How deep do most metal detectors go?

Metal detectors have varying depth capabilities that are dependent on many factors. The specific tool type, the purpose of the search and other elements determine how deep this survey equipment can reach.

Blog how deep do most metal detectors

The Qualities of The Target

The target is the metal item you are trying to find. The orientation, size and shape all affect a magnetic locator's depth ability. Equipment can locate larger targets in deeper areas due to the increased surface area. An object's orientation within the earth also affects the detectable surface area.

The Type of Soil

Soil consists of animal and plant matter, sand and minerals. These minerals cause disruptions in the magnetic field of a detector's search coils. If the ground contains high mineralization levels, it can interfere with how deep the locator reaches and produce false signals.

The moisture of the search area ground also affects the depth of the equipment. Saltwater is conductive, providing deeper detection capabilities. Metals in humid environments become corroded, creating a halo around the item, making it easier to find. Some metals are less affected by corrosion than others.

The Specifics of Search Coils

Metal detectors contain two sets of coils. The transmit coil produces a magnetic field, and the receive coil finds disturbances in that field. Magnetic locators come in various configurations, shapes and sizes, designed for specific uses.

Coil configurations include three main types:

Double-D search coils have two overlapping coils and are useful in highly mineralized land areas.
2-box metal detectors contain two separate coil units, creating the ability to detect large targets buried deep underground. This type is not effective at locating smaller targets.
Concentric search coil detectors consist of a larger transmit coil and a smaller receive coil, providing the ability to locate broad, deep areas. This type of survey equipment is susceptible to interference from sites that contain high levels of mineralization.

Coil shapes include circles, ellipses, and rectangles. Circular coils detect slightly deeper than elliptical coils and are most useful in non-mineralized soil. Elliptical search coils have a longer shape to provide a wide coverage area. 2-box metal detectors use rectangular coils to locate large objects.

Search coils come in small, medium and large sizes.

Small rings detect smaller items in tight spaces or areas with an abundance of junk due to their concentrated magnetic fields.
Medium coils are the standard for this type of equipment as they provide a versatile search area.
Large coils have the most significant depth ability but are not ideal for finding small items.

Frequently Asked Questions

What equipment does a surveyor use?

Blog how deep do most metal detectors

Surveyors measure angles and distances utilizing geometry, physics, metrology and more to determine an object's position. Land surveyors use high-tech equipment to map specific land areas. They use many types of equipment, such as magnetic locators, robotics poles and accessories, total stations, theodolites, measuring ropes and tapes and 3D scanners.

What are the surveying instruments and their uses?

Surveyors rely on specialized equipment to take precise measurements:

Compasses measure distances.
Clinometers measure the elevation or angle of slopes.
Magnetic locators identify the location of steel and iron.
Theodolites measure both horizontal and vertical angles.
Poles and Tripods ensure reliable readings.
Levels determine differences in elevation between two points.

What is the deepest metal detector?

Various factors can impact a detector's depth ability:

The type of soil
The size of the detected item
The proximity of that target object to other metals
The sensitivity settings
The amount of discrimination
The coil type and size
Metal composition of the object
The moisture level of the ground

How do you increase the depth of a metal detecting survey equipment?

There are several ways to improve a metal detector's depth:

Turn up the sensitivity, but keep in mind that it can reduce target identification if set too high.
Reduce the discrimination setting to a minimum.
Know the specific features of your equipment. It may have capabilities that amplify deep signals.

What metals cannot be detected by a metal detector?

Ferrous metal is attracted to magnets, making it the easiest to detect. Non-ferrous metals like lead, copper, aluminum, magnesium and brass are not magnetic and therefore more difficult to find. The most challenging metal to locate is stainless steel. This metal has low magnetic permeability and poor electrically conductive qualities.

Invest in high-quality surveying supplies to ensure accurate and efficient readings with commercial-grade tools.