Comparison Garrett Pro-Pointer AT vs Minelab Pro-Find 25

- Ground. Metal detectors designed to find metal objects buried in the ground - from coins and other historical artifacts to pipelines and caches. They can have different characteristics and scope of application - from the simplest models, suitable only for collecting scrap metal, to powerful professional devices capable of searching even at a depth of a couple of meters. The coil can be protected from moisture (see below), but ground metal detectors are not designed for complete immersion in water.

- Underwater. Metal detectors, designed, as the name suggests, to search for objects under water - primarily at the bottom of reservoirs. Their main features are due to optimization for the environment: a sealed waterproof case (in most cases, with the ability to submerge the entire body to a depth of several meters), the ability to work with wet salty soils, and a weight distribution designed for ease of use under water. Also, such models are usually equipped with waterproof headphones. Note that buying such a device for land use is hardly justified: holding an underwater metal detector in the air is not as convenient as a regular ground detector, and the expensive moisture protection of the case loses all its meaning.

- Inspector. Devices designed to conduct searches and search for metal objects on the human body, under clothing. They are used by law enfo...rcement agencies, security services at airports, train stations, security agencies, etc. Note that in this case we are not talking about stationary “frames”, but only about hand-held detectors. Almost all of them belong to pinpointers (see “Type”) and have a fairly compact size. Thanks to this, the device can be used as a portable device for express inspections, constantly carried with you along with other equipment. However, such a detector can also be useful at a stationary checkpoint, in addition to the frame - it helps to determine exactly where on the body the object that “disturbed” the frame is located.

— For mine clearance. Highly specialized metal detectors for detecting mines or other explosive objects left by the echo of wars and hostilities. Such devices do not need to separate finds by type of metal. Their main purpose is to search for large projectiles, but there are other types of devices for solving specific problems (for example, detecting plastid with a fuse). Small pieces of hardware are usually ignored by such metal detectors. Mine clearance detectors are rarely found in common use, and they are incredibly expensive. Devices for this purpose are heavy and inconvenient, but durable and resistant to weather conditions. They are aimed at professional use by the military and rescue workers.

The operating frequency (or frequency range) of the metal detector. This is one of the most important parameters when choosing a device, because the optimal frequency for different cases will be different — depending on the size and material of the items being searched, the characteristics of the soil and other factors. Detailed recommendations on the choice of frequency for each specific situation can be found in special sources; And already on the basis of this information, it is worth choosing a specific model.

Note that the actual frequency at which the metal detector will operate also depends on the installed coil — they are usually made for a specific frequency. Therefore, to use the full capabilities of the device with the ability to adjust this parameter, you may need replaceable coils.

— Pin-Point mode(target designation). Possibility of operating the device in the so-called static mode, when the detection accuracy increases significantly (due to a decrease in range and discrimination ability). Note that this function is not found in pinpointers (see “Type”), despite the similarity of names - such devices are very accurate and without special modes. And among classic mine detectors, the Pin-Point mode is used only in models operating on the VLF or VFLEX principle (see above) - for other operating principles this function is, for one reason or another, irrelevant. Be that as it may, this feature can be very useful in accurately searching for small objects. The fact is that a classic VLF/VFLEX metal detector is able to “see” objects only if the coil moves above the ground - this simplifies discrimination, but noticeably reduces accuracy. In static mode, the device operates even in a stationary position, and the coil can be moved very slowly, which significantly increases the search accuracy.

— Setting sensitivity. Ability to change the sensitivity of the metal detector. High sensitivity makes it possible to search at great depths, but at the same time reduces resistance to interference, increases the likelihood of false positives and does not allow you to accurately determine the location of individual finds in places where signals are densely located (the device reacts to a group...of objects as a whole and cannot identify separate). Yes, and ground balancing (see above) is also connected. and with sensitivity. Therefore, this parameter is very important for setting up the metal detector for a specific situation.

— Threshold tone. The threshold tone is a low, monochromatic hum that the metal detector’s speaker or headphones emit in “neutral” mode, when there are no alarms. This feature has several uses. So, the tone can serve as an indicator that the device is turned on and working normally; This is especially true for models not equipped with displays. The pitch of the sound may change when the characteristics of the surface under the coil change - for example, when moving to soil with a different level of mineralization, or when detecting objects that “do not reach” the response threshold due to their small size or deep location; experienced users know how to use these tone changes for work purposes.

— Detuning from electrical interference. The presence of this function in the metal detector allows you to neutralize the influence of electromagnetic interference and prevent both “blurring” of the signal and false alarms. Such interference can occur for various reasons: from the proximity of power lines, radio transmitters or locators, when working near vehicles with running engines or near other metal detectors, etc.

— Tone identification. This function assumes that the metal detector, when triggered, emits signals of different heights - depending on the expected material and size of the find, its depth, etc. This feature is especially important for models that do not have a display. Tone identification requires some getting used to, but usually even inexperienced users do not have problems with it.

— VDI / Target ID identification. Metal detector function that helps to more accurately determine the type of metal. It is based on the display on the display of a numerical value inherent in a certain class of metal. Thanks to the table, you can significantly narrow the range of possible detected objects.

— Determination of target depth. A device function that helps determine the depth of the desired target. It is based on displaying on the display the numerical value of certain units of length measurement or highlighting segments of the depth scale.

— Vibration response. The presence of a vibration response system in the design of the metal detector. This system allows the device to send a signal by vibration of the case (similar to how this happens, for example, in mobile phones). In some cases, such a signal may be more convenient and appropriate than sound or visual indication. For example, when using a ground metal detector, the vibration of the device in your hand will almost unmistakably indicate that it has triggered, while the sound may be “lost” in the surrounding noise, and the visual indicator may be out of sight at the right moment. And in an inspection pinpointer (see “Type”), the vibration response can also be useful as a “silent warning” - so that the signal is not audible to the subject being inspected and at the same time reliably warns the operator.

— Volume adjustment. The presence in the design of a regulator that allows you to change the volume of the sound signal from speakers or headphones. Such a regulator can be located on the control unit, on the handle, on the headphones, etc.; however, in all cases its operating principle and purpose are the same.

— Low battery indicator. The metal detector has an alarm system that warns of low battery levels. This function informs you in advance about the need to take care of a fresh power source and prevents situations where the battery unexpectedly “dies” at the most inopportune moment. Note that the specific implementation of the indicator may vary: the signal can be visual or audio, and in some models, data on the battery status is displayed only upon the user’s command.

Additional accessories and parts included with the metal detector. These can be devices for protection and ease of carrying in the working position or during transportation — belts, bags, cases, rain covers for the control unit; special equipment required for work — for example, a grounding rod for models with the RF operating principle; and other additional equipment. The presence of batteries and a charger for them in this paragraph is indicated only if the device uses replaceable elements (see "Power"), because cordless metal detectors are by default equipped with a battery and “charging”, and there is no need to specify this. Also, this paragraph does not cover spare replacement coils — their presence or absence characterizes the “Number of coils” paragraph.

The total weight of the metal detector in the working position is with the installed coil and batteries (if both are removable, see above). This parameter is quite important, taking into account the fact that during operation the device has to be kept on the weight: long-term use can be very tiring even with a relatively small weight and the presence of an armrest (see above). Therefore, light weight is a noticeable advantage for any metal detector. At the same time, other things being equal, lighter models tend to cost more, so you can use another option — a shoulder strap that reduces the load on the hand. And for underwater metal detectors (see "Type"), this parameter is not particularly relevant, because. objects underwater lose a significant amount of weight.