Detection Depth Tool
Unlock the secrets of the ground. Estimate how deep your specific detector and coil setup can "see" common targets like coins, jewelry, and iron relics.
Optimal signal for a US Quarter.
What Determines Detection Depth?
I genuinely believe that metal detecting is the closest thing we have to real-life magic, but the "vision" of your machine is limited by physics. The depth of a metal detector is primarily determined by three things: the size of the search coil, the size of the target, and the electrical conductivity of the soil.
The Coil Rule: A larger search coil will "see" deeper into the ground, especially for larger objects. However, smaller coils are much better at finding small targets (like tiny gold flakes) and separating good targets from trash in high-junk areas.
Detecting Secrets:
- Mineralization: In highly mineralized soil (like red clay), the minerals in the ground act like a "mask" that prevents the signal from penetrating deeply. Using a Ground Balance setting is essential here.
- The Halo Effect: Older coins and iron objects often develop a "halo" of oxidation in the soil over decades, which actually makes them appear larger and easier to detect than a freshly buried item.
- Swing Speed: Swinging too fast can cause the detector's processor to miss deep, faint signals. A slow, steady, overlapping sweep is the key to finding what others missed.