headphones compatible with metal detectors?

Pepperlizard

Jr. Member
Jun 17, 2012
58
2
Valhalla
Detector(s) used
Garrett Ace 350
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
I am going to buy a Garret Ace 250 online later today and I want to get some headphones that will work with it. I have head phones lying around the house that I really like with a standard headphone jack. I am noticing that there are specific headphones for metal detectors, so are metal detector headphones the only ones that will work with metal detectors or can you plug any pair of headphones into a metal detector?
 

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BAMACE350

Jr. Member
Jun 9, 2012
52
4
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All Treasure Hunting
If a normal headphone Jack just buy an adapter, I use earbuds. Look for something with volume control.
 

silversnacher

Hero Member
Jun 14, 2012
627
92
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At Meijer's I bought a kit of stuff that had the adapter you need along with a really long headphone extender, am airline jack. A iPhone to iPhone I don't know what it's for, a Mobil phone adapter and a headphone splinter it was only like 10 or so too :)
 

Ace350

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Apr 12, 2012
550
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I am going to buy a Garret Ace 250 online later today and I want to get some headphones that will work with it. I have head phones lying around the house that I really like with a standard headphone jack. I am noticing that there are specific headphones for metal detectors, so are metal detector headphones the only ones that will work with metal detectors or can you plug any pair of headphones into a metal detector?

The size of the headphone jack on the Ace series metal detectors and most other metal detectors is the larger 1/4 jack also known as 6.35mm. You used to see these in old headphones form the 70's ect.
The size of the common headphone jack today is known as 3.5mm. or 1/8 and found in most handheld electronic devices like iPhones and MP3 players ect.
If you use the newer smaller headphones or earbuds it will most likely have a 3.5mm plug on the end.
What you need to convert it is inexpensive, it is just a jack converter (stereo not mono) and you also will need some kind of inline volume control. You can find these in Radio Shack or online at Amazon.com
here is a picture of them.

Amazon.com: 3.5mm Stereo Jack to 1/4" Stereo Plug Adapter black: Electronics
41HFcS27AeL._SL500_AA300_.jpg


http://www.amazon.com/Koss-155954-V...014&sr=1-1&keywords=1/4+inline+volume+control
http://www.amazon.com/Stereo-Extens...9&sr=1-1&keywords=3.5mm+inline+volume+control
 

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U.K. Brian

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Oct 11, 2005
1,629
153
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Primary Interest:
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Though most headphones will work you should always try to match the impedance of the headphones to the output of the detector. This can effect both the sound your hearing and the battery life. Best to try some out in your local detector shop or at a club meeting as comfort is also so important and it can make a real difference if you pick the wrong shape of plug (straight or 90 degree). Jack convertors tend to be the device of the devil and soon start to sound off as you swing the detector. Detecting headphones seem expensive but will stand up to wet weather/damp without the sound going to pot.
 

goldentruth

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Nov 3, 2011
523
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French Gulch, North Calif.
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"WHITES" GOLDMASTER "GMT" & "TESORO GOLDEN SABRE II" with silent search.
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I find for myself the earbuds from "Rockcandy" work fine and my whites has a volume control so I can use it at the right level. My adapter for Stereo works both buds. I think the mono might just work one side so you have to get the one which works both Left & Right.
 

Frankn

Gold Member
Mar 21, 2010
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The old standard for headphones was !/4" plug. Now some are 1/8" plug. Adaptores are plentiful, Radio Shack, etc. The old headphones were not stero they had one seperator ring. The newer ones are stero like those in post#4. Most headphones will work with most detectors. Headphones go by resistance ratinge. Most of the old ones were 8 ohms. This is how it works. If you put 16 ohm headphones in place of 8 ohm headphones, the volume will be about 1/2. A Volume controll only decreases volume unless there is also an amp in the unit. If I were you, I would try what I had first and save the bucks. No headphones will hurt the detector. hand print-2_edited-3.jpg
 

tparker805

Full Member
May 7, 2012
170
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Ventura county
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The old standard for headphones was !/4" plug. Now some are 1/8" plug. Adaptores are plentiful, Radio Shack, etc. The old headphones were not stero they had one seperator ring. The newer ones are stero like those in post#4. Most headphones will work with most detectors. Headphones go by resistance ratinge. Most of the old ones were 8 ohms. This is how it works. If you put 16 ohm headphones in place of 8 ohm headphones, the volume will be about 1/2. A Volume controll only decreases volume unless there is also an amp in the unit. If I were you, I would try what I had first and save the bucks. No headphones will hurt the detector. View attachment 649151

what do you mean hurt the detector?? itself or the person ? lol sorry for being confused
 

gleaner1

Silver Member
Feb 1, 2009
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Take note that 99% of metal detectors use the typical 8 ohm headset, seen in 99% of headsets. Avoid earbuds and cheap crap for headphones. Stick with good quality headphones made for tectors, or even good quality headphones you would use for your home stereo. It's really that simple. Really. NOT TRYING TO BE FACETIOUS. Regards, gleaner.
 

Frankn

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Mar 21, 2010
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805, No headphone will cause damage to your detector or you. Got it this time?
Gleaner 1, You can use jest about any old cheap headphone hand print-2_edited-3.jpg and get the same results with a detector. The frequency responce is so narrow they all will work. The difference in internal resistance will cause different volume outputs. Some of the real high quality expensive head phones are 16 ohms which will give you lower volume.
 

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chrisplay2004

Hero Member
Feb 28, 2008
679
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New Mexico
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Fisher F2 with 4" & 8" Coil, and F-Point Pinpointer, Whites Eagle II, Bounty Hunter Fortune Hunter, Modified VLF WaterDetector
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Been there, done that, best to stick with 1/4" jacks..
 

hikeinmts

Bronze Member
Dec 13, 2008
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If you use headphones, you are going to get some blasts from large or close-to-the-top items. I am now in my 6th year of having tinnitus. The ringing does not go away. And it was caused by me wearing headphones when detecting. Oh, I found some very old coins, buried at depths where the sound was just a whisper in the earphone. I would never wear them again, unless I got the ones that I could adjust the volume. But, adjust the volume down, and the whispers go away. I have heard that there are some that blunt the very loud sounds. Those might work. But, be careful. You only get one set of ears. No cure for tinnitus.
Also, if you decide to use Bluetooth, then FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS. I didn't. I turned on the earphones when setting them up.....they reprogrammed my detector to only work when using the phones.....and then the phones broke. Live and learn.
Good hunting.
 

unfound

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Apr 15, 2014
421
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Garret Ace 350,
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I've hunted for years without headphones...? never damaged any detector I ever had or me..
am I missing something here?

unless your saying a person would be a better MDer using headphones, then I'd understand.
 

OWK

Hero Member
Apr 26, 2014
998
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Garrett Pinpointer
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I've hunted for years without headphones...? never damaged any detector I ever had or me..
am I missing something here?

unless your saying a person would be a better MDer using headphones, then I'd understand.

There are places where headphones are not only advantageous, but critical to success.
 

Keppy

Gold Member
Nov 19, 2006
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I've hunted for years without headphones...? never damaged any detector I ever had or me..
am I missing something here?

unless your saying a person would be a better MDer using headphones, then I'd understand.
Like you i never use head phones… Never liked them..
 

Treasure_Hunter

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Jul 27, 2006
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I've hunted for years without headphones...? never damaged any detector I ever had or me..
am I missing something here?

unless your saying a person would be a better MDer using headphones, then I'd understand.
There are soft whispers of tones from deep targets you don't hear without headphones..
 

unfound

Sr. Member
Apr 15, 2014
421
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Western Pa
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Garret Ace 350,
BH Tracker IV,
Garret Pro Pointer,
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There are soft whispers of tones from deep targets you don't hear without headphones..
That I understand. I know by not using headphones I'm not getting every whisper, but I find plenty to keep me entertained. I would probably reccomend using headphones to someone new, I just don't use them.

I never damaged a detector by not using headphones. I most certainly have missed some deep targets because I don't.
 

NVNutcase

Sr. Member
Sep 9, 2013
299
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Arizona
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If the 250 is like the 350, as far as volume, for sure get headphones with a means of turning the volume down
 

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