Here are a list of the design features present on different detectors, to give you an idea of what’s available and which might best suit your child: Lightweight plastic models Suitable for children 5 + (under supervision), the detector’s height can be adjusted from 59.5 cm to 78.5 cm making it suitable for a mix of young ages. It’s also extremely lightweight, weighing 0.45 kg, and won’t wear children out if used for extended periods of time. This is good news because it’s the type of item that can be used wherever they go, in the garden, at the park, or when walking to the shops, and can help keep them entertained for hours.

Changing the ‘sensitivity’ can alter whether the metal detector finds smaller or larger pieces of metal. Higher sensitivity will mean the detector can detect smaller pieces of metal that are more abstractly shaped. Specifically designed for younger children, the AMYSPORTS Metal Detector is a lightweight tool that will give kids a reason to play outside and keep them entertained. Having target ID makes it easier to anticipate what the find may be. If the target ID is shown clearly on the screen, it is also easier for children to interpret rather than requiring them to understand the different beeps of the detector. PinpointersOne final half gripe – there’s no internal pinpointer so you may find you’re digging bigger holes than necessary. However, for the price, you can’t expect everything! There are many ways that it differs from a standard metal detector, and it has less functions overall. For example, there’s no way to eliminate certain metals from the search (therefore, it will likely detect a lot of non-valuable iron, bottlecaps etc.). Look out for information about whether the coil of the metal detector is waterproof. If it’s not, you might be better off looking for a different model. Are you tired of constantly finding iron, pull tabs, and drinking cans? What if I told you that with this metal detector, you can literally ignore these objects! The factory preset search modes are coins, all-metal, and jewellery – just select the mode you want and it’s time to head outside to detect with no manual required.

Operating at a frequency of 8.25 kHz, ideal for detecting small objects, this unit has been specifically designed for use in European conditions. Whereas some other metal detectors are designed with US terrain in mind, the EuroACE’s set up is better adapted to easy use in the UK. Coin tests like I had done previously were much more accurate than with the first detector, so I guess I definitely received a bad one the first time around. I decided to upgrade the review to three stars as I think it's a fair thing to do. I'm still frustrated by the hours of wasted time and my daughters disappointment the first time around. She had fallen in love with the TV show Expedition Unknown and the idea of finding buried treasure which is what led us to this metal detector. Now her excitement has returned.Obviously, your choice will depend on how seriously you are taking metal detecting and your available budget. The more expensive metal detectors have more features to enable you to find more things, but they may be too costly for someone who is not sure how much they will use the machine. It will be able to suggest whether the find contains traces of iron, silver or gold (bear in mind that not all metal detectors can identify gold as they need to operate at a very low frequency, which not all detectors can do). Like a lot of metal detectors, this model can discern between different types of metal. Whilst kids probably won’t mind if they’re simply uncovering bottle caps at the start of their metal-detecting journey, it leaves room for them to learn and grow. As you can see, models with these adjustable settings may be too complicated for younger children; however, as kids get older, they may wish to have more control over their finds – especially if they’re getting serious about the hobby. In these cases, a metal detector with adjustable settings will be more suitable. You may have to take some time to go over the instructions with your child. Target ID I must admit I was quite surprised at just how good this machine was. I did not expect much but it punches way above its weight.

The whole purpose of me starting this blog was to impart my knowledge and experience so I can hopefully empower anyone looking into the hobby of metal detecting to avoid the mistakes I made starting out! The thing is, at this price point most machines do not work well on the beach, or more precisely the wet sand on the beach. Single-frequency detectors can suffer a severe performance hit when confronted with the heavily mineralised ground of wet salt sand. Can the DR.ÖTEK MTXE succeed where others have failed? The Spec: Metal detecting can be a great hobby for the ‘technology-obsessed’ younger-generations to get involved with. It offers users the chance to explore and appreciate the great outdoors. Plus, it can create a reason to go on different outings with your children. You can enjoy metal detecting in the park near your home, or head to the beach or nearest river for a little hunt around. Metal detecting is also a great way for you and the kids to get to know the local area.

National Geographic Junior Metal Detector

The 21 cm coil can locate metals up to 18 cm below the ground, and has a pinpoint function to help identify exactly where they are. Finally, metal detecting is a great way to build a bond between parent and child. Spending time together is only going to be good for your relationship, and detecting with others can be great fun. You may even find other families with children who enjoy metal detecting – helping your child to make new friends and socialise! Things to Look Out For Powerful enough to detect gold, the AT Pro uses Digital Target ID, ranging from 0 to 99, to estimate how potentially worthwhile an object is to dig up. When you locate an object, a number will be displayed on the screen. The higher the number, the more likely it is that an object is worth excavating. All this before even taking out your trowel! It can be used on different terrain, and doesn’t require the ground to be totally dry – the 17 cm coil is waterproof and can be used in shallow water like rivers and the sea shore. The MT6-PRO has now been released to the market but we had the opportunity to test one over the past few months. The design is quite interesting. From a distance, it reminds me of the XP Mi6/Mi4. I am not sure if that was deliberate but suffice it to say it looks good.

x AA batteries are required, and they don’t come included. Although the batteries last a while with occasional use, it still needs more batteries than the majority of metal-detectors featured on this list. There’s also no battery life indicator so you’ll need to take a spare set, and the control box is not waterproof – however the search coil is. It’s fine to use in shallow freshwater but care is needed to keep the control box safe. But what if you could get a top-quality pinpointer, with great features for a very reasonable price? The DR.ÖTEK MT6-PRO wants to be that pinpointer. The inclusion of these accessories makes it a good all-inclusive buy, with the compass and excavation tools providing a good sense of adventure. Although it’s not the most powerful or effective metal detector featured here, it works well enough to get children interested. Metals can be sensed up to a depth of 10 – 15 cm.

Best metal detector bags & kit packs

Now anyone who knows Brighton Beach will confirm that it is full of trash and not the most pleasant of beaches to search on. Many cheap detectors will not perform well here. Especially as you get close to the pier and start hitting all those bits of iron, rusty nails and melted aluminium cans from countless barbecues and bonfires. Not to mention the monumental amount of bottle caps strewn all over the beach every night by the many students and clubbers in the town.