Which detector is the best???

Which detector is the best???

Is there really a right answer to this question???

I have been perusing this forum as well as others.

The human being--- being a detectorist and even those contemplating becoming a detectorist,,, many times this query of thought enters their mind

So what is the answer???

A very hard question indeed.

It is safe to say based solely on my experience--- not all detectors are created equal.

What does this really mean???

To begin with.

The soil,,the mineral levels in soil vary-- with lower and higher levels depending on the varying locations around the world.

We all see the videos posted on the web showing airtest of different items, including coins.

These test don't paint the true picture-- because soil minerals are discounted.

The arrangement of nonferrous items in the ground as they relate to other nonferrous items as well as ferrous items is wide range in nature.

So a detector must be able to cope with such arrangements to be productive.

Next comes depth of targets, as this too plays a part, not to mention the various nonferrous and ferrous that exist above and below a desirable target-- this 3D scenario a detector must cope with.

Detector options when it comes to tones, tone breaks, discrimination, depth meters, All metal function--- all these and how these infact can alert a detectorist to a desirable target.

So what does all this--- these options and target variables in the ground mean??

I think it is safe to say we as humans use our eyes, ears, and now with some detectors for the hearing impaired even feel to locate our targets.

So I think it is also safe to say these senses mentioned above also are variable between folks.

Next we should discuss cost.

A person shouldn't expect the cheapest detectors to perform like the most expensive--- much like comparing autos, computers, firearms, jet airplanes, stereos, etc

Now it should be pointed out some of the cheaper- not flagship-- can have/ do have a good niche about them.

It is very possible for example for a detector to be an above average separator in iron, yet not be near flagship deep.

And vice versa.

Target type interest should be a heavy consideration when choosing a detector
As detectors usually have their fancy for either low, mid range, or high conductors

Emi handing/ stability-- this characteristic deals with an invisible force we as detectorist can usually only measure by one of two ways-- primarily by how much noise on interference we hear based on our detector settings and maybe how deep of a target we are able to alert on--- but even these many times are not a great measure of just how much emi is in an area

As far as trying to gauge a detector when out in the field on just how good it is,,,
The expression we don't know what we don't know applies.

Sure we have all probably went out and made some finds-- and we feel good about this

But what did we sweep our coil over--- and were never alerted??

We will never truly know the answer to the question above.

Granted we may get clues to the answer--- as detector technology advancements are made-- but never a definite answer

Metal detecting can be very fun, challenging, and boring.

It is what one makes it.

There are detectors currently available that will indeed up your odds depending on your detecting scenario.

There are detectors available that will decrease a users need to be a digging more on a whim when after desirable targets

There are targets in the ground-- nonferrous targets infact that are indeed detectable as nonferrous targets by some detectors-- not all
But these nonferrous targets can't be recognized ideally--- they could be anything i. e. A gold coin, pull tab, coin, etc.

So you see, by reading all this, it is difficult to say which one is best overall.

I will say the folks here on this forum do provide some good info on various models of detectors.

I do think anyone wanting good information-- don't base your learning on just one post, one person's opinion, on one thread,,.. But base your learning on a compilation of information.

The metal detector market has expanded here in the USA as of late.

There are many nice detectors out there.

The only thing I can say about all of them--they will all find metal

So the real question a person needs to find the answer to is to find the detector that will find/ do better at finding the type of metal they are interested in-- considering their detecting environment(s) based on their respective budget(s).