Your level of interest. There are many great, all-purpose finders good for most explorers. There are also deep-seeking detectors that allow the intrepid explorer to dig for serious treasures. All-purpose: Bounty Hunter Pioneer 505, Garrett Ace 250, White’s Coinmasters, Minelab’s X-Terra Series Deep-seeking: Nokta FORS CoRe Pro, Minelab’s GPX 5000, OKM Black Hawk, Nokta Golden King Do you plan on beach-combing? Make sure that your metal detector is waterproof. Do you plan on looking up gold flakes and bits? You’ll need a high-frequency, extra-sensitive detector like the Nokta FORS GOLD, Garrett’s AT Gold or Fisher’s Gold,Bugs. [1] X Research source
Headphones: A big set of over-ear headphones are best, but anything will do. The metal-detector will beep when it comes across metal, sending sound through the headphones. Gloves: You’ll be digging into the ground, sorting through dirt and metal, and be down on the ground a lot. Gloves will keep your hands safe and comfortable. Trowel: You’ll need something to dig with, so get a nice trowel, at least 8-10" or longer. Pinpointer (Optional): This is a small, more precise metal detector, usually sold for $20-30. It can help find the object after the metal detector has found a patch of dirt with something in it. [2] X Research source
Under ski lifts Churchyards Sand, dirt or grassy parking areas Recreational vehicle parks and campsites. Around resort areas. [3] X Research source
Discrimination: Allows you to choose what kind of targets you want. For example, if you only want coins, you can set it to ignore iron objects. Useful in heavy trash areas or if you’re searching for specific things. Sensitivity: Allows you to choose how precise the detector will be. This, again, helps you hone in: if there are pipes nearby and the detector won’t stop beeping, lowering the sensitivity will help you find the good stuff. Detection Mode: This allows you to filter out certain objects, like coins, to make detection more precise. Ground Balance: Allows you to account for common minerals. If, for example, you keep getting pings on “iron” but find nothing, you can “balance out” the iron in the ground so that the machine doesn’t beep for low levels of iron. [4] X Research source
You want to go “low and slow,” and never touch the ground. Walk about half the speed as usual. The detector should be roughly 6" or less above the ground.
Many metal detectors even have breakdowns of metal type or potentially coin worth. Work slowly, reading the face of the metal detector as you learn how to use it.
If you’re feeling casual, just walking with the detector will work fine. But for a thorough, systematic search you’ll need to stick to straight lines.
The edges of pathways and trails Under bleachers or hedges Areas in front of food stands, vending machines, etc. The perimeter of bandstands and gazebos. [5] X Research source
