Metal Detector: What they are and how it work?

As its name suggests, a metal detector is a sensor that detects metal objects that you may not be able to see. They are useful for searching for relatively low-grade metal objects, ore deposits, and metal fragments that have penetrated less transparent materials.

Not all metals are detectable and not all detectors can detect all the same things. But the basic principle, whatever its implementation, is the same for most of them. Metal detectors create an electromagnetic field or impulse, which is diffracted by many types of metals, especially those called ferromagnetic metals. These are metals sensitive to magnetism and conductors of electricity.

Not all metals are ferromagnetic, but majority of them are. These metals cause distortion, delay or absorption of the magnetic field, indicating the presence of metals. The amount of distortion, as well as the timing circuits, can mathematically deduce to a certain extent the size and depth of the object, although these two readings are often approximations.

How to choose a gold metal detector?

Of course, the ultimate choice for preferences and costs will be reduced, but it does not compromise the reading of opinions and advice from experienced metal-visual pros.

You don’t need a gold detector to find gold because every metal detector will pick up your signal, but a special machine is more likely to find good things. It also helps you find smaller, deeper cemetery pieces that standard machines can hardly register.

Gold detectors are generally higher than conventional machines, but since they do a better job, the value is paid back in gold earnings.

Find the features that you think will help, such as auto-leveling, continuous voice feedback, and eye-filtering technology.

Top 5 best gold metal detectors for gold seeker

Choosing the best metal detector for gold offers all the options available. Here we are here to make our decisions easier here. Each brand has been reviewed and provides the best results in all-round research work and is perfect for any beginner or professional. So you want to look for the gold nuggets and become a hobby, choose one of the gold metal detectors from the list? The fantastic thing is that it is fun and financially advantageous.

In this guide, we will look at the best metal detectors for gold. I compared operating frequency, technology, ease of use and costs to share my main recommendations.

1. Fisher Gold Bug Pro Metal Detector

It’s a great kit, and to be candid, it’s the best metal detector for gold on the market. The Gold Bug Pro operates on a frequency of 19 kHz. It can detect a burst of gold above all other metals such as a coin. This means that you only need to buy one detector. Let’s start with the search coils. This beauty has fast, biaxial readjustment coils that locate gold on other metals.

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Fisher Gold Bug Pro Metal Detector

Fisher Gold Bug Pro Metal Detector

$549.00 

Buy on Amazon

These are standard round 5 inch DD coils that are waterproof – a feature that not all gold detectors possess. I like that a lot because it makes the river prospecting an option.

If the 5-inch coils do not meet, there is an option for an 11 “DD waterproof search coil accessory, but this is not part of the package. The sound is excellent on this detector. It has what they call “V-Break” which is a variable breaking point discrimination system.

You can control computer multi-tone sound with great precision. Some people get used to it, but because it helps to distinguish between low-tone iron and high-pitched sound that is worth learning the language.

The visual identity system really helps to locate the target and eliminates the frustrations of “digging in the ground”. Save your energy for gold.

Ground balancing is essential for prospecting for gold and is expected at this detector level.

Good news when the Gold Bug Pro has a fully computerized real-time ground balancing system. It calibrates itself and indicates which minerals are in the ground to help you locate this elusive nugget.

The system monitors the soil conditions, monitors the black sand where gold is often found. The Fe3O4 meter shows the amount of mineralization present to make sure you don’t miss anything. The Gold Bug Pro also distinguishes between large iron objects and smaller pieces, such as nails, so you can get a good idea of what’s under the ground without digging.

It is a floor reading machine, a detector and an excellent choice for those who really want to find this gold. This machine weighs 2.5 pounds, so you will not hurt the arm and will not give up the jackpot a few inches. It measures 10.2 x 6.2 x 28.5 inches and requires 1.9V battery.

It’s a high-end machine that many detectives trust – it deserves serious consideration for its weight there.

What you will like

  • Lightweight
  • Easily find small nuggets
  • ​Works well in highly mineralized soils
  • Guide you to the right soils for gold prospecting

What you may not like

  • Only the coil is waterproof

2. Garrett AT Gold Waterproof Metal Detector

The Garret AT Gold Metal Detector is a high-tech kit that is completely waterproof. This gold-plated metal detector has been designed to discover tiny gold nuggets in every field, especially in shallow freshwater areas. The waterproof is the highest at 10 feet in freshwater ponds and streams, so if you slip, you must stay in the drenching. 

Garrett 1140680 AT Gold Metal Detector

Garrett 1140680 AT Gold Metal Detector

$637.45 

Buy on Amazon

AT Gold contains a 5 × 8 DD search coil large enough to capture gold signals without time loss and comparable to other gold metal detectors.

It pushes the higher kHz range perfect for recording gold signals while running in All Metal mode. This means that you are looking for the greatest depth, but with great sensitivity. Get the best possible gold results.

All-important terrestrial balances are manually or automatically included to optimize experience and hunt. This feature stimulates AT Gold on the leader board of highly mineralized soils.

But what about discrimination?

Well, the AT Gold discrimination styles are highly suggested for a serious gold hunter. There are two modes for True All Metal mode. Select DISC 1 and DISC 2 modes for the variable voice ID.

The sounds tell you what they found without exploring the search. If you can interpret colors, nails, tin foil and coke leaves can be left behind.

AT Gold’s voices give a continuous sound response, so you can read more about the senses captured by the sensor and understand what’s under the ground.

Run in All Motion mode to record signals and switch to the exact model when you discover a probable destination. Keep it steady to pinpoint the exact location and prepare for excavation.

Garrett AT Gold is 21.3 x 14.4 x 5.7 inches and weighs 6.7 pounds. This is not the lightest machine, but it is not difficult. You will need 4 AA batteries for power supply.

You almost forgot to say that Mastersound headphones are part of the package! AT Gold has plenty of features for a serious gold hunter.

What you will like

  • Real metal mode
  • Easily distinguish metals
  • ​A top quality ground balancing system
  • Waterproof to 10 feet

What you may not like

  • Heavier than others
  • Waterproof but not recommended for salt water

3. Fisher Gold Bug Metal Detector

Fisher Gold Bug is what I consider to be the best gold metal detector (compared to other models in the list). This is probably the best gold detector for the metal as it does not require huge investments to get started. It doesn’t have as many features as the Fisher Gold Bug Pro, but it even deletes the floor with many other brands. 

Fisher Gold Bug Metal Detector

Fisher Gold Bug Metal Detector

$498.90 

Buy on Amazon

The Gold Bug has a 5-inch scroll coil that is comparable to the same price and higher, but you can upgrade to a larger coil if you want to cover a larger area or spend less time in the area.

This good-value gold detector has a 19 kHz operating frequency and super-sensitive 2-ton discrimination to differentiate metals in the soil.

The two search modes are a standard metal mode that takes up everything. The second mode distinguishes the specific gold hunt. So, if you are looking for the best metal detector for gold, silver, coins, and jewelry, this is a great way to flip through the settings.

There is also a good balance on the ground. Gold Bug uses a steady ground balance with mineralization on the ground.

This means you can find the black sand areas where gold is usually found without sending the readings. The 0-99 numeric ID display indicates how likely the metal you are looking for, ie gold!

One of the great features of Gold Bug is the pointless movement, which is not included in other more expensive sensors. You don’t have to move the sensor to get a signal, just hold over the area to pinpoint the target and start digging.

For those who need to read glasses, Gold Bug helps with a large LCD screen. It may seem a bit overwhelmed, but if you wear headphones, the installation of the arms of your glasses will be a test. These are the little things that make life easier.

And talking about headphones, there’s a ¼ and 1/8 inch headphone jack.

The gold defect measures 28.3 x 6 x 10 inches and weighs 4.6 kg. You will need 2 AA batteries for power supply.

What you will like

  • Great ergonomics is a pleasure to use
  • Large LCD display
  • ​2 search modes: completely metal and distinctive
  • ​A large LCD screen with 0-99 numeric target ID display
  • ​No point of movement

What you may not like

  • It does not have multi-tone sounds for pricier models
  • Not waterproof

4. Tesoro Lobo SuperTRAQ

The Tesoro Lobo SuperTraq is a deep search engine for all abilities. So let’s start with the size of the search roll. Basically, an ellipse with a wide scan is 10 inches, which is twice my previous recommendations. This will help you to cover a large area or not to spend too much time in the same place.

Tesoro Lobo SuperTRAQ Metal Detector

Tesoro Lobo SuperTRAQ Metal Detector

$679.15 

Buy on Amazon

SuperTraq has a 17.5 kHz frequency for gold search capabilities, which is not as high as AT Gold or Gold Bugs 19kHZ but is still good enough to find tiny gold nuggets in highly mineralized soils.

Adjusting the ground balance is slightly different on the detector. Instead of fully computerized ground balancing, you can choose between alkaline, normal and black sand. The machine then self-regulates the ground balance in these modes.

This is practical if you know where it is and what the soil is. The gold explorers of the experts know this, but if you’re a beginner, get to know it first.

It has great discriminatory features, so you can ignore the metal trash, track the gold, or decide to shake the coins or souvenirs – you don’t need to buy two machines.

Supertraq includes a precise mode to know exactly where to dig, and if coupled with sensitive discrimination, it won’t clean the tin foil and nails all day.

This is 21.5 x 8.7 x 4.8 inches and 3.5 kg.

You’ll need 8 x AA batteries to get started, and reviewers say they will take 20-30 hours before I exchange them.

What you will like

  • Works well in all soil conditions
  • Lightweight, only 3.5 pounds
  • A large, wide scanner with 10-inch roll

What you may not like

  • The battery may ring slightly
  • There is no protection for a wide scanner roll such as a slide

5. Minelab Gold Monster 1000

The Minelab Gold Monster 1000 is a 45 kHz gold hunting detector with the highest level of distinction and ground balance. Because high frequencies are generally better at positioning gold, a 45 kHz frequency and a 24-bit signal processing machine accurately determines where the good stuff is hiding without noise and false signals from other metal objects. Plus 10 “x 6” double D rolls and 5 “double D rolls in price – no one else offers it. 

Minelab GOLD MONSTER 1000

Minelab GOLD MONSTER 1000

$799.00 

Buy on Amazon

Compared to other high-frequency gold sensors on the market, the Minelab Gold Monster 1000 has raised iron discrimination and understands the conductivity of salt water.

It has completely digital electronics, so the signals are easy to read, and the automatic ground balance is the same as the machined soil.

You can fine-tune the desired sensitivity if you want, but I like to go with the machine – Minelab has done a lot of work to figure out the best settings.

Auto Noise Canceling allows you to concentrate on weak golden signals without interference. If you want to do really thorough tests, this is for you.

This is particularly easy to use a gold metal detector. Starts fast for beginners, and the controls are straight forward. Those who can only work on our mobile phones will breathe – they don’t have to be a gadget or astrophysicist to develop this gold hunter.

Its size is 23.6 x 5.1 x 9.8 inches and weighs 6.8 pounds. There is a lithium-ion battery in the setup.

If you have a serious gold profile, your machine should increase your results. He does a great job of searching for gold thoroughly, no matter how small pieces he has.

It has fewer features than the same price, but technology and super high frequency are the perfect gold hunting companions.

What you will like

  • Extra sensitive 45 kHz
  • Very high-frequency capabilities
  • ​Two search rolls in the package

What you may not like

  • Some people find automatic setup and automated features mean they don’t have full control

Final thoughts

We hope that the list of the best gold detectors will help you find the right budget and needs. It doesn’t matter how fun and extra income these devices offer when you find relics and treasures on the ground. You can take it to the beach or use it on the river – you never know how many golden nuggets you find.

Belayet Hossain

I love all things tech, and I wear many hats – tech lover, business starter, digital marketer, and blogger. I know the ins and outs of Digital Marketing, SEO, SEM, SMM, and how to generate leads. My goal? Making things simple for you with clear guides and reviews. I stumbled upon WordPress while creating my first business site, and I fell in love with it right away. When I’m not building websites, creating content, or boosting clients’ online efforts, I’m focused on staying healthy, hanging out with family, and exploring the world. Connect with me on FacebookTwitterLinkedin, or read my complete biography.