| 1. Entry-Level VLF Detector | Dry sand, lawns, parks, cultivated soil, and low-mineral ground.
Low mineralization General soil | Coins, aluminum objects, jewelry, relics, and larger shallow items. | Very-low-frequency induction balance with basic target discrimination. | Approximately 6–10 kHz | About 15–25 cm for coin-sized targets under favorable conditions | Search coil usually waterproof; control box commonly splash-resistant only | Approximately 1.0–1.4 kg | US$100–250 | Beginners, casual users, families, and buyers testing the hobby before upgrading. | Low purchase cost, simple controls, light handling, and useful discrimination for common trash. | Performance can drop sharply in wet salt sand, highly mineralized soil, and areas with heavy iron contamination. |
| 2. Mid-Range Multi-Frequency Detector | Mixed soil, damp parks, inland fields, and moderate mineralization.
Variable ground Wet soil | Coins, small jewelry, relics, brass items, and shallow-to-medium non-ferrous targets. | Simultaneous or selectable multi-frequency VLF operation with ground balancing and numerical target identification. | Multiple frequencies, commonly from low kHz to approximately 30 kHz | About 20–35 cm for coin-sized targets, depending on soil and coil size | Search coil generally waterproof; some configurations allow shallow underwater use | Approximately 1.1–1.5 kg | US$350–700 | Serious hobbyists who search in several countries and encounter changing soil conditions. | More stable operation across dry ground, damp soil, and many beach environments than a basic single-frequency unit. | More settings require a learning period, and saltwater performance still depends on correct beach and ground-balance modes. |
| 3. High-Frequency Gold and Fine-Jewelry Detector | Mineralized ground, dry desert soil, rocky terrain, and goldfield environments when properly ground-balanced.
Mineralized soil Dry goldfields | Small natural gold, fine chains, tiny earrings, thin foil, and other small low-conductivity targets. | High-frequency VLF induction balance with sensitive threshold control and enhanced ground compensation. | Approximately 20–60 kHz | Small gold is often detectable only at shallow depth; larger coin-sized targets may reach approximately 15–30 cm | Waterproof coil; control-box protection varies by configuration | Approximately 1.0–1.6 kg | US$500–1,200 | Prospectors and experienced users prioritizing small targets over maximum depth on large objects. | Greater sensitivity to small, low-conductivity targets than many low-frequency detectors. | High operating frequency can increase sensitivity to iron minerals and small aluminum trash; careful tuning is essential. |
| 4. Beach and Shallow-Water Multi-Frequency Detector | Wet salt sand, tidal zones, dry beach, freshwater shorelines, and variable coastal ground.
Saltwater Wet sand | Coins, rings, jewelry, watches, beach valuables, and recent lost items. | Simultaneous multi-frequency processing designed to reduce saltwater response and maintain target stability. | Broad simultaneous multi-frequency range | About 15–30 cm for coin-sized targets in difficult wet sand; greater depth is possible in dry sand or mild soil | Commonly rated for complete submersion to approximately 3–5 m; verify the model’s stated depth rating before diving | Approximately 1.2–1.6 kg | US$600–1,500 | Coastal users, travelers, beachcombers, and buyers who need one detector for both land and shallow water. | Better saltwater stability and fewer false signals than most single-frequency VLF detectors. | Advanced waterproof construction increases cost, and search depth is still affected by black sand, surf, and target orientation. |
| 5. Pulse-Induction Detector | Highly mineralized soil, black sand, volcanic ground, saltwater beaches, and areas where conventional VLF detectors become unstable.
High mineralization Black sand | Larger gold nuggets, deep relics, large ferrous and non-ferrous objects, and targets in difficult ground. | Pulse-induction technology with strong resistance to mineralized ground effects. | Pulse timing rather than a conventional continuous operating frequency | Often approximately 25–45 cm for coin-sized or larger targets, with improved depth on larger objects | Coils are commonly waterproof; full detector waterproofing depends on the design | Approximately 1.5–2.5 kg, depending on battery and coil system | US$900–2,500+ | Professional prospectors and experienced users working in severe mineralization or demanding coastal conditions. | Maintains usable sensitivity and ground stability where many VLF detectors suffer from mineral-related interference. | Basic discrimination is often limited, so iron and valuable targets may both produce strong signals; professional training is recommended. |
