Metal detector for kids

MackDog · May 11, 2019

I've been detecting since 1973. I want to know what everyone thinks is the best kids detector. I don't mean the cheap junk toy one. I want one that's light shows depth, VDI and would be easy for a 10 year old to learn and use.
Thankyou for any help
MackDOg

RobNC · May 11, 2019

MackDog said:
I've been detecting since 1973. I want to know what everyone thinks is the best kids detector. I don't mean the cheap junk toy one. I want one that's light shows depth, VDI and would be easy for a 10 year old to learn and use.
Thankyou for any help
MackDOg

Here are some ideas:
Whites Coinmaster
Teknetics Digitek
Garrett Ace 200

Darke · May 11, 2019

Robs post has good choices. Considering the Garrett Ace 200 for my 12 y.o. great niece.

RobNC · May 11, 2019

It's really nice to think that someone young will be getting an intro to metal detecting. All I have to say is please make it worth their while. Even if you have to plant a few coins(some clad stuff) before they get there. That memory will always be with them.
It would instill into them the drive to find more.

Iffy Signals · May 11, 2019

My Sons was the Teknetics Digitek. He Loved it, nice and light and they sell a longer bottom stem for when he outgrows that one.

Darke · May 11, 2019

RobNC said:
It's really nice to think that someone young will be getting an intro to metal detecting. All I have to say is please make it worth their while. Even if you have to plant a few coins(some clad stuff) before they get there. That memory will always be with them.
It would instill into them the drive to find more.

I've taken both my great nieces detecting before letting them use my AT Pro. The older one(14 now) didn't care much for it. The younger one liked it and someone got her one of the detectors from Harbor Freight which she hated. It goes off on anything. The Ace 200 will be a big step up from the one she got. Of course me going with her is probably the biggest incentive lol.

Slingshot · May 11, 2019

Look at the Bounty Hunter Jr., kid sized and light, and a discriminator that can eliminate copper cents and clad dimes. I dug with one for about 20 actual hours field time last summer, way too small for me, but I managed, it has super fast recovery time, and was fun for quarters only detecting in parks, gets down a solid 4 inches. They also make a digitized version, but I have no hands on experience with it. Hope you have found a new member of our pursuit.

RobNC · May 11, 2019

Darke said:
I've taken both my great nieces detecting before letting them use my AT Pro. The older one(14 now) didn't care much for it. The younger one liked it and someone got her one of the detectors from Harbor Freight which she hated. It goes off on anything. The Ace 200 will be a big step up from the one she got. Of course me going with her is probably the biggest incentive lol.

If you could have somehow put a makeup kit with mirror, along with a cellphone mounted to the detector the older one may have liked it. Sadly a lot of girls today are more into drama than they are getting out in the air and having some real fun. I tried to get my daughter into metal detecting, unfortunately she preferred fake nails, drama, cellphones, and other annoying things. LOL
It's really weird though, some kids really get into it if you can start them out young enough. If I had to pick a cut-off age I'd say 12. If you can get to them before that age they may get into it. After 12 though girls get all wrapped up in the drama at school.

Darke · May 11, 2019

RobNC said:
If you could have somehow put a makeup kit with mirror, along with a cellphone mounted to the detector the older one may have liked it. Sadly a lot of girls today are more into drama than they are getting out in the air and having some real fun. I tried to get my daughter into metal detecting, unfortunately she preferred fake nails, drama, cellphones, and other annoying things. LOL
It's really weird though, some kids really get into it if you can start them out young enough. If I had to pick a cut-off age I'd say 12. If you can get to them before that age they may get into it. After 12 though girls get all wrapped up in the drama at school.

Actually if she could detect from a horse she might of liked it better lol. She's into mounted shooting and barrel racing. The younger one likes a lot of different hobbies. And the makeup and cellphone along with it. :tongue3:

Stringtyer · May 11, 2019

RobNC is right on with his comments about getting kids started early with outdoor activities ... including metal detecting. I started with my older grand daughter when she was about 5 years old; same thing with her younger sister. I got them a Bounty Hunter Tracker 4 as a first detector. They had a great time finding "interesting" things ... including some that I may have planted on the beach or at a playground. Now the younger girl uses the BH and her older sister uses a nice Tesoro detector that I got at a thrift shop. If either detector beeps, they dig. Best thing so far is a set of brass knuckles found under a bench at a playground.

We live in North Carolina and there are quite a few places where you can find some placer gold in streams and rivers. Two years ago, I bought them their own gold pan and we spend time panning. We haven't found enough gold to pay for their college tuition but we have found enough to keep them interested.

One of my greatest joys is knowing that those girls (now 9 and 7 years old) would rather be outside playing and going treasure hunting with Papa (me) or their parents than inside playing video games or watching TV. Life is, indeed, good.