A Journey to Purchase a Metal Detector
By Bailey Purcell,
purcelb79@gmail.com
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When choosing a metal detector, you should give special
consideration to its operation frequency, since this is
exactly the parameter that influences what you find and how
deep. Modern metal detectors can work using either one
frequency with an option to shift it or several operation
frequencies, or it can be a multi-frequency metal detector.
So, the question is which frequency to choose?
Metal detectors operation is based upon the science of
electromagnetism – the device “captures” metal objects
by means of electromagnetic waves produced by the MD itself
and informs its user about the target found.
At that the distance to the target varies greatly depending
on the medium where the latter is. For example, while
testing the MD it detects a coin at 12 inches distance if it
is outside, but in the ground the detection depth can be
significantly smaller. Keep in mind that other conditions
can influence this parameter as well. The level of ground
mineralization, target location, presence of corrosion and
other factors effect MD detection depth drastically.
MD frequencies are divided as follows:
• 2-2,5 kHz — low frequency
• 6-12 kHz — medium frequency
• 15-22 kHz — high frequency
• from 30 kHz and higher — super high frequency
Things are quite simple as for what exactly the MD frequency
value means – a low frequency
metal detector “sees” deeper, but it’s not good at
identifying small targets. As for high frequencies – they
are perfect for spotting small things – coins, jewelry etc.
However, it is true only if they aren’t located too deep.
So, how to make a metal detector a multi-purpose and a
single frequency one? The manufacturers produce different
variations of metal detectors. Multi-purpose detectors with
7-8 kHz operation frequency are rather moderately priced
(however of decent quality). This is the frequency that most
of MD for beginners are using. They do quite well with
searching both small stuff like coins and larger objects.
Thus, Garrett Ace 250 metal detector can find coins 7-10
inches deep at 8.25 kHz operation frequency and a helmet 30
inches deep, as for large metal objects (a tank or a car) –
these can be detected at about 1.5 meters under ground.
That’s why this device is considered a multi-purpose one.
High frequency metal detectors are widely used for gold
prospecting. Nuggets and grains of gold are small sized, in
most cases they are almost sand like. The higher the
frequency is, the higher is the device sensitivity to the
tiniest objects. You can also use a multi-purpose metal
detector if your aim is to find gold. Therefore, you should
choose a high frequency or a multi-frequency MD in this
case.
Having several operation frequencies allows using all the
device abilities. These are deep search metal detecting and
precise finding of small objects – you shouldn’t even bother
about missing some valuable targets when using such an MD.
However, occasionally these metal detectors are rather high
priced and used for professional treasure hunting.
Multi-frequency metal detectors can function in a range from
the lowest frequency 1,5 kHz to the highest one 100 kHz and
the number of frequencies equals 28!
As for the multi-frequency MD model drawbacks, I can name
just slow processing speed of incoming information. That’s
why the results may be rather poor when you go metal
detecting on littered with old iron sites. There are also
MDs with an option of operation frequency shifting as well
as the devices in which you can change the frequency by
changing their coil.
When selecting a metal detector evaluate your capabilities
and intentions properly – if you are a beginner in treasure
hunting it’s better to buy an MD with a multi-purpose
frequency. Such a device will allow treasure hunting around
post-war sites, searching for coins and jewelry. You have a
serious aim to find some nuggets? So, you should definitely
buy a high-frequency detector.
If you are an experienced treasure hunter and you know all
about metal detecting basics you can surely get a
multi-frequency MD. Everything depends on search conditions
and aims as well as on the amount of money you are ready to
spend on such a pricey device.
