Are All Metal Detectors Waterproof?


If you are detecting metal for underwater gold nuggets, these are currently the top three gold detectors for the job. The Garrett ATX is one of the metal detectors that can be used in any ground conditions and works great in the desert as under water. For underwater use, the Garrett ATX can be submerged up to 10 feet to find potential underwater targets, making it ideal for locating nuggets in rivers of gold.

Not all metal detectors are waterproof, and a large subset of detectors will become damaged if water enters them. However, there does exist a subset of submersible detectors meant for aquatic searches. The proportion of waterproof detectors on the market has slowly increased in recent years.

Another fun is the waterproof coil, which allows you to explore in shallow water or 5 m. Garrett Pro-Pointer AT can adjust the frequency from 5 kHz to 20 kHz, eliminating the difficulty of finding small targets. Waterproof coils allow you to find metal in creeks and river banks and surfing. The device is equipped with an 8-inch waterproof coil, which can handle a variety of metals, including silver, steel, aluminum, iron, brass, and even gold.

The Ideal Design of Metal Detectors

The design of the detector is enviable: the fittings are made of stainless steel, and the battery discharge sensor is designed for many years of operation. This type of detector is very sensitive to precious metals and is excellent for difficult mineral ground conditions thanks to its deep search loops.

Although the PI detector’s fast electronic pulse train is unaffected by ground minerals and wet salty sand, you will have to dig a lot of trash to find a fair amount of treasure if you are using this type of underwater metal detector.

The single coil design of PI detectors is less affected by ground mineralization than VLF detectors, so PI detectors are best used when looking for beaches, rivers, or underwater (if you have a waterproof detector). Although there are waterproof and waterproof ELF detectors on the market, Pulsed Induction (PI) detectors are better suited for underwater metal detection.

Typically, the interface varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, but instead of the digital displays seen on ground-based detectors, underwater detectors use LED indicators and vibrations to alert the user that metal has been detected.

Some Metal Detectors Are Designed for Underwater Searches

For true underwater detection, you need to make sure the detector is truly waterproof and can be used at least a few feet deep for extended periods. Even if you are not completely submerged in water, you can safely use these detectors in the knowledge that accidental slipping in the water will not damage their electronics.

Because the underwater detectors are depth rated, they are fully submersible and waterproof to the specified depth, so you don’t have to worry about deteriorating. They can also include a waterproof connector and a rain detection control box.

Most metal detectors are not completely waterproof, but submersible metal detectors can work very well underwater. Underwater detectors aren’t just waterproof; These metal detectors work differently than others, detecting all types of metals through water, wet sand, and earth with varying textures.

Waterproof metal detectors range from metal detectors with waterproof coils for searching in shallow waters of a beach or river, to fully submersible metal detectors with waterproof coils and sealed controls that can be used while scuba diving.

The Waterproof Ability of a Detector Depends on Depth

In most cases, waterproof devices are assigned an Ingress Protection (IP) rating to indicate the level of protection they have. For extended underwater use, we recommend a metal detector that is waterproof to 60m (200ft), it will end up lasting much longer, being much more reliable, and you won’t be surprised if you don’t have a working detector the next day. on a treasure hunt.

This type of detector is very suitable for finding shallows and lakes, as well as river beds, streams and ponds. If you want to use these types of waterproof detectors underwater, you need to buy separate waterproof headphones for them, but more professional underwater metal detectors include dedicated headphones or other ways to remind you when a target is detected.

For example, underwater metal detectors such as Excalibur and Seahunter all have wired fully waterproof headphones that use piezoelectric transducers to replace the common speakers in the ear pads. Such headphones are not affected by deep water and will not be crushed. The best underwater metal detectors use one of two dedicated circuits that ignore the signal from salt water. They provide greater detection depth on coins and rings and smaller targets (such as earrings and chains).

Some Multi-Purpose Metal Detectors Exist

Some detectors, like the Pulse 8X, come with all the accessories needed for terrestrial and underwater detection, effectively making them two detectors in one. The 8X is popular with many ground detector enthusiasts, especially those looking for meteorites in the deserts of the American Southwest and the vast fields of the Midwest.

By changing the frequency settings, the multi-frequency metal detectors can be used in the city, on the beach, in rivers or lakes, or even in the ocean without the need for both a PI detector and a VLF detector.

When you spend more than $ 1000, you will be looking at pulse induction detectors, 20 feet or more deep, and additional features to enhance the detector’s performance. Most detectors on the market provide some level of waterproofing, but underwater detectors that are submersible will start in the $ 500 price range. We’ve covered what it means to have a submersible detector, but there are additional features to help you find around water bodies.

Metal Detectors with LCD Displays

If your detector is equipped with an LCD display, it is important to check if it is fully waterproof, dive-proof, or needs additional accessories for use in water. Otherwise, you may not get an accurate reading and damage the detector. To find out the limit of your detector, read the manufacturer’s manual, packaging or website data to check your specific model.

You also need to consider whether you want the detector to be effective on land as well, or if you want it to be used only for underwater detection. Once you get serious about your underwater exploration, you will find that working at great depths is very different from walking with a mud sensor on the beach or in the park. Take it with you on your next diving adventure and you will immediately experience all the benefits of detectors.

Minelab CTX 3030 Check Latest Price Probably the best underwater metal detector money can buy, the Minelab CTX 3030 is the most complete and feature-rich model you can find on the market. With its robust construction, DD coil and incredible depth of search, this is a fantastic underwater detector that also offers great sensitivity for the PI model. And like the Garrett Ace, it has a waterproof search coil (submersible to a depth of one meter) so you can explore beaches, streams and riverbeds.

Nicholas Finn

I've been the captain of a fishing boat for over 20 years, and I created Pirateering to share my knowledge of and interest in seafaring.

Recent Posts