Metal detector buying guide for beginners
E10Shop editorial research · updated 29 October 2026 · no hands-on test
Before choosing your first detector
Write down what you want to find and where you will search. Coins and lost jewellery, natural gold and gold washing need different equipment. An advertised depth is not a useful comparison unless the target size, ground and test conditions are stated.
A practical shortlist for a beginner
For a first hobby detector, compare controls you can understand, carried weight, the supplied coil and the actual battery and charger. A long feature list does not establish better target identification. Start with a manageable setup and leave room for the accessories you actually need.
Check these points before buying
- Search location: inland ground, wet salt sand and water are different conditions; check what the exact model manual allows.
- Water protection: check the control box, coil and connector separately. Do not infer full submersion from a waterproof-coil claim.
- Package: record the exact model, coil size, battery, charger and headphones. Similar titles can refer to different bundles.
- Support: verify delivery country, returns, warranty provider and availability of replacement parts with the seller.
Where to compare equipment
- Selected hobby detectors
- Selected Banggood equipment
- Specialist natural-gold detector guides
- Gold panning and sluice equipment
Hobby detectors are not presented as independently tested specialist gold detectors. These routes lead to existing catalogs; purchase buttons appear only for currently approved seller links.
VANQUISH 340 and ACE 200i: concrete beginner differences
These examples help you read specifications; they are not a ranking or an offer from an approved seller.
| Manufacturer-stated feature | Minelab VANQUISH 340 | Garrett ACE 200i |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency | Multi-IQ | 6.5 kHz, fixed |
| Standard coil | V10 10 × 7 inch DD | 6.5 × 9 inch concentric |
| Headphones included | No | No |
Our interpretation: do not treat these packages as interchangeable. Check the coil design and whether your preferred headphones and connector are supported. Frequency alone does not establish a depth advantage. A seller bundle may add accessories that are absent from the standard manufacturer package.
Can you put the whole detector underwater?
The VANQUISH 340 specification lists its coil as waterproof to 1 metre. That is not a full-detector submersion rating. If you expect the control unit to enter water, reject a coil-only rating and look for an explicit whole-unit limit in the exact model manual. Do not confuse the 340 with newer VANQUISH models.
No verified purchase option for these two examples is offered here. The existing catalogs below show the equipment for which seller links are available.
Minelab VANQUISH 340 — specifications · Garrett ACE 200i — specifications
Reference links provide information. Confirm price, stock and terms with the seller.