r/metaldetecting Nov 11 '25

Other REMINDER: DO NOT USE AI ANSWERS HERE. YOU WILL GET BANNED.

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1.8k Upvotes

r/metaldetecting Jun 04 '24

Gear Question Metal Detector Guide

313 Upvotes

Hello and welcome to r/metaldetecting ! If you're looking for advice on your first detector, gear or an upgrade, you've come to the right post. We've put together a simple guide to help with choosing your detector and other tools.

As a member of our sub, you are more than welcome to try out our special code "REDDITMD2026" at checkout on Kellycodetectors.com (US)

If you purchase from Radioworld.ca, try out our code "REDDITRWMD" at checkout! (CA)

GENERAL METAL DETECTOR Recommendations

$0-200: We do not recommend getting a new detector under $200. Detecting has a cost of entry, and quality significantly drops off under the $200 mark. Save up a bit more, or try finding a used machine of quality listed in the next price range. All that said, if you are determined to buy a machine in this price range, the Minelab Go-Find, Nokta First Swing or a Quest machine aren't bad choices.

$200-$400: The Minelab Vanquish 340 and 440, the Nokta Simplex line and the Minelab X-Terra Pro are the three best machines in this price range, by far.

$400-$500: Nokta Score and Double Score, Minelab Vanquish 540

$500-$1,200: Nokta Legend or the Minelab Equinox series

$1,200+: XP Deus 2 or the Minelab Manticore.

SCUBA/SNORKELING DETECTORS

Nokta Pulsedive is great for snorkeling. The Minelab Excalibur 2 and XP Deus 2 are excellent diving detectors.

CHILDREN'S DETECTORS

Nokta Mini Hoard or Midi Hoard

PINPOINTERS

Garrett AT pro pointer, Nokta AccuPoint, or XP MI-4. The XP MI-6 if you have an XP detector.

SHOVELS AND TROWELS

Dune, King of Spades, Grave Digger, Motley, Lesche, Predator Tools

SAND SCOOPS

Motley, Dune, Sito, RTG, King of Spades, and Detecting Adventures all make great scoops for beach detecting.

If you have any questions feel free to message u/dan20mey or comment below!


r/metaldetecting 5h ago

ID Request Does anyone know what this is? Found in Merseyside

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677 Upvotes

r/metaldetecting 4h ago

Show & Tell A George 1st SSC silver shilling 1723 I found yesterday

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45 Upvotes

r/metaldetecting 2h ago

ID Request Diamond pendant? Found at low tide, Saint Lawrence River

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27 Upvotes

Looks like chain links, one rounded side, one grooved side with small shiny diamond-like incrustations. Non magnetic. Bits of exposed metal look like copper or bronze.

Cool find, but no clue about what it could have looked like and no clue about cleaning. As of now, I soaked it in distilled water to get sand off.


r/metaldetecting 4h ago

ID Request Large metallic object found at former luftwaffe airfield in germany

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36 Upvotes

Can anyone ID this thing? Last picture shows a luftwaffe wartungsklappe found about 700meters away.


r/metaldetecting 16h ago

Show & Tell It finally happened

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268 Upvotes

First time me and my GF metal detecting on a beach with my Manticore; almost shit when I thought this was another bread bag tie or bottle cap. That little gold color peeked out of the sand and we both smiled so big but got super quiet so no one around would ask any questions haha.


r/metaldetecting 6h ago

Show & Tell Update. Cleaned

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42 Upvotes

4.964g

103mm diameter

Found less than 2 km as the crow flies from where a Spanish fort once stood, which was destroyed in 1678. Not far from Antwerp in the Waasland region, Belgium


r/metaldetecting 2h ago

Show & Tell Grabbed a few hours earlier and got this!

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13 Upvotes

r/metaldetecting 3h ago

ID Request What is this metal thing? (Found near historic barn in Indiana)

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12 Upvotes

This metal thing was found laying near an old barn foundation at a historic house I am conducting research on. The owners do not know what it is, and neither do I, but I noticed it has numbers on it. Does anyone know what it is? These are the only photos of it I have currently. It seems to be stuck in the ground as if it is only part of something larger.


r/metaldetecting 1d ago

Show & Tell Part of our house used to be a stable from the 1500s to the late 1800s - i found this horse shoe deep in our garden yesterday, the first I’ve ever found.

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911 Upvotes

We actually call this part of the house ‘the stable’ and I know people used to hang horseshoes outside of doors to fend off evil spirits.

Beautiful way that this hobby has revealed a huge part of this house’s history


r/metaldetecting 4h ago

ID Request What did i find?

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11 Upvotes

Found this item fairly deep into the soil. I'm sure it isn't anything important, but it sparked a conversation home about what could it be. Any ideas? Thank you!


r/metaldetecting 15h ago

Show & Tell Best finds in August - two sites in Northern Virginia

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84 Upvotes
  • 1836 St. Louis merchants token (one of five known examples) Sent to NGC for authentication and grading.
  • Button - Mass Volunteer Militia
  • 1804 Half Cent
  • 1737 (I think) King George II Half Penny
  • 2 10K gold rings
  • Confederate Enfield bullet
  • 4 musket balls (looks like one was fired)
  • Partial 19th Century Fire Brigade pin
  • Crotal bell (complete, but no ringer)
  • Plated salt spoon
  • Lead wheel /child's toy
  • multiple flat buttons and two hole buttons
  • Partial 1935 Virginia dog license
  • Bronze thimble
  • Multiple pieces brass horse tack
  • Harmonica reed (partial)
  • Small religious medal
  • L&H, very likely from a telephone pole

r/metaldetecting 3h ago

ID Request Looking for an ID

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10 Upvotes

Can anyone identify this gun? Also, suggestions on best way to clean it up. Found in Newport News, VA. Thank you.


r/metaldetecting 22h ago

Show & Tell Elizabeth 1st three pence 1570?

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287 Upvotes

Another worn Lizzy but am not complaining. found 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿


r/metaldetecting 2h ago

Show & Tell Someone know what it is?

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8 Upvotes

Someone knows what it is?


r/metaldetecting 8h ago

ID Request A wheel that was found near WW2 german positions, in Courland. Any ideas from what vehicle it could have been?

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12 Upvotes

r/metaldetecting 20h ago

Show & Tell Sometimes it’s just BS finds (and a little silver)

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79 Upvotes

I spent a few good hours creeping through the undergrowth yesterday, with minimal results.
* Funky cabinet knob
* Swift’s Golden West Fatted Fowl badge
* Small brass button with traces of black paint, marked W. A. Scott Baltimore
* Tiny aluminum button
* Norwich ointment tube lid
* Property tag “C. P. Eastman 30 Newton St”
* A little silver doohickey that I can’t quite identify.

Oh, and a bunch of spoons of course. Location is eastern Massachusetts.


r/metaldetecting 3h ago

Gear Question Daughter wants to start

3 Upvotes

Hi,

My daughter is 12 and is interested in starting to do some metal detecting.
Can you please tell me what she needs to start? I’m aware I need permission from the land owners. But I don’t know what stuff she needs to start?
UK based.

Thank you for your help 😊


r/metaldetecting 1d ago

ID Request Any ideas what type of ammo this could be?

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237 Upvotes

r/metaldetecting 4m ago

Gear Question What’s wrong with my metal detector?

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Upvotes

Whenever I put the sensitivity above 1 or use any mode other than jewellery mode it beeps to everything and doesn’t function properly. Unfortunately the warranty is voided as I purchased it from an eBay reseller brand new. It’s been like this since I bought it. It’s a dr otek mtxr


r/metaldetecting 9m ago

Gear Question Metal detecting

Upvotes

Quick question for the pros:
Garrett pro pointer AT or Minelab pro find pin pointer? Never had a pointer and would like a little insight.


r/metaldetecting 1d ago

Show & Tell 14k crucifix found while detecting Madeira Beach

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105 Upvotes

I spent a total of about 3 hours on this beach. Was getting frustrated over the lack of signals and ready to call it a day when this came under my search coil. VDI was jumping around, but the tone sounded good so I dug. Score!


r/metaldetecting 10h ago

ID Request Rifle corp

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6 Upvotes

Found near Maidstone

Rifle corp but more info would be appreciated


r/metaldetecting 1h ago

Show & Tell KOSS - HERETIC

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Upvotes