Picture this: A perfect proposal. You’re on one knee, ready to pop the question to the love of your life. You booked this beautiful boat, and you both had the best dinner. You went all out for this; even got the ring on a sea shell. Picture-perfect, right?
Then the worst happens.
The ring slips and falls into the water. Gruesome.
Luckily, the boat stocks the best waterproof metal detectors. You know, just in case accidents like these happen? At this point, you don’t care if this is pure coincidence or standard practice.
A quick dive and you have your ring in record time. In fact, your wedding proposal trends online and makes you famous overnight. If someone caught it on camera, that is.
We learn two lessons. One, if you intend to propose anywhere close to a large mass of water, purchase a waterproof metal detector. It’s a wise investment.
Second, just make sure the boat you’re on has one, just to act as insurance. Better safe than sorry.
The best thing about waterproof metal detectors is that they are versatile and can be used in:
- Searching for relics, keys, precious metals, jewelry, coins
- Public security checks at malls, and other public spaces
- Police investigations of crime scenes
- Recovering waste iron
- Archaeology
Fun Fact: Did you know that schools don’t have metal detectors?
Image Credits: zdnet.com
Best Waterproof Metal Detectors
Typically, you’ll need a waterproof metal detector because of rainy seasons, and when using it underwater (such as for scuba diving). For whichever reason you’d want one, we’ve got you covered.
We have compiled this list of the best underwater metal detectors. And yes, we tried all of them.
Rank | Product Image | Brand Name | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | [amazon fields="B07KLJG745" value="thumb"] | ||
2 | [amazon fields="B08TBT8RV6" value="thumb"] | ||
3 | [amazon fields="B00005A3L1" value="thumb"] | ||
4 | [amazon fields="B00WKZTYE6" value="thumb"] | ||
5 | [amazon fields="B08RMY6LJV" value="thumb"] | ||
6 | [amazon fields="B07ZNT251R" value="thumb"] | ||
7 | [amazon fields="B0BPMRZRGB" value="thumb"] |
1) Wedigout Metal Detector: Best Waterproof Metal Detector for Beginners
[amazon box=”B07KLJG745″ template=”horizontal”]
The Wedigout Metal Detector is a fully waterproof handheld device used to dig out metallic relics in water. Further, it can be used by the police in investigations and public security checks.
Image Credits: divein.com
This underwater detector has the following features:
- Stainless steel construction
- Automatic on and off
- Uses Pulse Induction technology
- White LED indicator light and vibration when the target object is detected
It uses a 9V battery that’s not included in the box. This was a huge downside; you’d expect to buy an all-inclusive kit. However, this is not enough to disparage the detector’s performance. It really works well.
Also, it has an operating frequency of 20.28 kHz and is 17 x 4.5 x 4.1 inches in dimensions. It comes in yellow (and black).
We recommend this metal detector for beginners and simple detection excursions. It would be perfect for a beach outing or a fun kid’s adventure.
Image Credits: ebay.com
Pros
Cons
2) Pallipartners Metal Detector: Best Waterproof Metal Detector for Jewelry Detection
[amazon box=”B08TBT8RV6″ template=”horizontal”]
The PalliPartners waterproof metal detector has a search coil of 10″ in diameter. Further, it has a highly intuitive and interactive LED screen that displays details of the detection, such as mode, volume, and battery level.
The stem is adjustable and is 41.3 to 47.6 inches, depending on the depth you need. We tested it on shallow to deep waters, and the results were impressive.
Image Credits: ebay.com
It is an accurate metal detector with three detection modes to make your treasure hunting even more detailed. The first one, called the All Metal Mode, detects any metal and notifies you. Disc (Discrimination) Mode allows you to specify which metal you want, while Notch Mode lets you eliminate the metal you don’t want.
The detector detects six metals: nickel, iron, aluminum, gold, copper, and silver. So this waterproof detector works for lost jewelry.
It comes in black (and another preferred color such as yellow or green). This detector is perfect as a Christmas gift or for any environmentalist and explorer out there.
Image Credits: abunda.com
Pros
Cons
3) Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV Metal Detector: Best for Tough Ground Mineral Conditions
[amazon box=”B00005A3L1″ template=”horizontal”]
One of the most amazing features of this waterproof metal detector is its LED screen. Bounty Hunter calls it ‘Effective Technology.’
It displays everything you need to know about your search, from strength meter and battery status, which is really impressive, especially if you want to play with some of these features. We had a blast figuring out what each symbol meant.
Image Credits: homedepot.com
A contender that comes in a close second is its three search modes: All-Metal Mode, Discrimination Mode, and 2-Tone Audio Mode.
It also has buttons for controlling sensitivity and discrimination. Additionally, it has a 6.3mm headphone jack. Its operating frequency is 6.6 kHz.
The stem is adjustable, from 43″ to 52″. The waterproof search coil is 8 inches in diameter and detects small-sized objects up to 8 inches deep, while larger ones will be detected at 2 feet. Its dimensions are 28.25 x 10 x 6.25 inches.
Its uses are versatile, such as finding arrows in bushes.
Image Credits: youtube.com
Pros
Cons
4) Garrett Pro Pointer ATÂ Metal Detector: Best Waterproof Metal Detector for Light Expeditions
[amazon box=”B00WKZTYE6″ template=”horizontal”]
This 0.5 lbs waterproof metal detector comes in 10 x 10 x 5.5 inches. It is fully waterproof up to 10 feet, which is quite commendable for such a small device.
Image Credits: garrett.com
It is a small handheld pinpoint metal detector that is used in conjunction with a full-size metal detector. You first have to use the full-size metal detector to narrow down the specific area where the target is, then use Garrett’s Pro Pointer to fish it out.
Image Credits: garrett.com
It can be used to detect unseen nails in wood or concrete. Ultimately, this could save you both time and money that would have been wasted on flat tires.
We found about $5 in coins on one excursion. We’ll surely be taking our Garrett out for more of these.
Pros
Cons
5) PANCKY Metal Detector: Best Waterproof Metal Detector for Shallow Depth
[amazon box=”B08RMY6LJV” template=”horizontal”]
PANCKY’s waterproof metal detector comes in black and red and has 5 distinct search modes, which are:
- All Metal Mode
- Disc Mode
- Memory Mode
- Jewelry Mode
- Pinpointer
Image Credits: panckydetectors.com
Its waterproof coil is 10 inches wide. Moreover, it has an adjustable stem that can go from 47.3 to 55.2 inches. According to PANCKY, it works best in rainy seasons or on the beach. It weighs 2 lbs.
An advanced DSP chip enables it to have higher sensitivity. It can detect a coin up to 10″ deep, and larger items from greater depths.
Its LCD is simple yet intuitive allowing you to select the detection mode, volume, and sensitivity. The backlight is also adjustable.
If there’s one thing we absolutely love about PANCKY it’s that it was quite easy to assemble, despite how complicated it looks.
Pros
Cons
6) OMMO Metal Detector: Best Waterproof Metal Detector for Treasure Hunting
[amazon box=”B07ZNT251R” template=”horizontal”]
Functioning majorly as a gold metal detector, the OMMO waterproof metal detector can be used to collect gold nuggets; smaller ones up to 8 inches deep, and larger ones up to 3 feet deep.
Image Credits: ommohome.com
The stem is adjustable from 3o to 41 inches, which makes it ideal for both kids and adults. It measures 17.6 x 11 x 5.4 inches and is quite portable. It was so light, we had to remind ourselves that we had a metal detector with us.
It also has 3 search modes: All Metal Mode, Disc Mode, and Pinpoint.It beeps once it finds the target. Because of this, it is prudent to place any metallic shovels far from the detector.
This metal detector is versatile, as one can exactly narrow down to where the target object is using the pinpoint mode. Technically, you get the benefits of both types of metal detectors in one.
Pros
Cons
7) Minelab Equinox 900 Metal Detector: Best for Professional Metal Detectorists
[amazon box=”B0BPMRZRGB” template=”horizontal”]
With a price range that may be on the steep side, this detector is for professional divers, underwater hunting, or intense search expeditions. It features a multi-IQ technology that aims to merge multiple detectors into one.
Image Credits: joanallen.co.uk
Further, it has accurate 119 target IDs, which help differentiate between useless objects and the required ones. This saves both time and energy.
It weighs 2.8 lbs, which made it very easy to carry around. It is also supremely waterproof, up to 16 feet (5 meters). It uses lithium-ion batteries.
Our overall experience with this Minelab Equinox detector was seamless and fun. It turned every adventure into a serious excursion, with data and reports.
Image Credits: minelab.com
Pros
Cons
Checklist for Waterproof Metal Detectors
Don’t just buy a metal detector because it works, buy one that is both convenient and durable. The following are other factors you should consider before buying a waterproof metal detector:
1) The Search Coil
The search coil (or detection coil) is the circular part of your metal detector that creates a magnetic field that senses metal objects in the water. How far the search coil will detect will be proportional to the search coil’s diameter.
Image Credits: freepik.com
However, size does not imply performance. When the search coil is too big, the magnetic field pattern will become less concentrated and may not sense small metal objects like coins.
2) Pulse Induction (PI) vs Very Low Frequency (VLF)
PI metal detectors have two coils (transmitter and receiver coil) for the transfer of signals, while VLF has one coil that acts as both. VLF metal detectors are best for smaller targets and shallow grounds. PI metal detectors are best for highly mineralized soils and salt water.
Wet, salty sand would require a waterproof metal detector with pulse induction. Plus, such devices are used for gold detection.
3) The Depth of the Water
Of course, the water’s depth matters a lot, even for informing the decision of whether to use a PI metal detector or a VLF. Further, underwater metal detecting works differently for different depths. Check your metal detector for specifications on how far it can detect.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) Are all waterproof metal detectors really waterproof?
While most metal detectors are not completely waterproof, the search coil will have to be waterproof so as not to short-circuit the machine. This all depends on the manufacturer.
However, an underwater metal detector that will have to be completely submerged in water will have to be entirely waterproof, not just the search coil.
2) Do waterproof metal detectors perform better than normal metal detectors?
It all depends on the detector’s designated performance. The aspect of being waterproof does not affect performance, as compared to say, whether the detector is a PI detector or a VFI detector.
Therefore, waterproof metal detectors perform similarly to other metal detectors in the same category. Being waterproof is just a perk, a necessary one for some users.
3) Do waterproof metal detectors experience the ‘Product Effect’?
Technically, yes. Product effect happens when an object with high moisture or salt content generates its own magnetic field. This will then trigger wrong readings on the metal detectors.
Other factors that affect this product effect include temperature. Frozen water may be difficult to detect objects from. So during winter, it may be tough, even impossible, to use your waterproof metal detector. Visibility will be greatly hampered.
Featured Image Credits: pixabay.com
