Know the ground.Then pickthe detector.
Buying guides for metal detectors, coils, pinpointers and digging gear, organized by where you hunt: parks, beaches, relic sites, goldfields and mineralized soil, with the permissions every site needs.
Hunt by ground
Parks, beaches, relics or gold. The ground decides the technology.
Detect smarter
Beach metal detecting guide: dry sand vs wet salt sand vs water, why multi-frequency and PI work best, waterproof ratings, sand scoops, tides and beach rules.
Choose a gold prospecting detector: high-frequency VLF vs pulse induction, mineralized ground and hot rocks, nugget size, coils, and checking mining claims first.
First metal detector guide: where you will hunt, weight and balance, target ID, discrimination, ground balance, waterproofing, coils and budget.
- 04
Metal Detecting Laws and Permission: Where You Can and Can't Detect
Laws and ethics
- 05
Metal Detecting Pinpointers: Why You Need One and What to Buy
Pinpointers
- 06
Metal Detector Search Coils: Size, DD vs Concentric and Compatibility
Search coils
- 07
VLF vs Multi-Frequency vs Pulse Induction Metal Detectors
Detector technology
Metal Detecting Gear questions, answered
What is the best type of detector for the beach?
Multi-frequency or pulse induction, which handle wet salt sand and water.
Read: Beach Metal Detecting →What frequency is best for gold detecting?
High frequencies, often above about 40 kHz on VLF detectors, are most sensitive to small gold.
Read: Gold Prospecting Detectors →What metal detector should a beginner buy?
A light, easy-to-use VLF or entry multi-frequency detector with target ID, discrimination and ground balance, matched to where you will hunt.
Read: How to Choose Your First Metal Detector →Is metal detecting legal in national parks?
No. Metal detecting and removing objects are prohibited in US national parks.
Read: Metal Detecting Laws and Permission →Do I need a pinpointer for metal detecting?
Not strictly, but it saves a lot of time and makes smaller, neater holes.
Read: Metal Detecting Pinpointers →Does a bigger coil go deeper?
On larger targets in clean ground, usually yes. On small targets and in trash, a smaller coil can find more.
Read: Metal Detector Search Coils →Responsible detecting, always
Every recommendation starts with the ground you hunt and whether detecting is allowed there.
Each guide says who the gear suits, who should look elsewhere, and what to check before you buy.
Brands cannot buy a review or a spot on a list. Partner codes save you money; they never decide what we recommend.
Prices are dated, codes are updated across the site at once, and pages are revised when a product, standard or rule changes.
The metal detecting gear index
- 01DetectorsBeginner VLF, multi-frequency and pulse induction metal detectors.2 pages
- 02By groundDetectors and setups for beaches and water, relic hunting and gold prospecting.2 pages
- 03Pinpointers & toolsPinpointers, digging tools, sand scoops, search coils, headphones and pouches.2 pages
- 04Hobby basicsLand-use rules, permission, code of ethics, cleaning and storing finds.1 page
- 05Prospecting gearGold pans, classifiers, sluices where lawful, scales and storage for recreational prospectors.0 pages