As I trudged through the dew-soaked grass of an early morning start, the weight of three metal detectors on my shoulders, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation. The Garrett AT Pro International, the Nokta Legend, and the Quest V60 – three formidable machines, each promising to unveil the secrets hidden beneath the soil of this ancient field.
I’d spent the better part of the last month putting these detectors through their paces, from open pastures to dense woodlands, and even the challenging terrain of old settlement sites. It was time to sift through my experiences and share them with my fellow detectorists.
Let’s start with the Garrett AT Pro International, priced at a chunky £620. This detector has been a stalwart in the community for years, and it’s easy to see why. Its 15 kHz frequency offers a sweet spot for a wide range of targets, from coins to jewellery, and even the occasional small relic but seems a little simplistic compared to the other two. What really sets the AT Pro apart, though, is its true all-metal mode. The Pro Mode Audio, with its Proportional Audio and Tone Roll Audio features, gives you a level of target information that’s almost tactile. It’s like you can feel the shape and size of the object before you even start digging.
The AT Pro’s ground balance capabilities are nothing to scoff at either. Whether you prefer to let the machine do the work with its automatic setting or fine-tune it manually, it handles mineralization like a champ. I found this particularly useful when I was detecting in an area with heavy clay soil – the kind that usually has less experienced detectorists tearing their hair out.
One feature that really stood out to me was the Iron Audio. Being able to hear the discriminated iron targets gave me a whole new level of confidence in my decision to dig or not to dig. It’s saved me from passing over some fantastic finds that were masquerading as iron junk. This was particularly useful in an old farm field where centuries of agricultural activity had left a veritable carpet of iron signals.
However, it’s not all sunshine and buried treasure. While the 8.5 x 11 PROformance DD search coil is a solid all-rounder, I found myself wishing for a larger coil option when covering vast open fields. And in heavily wooded areas, a smaller coil would have been beneficial for navigating between tree roots and rocks.
Moving on to the Nokta Legend, coming in higher at £670. This detector is like the Swiss Army knife of the detecting world – it seems to have a tool for every situation. The multi-frequency capability, with options ranging from 4kHz to 40kHz, is a game-changer. I found the 4kHz setting perfect for hunting deep large targets in fields, while the 40kHz was incredibly sensitive to tiny artefacts and fine jewellery.
The Legend’s four pre-set modes – Park, Field, Beach, and Gold Field – take a lot of the guesswork out of setting up for different environments. But don’t think that means it’s just for beginners. The ability to save four custom user profiles meant I could fine-tune settings for my favourite hunting grounds and recall them instantly on return visits. This was particularly useful when switching between a trashy Victorian-era site and a much older, but cleaner, Roman settlement area.
One feature that really impressed me was the adjustable threshold. Being able to set both the level and frequency in any mode allowed me to push the detector to its limits, picking up the faintest of signals that might otherwise have been missed. This came in handy when I was searching a particularly deep site, allowing me to hear those whispers from the past that other detectors might have missed.
The vibration alert is a neat addition, especially useful when detecting in noisy environments or for those with hearing impairments. I found this particularly useful when detecting near a busy road, where traffic noise might otherwise have drowned out faint signals.
However, the Legend isn’t without its quirks. The learning curve is a bit steeper than the AT Pro, and it took me a few outings to really feel like I was making the most of all its features.
Last but certainly not least, we have the Quest V60, priced at £680. This detector feels like it’s been beamed in from the future. The HyperQ technology, allowing simultaneous use of multiple frequencies from 5 to 60 kHz, is nothing short of revolutionary. It cut through challenging ground conditions like a hot knife through butter, picking up targets that I’m convinced would have been missed by less sophisticated machines. This was particularly evident in a heavily mineralized area where other detectors struggled to separate good targets from ground noise.
The V60’s ground balancing is a joy to use. The built-in gyro sensor means you can initiate automatic ground balancing simply by moving the coil up and down – no button pressing required. It’s these little quality-of-life improvements that really add up over a long day of detecting, especially when you’re constantly moving between areas with different soil compositions.
The wireless audio is another standout feature. The included Quest Wirefree Vibe headphones are comfortable for long sessions and eliminate the annoyance of tangled wires. The haptic feedback is a nice touch too, quite literally. When pushing through dense underbrush, it was nice to be able to rely on vibrations rather than having to constantly watch the display.
However, the V60 isn’t perfect. The interface, while functional, isn’t as intuitive as some of its competitors. It took me a while to get comfortable with all the settings and options available. And while the 28cm x 26cm Blizzard search coil is excellent, I found myself wishing for more coil options to really tailor the detector to different environments. A smaller coil would have been beneficial in tight, wooded areas.
So, after weeks of testing in fields, forests, and everything in between, which detector comes out on top? Well, that’s not an easy question to answer. Each of these machines has its strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice will depend on your specific needs and detecting style.
The Garrett AT Pro International, with its tried-and-true performance and user-friendly interface, is an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced detectorists who value simplicity and reliability. It’s particularly well-suited to those who do a lot of detecting in areas with moderate mineralization and mixed target types but its single frequency is going to put many off.
The Nokta Legend shines in its versatility. If you’re the type of detectorist who finds yourself in a wide variety of hunting grounds – from trashy urban parks to pristine fields – the Legend’s multi-frequency capability and customizable user profiles make it an attractive option.
The Quest V60, with its cutting-edge HyperQ technology, is the go-to choice for those pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in metal detecting. It’s ideal for detectorists who frequently find themselves in challenging ground conditions or who are after the absolute cutting edge in detection technology.
In the end, the best metal detector is the one that gets you out in the field, unearthing history and making memories. Whether you choose the reliable Garrett AT Pro International, the versatile Nokta Legend, or the high-tech Quest V60, you’re equipping yourself with a powerful tool to unlock the secrets buried beneath our feet. For me I am torn between the established Legend and the newish upstart V60!
As I packed up my gear and headed home, bits of grass and leaves still clinging to my boots, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement. Each of these detectors had opened my eyes to new possibilities, new ways of interpreting the signals from the earth. And isn’t that what this hobby is all about? The thrill of discovery, the connection to history, and the never-ending quest to uncover just one more target. Happy hunting, fellow detectorists!
