2 Metal Detector, it has an impressive fast target response. What this means is that, you can sweep the search coil at a faster pace without having a problem.

Other interesting feature of the Fisher F2 MD are its eight-segment visual target ID and four-tone audio ID. It's eight-segment visual target ID allows you to filter out the trash. 

As for its four-tone audio ID, it signals different audio alert levels which is dependent on the type of metal picked up by the MD.

Above all is the discriminating feature of Fisher F2 MD. It consists of two-digit numeric target ID which starts from 0 to 99. 

Through this ID system, you will be able to determine the type of metal that has been detected.

As for its ground penetration, the manufacturer claimed that Fisher F2 MD can easily pick up coins and other small objects at a depth of around 6 inches.

Fisher F2 Metal Detector can be purchased online via Amazon at a current price of only $200.96

3. Tesoro Silver uMax Metal Detector

Not all individuals prefer to use highly-advanced technologies where they would rather best settle down on the analogs or manually operated technologies. 

If you are one of them then I would like to recommend the "Tesoro Silver uMax Metal Detector".

I actually own a Tesoro uMax MD and based on my personal experience, it has a high accuracy of pinpointing the actual spot of the buried object. 

The buried spot is always 100% located at the center of the search coil. So if you are using this MD then there's no need for pin-pointers.

Tesoro uMax Metal Detector currently have a price of $254.15 and its available at Amazon.

Moreover, our technologies keeps on improving. Manufacturers will never stop searching for improvements on their products. 

As a result, new and improved models will soon be released out in the market to replace the old versions.

Thus, cheap MDs will always be available in the market. Although, you just have to choose wisely.