Swing smarter, dig legally.
Metal detectors, pinpointers and digging tools compared by what the makers state, plus the federal rules on where you can detect and the technique the manufacturers teach.
Gear guides
Compared by official specs and listings. No made-up test scores.
Garrett, Minelab, Nokta and Fisher starter detectors compared by frequency, waterproofing, Target ID and weight.
Frequency, coil, Iron Audio and weight from Garrett's specs, plus the ACE 200 and ACE Apex.
Vanquish, X-Terra, Equinox 900 and Manticore compared by frequency tech, waterproofing, coil and weight.
Official waterproof depth ratings compared, plus Garrett's beach tips and why saltwater is hard.
Why frequency matters for small gold, plus the Gold Monster 1000, AT Gold and Manticore compared.
Simplex Ultra vs Lite by coil, Bluetooth and features, from Nokta's specs.
Garrett's waterproof AT series compared: AT Pro, AT Max and AT Gold.
Kids' detectors compared by listed age, weight, coil and features.
A single-frequency classic against a multi-frequency rival, compared from official specs.
The two current Equinox models compared by frequencies, modes, coils and waterproofing.
Garrett's three Vortex models compared by frequencies, modes, waterproofing and upgrades.
Two waterproof Nokta detectors compared by frequency, battery, weight and what's included.
Pro-Pointer AT, Pro-Find 35/40 and AccuPOINT compared by waterproofing, sensitivity and features.
Hand diggers and long shovels compared by listing, plus the refill-your-hole rules.
Stainless sand scoops compared by size, holes, handles and weight, plus Garrett's beach tips.
Headphones, pouches, coil covers, bags and coin flips compared by listing.
Garrett and Minelab mid-range pinpointers, side by side from official specs.
Wired and wireless detector headphones, and which ones fit which detectors.
Why panning works (USGS), kits and sluices compared by listing, and where you can pan.
How riffles trap gold, how to set the angle, six sluices compared, and when you need a permit.
Classifiers, magnets, crevice tools, snipers, vials, loupes and books, compared by listing.
How a pan and a sluice compare on speed, cost, portability and rules.
Two pulse induction gold detectors compared by coils, weight, battery and ground balance.
Three high-frequency VLF gold detectors compared by frequency, waterproofing and features.
Head-to-head comparisons
This vs that, side by side from official specs.
Find your way around
Metal Detectors
Garrett, Minelab, Nokta, Fisher and Bounty Hunter detectors compared by frequency, waterproofing, coil and features, from official specs.
Detecting Gear
Pinpointers, digging tools, sand scoops, headphones, pouches and coil covers, compared by what the makers list.
Gold Prospecting
Gold pans, classifiers and sluice boxes, with the USGS explanation of why panning works and where recreational panning is allowed.
Learn Metal Detecting
Technique, the laws on where you can detect, how detectors work, and caring for your finds, cited to the source.
Learn the hobby
Cited to the manufacturer, federal agency or numismatic authority.
Why PCGS, NGC and the ANA warn against cleaning, gentle care for low-value finds, and storage.
The panning motion step by step, from state geological surveys and the Forest Service.
Swinging, settings, pinpointing and digging etiquette, from Garrett and Minelab.
National parks, BLM, Forest Service, state parks and private land, plus ARPA's 100-year rule.
VLF, pulse induction and multi-frequency explained, plus frequency, Target ID and depth.
Where gold settles in a stream, how to check for mining claims, and recreational panning areas.