It was a crisp autumn morning when I sat down to pen this guide, the smell of damp earth and the excitement of uncovering history still fresh in my mind. As an experienced metal detectorist, I’m often asked, “What’s the best metal detector for beginners?” or “Can you recommend a good starter metal detector?”
These questions aren’t as simple to answer as you might think. Let’s dig into the factors that influence the choice of the best metal detector for newcomers to this exciting hobby.
Budgeting for Your First Metal Detector
Before we unearth the best options, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: price. Determining how much you can afford isn’t just about the detector itself. It’s like when I’m out in the field, and I need to consider the whole picture, not just the initial signal. You will need a range of accessories to go with your shiny new metal detector.
Essential Gear for Novice Metal Detectorists
You will need a spade, maybe you have one already for gardening that might do to start with? You will need a hand digging tool, again maybe you have a garden trowel that will do for now? You will need some boots (no steel toe caps please!), the wellington boots you wear for gardening will probably do. You need some decent outdoor clothing, if you are already into outdoor hobbies like fishing then you probably also already have these
However there are then the more specialised metal detecting accessories that you will need. A pinpointer is one of them. This is a hand held probe like device that you use to precisely locate the find once you have taken the first spade full out. Locating your find precisely, not only saves time, but also minimises the chance of you damaging the item, and there is no worse feeling than extracting an item that has been buried for hundreds of years to find that a careless stab with your trowel has put a horrible scrape across it. Some people do without a pinpointer, they lie their detector down and take handfuls of soil and wave it across the detector to eventually find the handful that contains the object, but for me that is a fairly tedious long winded way to do it.:
All this additional gear could set you back hundreds of pounds, so you do need the think about clothing and accessories and not just the metal detector itself.
Understanding Metal Detector Technology
Before we dive into specific models, it’s crucial to understand the basic technology behind metal detectors. This knowledge will help you make an informed decision and get the most out of your chosen detector.
Multi-Frequency Technology: The Game Changer
Multi-frequency detectors are the Swiss Army knives of the detecting world. They can operate at several frequencies simultaneously, allowing them to detect a wider range of targets at various depths. While traditionally more expensive, some entry-level multi-frequency detectors have recently hit the market, offering beginners access to this advanced technology.
Discrimination: Separating Treasure from Trash
One of the most important features of a metal detector is its ability to discriminate between different types of metals. It’s like having a built-in expert telling you whether that signal is likely to be a valuable coin or just another rusty nail.
Most detectors allow you to set the level of discrimination, choosing which types of metals to ignore. However, be cautious about setting discrimination too high, especially as a beginner. I remember a time when I had my discrimination set too high and walked right over a small gold ring. It was a lesson learned the hard way.
Ground Balance: Adapting to Your Environment
Ground balance is your detector’s ability to ignore mineralization in the soil, which can often be mistaken for metal targets. Some detectors have automatic ground balance, while others require manual adjustment.
When I first started, I didn’t understand the importance of ground balance. I spent a frustrating day digging up false signals in a highly mineralized field before a fellow detectorist showed me how to properly ground balance my machine. The difference was night and day.
Quality Considerations When Choosing a Beginner Metal Detector
Just as not all buried objects are treasures, not all metal detectors are created equal. A quick Amazon search will reveal hundreds of options, but beware of the cheapest ones. They’re often little more than children’s toys.
Avoid random brand names like Yitahome, Bestyks, SenDeluz, and Voilamart. These won’t provide a good detecting experience and might lead you to give up this amazing hobby prematurely.
If you must buy from Amazon, stick to well-known brands that specialist suppliers stock. Dr Otek and Sunpow do offer basic entry-level inoffensive machines, but you’ll outgrow them quickly. It’s like finding your first coin – exciting at first, but soon you’ll be hunting for even better treasures.
Features and Weight: Balancing Act for Beginner Metal Detectors
When choosing the best metal detector for beginners, consider features and weight. A lightweight, feature-rich detector that finds amazing coins and relics will cost more than a basic, hefty machine. It’s like comparing a precision pinpointer to a garden trowel – both can find objects, but one does it with much more finesse.
The Importance of Weight
You might not think much about the weight of a detector when you first pick it up in a shop. But after several hours of swinging it back and forth, every ounce counts. A lighter detector will allow you to hunt for longer periods without fatigue.
Key Features for Beginners
While you don’t need all the bells and whistles as a beginner, certain features can greatly enhance your detecting experience:
- Adjustable Sensitivity: This allows you to adapt to different ground conditions and search deeper on less mineralised ground.
- Multiple Search Modes: At minimum, look for All-Metal and Discrimination modes.
- Depth Indicator: This gives you an idea of how deep a target is buried.
- Waterproof Search Coil: Even if you don’t plan on detecting in water, this protects your coil from dew and rain.
- Adjustable Length: Ensures comfort for detectorists of different heights.
- Clear Display: Look for a screen that’s easy to read in bright sunlight.
- Good Battery Life: You don’t want your detector dying on you mid-hunt.
Top Brands for Beginner Metal Detectors
Let’s explore the main brands, much like we’d survey a promising field:
Garrett – A long established brand with a huge following, but they have been mostly left behind by their competitors. Their budget entry level machines just don’t have the features and benefits that the others have, so sadly, I have to say that for now, there are better machines out there.
XP – This French company have a massive following, and rightly so. XP is my personal brand of choice, but they are not the cheapest. They are however the lightest. The XP ORX is an amazing metal detector that is completely wireless and weighs in at just 870g. The incredible XP Deus II is amazing but at well over £1000 isn’t exactly a metal detector for beginners.
Minelab – This Australian company is one of the big hitters in the world of metal detecting their Vanquish range is incredibly popular and very cheap considering that they are simultaneous multi frequency detectors, but they are starting to look their age now. The X Terra Pro is like the little brother to the amazing Equinox series (commonly referred to in metal detecting circles just as the nox) which in turn leads to the Manticore and CTX3030 models right at the top of the range but nudging £2000 makes them far from being a starter metal detector.
Quest – A relatively new brand from China, but they have made their mark with some great technology and features. This is one to watch and their X10 Pro model at £219 is a good machine at that price point, but they haven’t quite got any machines that are worrying the established brands but that could change very soon.
Nokta – This Turkish company is relatively new to the world of metal detecting but over the last 3 or 4 years have released some amazing machines. The Nokta Simplex+ gained a huge following as a great starter machine, then they released the Nokta Legend which gives the Minelab Equinox series a bloody nose. Now they have their starter Score range out. The entry level Nokta Score is my recommendation for the current best metal detector for beginners.
The Best Metal Detector for Beginners: Nokta Score
After careful consideration, much like examining a find in the field, I believe the current best metal detector for beginners is the Nokta Score. Here’s why:
- Affordable at £279 new
- Robust and easy to use
- Fully waterproof
- Simultaneous multi-frequency technology
- Large 12″ x 9″ coil for efficient ground coverage
This combination of features currently outshines anything else in the entry-level metal detecting world.
Real-World Performance of the Nokta Score
I’ve had the opportunity to test the Nokta Score in various conditions, and it consistently impresses me. In a recent outing to a Roman site, the Score’s multi-frequency technology helped me locate several small bronze coins that might have been missed by a single-frequency machine.
The depth performance is also noteworthy for a detector in this price range. I’ve managed to locate targets at depths of up to 10 inches in good soil conditions. The large coil covers ground quickly, which is a boon when searching large fields.
Considering Second-Hand Options for Beginner Metal Detectors
So there you have it, for me the current best metal detector for beginners is the Nokta Score. Of course, we now just need to refer back to my earlier thoughts on buying second hand, is there something better than the new Nokta Score at a similar price or less, on the secondhand market? Well doing a quick search on eBay, you could buy a used Nokta Simplex+ for between £200 and £280, but this is an older used single frequency machine, for a similar price or not that much cheaper price.
The Minelab Vanquish series, in particular the top of the range Vanquish 540 might be worth consideration if you can find a good one for a similar price. The 540 is very similar to the Equinox 600 in features but in the casing of the Vanquish, which is the only bit that lets it down as it’s not waterproof and looks a bit toy like, but actually is a great piece of kit.
At this price point there is nothing comparable from XP, Quest or Garrett on the used metal detect front.
Just for balance I have searched Amazon again for metal detectors at this price point and there are some absolute horrors for sale. Please don’t buy from Amazon, unless it is a Nokta Score
So for your first starter Metal detector there are only two choices, buy a new Nokta Score or find a good used Minelab Vanquish 540 for a similar price.
