It is exciting to find something valuable, such as a gold nugget or rare relic, from a hunting ground. But treasures are not only found on land. There are also a lot of precious metals and interesting items in the sea and lakes. However, you can’t use a regular metal detector in the water. The good news is that there are a lot of underwater metal detectors available on the market now. Here are the best 11 underwater metal detectors.
Fisher CZ21-8
The Fisher CZ21-8 can be submerged in water up to a depth of 250 feet. As such, you can use it for hunting in shallow and deep water. Aside from that, you can also use this device in fresh and salt water.
This underwater metal detector is a Pulse induction machine, so it can work on dual frequencies, which are 15kHz and 5kHz. Plus, it also features a Fourier domain signal analysis, and it has 8-inch and 10-inch coil options.
Another great feature of this metal detector is its control box, which is easy to use. It also has a control volume that you can use to boost the audio on weaker signals. Furthermore, this machine has a discrimination mode with 7 settings that you can use to filter the metal you’re searching for. This metal detector also comes with a waterproof headphone wherein you can hear three tones – a medium tone for foil and gold, a high tone for jewelry and coins, and a low tone for iron. Lastly, there is a precise pinpointing and VCO option in this device that enhances precision while you hunt.
With all these great features, the Fisher CZ21 is definitely one of the best underwater metal detectors on the market, especially considering that it can go as low as 250 feet deep in water. However, using this product on land may not yield great results due to the PI reduced discrimination. Additionally, this metal detector is a bit heavy, weighing 5.3 pounds.
Garrett Sea Hunter Mark II
If you’re looking for a metal detector that you can use for scuba diving and beach hunting, the Garett Sea Hunter Mark II is an excellent choice. One reason is that you can use this detector with both short and long stems, plus it also comes with straps for wetsuits. Aside from that, this product also offers several features. For one, it has an operating depth of 200 feet. This product also has excellent sensitivity and submersible headphones.
This model from Garrett has a Discrete Trash Elimination mode, so you don’t have to spend too much time digging through trash. It also features various search modes, including Standard PI Discrimination and Non-Motion All-Metal. Moreover, it also has settings for audio threshold and elimination.
Although a great product, the Garrett Sea Hunter Mark II has a few drawbacks. First, it has no pinpoint mode, so getting an accurate location of your target can be hard. Aside from that, this detector can’t provide visual identification. Nonetheless, this product is still a great value for your money, considering its discrimination function, which is not available in most pulse induction detectors.
Tesoro Sand Shark
The Tesoro Sand Shark may be a simple machine, but it can offer a lot of great features, making it one of the best underwater metal detectors. As a pulse induction machine, you can use this product underwater without adjusting it. Remember, a PI machine doesn’t have much in the way of ground balancing, so you don’t have to spend a lot of time adjusting its controls. It will just deal with high mineralization. In addition, this device is ideal for scuba diving and snorkeling, thanks to its massive depth capacity, which is 200 feet.
As mentioned, the Tesoro Sand Shark is a simple machine. This is because it only has two control modes, which are VCO and Normal. In the VCO mode, you’ll notice that there’s an increase in tone and pitch as you approach the targets, so it is great for pinpointing targets in unstable tidal sands. The normal mode, on the other hand, searches for all metal. So, the pitch will increase as you approach your target, but the tone will remain the same.
The controls of this metal detector are displayed on an easy-to-use box. Moreover, the microprocessor is very quick, and it provides excellent sensitivity. Lastly, this product weighs about 4.5 pounds, and you’ll need eight AA batteries to power it up.
Overall, the Tesoro Sand Shark is an excellent product you can use beneath the waves. However, this metal detector is not great for discrimination on land.
Garrett AT Pro
If you’re searching for a versatile product that you can use on land and in water, the Garrett AT Pro should be one of your top choices. This product can offer a lot of features. One, in particular, is its electronic pinpointing feature that is not only useful for a speedy recovery but also provides the precise location of your target.
In addition, the Garrett AT Pro has a large search coil that can cover a lot of terrain but can still catch small targets. This metal detector also has an excellent manual or automatic ground balancing, which is vital in VLF metal detectors so that they can handle high mineralization and salt water. Because of its 15kHz operating frequency, this product is great at detecting small jewelry and coins.
The Garrett AT Pro has added two modes – the Standard and Pro. The Standard mode simplifies the audio signals, which is helpful for beginners. The Pro mode, on the other hand, provides detailed audio feedback, which includes the target size and estimated depth. Other notable features include a target depth indicator, custom search modes, and notch filter discrimination.
Although the Garrett AT Pro can be used on land and in water, it has a depth capacity of only 10 feet. Thus, this product is not ideal for scuba diving. Plus, this product doesn’t come with waterproof headphones.
Fisher 1280-X Aquanaut
Another product on this list that has a depth capacity of 250 feet is the Fisher 1280-X Aquanaut. Aside from that, this metal detector also offers several features. First, its battery life can last for up to 75 hours, which is longer compared to other metal detectors on this list. Another notable feature of this product is its circuitry, which is designed to disregard small pieces of trash. Aside from that, you can easily use this metal detector, thanks to its automatic turn-on-and-go operation. Plus, it can function in fresh water, salt water, and on land.
Unlike other models on this list that you can use for diving, the Fisher 1280-X Aquanaut is a VLF metal detector with a low frequency of 2.4kHz. As such, it’s more prone to interference from wet and unstable sand, but it has a manual ground balance that can counteract mineralization and trash. Plus, the low frequency also gives greater depth. Other notable features include a sensitivity adjustment, belt mounts, and waterproof headphones.
The Fisher 1280-X Aquanaut is an excellent product, especially considering its reasonable price (less than $1,000) and various features. However, it has one downside. It has an erratic response when used in moving water or sand.
JW Fishers Pulse-8X
The JW Fishers Pulse-8X has a durable construction, making it an excellent choice for heavy-duty underwater hunting. But, that’s not all. This metal detector also has a high sensitivity to all metal targets, but it has the ability to disregard the minerals in the environment. Plus, it is not affected by black sand or mineralized salt water.
Aside from that, the JW Fishers Pulse-8X has a maximum detection range of 6 feet and a depth rated housing of 200 feet. You can also use this metal detector in fresh water, salt water, and on land. Moreover, this metal detector is easy to use. All you need to do is to switch its sensitivity to high, medium, or low to pinpoint the metal that you’re looking for. In addition, this product is also equipped with waterproof headphones that can block background noises. Lastly, this metal detector has a rechargeable battery (9-volt) that can last all day, according to some reviewers.
With all these great features, it is without a doubt that the JW Fishers Pulse-8X is one of the best underwater metal detectors. However, this product is expensive, with a price of more than $2,000. Like other PI machines, this metal detector is not great to use on land.
Garrett ATX
The Garrett ATX has a splendid design both in appearance and functionality. As a pulse induction machine, this metal detector can work much better in salt water. It also has a large search coil (10 x 12-inch) that can pick up tiny items without slowing you down. Moreover, it has a simple LED screen with indicators that show your current settings and your target’s signal strength. This is a great feature because simple is what you need when you’re underwater.
Aside from those features, the ATX discrimination can be adjusted to target an array of metals on all terrains. The four settings are also adjustable according to your preferences. But, you can also leave it to the default setting, and it’ll modify itself to target your desired treasure. In addition, this metal detector has an auto function and iron check feature that reduces interference. Plus, you can also adjust the volume controls. That way, the large signals won’t be able to overwhelm the small ones. Lastly, this metal detector is powered by eight AA batteries.
With all these features, the Garrett ATX is definitely an excellent product you can purchase. However, it is only waterproof up to 10 feet, so you can’t use it for scuba diving. Aside from that, this product is a bit expensive, with a price of more than $2,000. Lastly, it is a bit heavy with a weight of 5.5 pounds.
Tesoro Tiger Shark
If you’re in search of an affordable metal detector, the Tesoro Tiger Shark is an excellent choice. Aside from being budget-friendly, you can also use the Tesoro Tiger Shark on land and in water, thanks to its microprocessor technology. In addition, this metal detector is specifically designed to find gold, making it a popular product for gold hunters.
Aside from those features, this metal detector has a depth capacity of 200 feet, so it is an excellent device for scuba diving. Moreover, it has four control settings, which you can easily adjust to handle any kinds of terrain and conditions. This product also has interchangeable coils (10 inches and 7 inches) for your convenience. Plus, this metal detector works at a frequency of 12.5 kHz, and it comes with waterproof headphones. The best part is that you can avail this product for an affordable price – less than $700. Lastly, you need eight AA batteries to power it up.
Overall, the Tesoro Tiger Shark is a great purchase, especially considering its budget-friendly price and great features. However, it has one downside. It has a weight of 6 pounds, so it’s a bit heavier than the other products on this list.
White’s Surfmaster DF
Equipped with near neutral buoyancy coil, diving with the White’s Surfmaster is easy because it won’t float or sink in water. Plus, it has a weight of approximately 5 pounds so maneuvering this device underwater won’t be a problem.
For its features, the White’s Surfmaster is completely waterproof for up to 100 feet. Moreover, it has a 12-inch Dual Field search coil, which is sensitive to gold. Yet, it also has the ability to detect other metals in the ground.
As you know, a common problem with underwater metal detecting is that you’re going to pick up trash targets and black sand. Fortunately, the White’s Surfmaster is equipped with Adjustable Pulse Delay, which does a great job at reducing the noise from junk and black sand. This metal detector is also easy to use. Lastly, you need to use eight AA batteries to power it up.
TTLIFE Pulse Induction 750
The TTLIFE Pulse Induction 750 allows hunting in water, on land, or in any kind of soil, including black sand. It also has a depth capacity of about 100 feet, so you can use it for snorkeling and scuba diving. You can also use this metal detector in fresh water and salt water.
When a target is located, the TTLIFE Pulse Induction 750 will vibrate and show flashes of bright, white light. The pulses of vibration will also increase in frequency as the probe tip gets closer to the target. Aside from those features, this metal detector has a tilt on and off system, which eliminates the need for fragile push button switches. Another notable feature of this product is its low battery indicator. Furthermore, when the battery is low, the metal detector will automatically shut down, indicated by 4 long pulses. Lastly, this product has a frequency of 20.28 kHz.
KKmoon Metal Detector
The KKmoon Metal Detector may look like a traditional metal detector, but it offers great features, making it one of the best underwater metal detectors. With a weight of 1.2 pounds, carrying and maneuvering the KKmoon Metal Detector underwater will be easy. Aside from that, this product is a pulse induction machine, so it is able to hunt for metal in any kind of conditions, whether it’s in water, on land, or black sand. The best part is that this device is waterproof up to 30 meters or 98 feet.
When the KKmoon Metal Detector senses the target, it will alert you through its LED light and vibrations. Plus, its built-in microprocessor offers stable depth detection and automatic tuning, allowing you to detect the target accurately throughout its battery life. Moreover, this metal detector has an automatic tuning, so you don’t have to make necessary adjustments. Lastly, this product has a frequency of 6.8 kHz.
Although a great product, the KKmoon Metal Detector has a few drawbacks. First, its 9-volt battery is not included in the package. Furthermore, it doesn’t operate at a temperature above 55 degrees Celsius.
Buying Guide
Unfortunately, finding the best product won’t be easy, especially if you’re a first-time buyer. So, what factors should you consider when buying the best underwater metal detector?
When buying an underwater metal detector, you should opt for products that are first of all made with waterproof materials to prevent rust. Aside from being waterproof, you also need to consider the product’s weight. Buying a lightweight product is a must so that you can maneuver the device easily in the water. Fortunately, most underwater metal detectors have a lighter weight compared to their on-land counterparts. Aside from that, the depth capacity of the metal detector is also vital, especially if you’re going to use it for snorkeling or scuba diving.
Another important factor you need to consider is the pitch of the product. Typically, a regular metal detector will emit a high pitch sound to signify that there is a metal item nearby. Underwater metal detectors don’t have this feature because sound travels differently in water. For this reason, this type of detector has a meter that distinguishes the level of metallic content. The more advanced models even have waterproof headphones that can help remove unnecessary noise from the environment. Some models also vibrate to let you know that a target is close.
In addition to those features, you should also consider the usability of the product. As much as possible, opt for a metal detector that is intuitive and easy to use, without a lot of complicated settings or fine-tuning required. Of course, you also need to consider the quality of the product to ensure that you’re getting all your money’s worth.