5 Best Metal Detectors For Beach
You can unearth precious jewelry, relics, and lost coins washed-up on the shores or long-lost pirate loot which were meant to stay hidden by using metal detectors.
With a good metal detector with excellent adjustable frequency, you can find different types of metals/artifacts.
However, not any metal detector is up for the task. The beach is a very difficult ground to cover and this is why you need to look for a beach metal detector.
For example, many metal detectors are not submersible therefore, taking them into even shallow areas is bound to poorly perform.
Therefore, to help you decide on the right beach metal detector, this article explains the key features you’ll need to look out for, key considerations and a review of the best metal detectors for the beach so you find the right option.
What to Look for in a beach metal detector
Beach metal detector technology
When it comes to the beach metal technology, it is important to note that Single-frequency VLF metal detector machines cannot handle saltwater and although you can still use them on salt, you will find that they operate within a limited depth capacity which lowers their sensitivity settings.
Metal detecting in and around saltwater such as a beach requires a compel of different technology to make it very effective. Which can either be a multi-frequency frequency or a pulse induction technology.
Multi-Frequency
Compared to single frequency machines, multi frequency machines are more expensive. It’s a technology like the E-trac and CTX 3030 which are used in the higher-end-end Minelab FBS detectors. They operate by transmitting multiple frequencies at the same time which then penetrates minerals like salt to give the user better results or accurate target ID. This technology is far more superior than the single frequency machines.
Pulse Induction (PI)
Compared to single and multi-frequency detectors, pulse induction detectors look and feel very different. They are normally used by gold prospects and serious beach hunters as they are considered specialty machines. PI machines can get you better results at the beach.
Which Technology is Better?
Search Coil Size
This is an important yet overlooked aspect of choosing a beach detector. There are ,otherwise, reasons why you have to choose one search coil over the other; however, we are going to stick to the surface tension, sweep area and the weight.
Large Coils
If you’re looking for a greater sweep area and better depth so you can cover more ground faster then, large Coils are the way to go.
Generally, manufacturers design detectors to be well balanced with the stroke coil and this evenly distributes the weight.
However, when you change the default coil to a larger coil, it disrupts the weight balance and you will usually feel the weight of the larger coil. It is always advisable that if you want to hunt for more than an hour, you should get a chest harness.
Small Coils
You will get more accurate pinpointing when you use smaller coils In the water,and it is a big help when you can’t see the bottom of the ocean floor. In addition to this, if you are hunting very trashy beaches, smaller coils are what you should opt for
Review Of The Best Metal Detectors For Beach
1. Fisher 1280X-8
This Fisher 1280X-8 is an Underwater All-Purpose Metal Detector and it is ideal for use on sandy shores.
Another amazing feature of this metal detector is, it doesn’t discriminate between freshwater and saltwater so you can use it near lakes and oceans.
With this metal detector, you can go as deep to find that metal as it is submersible up to 250 feet. However, it only works well for land when it is against dry sand.
The Fisher 1280X-8 metal detector features an automatic turn-on-and-go operation which means it doesn’t take much to start working.
This Fisher 1280X-8 feature enables the metal detector to automatically tune itself to keep up with the changing conditions.
Your comfort is guaranteed with this metal detector as it comes with a removable control housing that has a belt- mount attachment to it in addition to an arm strap.
You don’t need to worry about the battery life of this Fisher 1280X-8 metal detector and it has up to 75 hours of battery life and this will enable you to explore the beaches for long hours.
PROS
- Audio and visual target response
- Has good discrimination
- 8AA batteries(long battery life)
- Adjustable volume, sensitivity and discrimination
- Comes with a 2-year warranty
CONS
- Battery compartment can be very tight
2. Garrett AT Pro
This Garrett AT Pro is perhaps one of the best metal detectors for the beach and especially if you want to explore areas around the water even if the water is saltwater then, this is the metal detector to go for.
Garrett AT Pro works very well in the muddied and wet sand as well as in drier conditions. This metal detector can be submerged up to 10-feet thanks to its built-in waterproof housing.
The Garrett AT Pro metal detector features 3 audio modes. These 3 audio modes assist the user to catch the slight changes in the sounds of a target’s response and also determine the size and shape of the target.
The Garrett AT Pro comes with touchpads that make this easy to set high-resolution iron discrimination. These settings help to avoid the junk and only detect the treasure.
The settings go from 1-40 levels. This Garrett AT Pro metal detector comes with a digital Target ID system capable of showing the precise location of objects up to 8 inches in depth.
This means it is able to target values faster for identification purposes.
PROS
- Comes with a discrimination function
- Graphic Target Identification
- 6 search modes
- It seems to have great accuracy
- Lightweight
- 40 iron discrimination segments
CONS
- You may have to turn off the sensitivity when using it on wet sand.
3. Teknetics T2
This Teknetics T2 is a professional-grade metal detector and as such, features advanced electronic technology. The Teknetics T2 has a user-friendly interface that makes it very easy to use.
Teknetics T2 is also very great for scanning relics, coins, and even gold. This metal detector is ideal for beach use as it comes with a 40-hour battery life.
This makes it possible to use for long hours at the beach without worrying about the battery and this is in addition to its lightweight design.
You can detect metals at the beach all day long without getting easily tired. The Teknetics T2 features the double filter discrimination modes.
This is what makes metal detecting in trashy areas very easy. It also comes with a manual ground cancellation option and a continuous ground monitor.
This Teknetics T2 metal detector is able to help in highly mineralized soil and this is because it has an 11-inch waterproof open frame Bi-Axial.
With its target separation capabilities, the Teknetics T2 metal detector is able to detect targets at extreme depths
PROS
- Different user adjustments
- LCD screen
- Very good battery life
- 5 preset tone options
- Waterproof coil
- 5 Year Warranty
CONS
- Frequently dirt intrusion
4. SUNPOW Professional
The SUNPOW Professional is a simple and straightforward metal detector that is easy to use and learn.
To improve its sensitivity and search range, this metal detector features an upgraded DSP chip and 10-inch coil.
The SUNPOW professional is the metal detector that can help you find treasure on the beach that may have been covered with sand for a long period of time.
This SUNPOW is possible as it has the capability to detect at a depth that’s around 20% deeper compared to other leading metal detectors on the market.
With this SUNPOW metal detector, you have a better chance of leaving out the interference as it comes with an adjustable ground balance that lowers the risk of impurities.
SUNPOW comes in 3 search modes. These are the all-metal, notch and disc. This allows you to use it the right mode for your job.
The metal detector comes with a display screen which shows everything clear. The buttons are easy to press and are all large.
In addition to this, it comes with a professional control box that makes it more intuitive to use.
The SUNPOW professional metal detector is rated IP68 waterproof which makes it very good for various beach conditions.
It comes as a whole package thus,when you purchase the kit, you will receive a shovel and a carry bag. To ensure your comfort, it also comes with an armchest.
PROS
- Volume adjustments
- 3 modes of operation
- Compact design and lightweight
- Sturdy Poles
- Anti-interference interference
CONS
- Would need a backlit display for easier reading
5. Bounty Hunter Discovery 2200
This Bounty Hunter Discovery 2200 metal detector comes with a lot of professional-grade features yet is affordable. With the Bounty Hunter Discovery 2200, you can just turn it on, select your required mode and start detecting as it comes with 4 modes of operation.
Some of the user-friendly features include the visual depth indicator. This Bounty Hunter Discovery 2200 feature is what informs the user on the depth of the buried objects they find and thanks to the several target segments, identifying those objects becket much easier and more accurate.
To give different types of metals unique sounds, this mealtimes detector comes with numerous tone audio ID’s The Bounty Hunter Discovery 2200 metal detector is designed with durable materials.
Bounty Hunter Discovery 2200 search coil has waterproof protection which allows the device to effectively detect in dry sand as well as in damp sand. The Bounty Hunter Discovery comes with a 5 Year Warranty.
You don’t need to worry once you purchase this metal detector as you will be converted for the next 5 years.
PROS
- Ultra- lightweight design
- 4 modes of operation
- High quality accuracy
- 9 segment dial target display
- Ergonomic armchest to eliminate fatigue
CONS
- Coil size needs to be increased.
Conclusion
Metal detecting is a fun outdoor activity that has gained popularity over the years. This article is, however, geared towards people who are interested and would like to try beach metal detecting. It can become financially rewarding aside from the adventure and fun part of it and as such, you will have to invest in the best metal detector for the beach. From our review, you can see that there are many metal detectors out there You can start by choosing one and start detecting. But, don’t forget the EXTRA GEAR Always take care to practice safety measures when detecting at the beach so you don’t end up becoming a lost relic yourself. Use a life jacket among many other safety tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
What accessories do I need to hunt at the beach?
Unlike accessories to dry land, beach metal detecting requires a different set of accessories. Below are some of the important accessories that go with a beach metal detecor.
Waterproof Headphones.
Waterproof headphones are essential if you plan to go into the ocean. This is because, you will need to hear faint signals over waves, wing and other beach revellers and the waterproof headphones do well to block external sounds .
Sand Scoop
When it comes to the sand scoop it’s important to note that a dry sand scoop has a different shape to those designed for wet sand also, the right scoop will depend on your hunt get location and preference.
Shoulder or Hip Harness.
You need to feel comfortable and explore in a pain free way. This is exactly what the shoulder and hip harness does for you and especially if you’re using a heavy detector and coil, they can reduce the strain on your arm.
Finds Pouch
You can lose your revered targets if care is it taken especially if you’re detecting in water. To help prevent this from occurring, it’s important you acquire a zippered pouch for securing your recovered targets.
Pinpointer
. A pinpointer can save time by narrowing down the search area once your detector finds a target. For usage at the beach, it’s important that you go in for a waterproof pinpointer.