Key Considerations
- •Mineralized ground: Schist, volcanic, and clay soils can confuse cheap detectors
- •Waterproof is essential: You'll likely be in streams and wet conditions
- •Fine gold: Many goldfields have small, fine gold — you need high sensitivity
- •Local regulations: Check your region's rules on motorized equipment
Detector Comparison
We've tested these models in goldfields across multiple continents.
Minelab Gold Monster 1000
The Gold Monster was designed specifically for gold prospecting. It auto-tunes to ground conditions, making it ideal for variable soil types worldwide.
Pros
- Automatic ground balancing
- Built-in speaker
- Simple to use
- Great for fine gold
Cons
- •No manual ground balance
- •Shorter battery life
Minelab SDC 2300
The SDC 2300 is what serious prospectors use. Fully waterproof, handles wet conditions, and finds gold that VLF detectors miss.
Pros
- Waterproof to 3m
- Pulse Induction (finds deep gold)
- Folds compact
- Handles mineralized ground
Cons
- •Very expensive
- •Learning curve
Garrett AT Gold
A solid mid-range option that can also find coins and relics. Good for prospectors who want versatility.
Pros
- Waterproof to 3m
- Iron discrimination
- Good value
- Versatile
Cons
- •Struggles in mineralized ground
- •Not as sensitive to fine gold
Nokta Makro Gold Kruzer
Best bang for your buck. The Gold Kruzer punches above its weight class and comes fully kitted out.
Pros
- Fully waterproof
- Wireless headphones included
- Good for beginners
- Affordable
Cons
- •Not as deep as Minelab
- •Smaller brand
Minelab GPZ 7000
The ultimate gold detector. If you're serious about finding gold commercially, this is the machine.
Pros
- Deepest gold detection
- Best technology available
- GPS built-in
- Finds gold others miss
Cons
- •Extremely expensive
- •Heavy
- •Overkill for hobbyists
Which Type of Detector?
VLF (Very Low Frequency)
Budget-friendly and good at discrimination (telling gold from trash). However, they struggle in highly mineralized ground and won't go as deep.
Best for: Beginners & casual hobbyists
PI (Pulse Induction)
Ignores ground mineralization and punches deep. Essential for areas with hot rocks that drive VLF machines crazy. More expensive.
Best for: Serious prospectors
Our Recommendation
For most prospectors, we recommend the Minelab Gold Monster 1000. It's specifically designed for gold, handles variable ground conditions well, and is simple enough that you'll actually use it.
If budget is tight, the Nokta Gold Kruzer is excellent value. If you're serious and have the budget, the SDC 2300 is the sweet spot between cost and performance.
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