Gold Nugget Detectors - Basic Specifications

This chart gives an overall view of the specifications and list pricing of most of the gold nugget detectors being manufactured for sale in the United States today. Other models exist, but these units enjoy the widest use and dealer support. Selecting a model name will take you to photos and reviews.

*These models have been discontinued... information left for reference

Notes: Keep in mind that you can find gold with all these detectors. There is no such thing as a "best" machine. Performance will vary with the area searched, and the operator's skill will make more difference than the detector used. A good nugget hunter will have their personal preferences, but will be able to outdetect a novice, no matter which two machines they use.

1. List Price The manufacturer's current suggested retail price in the United States (in US dollars).
2. Ground Balance Manual units must be retuned if the ground mineralization changes. Automatic units adjust constantly, and give smoother results in heavily mineralized areas. The automatic feature normally has a manual override.
3. Frequency In general, the higher the frequency, the more sensitive to small gold, but also to mineralized ground and rocks. Lower frequencies penetrate mineralized ground better but are less sensitive to small nuggets. Multi-Period detectors are a special case, but in effect act as if they are a super low frequency detectors. MPS detectors almost totally ignore ground mineralization, but are not very sensitive to smaller nuggets. Keep in mind these are generalizations only, and that the actual differences between the detectors are rather small.
4. Disc (Discrimination) "Iron" refers to a circuit designed to reject metallic iron/steel targets, such as nails. "Full" refers to a fully adjustable circuit such as is found on many coin-hunting detectors.
5. Volume Detectors without volume controls operate at full volume at all times. Be sure and purchase headphones that have an adjustable volume or the headphones will be too loud to use.
6. Tone Simply allows for a change of tone in the speaker output, to the sound that best suits the user's ears.
7. Audio Boost Boosts the audio volume on small, faint targets, making them easier to hear. May also boost false signals in some areas, but may be switched off.
8. Hip Mount Many models allow the control box to be put on a belt or chest harness. A very desirable feature, as even a lighter detector can cause arm soreness, or even injury, if used for long periods of time. The White's Goldmaster 4/B is available in two separate versions, a hipmount or a standard version, but may not be switched one to the other.

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