Buying a Used Metal Detector

Buying a used metal detector should be a well thought out process before you jump the gun and purchase just any detector. The process should follow the questions below. Once you answer each question, you will be ready to purchase a detector and start hunting.

Who Am I buying The Detector For?

The majority of metal detectors available either used or new are geared towards the adult user. If you are looking to purchase one for a child, get a model or brand that is described as being a detector for children. These machines can be too complicated for a kid to grasp. Teenagers should not have much of a problem using most of the available detectors but may need a little tutoring from an adult when getting started.

What Type Of Hunting Will I Be Doing?

Metal detectors basically fall into two groups: land units and underwater units. Most of the underwater detectors can be used on land, but you cannot take a land detector underwater. If you plan on looking for sunken treasure on your next diving adventure, be sure to get an underwater detector.

There are also detectors made for the various types of land hunting - coin and jewelry, relics, gold, etc. Each of the major manufacturers like White's, Garrett, Tesoro, Bounty Hunter, Minelab and Fisher make and have made metal detectors specifically suited better for certain types of treasure hunting. You need to decide what you will primarily hunt for and pick the appropriate brand and model.

Which Metal Detector Should I Buy?

After deciding how you will use your detector, you need to learn more about the older metal detectors that you usually find used. To do this consult the online forums such as FindMall or TreasureNet. Many of the forum members have been metal detecting for years and have used many different brands and models. You can benefit from their experience! Another method is to read the ads in the older treasure magazines such as Lost Treasure, Western & Eastern Treasure and True Treasure. In some of these magazines, you can even find tests conducted on certain models of metal detectors.

Unless you will be relic hunting somewhere in a rural area, be sure to get a detector with discriminating capability. The discriminating metal detector will allow you to tune out most junk such as pull tabs from aluminum soda cans, foil and bottle caps. If you're looking forward to a search in a local park, you will definitely need to block signals from junk!

How Much Should I Spend?

Once you decide on the brand and model, spend as little as possible on the used detector. Keep an eye on the market for this detector by using an auction site such as eBay or others. You will find that used metal detectors will usually go for about the same price time after time. The going price may vary a little depending what accessories may or may not be included. With this research, you will be equipped with the knowledge to buy your detector at the market price or even lower.

NOTE: Check pricing often so you can jump on any deals that may appear.

Where Can I Buy A Used Metal Detector?

Just like exercise equipment that gets little or no use by their owners, metal detectors are often used very little and are just left in the garage or basement gathering dust. This is a good thing for you!

If you do not care to wait, you can find used metal detectors at garage/yard sales, pawn shops, flea markets, newspaper classifieds and estate sales. You may not have the advantage of finding a specific brand or model, but you can usually find a good deal.

You can also find a metal detector at the online classified ads sites such as CraigsList. Be very cautious when buying this way and insist the seller provides a telephone number so you can discuss the detector before any purchase.

When you're shopping for a specific machine, the best place to find them are at the online metal detector stores and auction sites such as eBay or others. Most of these sites accept Paypal or credit cards for the purchase. In either case, you will be covered in case the detector has a problem.

The author has been a metal detector user for 30+ years and has used most of the top metal detectors during that time. He actively operates an online used metal detector store at http://www.UsedMetalDetectorsStore.com where you can find used metal detectors as well as detector manuals and information.