In addition to the classical features that you will check (Modes, Sensitivity, Discrimination Ground Balancing …) before buying a metal detector, you should also pay close attention to its weight …
… Otherwise, you will find yourself dealing with a heavy detector that you will need to carry out consistently for many hours!
The good news?! Most modern detectors are lightweight, only a couple pounds, so in most cases this won’t be a big of an issue.
How much does a metal detector weigh?
Most metal detectors weight between 2 and 4 pounds! For example the Garrett AT Pro (Check it Here at Amazon) is about 3.03 pounds …
… However, there are other models, especially kids detectors that are lower than that about 1.5 pounds or less. But an exception for that is the XP Deus (Check it Here at Amazon) which a high end machine!
You can also find models that are heavier than the 2-4 pounds classical range. An example for that is the legendary Minelab CTX 3030 which is about 5.2 pounds.
Examples of metal detector weights …
Below you can have a look at these models which are very popular by the way and check their weights to have an idea!
- Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker: 3.7 lbs
- Garrett Ace 300: 2.8 lbs
- Fisher F22: 2.3 lbs
- Teknetics EuroTek PRO: 2.4 lbs
- Tesoro Compadre: 2.2 lbs
- Fisher F75: 3.5 lbs
- Minelab CTX-3030: 5.2 lbs
- Minelab Equinox 800: 2.96 lbs
- Teknetics T2: 3.6 lbs
- Fisher F22: 2.3 lbs
What are the factors that make a metal detector heavier?
I don’t believe that there are mysterious factors that determine the machine’s overall weight!
First of all, there are few things that are specific to the constructor, for example Minelab tends to produce quite heavier machines than most of the ones available on the Market … the CTX 3030 and Equinox Series are a bit heavier than average …
… Yet, in the last years we’ve seen that they are working on decreasing the weight of their latest releases as much as possible.
Another thing is the search coil! Obviously the bigger it is, the heavier your machine will be!
One more thing that could make the machine feel a bit heavy is the cable that links the control box to the coil …
… In fact, the XP Deus which is a 100% Wireless machine (no cable between the coil and control box) is a very light machine (a bit over 1 pound), simply because it has no cables around even if it is a really high end model.
Do Heavy detectors mean they perform better?
This could sound like a valid thing to think that heavier machine tend to perform better, yet to be honest not necessarily!
These days, the real power of a given detector relies on its software … And many companies like Minelab offer the possibility to update the software aka make your machine better and packed with more features without affecting the hardware, thus the machine’s weight stays the same!
Also, when I look at the new machines that were released in the last years like the Garrett Ace Apex, the Minelab Vanquish series and even the Simplex+ of the world, it is clear that all the leading companies are looking to pack their new releases by more features and keeping those machines very light, usually under the 3 pounds Mark!
And I totally understand that because weight is also an important Marketing factor that would push a hobbyist to make their buying decision.
Final Thoughts…
Hope this very short post has given you a clear idea on how much does metal detectors weigh! As you’ve noticed, not that much!!
Overall, even the heaviest models out there could still be considered to be lightweight.
Finally, I highly encourage you to check this Complete Guide on How do Metal Detectors Work! You will really learn a Lot!!
