Minelab Metal Detectors

The manufacturer Minelab occupies a leading position in the market among other companies manufacturing ground metal detectors. Production was launched in 1985. Minelab metal detectors have been used not only in everyday life but also for military purposes, finding hidden explosives. Minelab detectors (Minilabs) are very high-quality products with various functions.

Manufacturer products are simple and easy to handle. An average Minelab metal detector has an excellent design and good ergonomics. The front panel is equipped with buttons that allow you to launch any function. The peculiarity is that the front panel is located close to the handle, so you will not need to reach for it, but you still have to control it with two hands. This does not stop evaluating Minelab metal detectors as very high quality and easy to use.

Programs in the device are needed in order to filter out unnecessary items when searching. So, you can program the device to search for valuable items, and not be distracted while working on beer caps. To filter out unnecessary items, they must be added to the ignore list.

Top 5 Minelab Detectors

The first Minelab metal detector, which implements multi-frequency Multi-IQ technology, with the ability to work in single-frequency mode at a frequency of 5, 10, 15, 20, or 40 kilohertz, or in multi-frequency mode at frequencies of 5-40 kilohertz. Such a wide range of frequencies allows you to search for absolutely any purpose, be it scrap metal, coins, antiquity, jewelry, gold nuggets. From the largest with the maximum depth at a low frequency to the smallest at high frequencies. Multi-IQ significantly increases the depth and stability of target detection of any size in any soil.

Minelab Equinox 800 for sale has a completely redesigned control, where all settings are made using the buttons, without leaving the main screen of the device. No need to delve into the sub-items of the menu and remember at what point what setting is being made.

There are four operating modes: Park, Field, Beach, Gold, each with its own predefined settings, and each mode can be further edited and customized for yourself. You can create your favorite search profile with your own settings. Also, unlike the younger Equinox 600, there is an advanced settings feature for each mode. At the same time, the management is very simple, suitable for both pros and amateurs.

Pros

• Digital target ID
• Allows you to go into deep searching

Cons

• Complicated manual for all the mentioned features

Now you do not need to build a search mode yourself. The Minelab CTX 3030 detector has ten configurable search modes, of which five already have presets, which will facilitate your work and you can immediately start the search. Each search mode has two custom discriminatory patterns.

Now the digital camera has a mode of manual and automatic sensitivity settings. This feature will provide maximum detection depth when working on any type of ground. In addition, there is now a more improved balancing of the bent, and even on sites with strong mineralization of the soil, you can detect targets without cutting the search depth. What could be better? Only multi-detector! Using the ON / OFF button, you can not only turn it on or off but also select a language or reset the detector to factory settings.

According to the Minelab CTX 3030 review, you can also configure the detector using the option that is most convenient for you by selecting the appropriate settings (Wireless, Backlight, GPS, Location, Time Zone and Units of Measurement).

Pros

• Indicates all targets on the field
• Easy to use

Cons

• Takes time to find out what all the beep sounds are about

The Explorer model from Minelab is distinguished from other detectors by the use of multi-frequency technology, which makes it possible to achieve high detection efficiency of targets on any soil. In 2008, the company released the fourth version of this model.

Despite the fact that the new Minelab Etrac was created as a device for professional search, it is completely not difficult to configure and operate. Even if you buy a Minelab E TRAC , remove it from the box and use it immediately with the factory settings. Without changing the parameters, this detector is able to show good search results.

Smartfind discrimination technology applied in this model gives grounds to consider the E-Track detector with the most advanced discriminator.

To identify the type of metal, the device immediately analyzes its two properties - conductivity and percentage of iron, the results are displayed on a two-dimensional scale with separate Smartfind indicators.

This makes it possible to correctly identify the metal by type and change the discrimination mask for the conductivity and the percentage of Fe in the object (QuickMask technology) and more precisely set the target acceptance parameters.

Another interesting feature of the Minelab Explorer E-Track is the ability to connect the device to a computer via a USB interface.

This allows users to download and change masks and discrimination settings without creating them themselves (E-Trac Xchange technology). The developers also took care of improved ergonomics, providing this model with a more comfortable control panel, a clear black, and white LCD display and a lightweight DD coil.

Explorer E-Trac Minelab operates at 28 frequencies ranging from 1.5 to 100 kHz. Thanks to the more powerful 32-bit microprocessor than in previous models, the discriminator and the device as a whole are provided with high speed and the response time of the audio signal to the display of visual information is minimized.

Pros

• Includes backlight for better visibility
• Adjustable frequency

Cons

• May be too expensive

Minelab Excalibur II, a professional underwater metal detector , diving depth 60 meters - the leader for underwater search instruments! The metal detector is designed for both underwater and ground search, refers to multi-frequency devices that simultaneously operate at several frequencies from 1 to 17 kHz (1.5-25.5 kHz), seventeen Excalibur frequencies, allowed this detector to find the tiniest coins, lost rings, and detect serious targets at great depths.

The discriminator of the detector allows you to distinguish iron targets from non-ferrous ones or eliminate unnecessary debris. Automatic adjustment to the soil makes it possible to work both in saltwater and in freshwater without loss of detection depth.

Pros

• Consumes low power
• Lightweight

Cons

• High budget device

The new GPX 5000 has a number of innovations over the previous GPX 4500.

Modern technologies of noise reduction and the use of complex probe pulses allow the device to be used in the most difficult search conditions. Extremely high sensitivity provides the maximum search depth and detection of metal objects of the smallest sizes (grains of native gold).

The model is intended not only for the search for native gold but also adapted for lovers of the search for antiquities and beach searches who do not need hypersensitivity to very small goals.

Just look at the list of available search programs: “Smooth Sensitivity”, “Fine Gold”, “Extra Sensitivity”, “Salt / Gold”, “Sharp Response”, “Coins / Relics”.

Pros

• Comfortable handling pole.
• Variability.

Cons

• Feels like a flimsy product in terms of material

Brand Guide

Where Can I Buy a Minelab Metal Detector?

If you wondered - where to buy a metal detector - you have come to the right place! We will be happy to help you and select the metal detector exclusively for you from a beginner to a professional level.

You can buy original products in several places: Via sites of official dealers or offline stores dedicated to metal hunting.

Thus, if you set a goal or simply plan to buy a metal detector, we will gladly direct you to the right path and open a very interesting world of searching with a metal detector.

Where Can I Repair a Minelab Metal Detector?

In most cases, service centers can carry out warranty repairs of devices sold by Minelab. As well as repair work on request, for the main brands of metal detectors Garrett, Minelab, Fisher, Tesoro, Teknetics, Whites.

Minelab official service centers also repair search coils for metal detectors, in particular - replacing the cable with 11 “Minelab (butterfly), 10.5” x-terra, the main coils of Garrett, Detech, Whites, Fisher, NEL, MarsMD.

To deal with “repair” issues less often, follow these rules:

• do not store the device with batteries
• dry the appliance, especially after working in the rain
• handle the coil and cord with a silicone suspension (silicone for cars)
• when working in the cold, wind the coil cable around the rod in advance, ideally try to bend the coil cable rarely.

Also check your warranty period so you won’t have additional troubles searching for service center.

Where Can I Buy Parts for Minelab Metal Detector?

Minelab, a leading manufacturer of metal detectors, offers not only high-quality metal detectors and accessories but also various components for them. If you already have a metal detector of this brand, then you can pick up the following products for it on the pages of the online catalog stores, Via official Minelab website:

• headphones;
• coils;
• rods;
• batteries
• screws, washers;
• battery holder;
• armrests and stuff.

All spare parts are certified, reliable, and, accordingly, compatible with the Minelab products, which are very popular among treasure seekers and security companies.

Minelab vs Garrett

The closest competitor to the Garrett AT PRO metal detector is the top-end semi-professional Minelab X-Terra 705. An excellent detector, with super recommendations.

Two semi-professionals, both metal detectors for up to $1,000. Considering the catalog parameters (especially for a beginner), the first thing that catches your eye is that there are 3 frequencies in the Minelab X-Terra 705, and the Garrett AT PRO can dive underwater. Not the most important thing in these detectors.

By the way, we would advise a beginner to the Garrett AT PRO metal detector, but not the Minelab X-Terra 705 . The first one is pretty easy to figure out.

Just as in the comparison of the Minelab X-Terra 305 and Garrett ACE 250, both metal detectors belong to the classic design of soil detectors, with a 3-piece boom. In both, the cord goes around the bar.

And immediately the advantages for the X-Terra 705 . It is going much easier than AT PRO . This is due to the joining of the rods (everything enters very tightly in AT PRO, and not the first time). The ease of connecting the coil wire connector to the block, inserted and fixed in the X-Terra, and AT PRO is still “getting into” combining a difficult connector.

In the X-Terra 705, they have a fixed stroke and precise clearance. At AT PRO, there is a constant threat that this collet clamp will crack if it is tightened a little tighter than necessary.

Minelab Pros and Cons

Pros

• Pretty easy to be figured out

Cons

• Not very convenient button locations

Garrett Pros and Cons

Pros

• Decent coil

Cons

• Information overload onto the display

Minelab vs Fisher

Let’s consider Fisher F44 and Minelab X-terra-705.

The opinion of sellers:

• It is better to take X-terra-705 because it is fast (that is, it thinks faster and gives an answer), the price is not large and works at three frequencies, the company has been working since the 30s.
• It is better to take a Fisher F44 because X-terra, is produced in China, its handle breaks very often, Fisher is produced in Britain and the USA.

The opinion from forums:

• Fisher f44 was created for sandy soil in the USA, so it is not suitable for other surfaces.

Both detectors have:

• Pinpoint mode
• sensitivity setting
• threshold background
• detuning from electrical noise
• tone identification
• VDI / Target ID
• volume control
• low charge indicator
• LCD display
• display backlight
• armrest
• built-in speaker
• headphone output

The only diversity is that Fisher has 40 hours of working time.

Minelab Pros and Cons

Pros

• Lighter than F75

Cons

• Poor working hours

Fisher Pros and Cons

Pros

• 40 hours of working time

Cons

• No VDI / Target ID
• Fewer discrimination segments

Minelab vs Bounty Hunter

Bounty Hunter Quick Draw Pro uses the metric system to indicate the depth of the target; it displays values ​​in centimeters, unlike the Minelab X-Terra 305, where the designations were in inches.

In addition, the metal detector is equipped with branded Bounty Hunter headphones with an L-shaped plug, and its power is supplied by four batteries or similar AA-size batteries.

In principle, the Bounty Hunter Quick Draw Pro and Minelab X-Terra 305 metal detectors practically do not differ from each other, except for the coils. But their coils are completely interchangeable.

The Bounty Hunter Quick Draw Pro metal detector is still controlled by six buttons, which are traditionally located on the front side of the control unit. The informative display, as in any Bounty Hunter models, displays sensitivity settings, a movable visualization segment, five discriminator modes, a segment movement button.

The sound identification of Minelab has not changed. As before, a low-tone tone is assigned to ferrous metals, the presence of a middle tone and a Belton signal is present.

We would like to note that in Bounty Hunter Quick Draw Pro , the Belton is triggered by gold products, although in Minelab X-Terra 305 gold was identified by medium tonality. In addition, it must be taken into account that Bounty visually has two parameters - Ferrous and Non-Ferrous, while the previous X-Terra provided visualization in more detail.

In the field, Quick Draw Pro behaves confidently and stably, but it is worth paying attention that the DD coil behaves a little differently than mono in the Terra.

When using a metal detector in extreme conditions, especially in wet weather, we recommend using a cover on display, since it is not waterproof.

In the separation of goals, a significant role is played by the type of coil (DD or mono). When using a DD type coil, the pinpoint does not work as it does on mono, so you will have to dig a hole with a margin. But in any case, Quick Draw Pro in the separation of goals is better than X-Terra, failures occur only in very heavily littered areas.

As a summary, we would like to say that the Quick Draw Pro is nothing more than a slightly improved Terra 305 with a new coil, a higher detection depth, but with the same balance and usability.

Minelab Pros and Cons

Pros

• Ergonomic design

Cons

• Poor working hours

Bounty Hunter Pros and Cons

Pros

• Greater battery life

Cons

• May be difficult to work with soils out of the USA