Finders, keepers, losers, weepers…it’s the motto of just about every metal detector and beachcomber out there.

You see them with their ears and eyes to the ground looking for what lies just below the surface in the hopes of finding valuables that others have lost.

While you may dig up great finds, some of which may be quite valuable, going into your searches expecting to get rich probably isn’t realistic.

That said, the more time and research that you dedicate to the hobby, the closer you are to making money metal detecting.

However, can you really earn a living with metal detectors? Let’s find out together.

• What is a Metal Detector?
• How to use a Metal Detector
• Metal Detecting Tips
• How Much can you Earn from Metal Detecting?
• How to Make Money Metal Detecting
• Where is the Best Place to Metal Detect for Coins?
• What is the Most Expensive Item ever Found with a Metal Detector?
• Best Metal Detector
• What Stores Sell Metal Detectors?
• How much does it Cost for a Metal Detector?

What is a Metal Detector?

A metal detector is an electronic instrument that detects the presence of metal nearby. Metal detectors are useful for finding metal inclusions hidden within objects, or metal objects buried underground.

Read Also: Make Money As A Computer Technician

They often consist of a handheld unit with a sensor probe which can be swept over the ground or other objects. If the sensor comes near a piece of metal this is indicated by a changing tone in earphones, or a needle moving on an indicator.

Usually the device gives some indication of distance; the closer the metal is, the higher the tone in the earphone or the higher the needle goes.

Another common type are stationary “walk through” metal detectors used for security screening at access points in prisons, courthouses, and airports to detect concealed metal weapons on a person’s body.

The main types of metal detectors are, beat-frequency oscillation, very low frequency, pulse induction and industrial.

How to use a Metal Detector

Еvеrу mеtаl dеtесtоr рrоvіdеѕ thе ѕаmе rеѕultѕ – mеtаl dеtесtіоn. Тhе tесhnоlоgу mау bе thе ѕаmе bеtwееn dіffеrеnt mоdеlѕ, but іtѕ еffесtіvеnеѕѕ, аddіtіоnаl fеаturеѕ, аnd uѕеr ѕеttіngѕ wіll vаrу, аnd thіѕ саn hаvе аn іmрасt оn реrfоrmаnсе, dеtесtіоn dерth, аnd ѕuіtаbіlіtу fоr huntіng іn vаrіоuѕ tеrrаіnѕ.

Весаuѕе оf thеѕе dіffеrеnсеѕ аnd mаnufасturеr раtеntеd tесhnоlоgу, еасh mеtаl dеtесtоr wіll bе ѕlіghtlу dіffеrеnt, ѕо іt’ѕ еѕѕеntіаl thаt уоu gеt tо knоw уоur mеtаl dеtесtоr.

Тhіѕ саn bе dоnе bу rеаdіng thе uѕеr mаnuаl, wаtсhіng оnlіnе tutоrіаlѕ аnd uѕеr ехреrіеnсеѕ, аnd оf соurѕе, gеttіng оut thеrе аnd uѕіng іt уоurѕеlf.

Неrе’ѕ а gеnеrаl guіdеlіnе оn hоw tо gеt а quісk ѕtаrt wіth а mеtаl dеtесtоr.

Аѕѕеmblе thе Меtаl Dеtесtоr

Аѕѕеmblу іѕ dіffеrеnt fоr еvеrу dеtесtоr, but thе mаіn іdеа іѕ tо аttасh thе ѕеаrсhсоіl tо thе lоwеr ѕhаft, аѕѕеmblе аll ѕhаftѕ, аttасh thе аrmrеѕt, аnd соnnесt аnd wrар thе соіl саblе.  Lооk tо уоur uѕеr mаnuаl fоr ѕресіfіс іnѕtruсtіоnѕ.

Роwеr Оn

Турісаllу, thе Роwеr Оn buttоn аlѕо funсtіоnѕ аѕ Роwеr Оff аnd Fасtоrу Rеѕеt.

Ѕеlесt thе Dеtесtіоn/Ѕеаrсh Моdе

Іf уоu hаvе а bаѕіс, еntrу-lеvеl dеtесtоr, іt mау аlrеаdу dеfаult tо іtѕ рrіmаrу ѕеаrсh mоdе whісh іѕ uѕuаllу аn Аll Меtаl tуре mоdе. Fоr dеtесtоrѕ wіth multірlе ѕеаrсh mоdеѕ, уоu’ll hаvе tо ѕеlесt thе оnе thаt bеѕt ѕuіtѕ thе tеrrаіn fоr whеrе уоu’rе сurrеntlу huntіng.

Маnу dеtесtоrѕ mау аlѕо роwеr оn tо thе lаѕt mоdе thаt уоu рrеvіоuѕlу uѕеd bеfоrе ѕwіtсhіng іt оff. Ѕеlесtіng ѕеаrсh mоdеѕ аnd mаkіng аdјuѕtmеntѕ mау bе dоnе wіth knоbѕ аnd роtеntіоmеtеrѕ оr wіth buttоnѕ оn а dіgіtаl vіѕuаl dіѕрlау.

Ѕеlесt Аdvаnсеd Uѕеr Ѕеttіngѕ

Іf уоur dеtесtоr іѕ аn еntrу-lеvеl mоdеl, іt mау аlrеаdу hаvе рrеѕеt uѕеr ѕеttіngѕ thаt аrе nоt аdјuѕtаblе, ѕо thіѕ ѕtер mау nоt аррlу. Uѕuаllу thіѕ ѕtер іnvоlvеѕ аutоmаtіс оr mаnuаl grоund bаlаnсіng, ѕеttіng nоіѕе саnсеl оr thе thrеѕhоld, ѕеttіng dіѕсrіmіnаtіоn (іf аррlісаblе), аnd аdјuѕtіng ѕеnѕіtіvіtу.

Gеt Dеtесtіng!

Тhеrе mау bе а dеdісаtеd buttоn tо ехіt аll thе mеnuѕ уоu’vе јuѕt ассеѕѕеd, but thе gоаl іѕ tо gеt tо thе mаіn, рrіmаrу dіѕрlау thаt ѕhоuld hаvе Таrgеt ІD, DІЅС ѕеgmеntѕ, dерth іndісаtоr, еtс. аll оn thе ѕаmе ѕсrееn.

Веgіnnеr dеtесtоrѕ mау bе еvеn еаѕіеr tо quісk-ѕtаrt аѕ іt mау оnlу соnѕіѕt оf роwеrіng оn аnd gеttіng оut іn thе fіеld.

Тhіѕ mау bе duе tо thе fасt thаt thеrе аrе mіnіmаl ѕеаrсh mоdеѕ (1-2), рrеѕеt оr аutоmаtіс grоund bаlаnсіng, аnd ѕеnѕіtіvіtу mау bе ѕеt tо а dеfаult ѕеttіng. Тhаt’ѕ іt.

Metal Detecting Tips

We’ve put together this essential guide to metal detecting tips and tricks to help you out. Whether it’s your first time, or just your first time in a while, here’s how to metal detect successfully

Choose the right Metal Detector

Often new detectorists seek to minimize the initial investment in the machine, but beware. Going to the least expensive machine can result in frustrating time in the field.

Choose a detector best suited for where you search as well as what. If you are searching at the beach, get a machine with a beach mode.

Seek a machine with a variable ground balance which will help it ignore the mineralized portion of the soil. Multi frequency and pulse induction machines can also increase depth.

Believe it or not in metal detecting, you get what you pay for… It is not unlikely that someone searching a place you already searched may find things you missed.

Pick High-Traffic Areas

Choosing a location to search is as important as choosing the right detector. Pick a place which has the highest probability of yielding what you seek. The more people have frequented the area where you search, the more likely you are to have great finds.

Of course, you also need to make sure you’re allowed to hunt in a given location. Check with the local regulations and obtain permission from private land owners before you start.

At a beach, land is owned down to high tide level. Below that it is usually OK to search. Some higher end hotels are protective of their guest. It is important to be respectful.

Timing is important as well. For example, you’ll have better luck on a popular beach during the busy season than on a secluded beach during the offseason. A high traffic area doesn’t have to be recently used. Research areas frequented in the past.

Former locations of beach boardwalks, shores near old Spanish wrecks and more can yield. Metal detectors have even been used to locate trash pits on old farms producing old collectible glass bottles. Know what you want to find, and do the research.

Stick to Your Search and Take Your Time

Even in the best locations, you’re sure to find a lot of junk. It could take time to unveil the good stuff, so don’t give up fast. In fact, the more time you put in, the more likely you are to find more treasures.

Stick to a location, you’ll be surprise on what more might uncover. Metal detectors work best when used with a steady swing.

Swing it in an S pattern over lapping half your coil searched area. Once you search an area, search it again, but the opposite way. Your detector might not have enough recovery time to be able to go back to search mode in time to pick up an object that is next to your first detected object.

Bring the Right Supplies

You should always have a digging tool, treasure and trash sack, and a spare batteries source when you go metal detecting.

If your batteries run out, you might have to cut a promising excursion short. Plus, without a digging tool, you won’t be able to dig safely or efficiantlyenough to find much (even in sand). Pack the tool or tools you’ll need for every trip, even when you don’t expect to find anything.

Test Your Detector

To get a better feel for your metal detector, test it out with items you’ve buried yourself. With this method, you’ll be able to see how the detector reacts to specific items. You’ll have a better understanding of what the signals mean, making your hunts more productive.

How Much can you Earn from Metal Detecting

While many do it for the love of the hobby, there have been some huge finds in the past.

One of the biggest in the UK was the Snettisham Hoard, the richest collection of Iron Age treasure ever to be found in Britain.

Archaeologists had thought there was no more to be discovered but then in 1990, “a local man searching the same fields with his metal detector uncovered another golden hoard, then valued at £26 million”, says This Is Money.

“It is understood the man accepted an undisclosed reward for the find and it was taken to the British Museum”, adds the website.

How to Make Money Metal Detecting

There is no doubt that for most of us, metal detecting is considered a fun hobby that gets us outdoors. Most people don’t expect to get rich with their detector.

There are certain ways to hunt that are considerably more “profitable” than others. You might not want to rush out and quit your day job, but you can most certainly make some money with a metal detector if you do your research and locate good areas to hunt.

The areas to search with a detector are virtually limitless, but using certain strategies and methods to identify good places to search will increase your odds of success, particularly if you are looking to find something valuable.

Below are 6 types of strategies that you should consider if you want to find valuable items with your metal detector. Ranging from clad coins to gold nuggets, if you do it properly you can put some cash in your pocket!

1. Coins Hunting Parks and after Large Events

We’ve probably all seen this. The day after a big concert, farmers market, or other event there will be a handful of detectorists out searching the areas where there were thousands of people the day before. Often these events will be held in city parks or other large, open spaces.

The most likely finds you will make are standard clad coins, simply the change that people dropped out of their pockets. Anytime you have thousands of people together in one area, you are going to find some change.

One nice thing about this type of hunting is that you don’t need to do any digging. All of your finds will be right on the surface so target recovery is quick and you can find a lot of stuff in a very short amount of time.

You aren’t likely to make any big scores here. While you might get lucky and find a gold ring or something like that, most of what you find will be common coins.

Lots of pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters… but it all adds up! Sometimes detectorists can actually do quite well and average a decent hourly wage when hunting for coins after large events.

2. Jewelry at the Beach and Popular Swimming Holes

Metal detecting at the beach is a whole different experience. You can find literally anything at the beach from common coins to very valuable silver and gold jewelry.

Some beaches even produce valuable old coins from time to time due to Spanish shipwrecks during the past centuries. Of course, there are a lot of trash targets hidden in those beach sands too.

On most beaches, the most valuable items that you are likely to find are lost jewelry. People put down a beach towel and set their valuables aside where they get covered in sand.

They also go swimming in the ocean, where cold water makes their finger smaller and rings can slip right off their fingers with ease.

In particularly affluent areas there is potential to find extremely valuable jewelry. It is not unheard of for a metal detectorist to find rings or large pendants made from platinum or gold that appraise to be several thousand dollars. With enough patience, there is certainly money to be made from metal detecting at the beach.

3. Searching for Rare & Old Coins

Most people who hunt with a metal detector are interested in finding rare and old coins. This is the number one target for most detectorists.

To be successful at finding truly rare and old coins is to hunt in historic areas where they are more likely to occur. Anywhere that people habituated long ago is a potential location for a rare discovery.

Those who live in the western United States, don’t have much history compared to the rest of the world. The first people to bring coins here wasn’t really until the early 1800’s. Compared to places that have Roman coins or other rich history that dates back thousands of years it doesn’t really match up.

Still, regardless of where you live, there is always a possibility that you could find a rare and valuable coin. And not all rare coins are particularly rare.

Often their rarity has more to do with the mint marks than the coins themselves. Nonetheless, for the best success it is usually a good idea to research and hunt in areas that have the oldest history.

4. Cache Hunting – Making a Big Score

The potential of finding a rich cache is what got me interested in metal detecting so many years ago. Just like the story of the pirate’s buried treasure, the thought of hitting something big and unearthing thousands of dollars in hidden silver and gold is a dream I still have!

Of course caches aren’t common. You might never find one even if you focus on this particular type of treasure hunting.

People do find them though. And they are out there, even today. Finding an old cache requires a whole different level of research. Successful cache hunters spend countless hours researching potential historic tips that might lead them to a buried cache.

Caches can come in all sizes and forms. The most common ones we think of is probably the coffee can of gold coins, but they can contain anything of value.

And rest assured there are still some out there. Smart treasure hunters also don’t talk about it if they do find one, so you aren’t always going to hear about them in the news.

5. Hunting for Rare and Collectable Relics

Hunting for rare old relics is much like metal detecting for old coins. The most important part is researching and locating areas where people congregated hundreds or even thousands of years ago.

Of course old relics don’t always have much intrinsic value. An old rusty nail isn’t going to make you rich no matter how old it is, but there are valuable relics out there if you know where to look.

In the American Southeast, metal detecting for old civil war relics is very popular. Old bullets are commonly found, enough so that they aren’t particularly valuable.

However, a find like a bayonet or belt buckle is considerably rarer and will bring more money to a collector. In parts of Europe, valuable relics are found every day.

Regardless of where you live, there is probably some types of relics that you can hunt for that will be valuable to collectors.

6. Gold Nugget Detecting

Gold prospecting with a metal detector only works in areas that naturally produce gold that is large enough that the detector can actually hear it. A “nugget” of gold is what you are looking for when you go metal detecting; small dust and flakes will be completely undetectable my most detectors.

In the United States, the best states to metal detect for gold include Arizona, Nevada, California, Idaho, and Oregon, although nearly all of the western states have some detectable sized gold if you know where to look.

Some other states in the Southeast like Georgia and North Carolina have produced some nice gold nuggets too.

Finding gold nuggets with a metal detector is very challenging, much more challenging than coin hunting. This is due to a variety of different reasons. Read more of our articles about metal detecting for gold to learn more about nugget hunting.

The best thing about metal detecting for gold nuggets is that when you do find one you know it will be valuable because it is made from gold! Gold is universally valued and there is no trouble selling it.

Most gold nuggets are relatively small, but many people who have found multi-ounce gold nuggets that they sold for several thousand dollars CASH! So there is certainly some money to be made from gold hunting if you take the time to learn how to do it.

Where is the Best Place to Metal Detect for Coins?

The key is to choose the right hunting grounds, so when you get permission the chances of a big find are higher. To help you on your quest for hidden treasure, here are ten of the best places to hunt.

1. Your Yard

Your back yard might not be the most exciting place to search for treasure, but it’s a great place to test a new detector and drill that smooth, long sweep.

We often recommend new detectorists bury different items in their garden to learn how their detector reacts to various types of metal (this is known as a test garden).

There’s always the chance of finding an unexpected item too. You never know what coins, jewellery or other items you or previous owners could have dropped.

Your back yard is also one of the few places you don’t need to worry about getting permission!

2. Land Owned by Friends and Family

Once you’ve exhausted your back yard, the obvious next step is to ask friends and family if you can search their property. Yards are often small and unlikely to contain ancient relics, but there’s always a chance of an exciting find.

You can even take this a step further and ask people with large gardens in your neighbourhood. As long as you’re polite and open about your plans, many people will be intrigued by what’s hiding in their garden.

3. Sports Stadiums

Loads of coins and other valuable items are lost at sporting events. People are distracted, jumping around, and generally not concentrating on what could be falling out of their pockets.

The downside is that many detectorists know this. So, for best results, aim to get to a stadium or bleachers soon after a game ends.

Sports stadiums are private property, so make sure you get written permission.

4. Parks

The general rule of metal detecting sites is that more footfall leads to more lost items.

As this is the case, parks are one of the best places to search for coins or jewellery. Items are constantly replenished by people having picnics, playing games or just walking their dog. Searching after events or public gatherings can yield even better results.

You’ll usually need permission to dig plugs in public parks though. Be prepared for odd looks from other park users too.

5. Beaches

The combination of water, slippery sun lotion, and playing vigorous games makes it easy to lose items at the beach.

This means jewellery, coins and other valuables are replenished each day. Tidal forces also uncover older items, making beaches one of the best places to hunt.

Most public beaches allow metal detecting, although you may still need to apply for a permit. Private beaches are a different matter, as you’ll need written permission.

The only downside to beach metal detecting is that it can be a competitive spot. Try to go late on busy days or after storms for the best chance of finding a valuable item.

6. Prospect for Gold in Known Hunting Grounds

Relics, jewellery and coins can be found almost anywhere. But gold nuggets tend to be found in more specific locations.

For this reason, gold prospecting requires in-depth research and an understanding of where nuggets are most likely to be uncovered. As a beginner, stick to places where large gold nuggets have been found in the past, as this increases the chance of a similar find.

You’ll also need a different type of detector when searching for gold. High-frequency VLF or pulse induction detectors are best for cutting through mineralisation and detecting small nuggets

7. Churches

Buildings come and go, but churches have often occupied the same location for hundreds of years. This makes them prime spots for finding both modern jewellery and older artefacts.

Of course, you should always get permission and never search burial grounds. Doing so is disrespectful and is likely to get you quickly thrown out.

Instead, concentrate on where people might sit or walk. The ground around big trees and pathways are good places to start.

8. Battlefields

There are hundreds of civil war battlefields across the United States. And in Europe, there are battlefields from both ancient times and both world wars. If you’re interested in finding historical items, these sites are an excellent choice.

The downside is that major battle sites have been searched many times by other detectorists. That doesn’t mean you won’t get lucky though.

If you find a historical item, track the location and tell the local archaeology department. They’ll be grateful to hear about what you’ve found.

9. Woodland

Dog walkers, trail runners, mountain bikers and hikers regularly use woodland paths. This makes them a great place to find dropped items.

There’s also the chance of finding older relics in woodland. Trails and footpaths might change over the years, but you can bet people walked the same woodlands in the past – especially if it’s close to a town.

As with all locations, check whether you need permission. Just because woodland has a public path doesn’t mean you’re allowed to detect there.

10. Fields

It’s not a coincidence that many of the biggest metal detecting finds have been in fields. Farming land has often been used for centuries and may not have been searched before.

Ploughed fields can be particularly fertile hunting grounds. Older soil is recycled to the surface, bringing hidden objects with it.

While any field can yield buried treasure, spending time researching can pay off. Are there fields in your local area that hosted a historical event? Was there once an old farmhouse? Or did the town use a certain field for local meetings?

Your library is a good place to start researching, as you can find local plans, newspapers and other historical documentation. It can also be helpful to talk to people who’ve lived in the area for a long time.

Of course, you’ll need written permission to hunt in private fields. If you can get access, there might be some big hauls waiting though.

What is the Most Expensive Item ever Found with a Metal Detector?

Black Swan Project: $619.7m (£480m)

In 2007, Salvage firm Odyssey Marine Exploration used metal detectors to find a staggering stash of gold and silver coins, which went down with a Spanish frigate off the coast of Portugal in 1804.

Valued at $500 million at the time, which would be $619.7m (£480m) in today’s money, the treasure was eventually claimed by the Spanish government following a legal battle with Odyssey in the US courts.

Derrynaflan Hoard: $15 million (£11.6m)

One of Ireland’s most important archaeological finds, the Derrynaflan Hoard was discovered by Michael Webb and his son Michael Junior in February 1980 near Killenaule, County Tipperary.

The Webbs failed to get the correct permission to dig and, as a result, the treasure of five 9th-century liturgical vessels was confiscated by the authorities.

The pair ended up receiving just 50,000 Irish pounds for it, the equivalent of €124,000 ($136k/£105k) today, despite it having been valued at 5.5 million Irish pounds in 1986, the equivalent of €13.7 million ($15m/£11.6m) today.

Battle of Hastings coin hoard: $6.5 million (£5m)

You might think tax evasion is something new – but as a recent discovery in the Chew Valley, Derby, goes to show, it may have been around for centuries.

The hoard, discovered by couple Adam Staples and Lisa Grace in August 2019, consisted of 2,528 coins from the year 1066, some of which had been tampered with and showed different designs on either side.

The discovery was given an estimated value of £5 million ($6.5m) and is the largest Norman treasure find since 1833.

Staffordshire Hoard: $5.7 million (£4.4m)

This metal detecting discovery is the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver metalwork ever found. Terry Herbert stumbled upon the stash of 4,000 artifacts in a field in Staffordshire, England belonging to farmer Fred Johnson back in July 2009.

The pair shared a windfall of £3.28 million when the hoard was bought jointly by the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, that’s the equivalent of £4.4 million ($5.7m) today.  

Hoxne Hoard: $4.7 million (£3.6m)

The largest stash of late Roman gold and silver discovered in Britain, the Hoxne Hoard was found by metal detecting whiz Eric Lawes back in November 1992 buried in farmland near Hoxne, England.

Valued at £1.75 million in 1993, the find is worth £3.6 million ($4.7m) in today’s money. The money was shared between Lawes and the farmer Peter Whatling.

Best Metal Detector

You have plenty of options when buying a metal detector, from basic beginner models to high-end options for serious enthusiasts.

We’ve researched the latest in metal detectors to bring you up to speed on what to look for and have included our all-new top picks for 2020.

Garrett AT Pro

Like the more expensive CTX 3030, the Garrett AT Pro is fully submersible up to 10 feet. It’s an all-terrain detector that has 40 different discrimination settings to notch out various types of ferrous metals, including iron.

Customers say this is one of the most versatile metal detectors out there. In the past, separate headphones were recommended, but with the upgraded MS-2 headphones you have all you need to get out detecting!

The Pro audio mode setting allows users to “hear” the properties of the target they have detected. It will emit a different tone depending on how deep an object is buried.

A digital target ID on the screen also allows users to quickly identify what the machine is detecting. The most ferrous targets are labeled between 1 and 40, with the most conductive targets — like thick silver — registering closer to 99.

Sometimes, when detecting, a larger ferrous target can be interpreted as non-ferrous (and therefore valuable). The AT Pro contains a feature called Iron Audio which, with the press of a button, can correctly identify the target.

• Weight: 3.03 pounds
• Frequency: 15 kHz
• Waterproof: Up to 10 feet
• Warranty: 2-year limited

Garrett ACE 400

The Garrett ACE 400 differs from the AT Pro in that it can’t be used near any body of water because the machine is not waterproof. However, it’s a very easy to use machine and you can be detecting in mere minutes.

The digital target ID helps you correctly identify which targets are made of what metal. The numbers are labeled 0-99, and they correspond with a list provided by Garrett that can be easily referenced to determine the metallic content of the target. It’s very versatile and can be used in many different terrains.

Like the AT Pro, the Ace 400 also includes Iron Audio mode, to help correctly identify larger ferrous targets.

• Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Frequency: 10 kHz
• Waterproof: No
• Warranty: 2-year limited

XP DEUS Metal Detector

This is one for the serious metal detectorists out there, with a total of 35 frequencies and some excellent features that make it a top-notch model.

What Stores Sell Metal Detectors?

Many retailers sell metal detectors. The problem is that most only stock entry-level models or those from cheap brands. Many of these machines are really just toys in comparison to machines from top brands.

With that said, there are plenty of places to buy models from Garrett, XP and other famous detector manufacturers. In the US, these include:

• Amazon – As with most industries, Amazon stocks a wide range of metal detecting products. This includes detectors from almost all major brands, including XP, Fisher, Garrett, Minelab and Tesoro. Amazon also provides fast shipping and usually competitive pricing.
• Walmart – The online Walmart store stocks a surprising array of entry-level and mid-range metal detectors. These include the Garrett AT Pro, XP DEUS and many more. I recommend avoiding the cheap models found in their stores though, as they are often little more than toys.
• MetalDetector.com – One of the biggest specialist stores for metal detectors is MetalDetectors.com. The company has over 35-years’ experience selling detectors, and stocks a huge array of models. They also have a strong community and resources section.
• Sears – As you would expect, Sears stocks a range of metal detectors from major brands such a Garrett and Fisher.
• Bass Pro – While Bass Pro doesn’t have the same range of brands as other stores on this list, they stock high-end models from companies such as Minelab and Fisher.
• Kellyco – Another specialist metal detecting store is Kellyco. The company offers a wide range of detectors from most major brands, including White’s, Makro, Fisher and Garrett. They also offer regular deals and discounts.
• Treasure Mountain – Like MetalDetector.com and Kellyco, Treasure Mountain is a specialist store for people interested in treasure hunting. They stock a variety of brands, such as Teknetics, XP and Minelab.

The brands above are a good place to start, but don’t overlook local stores. By searching for “metal detectors near me” you’ll often uncover specialist detector stores, which can be great for getting advice about your purchase.

Many major stores, such as Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Target, also stock cheap metal detectors from brands such as Bounty Hunter and Barska.

As you can buy excellent entry-level models from companies such as Fisher for less than $250, we highly recommend avoiding machines you see in these stores unless they are from a recognized brand.

You may need to do some more research if you’re outside of the US. Some of these brands ship to the UK, Canada and other countries – but be prepared to pay a lot more for shipping.

How much does it Cost for a Metal Detector?

Low cost metal detectors

There is a range of metal detectors that have a fairly affordable price can range from 200 to 500 dollars. Depending on the function you have, the final price varies.

These detectors are inexpensive, but that does not imply that their functions are not optimal – on the contrary – they are excellent devices that can start you in the world of metal detection. They are aimed at beginners and those who do not do great explorations.

Among the most economical metal detectors are those of the Garrett line, then we show you three types of detectors that are quite interesting:

Garrett ACE 200

With a cost $199,95 is one of the great machines, ideal for hunting for relics or for those who want to find coin jewelry. It is a detector that is trained to be on beaches and freshwater.

 The Garrett ACE 200 detector is a faithful companion in every adventure. It is that, with only a kilo of weight, approximately, you can take it wherever you want and with magnificent functions such as the automatic adjustment of the mineralization of the soil or the currency depth indicator, it helps anyone to achieve a successful finding.

Garrett ACE 300

This metal detector has a price $254,96 is an excellent detector that includes 5 search modes that are ranging from coins to relics.

 This device is equipped with a 7×10” Proformance search coil which allows for excellent search quality as well as having a frequency of 8 kHz. In addition, it has four discrimination segments that allow you to find everything you want even has high conductivity to detect silver objects.

Garrett metal detectors are preferred for those who are starting, this detector is ideal for those who already have a minimum of experience or for those who want to take risks and go find a little more.

 Regular cost detectors

There are other metal detectors that cost approximately $ 400 to $ 600, have great conditions to do a search for various types of metals. Among those are the Garrett Ace 400 and the AT Pro.

Garrett ACE 400

With a cost $339,96 is a powerful metal detector that includes a lot of features that allow you to enter the adventure and find treasures that are at a great depth. It has a frequency of 10 kHz and includes a digital target ID that is capable of displaying at a scale of 0 to 99.

Among the outstanding functions of this detector is the discrimination control that is capable of modifying the search patterns, being able to discard what you do not want to find.

At the same time it includes an iron audio function that allows discarding false signals and this is only a fragment of the five modes of discrimination.

Garrett AT Pro Waterproof Metal detector

It costs is $552,46  and is an excellent machine that can be tested in any environment, since it resists almost any environment. And the housing resists up to 3 meters deep, allowing you to use it in wet terrain and even in swamps.

It has a frequency of 15 kHz, and one lcd screen among its most outstanding features is the versatility of all terrain and high-resolution iron discriminations with a professional type of audio, which will allow a search with higher chances of finding an excellent find.

High cost detectors

 There are also many metal detectors that are high-end and therefore high-cost, have characteristics that cover the military characteristics of metal and gold detection.

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Although its cost is usually a little higher, compared to the other costs, it is also easily acquired, especially with various payment plans. Among the high-end metal detectors that stand out, is the Garrett AT Max Waterproof Metal Detector.

 Garrett AT Max Deepseeker Metal Detector

 This metal detector has a cost of $ 722.45. It is considered the all-terrain monster that all Garrett users have always wanted to have.

Among its most outstanding features is the built-in Z-lynk transmission technology. It also highlights its automatic ground balance that includes 175 resolution points.

The Garrett Max metal detector contains endless features such as its maximum depth and the frequency at which it operates.

Conclusion

There are many people who have found ways to be successful with their detector and consistently make discoveries that they are able to sell.

A couple points to reemphasize:

First, you need to find the strategy that is right for you in your area. For example, hunting for gold nuggets in much of the world is completely pointless because most areas don’t have gold nuggets. And you also aren’t going to have much luck hunting for rare relics in places where people didn’t ever congregate in the past.

Secondly, research is absolutely critical. Regardless of the strategy or method of metal detecting that you do, you need to put in the time to find the areas that will have the highest yield for the items that you are searching for.

If you are looking for old civil war relics, then you are going to need to find old battle sites and other locations where the soldiers spent their days. If you are looking for gold nuggets, you need to identify areas that gold nuggets have been found in the past and you know they are likely to occur.

Yes you can make money with your metal detector, but it takes research and hard work to make it happen. Whether you are up to the task is entirely up to you.