How deep can a metal detector go?

Summary of the Article

The article discusses various aspects of metal detectors, including their depth capabilities, their ability to detect specific types of metals, and their use in different environments. It answers questions such as how deep a metal detector can detect, how deep it can find gold, and whether it can be used underwater. The article also provides information on the maximum depth a pinpointer can detect and the materials that cannot pass through a metal detector. It mentions the largest piece of gold found with a metal detector and the limitations of cheap metal detectors in finding gold. The article concludes by explaining the factors that determine the depth a metal detector can detect and what makes a metal detector go deeper.

Questions and Detailed Answers

1. How do you know how deep a metal detector can detect?

The accepted depth a metal detector can detect is related to the size of the metal detector coil diameter. So, a 12-inch diameter coil can detect up to 12 inches deep. Other factors such as the size of the object, type of soil, and the detector’s sensitivity also contribute to the depth of detection.

2. How deep can a metal detector find gold?

A realistic depth to detect a fair-sized nugget is around 1.5 meters with the best gold prospecting machine on the market, the Minelab GPX5000. Depending on soil conditions and nugget size, 1.5 meters is a realistic maximum depth for a large nugget. Deeper than 1.5 meters is not realistic.

3. Can metal detectors go underwater?

Metal detectors will work underwater, and freshwater has very little effect on how they function. However, saltwater may have an impact on their functionality. Additionally, you can use a metal detector in the rain with no adverse effects.

4. How deep can a Pinpointer detect?

The deepest detection available for a Pinpointer is around 4 inches. It has a powerful pulse induction design that allows it to detect coins up to 4 inches deep. It is also waterproof down to 6 feet deep and has an abrasion-resistant tip.

5. What cannot pass through a metal detector?

Metal detectors have a tough time detecting metals like stainless steel, which have very poor electrical conductivity. Stainless steel has low magnetic permeability and does not produce a signal strong enough to be detected. Other items that metal detectors won’t be able to locate include gemstones.

6. What material cannot be detected by a metal detector?

Stainless steel, by definition, has low magnetic permeability, which means it does not produce a signal strong enough to be recognized by a metal detector. Other items that a metal detector will not detect include gemstones, pearls, bones, diamonds, paper, and stone figures.

7. What is the biggest piece of gold found with a metal detector?

The biggest known golden nugget, known as the “Hand of Faith,” was discovered in 1980, weighing 876 ounces. It currently resides in Las Vegas’ Golden Nugget Casino. Equipped with a more expensive detector, the man who found the $160,000 nugget said he’s going back to see if he can strike gold again.

8. Will a cheap metal detector find gold?

Despite what some dealers may tell you, you won’t have much success finding gold nuggets using a cheap metal detector. Cheap coin detectors might do a decent job finding coins in the park, but finding gold nuggets requires a more specialized and expensive detector.

9. What is the deepest a metal detector can detect metal?

Most metal detectors can detect coins at an average maximum depth of 10 to 16 inches. Metal detectors transmit radio frequency signals from the search coil to locate targets from the ground’s surface to a depth of over 20 feet for large deep treasures.

10. What makes a metal detector go deeper?

The depth a metal detector can detect is primarily determined by the diameter of the coil. Detectors with larger coils can detect objects deeper. Additionally, large targets can be detected deeper than small targets. Circular shapes like coins and rings can also be detected deeper than long, thin shapes like nails.