Bounty Hunter Gold Digger MD

One of the most popular and cheap MD (metal detector) that is currently available on the market today is the “Bounty Hunter Gold Digger” MD. 

Aside from being cheap, it is the best recommended tool for complete beginners to train basic skills on their metal hunting hobby

It is also the best tool for kids to play especially if they have an interest on this type of outdoor activity.

The main reason why it is recommended for amateurs is that, they should start honing their skill from a cheap metal detector. It’s because it will save them from any possible unwanted costs.

If you are one among them then chances are, you are still exploring metal detecting as a hobby. So let us say for example that you bought yourself an expensive MD. 

Just a couple of months later, you found out to yourself that you don’t have that much interest or passion to consider metal detecting as a hobby. 

Or, you have some other reasons preventing you from delving into this field of activity. As a result, you just bought something that you can’t use which is just a waste of money. 

To minimize such loss, you can sell back your MD at Craigslist or similar shops.

Another common possible reason of your money going to waste are due to improper handling and maintenance resulting to breakage. 

But when you start from a cheap metal detector like Bounty Hunter Gold Digger, you will learn everything you need to know about metal detecting which includes proper care of your equipment. In return, you will be able to prolong the use or life-span of your MD.

Features:

Metals that it can detect

The Bounty Hunter Gold Digger MD has the capability to search all different types of metals especially precious gold which is the primary target of all metal detectorists. 

So even if an amateur or a kid is using this tool, both have good chances of being able to detect an object made of gold.

Due to the variety of metals that can be detected, this product is perfect for hunting buried coins, jewelries, relics, gold prospecting and even for utility applications (such as locating old pipes needing repairs or replacements).

Trash Eliminator

At some point, you might come into a place where almost every items that you detected and dug ends up being a trash. 

You recover things like large rusty nails, cans, metal scraps and even some food wrappers. Finding such trashes can be so demotivating and will always left you exhausted for nothing.

So the manufacturer of this product has incorporated a feature known as the “Trash Eliminator”. This is a setting of the equipment which you can turn ON or OFF. 

Turning it ON will enable its auto-function which is to eliminate or disregard all those unwanted objects from being picked up from the ground. With this feature enabled, it will save you plenty of time and energy with better findings.

Depth of Penetration

It is very important for a metal detector to be able to detect deep buried objects for at least up to 5 feet. Bounty Hunter Gold Digger can actually reach up to 6 feet depth which is one of its most impressive feature.

Tiny metallic objects can be detected down from the ground for up to 2 feet deep. While, larger objects starting from the size of a coin is impressively detected down for up to 6 feet deep.

Search Coil

The search coil is the circular disk shape of the equipment responsible for sending and receiving frequency signal down into the ground. 

It is through this signal that allows the unit to confirm presence of metallic objects underground. Bounty Hunter Gold Digger has a 7 inches diameter search coil and what makes it impressive is that, it is designed by the manufacturer to withstand various weather conditions. 

In short, it is weather resistant.

Earphone

This product comes with an earphone which is intended to be used on a noisy environment such as on the streets and crowded beaches. 

But in my own personal opinion, the use of earphone whether you have a noisy background or not provides better results.

Batteries Required

Before you can operate this equipment, it requires (2) two pieces of 9 Volts Alkaline batteries in order to work. And unfortunately, these batteries are sold separately.

The Pros of Bounty Hunter Gold Digger MD


Trusted and Reliable Brand

Bounty Hunter is one among the top and popular brand of metal detectors in the market today. With such level of reputation from a large crowd of satisfied customers, it only means that they manufacture high quality and reliable products. 

Apart from their trusted brand, all of their products are “Certified Frustration-Free Packaging”. What this means is that, the equipment you purchased is fully tested and functional. 

It also means that you can always contact or seek technical help from the company.

Very Cheap Price

Bounty Hunter Gold Digger MD has indeed a very cheap price. But unlike any other metal detectors with similar price range, it offers almost comparable result from those equipment designed for the pro.

It is really hard to find any other MDs at this price that offers such amazing efficiency.

Easy to Assemble and Use

Majority of first time users claims that assembling their equipment is actually no challenge at all. This was proven to me by my 10 year old niece who assembled it with no sweat.

Using it is also super easy that some individuals does not even need to read the User’s Manual. 

The reason is that the settings are not really that much complicated to understand and setup. In fact, once assembled it is ready to be used.

Sound is the Key

Bounty Hunter Gold Digger MD is a sound-based equipment. This means that you main basis of detecting objects buried underground is via the sound generated by the metal detector. 

As an experienced user of this tool, the sound can give some additional hints about the target. Thus, paying a close attention to the sound is the key of using this MD.

Convenient for Carrying

Metal detectors are hand-held tools which is the reason why the manufacturers have to design their products for carrying conveniently. 

This product are made with light-weight materials enhanced with ergonomic handle which will allow you to sweep it around without getting tired too much.

The Cons of Bounty Hunter Gold Digger MD


Batteries are Sold Separately

You have to know that when you purchase this product, it does not include batteries. It is actually sold separately which I don’t see any good reason about it. This can be a hassle for some individuals.

No Battery Indicator

Another issue which again in relation to its battery is that there is no Battery Indicator. You will never know when your equipment is running out of power. 

Anyway, the manufacturer can easily fix this by putting a Battery Level Meter in their next succeeding models.

Headphone Has no Volume Control

When using the headphone, your MD can hit a certain object that generates a high tone sound which is very unpleasant to the ears. 

This could have been avoided if the headphone has a volume control. Of course, you can buy a compatible headphone with volume controls but that will be an extra-added cost for your pocket.
Final Thoughts

There are actually so many good reasons why the Bounty Hunter Gold Digger MD is the perfect tool for those who are just starting out with their metal detecting hobby. 


And as an experienced metal hunter myself, I can say that it is one of the best cheap metal detector available in the market today.

Bounty Hunter Time Ranger MD Review

For the avid treasure hunters who are looking for cheap metal detectors, I recommend the "Bounty Hunter Time Ranger" MD. This is a type of tool that will surely bring profit into your metal detecting activities.

The main feature of this innovative machine is its 4 Mode Operation. Just like the Bounty Hunter 

Tracker 4, the first of its mode is the "All-Metal Mode" which detects all types of metal buried underground. This is the perfect mode to use when pin pointing the exact spot of the target.

Second mode is the "Three-Tone Audio Discrimination". These are 3 different tones that allows the operator to discriminate various types of metals that are detected.

The third mode is the "Four-Level Iron Discrimination". A mode that is perfect for ground areas that are rich in mineral contents.

And as for the fourth mode, this is the "Sniff Mode". A very special feature of Bounty Hunter Time Ranger that allows the operator to reject one item on the target ID scale. Or, only accept one type of item to be detected. 

This mode comes pretty useful when finding one type of target object only.

Product Features of Bounty Hunter Time Ranger


- Features 4 modes of operations: All-Metal Mode, Three-Tone Audio Discrimination, Four-Level Iron Discrimination and Sniff Mode.

- Programmable Notching System.

- Ground-Balance Monitor System.

- Blanker System functionality that greatly helps in deeper penetrations.

- Interchangeable search coil: 8 inch Bounty D-Tech search coil and 4 inches Gold Nugget coil.

- Large multi-function LCD readout with touch-pad control. This displays the target ID, depth, sensitivity level, ground balance monitor, iron level discrimination and battery level.

- Built-in speaker and headphone jack.

- Operated by a two 9 volt alkaline batteries.

Pros and Cons of Bounty Hunter Time Ranger MD


Pros

Bounty Hunter Time Ranger MD works perfectly great for me. Assembling the whole unit only took me just a few minutes of my time.

On my actual test, I have buried several different types of metallic objects on a ground rich in iron contents. 

This is to check the reliability of this tool's discrimination of iron minerals. As a result, it performed good enough for me.

When it comes to pinpointing the target, I'm impressed by its pinpointing feature. This is simply done by pressing the "Smart Trac/All Metal" button. 

As you swing the search coil over a detected piece of metal, you should hear a distinctly different sound. 

Then observe the loudest sound produced because that means, the target is directly under the center of the search coil.

Cons

The only downside that I noticed on this equipment is its poor response time while at discrimination mode. You really have to sweep down the search coil in a slow moving manner or you'll miss the target.

Overall, Bounty Hunter Time Ranger metal detector actually offers many interesting functions and settings. 


You just have to spend some time learning them and putting it into some practice. Then, you are ready to venture outdoors for some serious treasure hunting business.

Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV MD Review

When it comes to the best cheap metal detector, the top product recommended by almost anyone is the "Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV MD"

It's because this tool has already proven its reliability to a lot of users. Thus, it won't be very surprising if most of the reviews you can find around the internet are all positive.

Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV has a very user-friendly features making it very simple to use and understand. 

It is also equipped with automatic-circuitry adjustments where it is able to maintain the best sensitivity at all times for different types of ground. 

In fact, this tool can detect metallic items even at extreme ground conditions such as saltwater beaches and highly mineralized soil.

Detecting on Extreme Ground Conditions


The most amazing feature of Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV is actually its capability to set the perfect ground balance for any ground conditions. 

With this feature, the tool can neutralize the response of high mineral contents on the ground allowing it to penetrate deeper target objects.

Through the tool's impressive ground balance settings, it can easily distinguish iron in the ground from the valuable objects. 

With its Disc/Notch Control, trash can be easily distinguished eliminating any unwanted metals from being detected.

Aside from the tool's ground balance settings, it also has good sensitivity control. This feature reduces any electromagnetic interference that can cause false or disturbances from the signal.

Search Coil and Indicator


The Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV consists of an 8 inches open coil design. With its unique and genuine design, it is capable of searching deep buried objects as compared to many other metal detectors. 

Other than its design, both the coil and stem are waterproof. This allows the operator to submerge the coil and the stem in shallow water or damp grasses without getting damaged.

As for the target indicator, it offers a visual cue to the operator when a target object has been detected.

Three Modes of Operations


Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV MD operates at three different modes of operation that can be set for the suitable target.

1. Motion All-Metals Mode

- All metals including trash will be detected.

2. Full Discrimination Mode

- All sorts of unwanted metallic objects will be rejected.

3. Tone Discrimination Mode

- Offers two different audible tones which allows the operator to distinguish different types of metals.

Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV Product Details


- Metal detector designed for detecting at any ground conditions.

- Offers 3 modes of operations: Motion All-Metal Mode, Discrimination Mode and 2 Tone Audio Mode

- Automatic adjustable Ground Balance setting that neutralizes the tool's response to high mineralized contents of the ground.

- Disc/Notch Control functions that rejects unwanted objects and only alerts the operator when valuable item is found.

- It has a 1/4 inch headphone jack.

- Low battery indicator which indicates if it needs replacement. The batteries consists of two 9 volts batteries.

- Adjustable height design.

- Padded Armrest.

- Detector Stand.

- Perfect for coin-shooting, relic, jewelry and cache hunting. It can also be used for Industrial use such as locating pipes.

- Designed for easy handling, lightweight and ergonomic build.

Pros and Cons of Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV


Pros

Assembling my Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV isn't really a challenge at all. Simply follow the instructions from the manual and you won't have a problem.

To test the reliability of this tool's 3 operational modes, I actually made use of several different metallic objects such as gold, silver, copper and etc... I was very surprised how my Bounty Hunter TK4 responds to them.

When I used it in the actual field, I had successfully found several objects within minutes. I actually found an old coin, thick belt buckle, beer cans and a lot of nails. 

And as for the best item that I found using this detector, it was a large ring with an embedded precious gemstone on it.

And lastly, on places that are noisy, I recommend to use a headphone. Using a headphone can also prolong the operational longevity of the batteries. 

Based on experience, it could last for about 15 to 20 hours period of usage.

Cons

There is no Volume Control. This would be a problem for those who have hearing problems. Anyway, a headphone with volume controls on it can be a good solution.

Some beginners may find a hard time pin-pointing the buried target. It's because the search coil requires constant movement by waving back and forth to locate the exact buried spot of the object. 


But through experience of constantly using this detector, skills will be develop in pin pointing the exact location of the target.

Overall, Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV MD is one of the best cheap metal detector around suitable for all beginners and avid hunters who don't have enough budget.

Winbest Pro Edition MD | BARSKA

BARSKA features their product called, "Winbest Pro Edition Metal Detector" at Amazon where they designed it to be perfectly suitable for both beginners and experts. 

This tool is actually perfect for searching buried coins, relics, jewelries and silvers.

Product Features

Winbest Pro Edition MD has two operation modes. First mode is the "All-Metal" mode where it detects all different types of metals. 

Already enhanced on this mode is that, it automatically adjust ground balance and high sensitivity. 

The second mode is the "Disc Mode" where it detects objects and discriminates them of what type of metal has been picked up.

On different terrains, some metal detectors tends to go unstable but not for the Winbest Pro Edition MD. It's because of its Preset Ground Balance that adjusts the settings of the equipment to suit the terrain.

On the control box, there's a meter or target indicator. The meter will swing towards the right side if it happens that the search coil detects a metallic object. 

Speaking about the search coil (measures 6.5 inches), it has been designed by the manufacturer as water-resistant. This allows you to submerge it on shallow water.

The stem that holds the search coil and connected into the handle is adjustable so as the arm rest. This is to adjust the length of the equipment to the suitable size of your detecting comfortability. 

The stem measures 15.5 to 25 inches long.

And lastly, you can use a headphone for better reception of the audible alert.

Operating Winbest Pro Edition MD


Winbest Pro Edition is actually another reliable cheap metal detector to use. As stated above, it has good accuracy in detecting small pieces of objects buried underground. 

At some point, I've seen some individuals with negative reviews about this product. But taking a closer look into their problems, it is more on the issue of operating the equipment.

To properly operate this MD, you need to sweep the search coil from side-to-side. And most importantly, do not raise the search coil while sweeping it. This will generate false readings.

Do it slow because doing it rapidly won't allow the search coil to receive the transmitted signal. In order to explain more about this subject, you should read the post entitled "How Metal Detectors Work?".

The search coil must also be in parallel to the ground while detecting.

Pros and Cons of Winbest Pro Edition MD


Starting from the time that I purchased Winbest Pro Edition metal detector, I got good experience with it in finding small metallic items. 

I was able to detect old quarter coins to tiny pieces of small stainless earrings.

Through the time that I've been using this MD, here's the pros and cons that I discovered:

Pros

When the product arrived, the unit was so easy to assemble. I think that a kid can even do it on his own. Aside from being too easy to assemble, I also find it too easy to operate. 

No wonder why the manufacturer is so confident about their product that is suitable for both novice and professional.

Before using any of my brand new MD, I usually perform an actual test. The results were quite amazing for this tool. It is so sensitive even to small or tiny object such as a needle.

Cons

I have found no flaw in the functionality of this equipment but on one of its body part. It is the stem or connector that holds the search coil while the other end is connected into the handle. 

Judging by the material used in the construction, it seems its cheaply made from low quality material. The length is also short especially for a tall individual.

Anyway, this minor flaw can be easily fixed by the manufacturer but at the cost of probably increasing the price due to the use of high quality materials for the improvement of their product.

Metal Detector for Kids Use

Metal detecting activity isn't just for the adults but also for the kids. This is the reason why some manufacturers have designed "metal detectors for kids to use".

There are actually many advertised cheap metal detectors around with a price of $100 and below. But, you have to know that not all of them have good qualities. 

The majority of these MDs are of toy quality which is not really intended to find buried items in the ground.


Metal detectors designed for kids needs to have features that is comparable to equipment used by the adult. It must have good discrimination and sensitivity in searching for the buried target. 

The tool must also be simple that only requires minor adjustments on the settings. You have to know that kids tends to lose their interest if they find something that is complicated for them to understand.

Another feature that you need to consider when choosing a metal detector for your kids is the weight of the equipment. 

Kids aren't strong enough like an adult individual. So if they get tired easily, they will lose their interest in the activity. 

This is the reason why you should look for a MD that is lightweight or not too heavy for your kids to carry.

Children actually tends to be careless at anything that they handle. So it's also best to choose MDs that are made of high quality durable materials. 

This ensures that the equipment will last for a long period of time.

Recommended Metal Detectors for Kids at the Age of 5 to 8


Kids at the age of 5 to 8 years old will treat anything on their hands as toys. Of course, you can just give any metal detector toy to your kids but it won't be fun if their tool does not really work.

Here are my two recommendations of metal detectors designed for kids which are more of a toy than a serious MD tool:

1. Bounty Hunter Junior Treasure Tracker

Bounty Hunter Junior Treasure Tracker is actually the most recommended tool for kids at the age of 5 to 8. 

It's because the manufacturer have designed this equipment from high quality materials which makes it highly durable to withstand kids' rough handling.

Aside from durability, Bounty Hunter Junior comes with simple sensitivity and discrimination dial settings.

2. Elenco Metal Detector

Elenco Metal Detector is actually a cheap metal detector with a price of below $30. 

But it's not the price that makes it perfect for the kids to use, it's actually simplicity of this tool which features two button sensitivity adjustment.

Recommended Metal Detectors for Kids at the Age of 8 and Above


At the age of 8 and above, your kids might be good enough to understand things around. So in order for you to introduce metal detecting as a hobby, what they need is a reliable metal detector designed for complete beginners.

Here are the following metal detectors that I recommend:

1. Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV Metal Detector

2. Garrett ACE 150 Metal Detector

3. Fisher F2 Metal Detector

More details about these three MDs has already been discussed on this post, "Cheap Metal Detectors".

Overall, choosing the right metal detector for your kids will surely gain their interest into metal detecting hobby. 

Introducing them into this kind of hobby is actually good for them because it's both educational and fun. 

They get to learn about local and national history, explore new sites and research about their findings. 

And to ensure that they gain an interest, it may require a few treasure stories consisting of abundance targets such as coins and toys.

Long Range Gold Locator | Does it Really Work?

Some treasure hunters who are searching for large buried cache of treasures are actually using "long range gold locator" (LRL) tool. 

This is actually a type of metal detector which claims that it can locate various hidden targets such as lost items, buried gold, corpse of a dead person and etc... 

Although, there isn't any scientific proofs that can prove if it really works.


Majority of treasure hunters find that long range gold locators simply doesn't work for them. Actually, even myself owns several long range locator tools but I find them not working for me. 

It just doesn't work despite of several actual tests that I already performed.

Long Range Locator L Rod Dowsing Tool


The most common LRL tool is the "L Rod Dowsing" gold detector. Traditional L Rod dowsing tool simply consists of two separate rods that forms like an "L", hence the name "L Rod".

To use an L Rod dowsing tool, the operator must hold the shorter bent portion of the rod like a gun. The rods must be held not so tight where the pointers should be able to rotate freely. 

Do not walk while detecting. It is important to stay and stand still on one spot before performing detection.

The pointer of the L Rod will indicate which direction to follow. Thus, the operator must follow the directions until to the point that the two rods will intersect with one another. 

If this happens, it means that the target is right under or beneath the operator's spot.

Other than the L Rod dowsing tool, there are actually a lot more other designs with different methods on how to use them. 

Regardless of their designs, they are all based on the same concept in detecting a certain target.

Improvised Long Range Locators


Today, a lot of improvised long range locators are being introduced in the market. They are now equipped with electronic circuitry where manufacturers claims that it improves the accuracy of the tool.

Common explanation to the improvement of the tool is that, the device operate at a certain resonant frequency. 

Through the antenna or probe, an electromagnetic signal is being emitted which will in turn act like a magnet that gets attracted into the target object.

And just like the traditional method of operating a dowsing tool, simply follow the directions where the strongest signal is being picked-up by the LRL device.

Most Controversial Issue About Long Range Locators


The most controversial issue that came out against long range locators is the challenge of Mr. Carl from Geotech to all LRL operators. 

This challenge is that, the LRL operators must find the buried target object on a certain area.

Mr. Carl will be the one who will bury the item. Then, the LRL operator will be taken into the area to locate it.

The reward is actually a gold bar and it will be the price given to the one who can locate it using his or her LRL detector.

Unfortunately, no one has ever attempted on the challenge because nobody wanted to accept his conditions. 

Thus, I think that the challenge is still up and perhaps it will only be over once somebody is able to claim the prize.

Overall, there are still some people who claims that long range gold locators are working great for them. 

There are also many interesting stories from my friends about this type of tool that aided them in their search of buried treasures. 

And the best part, LRLs are the cheapest detectors for treasure hunters that are available in the market.

Metal Detector Accessories and Digging Tools

If you are to go out for a metal hunting activity, there are other important accessories that you need to take along. These are accessories such as tools for digging, maps, bags and etc...


When it comes to your metal detector, here are the following accessories that you should bring:

Extra Batteries

If you intend to spend several hours using your metal detector then it's best to take along extra batteries. It would be a hassle running down into the store just to buy new batteries for replacement.

It's not just actually extra batteries for your MD but also spare batteries for your other devices such as flashlight, radio and some other battery-operated items that you intend to bring along with you.

Headphone

The use of headphones can actually help improve better reception of the received signal of your MD. It's because it allows you to hear even the faintest signal that is able to pick up.

On a noisy environment, it's best to use a headphone.

Metal Detector Pin Pointer

Some metal detectors are not good at pin pointing the exact spot of the buried detected item. So in order for you to save time, it is recommended that you should bring a pin pointer MD device.

Scuff Cover

The outside environment can be a bit damaging into your equipment. To provide protection, especially to the control box of your MD, always use a scuff cover when it's not in use.

Clean Cloth for Cleaning

It is important to bring a clean cloth for cleaning both your findings and metal detector after use.

As for your digging operation, here are the following recommended tools that you should bring:

Trowel

If the item picked up by your metal detector isn't too deep then it's best to use a trowel. It's actually best to choose a trowel that is not made out of metal but of "composite material". This is to allow you to run your pin pointer over it without setting the alert that the target is in the trowel.

Shovel

Use a shovel to dig a certain item that is buried at a deep depth. It's because its faster and easier than using a small trowel.

Garden Knife

It is not actually good to use your shovel in cutting roots, grass or any hard vegetation blocking the spot that you need to dig. 

Excessive use of force overtime will soon break the weld of the blade and the handle of the shovel. Thus, it's best suggested to bring a garden knife for cutting purposes.

Plastic Containers or Bag

Bring plastic containers or bag to place your important findings.

Map or GPS Device

If you are not familiar about the area where you are going to conduct your metal detecting activity, it's best to bring a map or GPS device to guide you around.

Overall, bringing these metal detector accessories and tools for digging will surely help you a lot in recovering valuable items.

Satellite Scanner for Treasure Hunting

Many treasure hunters are intrigue about using the satellite to scan buried treasures underground. But, does this kind of technology has already been invented? Let's find out.

In 1980's, a Shuttle Mission had taken some interesting images which revealed a pattern of ancient river drainage below the eastern Sahara desert

Another one was something that looks like a ring structure buried under the Antarctic Ice.

Those images were actually captured through a microwave radar. And, some scientists already have theoretical speculation that microwave radar from satellites can reveal the surface of a dry ground.

Satellite Scanning

To clear the doubts, Dan Blumberg and Julian Daniels from the Ben Gurion University of Negev in Israel had performed an actual test. 

They made used of flat squares of aluminum buried at different depths under the sand. Then, they flew on an aircraft and performed radar sensing on the area.

As a result, Blumberg and Daniel came out with a systematic proof where they had acquired patterns of the buried pieces of metals. This proves that microwave radar detection works.

Satellite Scanning Services


Be advised, especially to all of my fellow Filipino treasure hunters in the Philippines not to believe into those claimed satellite scanners. 

These people are scams who will just grab your money in exchange of pointing some random locations for you to dig. You will not just waste your money but your time and energy.

In my own personal opinion, Satellite Scanning is still at its early developmental stage. And if it happens that it already exists, it won't be available for public use. 

The Military and NASA will surely keep them as top secret device.

Other than that, the use of satellite will cost an expensive amount of money. Some serious large amount of money that an average Joe cannot afford.

Benefits of Satellite Scanning Technology


If a satellite scanner has been invented and it is working the way how everybody expect it to be then, as stated above the Military or NASA will take hold of it. 

And in the name of science, they will utilize it for the purpose of discovering long lost structures, fossils and other archaeological objects.

In the Military, they are going to use it to detect areas with landmines, enemy underground tunnels and other purposes to detect enemy movements in the ground. And for NASA, they can use it to discover the surfaces of some planets and moons.

Satellite Scanner used for treasure hunting is probably not on the list unless those large organization needs some funding.

You are probably thinking, "When would this amazing technology becomes available for public use?". If you ask me, maybe it will become available in the next 30 to 50 years from now. 

Or maybe, it will never become available for public use due to some bad circumstances when used in a wrong or improper way.

But as of now, it's still best to settle down on cheap metal detectors.

Metal Detecting Book for Beginners | By Mark Smith

One of the best book that I recommend for beginners is Mark Smith's "Metal Detecting: A Beginner's Guide to Mastering the Greatest Hobby in the World".

According to the book, the world is filled with treasures and I do agree with it. Through this book, it teaches you on how to claim your share of those treasures.

This book consists of over 200 pages of information that clearly explains everything on how to find and recover your own treasure.

If it happens that you already purchased one of those reliable cheap metal detectors that I recommend, the next step would be to gain a lot of insight. 

But through this book, those insights that you need are already compiled where all you just have to do is to read, understand and apply.

You might be thinking why some metal-hunters are quite good at finding valuable items such as gold coins, jewelries, relics and other worthy findings. 

The reason is that, they have the knowledge of "where" and "how" to search for them. This book will guide you in these aspect as well.

Features of Mark Smith's Metal Detecting Book


1. Not just for the Beginners

Mark Smith's Metal Detecting Book isn't actually just for the beginners. It's because there are plenty of useful tips that some professional treasure hunters may have not known yet.

2. Secrets of Metal Detecting

There's actually a hidden secret to a successful metal detecting. Mark Smith will reveal these best guarded secrets to ensure a great success on your findings.

3. Illustrated Diagrams

The book is complete with illustrated diagrams consisting of actual pictures that best describe the topic being explained. Most of these illustrations actually teaches you how to locate the treasures and safely recover them.

4. Metal Detector Explained

Mark Smith will explained everything that you need to know about metal detectors. 

You get to learn how a metal detector exactly works, choosing the best MD, metal detecting with kids, metal detecting in various places (such as private properties, creeks, rivers and lakes), and other necessary equipment that you will need.

5. Recovered Findings

You get to learn how to identify the items that you have recovered. 

Once you learned how to identify your findings, you will be able to distinguish gold, silver, copper, jewelry and other various forms of metallic properties.

Other than identifying your findings, Mark Smith will also teach you how to clean your findings and sell them for money.

 
Overall, Mark Smith's Metal Detecting Book for Beginners is a reading material that offers plenty of tips that can give you a good start.

Fisher Gold Bug MD Review

One of my best recommendation when you intend to find big or small pieces of gold is the, "Fisher Gold Bug" metal detector. 

It is complete with all the necessary features that you need for a successful recovery of a hidden item. With this tool on your hand, you will have the confidence of not missing your target.

Fisher Gold Bug metal detector isn't only designed for gold materials but also other metallic objects as well. 

Thus, it is perfectly suited to all metal detector hobbyist who are in search of different metal items. Not just any random junk metals though. 

It's because this tool has an easy to adjust settings which makes it reliable in searching priceless items to add into your set of collections.

Features of Fisher Gold Bug MD


The Fisher Gold Bug metal detector is actually a good addition into your other detecting tools. 

It's for the reason that, it's simply the best tool designed with features that can absolutely locate the best items buried underground.

Metal hunters have only one goal, this is finding the best pieces of metal underground. And with this tool, finding them makes it an easy task. 

This is the reason why this product is suddenly gaining popularity among treasure hunters.

Here are the following product features of Fisher Gold Bug metal detector:

1. Fisher Gold Bug uses a power supply of 9 volts which has a gain and threshold adjustments.

2. It supports a headphone jack with sizes of 1/2 inch and 1/8 inch.

3. It has an LCD Screen display with two digit number which is from 0 to 99. This number is used as a basis for the identification of the buried target.

4. This tool has been designed by the manufacturer to be as light as much as possible and with the best ergonomics.

5. Fisher Gold Bug is proud to feature its "No-Motion" pinpoint function which allows you to utilize a computer assisted ground grab and balance. 

What this function actually does is that, it gives readout of the ground phase and mineralization of the ground.

6. You get choose and operate this tool in two different modes. "Discriminate" items or detect "All-Metal" (which uses 19kHz operating frequency).

7. This tool has a super sensitive 2 Tone VCO which has an indicator that indicates both the depth and signal strength that is being picked up.

8. The best metal detector for prospecting different sizes of gold nuggets.

Pros and Cons of Fisher Gold Bug Metal Detector


All I can actually tell about Fisher Gold Bug metal detector are on the pros or positive side. It's because throughout my experience in using this tool, I never encountered any flaws on it.

Pros

In the Philippines, it is actually common to find Japanese treasures that are hidden inside old rocks and trees. 

Items that are hidden on this objects doesn't require powerful or deep penetrating metal detectors. The best tool to use for these hidden items are accurate locators such as this Fisher Gold Bug MD.

With the Fisher Gold Bug MD on my hand, I was able to use it to detect and confirm the presence of gold bars, jewels and relics inside a certain object.

Cons

As I stated above, I do not have any bad experience in using my Fisher Gold Bug metal detector when it comes to the side of its technical features. 

However, the only disadvantage about this product is that, you need to purchase the headphones separately.

Using headphones actually allows you to maximize the tool's function.


Overall, you may find that Fisher Gold Bug is not a cheap metal detector. But based on my own personal opinion, the price is simply on the appropriate range. 

The technical features and high quality materials used to build the equipment actually speaks for the actual price.

Garrett Pro Pointer Pinpointer Detector Review

One of the most popular pinpointer device is the "Garrett Pro Pointer" metal detector. Many metal detector hobbyist prefer this tool due to its small size and 100% waterproof.

I actually own a Garrett Pro Pointer and it really helped me a lot on my searches particularly in pinpointing small buried objects that my metal detector can hardly point the exact location.

The most interesting feature that I like most about Garrett Pro Pointer is its simplicity which is perfect for complete beginners. 

It's microprocessor already does the process of automatically adjusting its circuitry settings which ensures maximum sensitivity. 

This means, you don't have to go through the trouble of adjustments and fine tuning which is simply a waste of your valuable time.

Another feature of the Garrett Pro Pointer that I like is its pinpointing tip and side-scanning capability. I usually perform side-scanning first. 

Once the object is confirmed, I use the pinpointing tip to accurately determine the spot.

If it happens that a certain object has been picked up, the Garrett Pro Pointer will alert the operator in two ways. It produces an audible sound and vibrating alarms at the same time. 

The advantage is that, you can use this tool without removing your headphones.

Other features of Garrett Pro Pointer includes an LED flashlight which allows you to detect on dim locations. 

There's also a sifting blade which you can use to scrape away soil when recovering a certain detected item. And, a woven belt holster for easy portability.

According to the manufacturer, this tool is also capable of detecting metal pipes or nails on the walls.

Garrett Pro Pointer Product Summary Features


- The manufacturer ensured the design to be water resistant which makes it suitable for any type of weather conditions.

- Equipped with microprocessor circuitry that automatically does the best adjustment for you to attain maximum sensitivity.

- If target has been picked up, an audible sound and vibrating alarm will surely alert you of what it found.

- The tool offers an LED flashlight so that you can still use it on low-light conditions.

Pros and Cons of the Garrett Pro Pointer


When it comes to the pros and cons of the Garrett Pro Pointer, the pros actually outweighs the cons. In fact, there aren't any cons that I can say about this product. 

I've already been using it for several months now and I still observe no flaws.

Pros

Garrett Pro Pointer really does everything that is mentioned on the product description. So if you ask me, it is one of the best metal detecting pinpointer tool available on the market today.

Aside from the useful features of the tool, I can say that the manufacturer have used high quality materials which makes it highly durable. 

It doesn't easily break regardless of how rough the way you handle it even without care.

It is also 100 percent water resistant. This tool really came handy when me and my crew had an underwater project. 

The item we were looking at that time was an old barrel of drum that got covered with thick mud making it hard for us to find without the help of a detector.

We could use a bigger hand-held metal detector but it would really be a hassle. So we're glad that we have the Garrett Pro Pointer which allowed us to find the covered item with ease.

Cons

As I stated above, there aren't any cons of this pinpointer that I can say about. The only reason why some people says that it's a bad product is due to its expensive price. 

Garrett Pro Pointer actually costs almost comparable to the price of a large hand-held cheap metal detector.

Overall, Garrett Pro Pointer is one small device that proves a worthy useful tool to every treasure hunter around. 

Thus, you will most likely won't regret buying one even at the cost of its expensive price. When I first purchased my tool, I simply treated it as a form of investment.

Why You Should Build Your Own Homemade MD?

There's actually a great benefit in "building your own homemade metal detector". It can actually save you money and at the same time, gain the knowledge of building your own working unit.

I actually own several homemade metal detectors that I built and up until now, they are still surprisingly working. 

It's because any technical issues that suddenly comes up, I am able to fix it right away because I am very familiar on how the circuitry works. This is comparable to an "unlimited warranty" of a certain product.


But before you intend to build your own metal detector, you must have a good background or knowledge in electronics. 

If you have none then I suggest that you should enroll from a short electronic vocational course. And in just a matter of few months, you can now start building various electronic stuffs which includes a MD.

What Type of Homemade Metal Detector is Best to Build?


Based on my own personal experience, the best type of metal detector to build are the Pulse Inductive (PI) MDs. 

These are MDs that sends out pulses of electromagnetic field down into the ground. 

If it happens that the magnetic field came contact on a certain buried metallic object, it will cause the magnetic field's polarity to be reversed reflecting the pulse signal back out to the surface. 

The reflected signal will then be picked up by the search coil and processed into an audible sound.

Most circuit-schematics shared online are PI MDs. Although, you have to consult people who already made attempts in building the project to confirm if it's a working schematic or not. 

You have to know that not all circuit-schematics of metal detectors being shared online are working. It's because the majority of them actually don't work.

Can a Homemade Metal Detector Used for Detecting Gold?


Any metal detector can actually detect gold. It's all about adjusting the operating frequency of the MD. According to the experts, a metal detector that operates at a high-frequency can accurately detect gold. 

This means that the higher the frequency, the better sensitivity of the MD to pick up large to tiny pieces of gold.

Although, there is a problem with high-frequency MDs. A homemade MD detector operating at a high-frequency tends to become unreliable because it can also detect iron minerals which is pretty bad. 

Unless, you can build a discriminator which seems impossible to build on your own.

Moreover, if you decide to build your own homemade metal detector, another important factor that you need to consider is to make sure that all of the electronic components or parts needed are still available on the market. 

It would be pointless starting out to build a project then suddenly, you end up being unable to complete it because one important component is missing.

Electronic Parts

I would also like to warn you that, building your own homemade metal detector can be quite addictive. 

I've already seen some people build their own MDs but really never put them to an actual use.

Pulse Induction Metal Detector | Gary Chemelec

The first homemade metal detector that I successfully constructed is Gary's Pulse Induction (PI) Metal Detector

It is actually not for beginners because it involves a lot of electronic components that must be properly connected on the PCB circuit board.


I went through a lot of trouble in building the project where it took me almost two months of troubleshooting for it to properly work and achieve the best setting adjustments. 

Although, when it comes to the sensitivity and accuracy, the problem really isn't from the electronic circuit part but the search coil.

Search Coil of Pulse Inductive Metal Detector


The search coil of a pulse inductive metal detector may consist of a single coil which act as the transmitter and receiver. 

Some search coils may have two or three coils working together for a more efficient processing of the signal.

So how does it work?

Taken from the name Pulse Induction MD, a pulsating current goes through the wire of the search coil. 

And as a result, a pulse of electromagnetic field is produced which travels way down into the ground. 

When the generated pulse reached the end, the magnetic field will reverse in polarity and at the time, collapses very suddenly. 

This reaction causes a sharp electrical spike. The electrical spike will only last for a few microseconds before another current will run through the coil for a repeated process.

Commercial PI metal detectors sticks to the standards of about 100 pulses per second.

If it happens that the transmitted pulse of electromagnetic field came contact to a certain metallic object, the pulse will create an opposite magnetic field around the target. 

Then when the pulses collapses resulting into a reflected pulse, the generated magnetic field around the object will cause a longer delay of the reflected pulse before it will completely disappear.

Assuming that a certain object has caused a delay on the reflected pulse, the "sampling circuit" will pass the signal into the monitoring device called "integrator"

The integrator will then interpret the signal which will be amplified and then converted into a direct current (DC). 

This DC current signal will be processed into the audio circuit where it will be finally converted into an audible sound that alerts the operator.

Gary Chemelec's PI Metal Detector Design


I will not be sharing Gary's PI metal detector on this post where I suggest that you should visit his own website to get a copy of his circuit-schematic diagram.

This is the link to his website:

http://chemelec.com/Projects/Metal-1a/Metal.htm
http://chemelec.com/Projects/Metal-2a/Metal-2.htm

If you are not quite good at building electronic projects, I suggest that you should purchase the complete kit. 

Gary's complete PI metal detector kit already consists of all the necessary parts that you need. All you just have to do is to follow the instruction from the manual in order to properly assemble it.

You can also ask help from Gary if you have trouble in building the kit.

Overall, pulse induction metal detectors performs great on high conductive soil or ground. It is actually quite good at detecting deep buried objects as compared to any other designs. 

However, PI detectors are not good with discrimination which is the major draw-down of the equipment. The reason is that, the reflected pulse length of various metals are really hard to separate.

Buying your Metal Detector Online

The best places to buy your metal detector is actually via online because it gives you all the complete lists of available products to choose from. 

Other than that, you also get to choose the best product by reading the reviews of other people who already bought and tested the item.

When it comes to buying the right metal detector for you, it actually involves several factors. It is important that you really have to choose the type of MD suited for the job.

Here are the following factors that you need to consider when purchasing your metal detector online:

1. Objects to Detect

The most common activity with metal detectors is finding old coins and other lost valuable accessories on the ground. 

These items aren't usually buried too deep because they were just most likely dropped accidentally by some individuals in the past. 

The perfect metal detector in finding these lost items are those that have good discriminating features and high-accuracy in pin-pointing the target.

Old Coins

Another common activity that importantly involves the use of metal detectors is hunting for gold nuggets or flakes. 

Using ordinary MDs can be very unreliable when detecting gold nuggets due to the reason that high-mineralized rocks can cause interference making the equipment very unstable. 

Thus, the right MD for the job are those that are designed to detect gold. These kinds of detectors actually operates at a very high frequency as compared to the standard MDs.

Some treasure hunters prefers to choose deep-penetrating metal detectors. It's because they aim to locate large and deeply buried treasures deposits.

And finally is the underwater-treasure hunting. Any equipment that is not designed to be waterproof or water-resistant will most likely get damaged when used underwater. 

So choose the right metal detector that is designed to be submerged underwater.

2. Ground Conditions

It is important that you need to consider the ground condition of the area that you intend to conduct your metal detecting activity. 

Ground conditions can really affect the sensitivity of a MD quite badly making it very unstable and hard to adjust.

Ground Condition

3. Regular Use

If you intend to use your metal detector regularly then you have to choose products that are designed with high quality materials which could stand rough handling. 

With these kinds of materials used, the equipment is sure to last for a long period of use.

Regular Use of Metal Detector

You should also consider buying from the manufacturers that offers "iron-clad warranties" or unlimited warranty. 

Take advantage of such offers because you can always send your equipment for repair once it started having some technical issues.

4. Technical Functionalities

Some metal detectors are designed with sophisticated settings that are quite hard to adjust. Only operators with good technical understanding can successfully handle such equipment without problem.

Metal Detector Adjustment

If you aren't that much technical, it's best to choose MDs that are user-friendly. These kind of equipment have microprocessor circuitry that already does the job of adjusting the settings automatically.

5. Budget

Metal detectors in the market varies in prices. There are those that are quite very expensive while others are cheap. 

As an advice, don't settle for the price in your decision of buying your MD. An expensive MD doesn't always mean that it's the best product out there. On the other hand, cheap metal detectors are most likely of low-quality.

Budget

Don't settle down for a MD just because it's completely cheap or it is what you can afford with your budget. 

It is actually much better to save your money until you can afford to buy one of the best reliable metal detectors that I recommend.

For beginners, I suggest that you should check this post about the best and cheap metal detectors that I recommend.

Overall, consider all those factors discussed above when buying your metal detector online and you won't have any regrets in choosing the right one that works for you.

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.