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Top 3 Junior Metal Detectors For Children – Starter Sets
Thanks to a shift in the general public’s outlook on metal detecting more and more people are taking up this hobby. This also means that there is an increasing number of younger detectors out and about. As we all know children tend to have a much shorter attention span than adults and can get bored quickly, which is why it is important to pick locations where there is a better chance of finding something that will help keep them engaged.
There are plenty of places you can go to get started with the kids but good places such as beaches, picnic areas of local parks and woods and maybe even your own back garden could hold the possibility of hidden treasures. Some metal detecting clubs run treasure hunting competition’s, here you get to search a field that has had items hidden in it and it’s a race to see who can find the most or who can find the most value object hidden on the day. These sorts of competitions tend to go down well with the younger hunters as they know they will find something and they could win a prize if they find the most or the best items.
A metal detector for a child is in many ways similar to the adult ones, however they tend to be a easier to use and of course much lighter and smaller in overall size. When looking for metal detectors for kids, the task may appear rather simple when in fact it can be a bit like traversing a land mine site and generally a little and confusing to boot. There are very many devices out there and as you may have noticed, some are simply toys for your kids to mess around with while others are the real deal and its worth spending the money on the real deal rather than a toy that is not up to standard. Among the many options out there, there are a few that are a good bet. They have a range of good features and are well worth your money.
Metal Detector Buying Guide for Kids
Brand
Good well-known brands offer good returns for your money with regards to warranties and after care service or faulty device issues. Another important thing about the well-known brands is that because many users have bought and used them you will be able to find a decent review online about them and also finding advice online about maintenance and other such related-issues will be relatively easy. The price of a branded metal detector will likely be more than an unknown name but it is safe to say the extra money is well spent.
Specifications
When you get down to the nitty gritty of it you need to ensure you purchase a unit where the search coil can actually detect, meaning if you really want to find anything worth wile then the cheap options from toy stores should be avoided. Hence it is definitely worth investing a real detector and not a toy one from Toys R Us. Most kid friendly detectors start with a search coil of 4” in diameter and will have an adjustable shaft, as let’s face it kids then to grow rather fats at time, it is also worth looking at the handles to ensure they are comfortable to hold and are suitable to fit your child’s wrists and or arms. The body and build of the unit should be tough enough and durable enough to withstand the demands of being handled by a child on a regular basis. It should also be light enough for the child to be able to comfortably hold the unit without getting tired after a few minutes.
The controls should be easy to understand and us, it would be nice if there was an LCD display or something similar as it would make it easier to read but a simpler needle led display will work just as well. The ability to control the level of discrimination would be handy and an icon to show battery life remaining wold also be a good selling point.
Features
When it comes to features, you want to see there are some you simply must have and other =s that would be nice to have, but not entirely necessary. The main must have is the ability to discriminate between metals and the level of sensitivity to these different metals. It is important to do your research on these features as some of the cheaper models will not have this feature or is may not be very well defined and this can cause a lack of focus for the user and an ultimate decline in desire to go hunting. These features are usually found on units that use the Very Low Frequency (VLF) technology. Ground balance is another must have feature, it doesn’t mater so much if it is pre-set or manual, but it really should feature as it will make your child’s experience that much easier. Also it is a good idea to check if the coil is actually waterproof and if it is what level of water it can handle. This will help reduce the chance of mishaps and a very sad and sorry child if something goes wrong.
Additional items
Every brand will offer you a range of different selling points to entice you into a sale. Some may have waterproof coils and others may include a set of headphones. Any additional features or accessories are good to have but you really need to be realistic about what you want and what will actually be of any use. Don’t get suckered into a sale just because it has a feature or accessory that your child will simply never utilise.
Now let us take a look at the three detectors we are reviewing today to give you an idea of what you can expect from a child targeted machine.
Bounty Hunter Junior Metal Review – Our Number 1
The Bounty Hunter Junior (VIEW PRICE HERE!) is super light to allow use for hours without the user tiring and it features an adjustable shaft with a minimum limit of 2.25 inches which can fit any height changes in one child or exchanging and sharing among friends. It has one-tone audio indication which gets louder as you near a target.
It can discriminate to leave out iron and other unwanted objects but can also be altered accordingly to detect every single metal it finds. The device also has a pre-set ground balance that makes it possible to be used in various soil types and mineral content. It can detect coin-sized objects as deep as 5” and 2’ for larger objects.The 6.5-inch coil can brace the weather and rise above the abuse and neglect that comes along with being owned and played with by a child.The control panel has an intensity-meter and a visual target system and low battery indicator.
The discrimination levels on this model allow you to leave out iron and any other unwanted objects, it can also be altered accordingly to find every single metal it comes across. The unit also has a pre-set ground balance which is an important feature and that makes it possible to be used in variety of different soil types with varying degrees of mineral content. It can easily detect a coin-sized object that is buried as deep as 5” and up to 2’ for larger objects which is really quite impressive. The 6.5-inch coil can cope with the weather and handle the abuse and neglect that comes hand in hand by being owned by a child. The control panel has an easy to read intensity-meter as well as a visual targeting system and low battery indicator.
The key features of this model are as follows:
- This model can extend up to 26.5 inches cm so children of all sizes can enjoy it.
- There is a discrimination control to help eliminate unwanted items.
- The volume is proportional to the signal strength, meaning the louder it is the stronger the signal.
- It has a compact and ergonomic design.
- It is suitable for ages as young as 6 years old.
- 5-inch search coil.
- Pre-set ground balance.
The Bounty Hunter Junior Metal Detector is a great first choice as it has a lot of features you would expect to see on much more expensive models and the fact that it can have its height changed means it will last for many years while your child grows.
Summary
Features -Max extension of 26.5 inches – Adjustable discrimination – Volume increases with signal strength – Compact design – Lightweight – 6.5 inch search coil – Water resistant – Pre-set ground balance.
Pricing – High End
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Altai All-Round Treasure Seeker Review – Number 2
The Altai Treasure Seeker metal detector is a very affordable starter model. This metal detector has a 6.5 inch waterproof coil and extending metal shaft for easy use. The Altai Treasure Seeker metal detector is very handy because it has both visual and audible indicators to make it easier to know when you have found something hidden underground. The tune control that this model has can be individually tuned in all conditions. It also a discriminatory control feature which distinguishes iron and steel from gold and silver. This is very useful and a huge time saver to collect gold and silver instead of worthless metal.
The metal detector is very lightweight and only weighs 712 grams. The Altai Treasure Seeker metal detector shaft extends anywhere from 24.5 inches up to 34.5 inches which means it can accommodate a wide range of heights and thus grow with your child over time.
Its key features are:
- It can discriminate between ferrous (iron and steel) and non-ferrous (gold, silver) metals.
- It is super lightweight and weighs only 712g.
- Both audible and visual signals that a find has been made.
- Tune and Volume controls
- The search coil is waterproof so it can be used in shallow waters, such as streams.
- Shaft extends from 24.5 inches up to 34.5 inches.
- 5 inch search coil.
The Altai All-Round Treasure Seeker 1 Starter Metal Detector is a good first buy if you are not sure if your children are actually going to enjoy, or want to continue with this hobby. It has some good features and is very reasonably priced.
Summary
Features – 6.5 inch search coil – Waterproof coil – Lightweight – Headphone jack – Audible and visual signals – Tune and Volume controls. Ferrous and Non-ferrous discrimination.
Pricing – Affordable
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ExploreOne Junior Metal Review – Number 3
ExploreOne is a unique company that offers a wide range of products aimed at children, their product are based around the STEM educational ideas which encompass science, technology, engineering and maths. Their aim is to get younger children involved and excited about these areas to help launch a new generation of innovators and boost the up general up take in these areas of educationand career development. The products they make include telescopes, microscopes, binoculars and metal detectors.
Now let us look at the key features of this model to see what it has to offer the budding detectorist:
- It has an LCD screen which shows you when you are nearing a possible target.
- There is a sensitivity/discrimination control which lets you rule out certain unwanted items.
- It also has a volume control so you can adjust the level of sound you hear.
- Waterproof up to 6 inches.
- There are LED lights so it can be used in dimly light areas.
The ExploreOne Junior Metal Detector is another good option and the fact that it is basic and simple means it can be used by children as young as 4 years of age.
Summary
Features – LCD screen – LED lights – Sensitivity – control – Volume control – Waterproof.
Pricing – High
High End
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Verdict
Whether you have an over excited child wanting to go hunting for buried gold or one that really loves history and wants to try and dig up the past there is something for everyone within this review. However, if I had to pick one to buy for my own child it would be the Bounty Hunter Junior Metal Detector and this is because of the decent sized search coil which is water resistant, it also has pre-set ground balance which will mean it will work better for longer periods of time without needing to be fully retuned.