Guide to Choosing Gold Detector Coils

by Michael Bernzweig

Types of Gold Detector Coils

Metal detector coils for gold prospecting come in all shapes and sizes, but which is the best one for you? It really depends on what type of gold prospecting you're doing and where you'll be doing it.

The best coils for gold prospecting are mono coils, double-D coils, and concentric coils. Mono coils are good for shallow hunting in open areas. Double-D coils are best for detecting small gold nuggets in heavily mineralized soil. Concentric coils are the best for pinpointing.

No matter what coil you choose, always ensure that you choose the best gold detector coils and the right size and type for your specific metal detector. The good news is that each professional coil is a waterproof coil designed for all types of hunting on land and underwater. In addition, all modern coils are shielded and designed to suppress or cancel out electrical noise.

And don't forget to practice with it before hitting the field! This article will look at each type of metal detector coil in-depth so that you can choose the best one for your needs.

Gold Search Coils

If you're just getting started in gold prospecting, it's a good idea to choose a coil that's not too big or a very small coil. When using a smaller coil, it will be easier to maneuver in tight spaces, while a large coil will cover more ground. Specialty smart coil-equipped metal detectors like the XP Deus series only work with the manufacturer-supplied coils. Aftermarket coils are not available for the XP models.

When choosing a waterproof search coil for gold prospecting, consider the following:

  • The type of terrain you'll be hunting in 
  • Search coil type
  • Search coil shape
  • Search coil build
  • The size of the gold nuggets you're hoping to find
  • The level of mineralization in the soil

If you're just getting started in gold prospecting, it's a good idea to try out a few different types of coils to see which one works best for you. The three coils we'll be discussing today are the mono coil, dd coil, and concentric coils. NEL and Detech coils are some of the most popular brands for gold prospecting. There are a wide variety of coils and an included coil cover offered by each of the brands, so you can find the right one for you.

There are also coils available with different frequency ranges, so if you know what type of gold you're looking for, you can choose a coil that's specifically designed for that kind of metal. For example, if you're looking for gold in highly mineralized soil, you'll want a coil with a higher frequency range.

Metal Detecting Tip: Always keep your search coil cover on while you are metal detecting. This will provide you with the longest life for your search coil.

Monoloop Coils

A Monoloop coil is also good for detecting small, deep-seated gold nuggets that are difficult to find with a larger coil. The larger coils will achieve better ground coverage. Mono search coils are suitable for shallow hunting in open areas. If you're looking for gold nuggets on the surface or just below the surface, a mono coil is a good choice. They're also good for detecting small targets in open areas since they produce a smaller "footprint" than other types of coils.

Metal detectors using mono loop search coils are louder than DD coils, but DD coils can be more sensitive and detect gold nuggets with greater depth and sensitivity. Mono coils are best used in open, sandy areas with little or no vegetation.

Some benefits of metal detectors with mono loop coils include:

  • Good sensitivity to small gold nuggets
  • It can be used in open, sandy areas with little or no vegetation
  • Less susceptible to interference from small metal objects
  • Better target separation

The main disadvantage of larger mono loop coils is that they are more difficult to use in heavily vegetated areas. If you're going to be prospecting primarily in bushy or tree-covered areas, choosing a coil that's suited for those environments might be the best choice.

Double D Coils

Double-D coils, like those used with the Garrett ATX metal detector and the Fisher Gold Bug or Garrett Goldmaster metal detector, are the most popular type of coil among gold prospectors. They're versatile and can be used in a variety of different terrain, from open fields to densely wooded areas. Double-D coils also offer good depth and sensitivity. An example of a popular DD coil for the Minelab GPX metal detector is the Detech 15" DD Ultra Sensing Design Search Coil. This model provides greater depth than the standard coil. The Garrett Ace Apex models are popular for gold targets at the beach with the Detech 13" Ultimate Search Coil.

The Double D has two loops of wiring (like reversed capital letter D's that meet in the middle of the coil) which overlap in the middle of the coil. One coil is used as a transmitter, and the other is the receive signal antenna.

Double-D search coils are good all-around coils for both deep and shallow hunting. They provide more depth than mono coils but still have enough sensitivity to detect small targets and fine gold close to the surface. They're also great for finding larger gold nuggets at greater depths. In many cases, to find a target fast, a prospector might use small gold pans while nugget detecting. Specialty detectors like the Garrett AT gold and the Garrett GMT 24k, formerly produced by Whites metal detectors, are great choices for prospecting.

Some advantages of Double-D search coils include:

  • Good depth and sensitivity
  • From open fields to densely wooded areas, the coil can be used on a wide range of terrains
  • DD coils have superior ground balance capabilities
  • Great for finding large gold nuggets at greater depths

The main disadvantage of double D search coils is that they are more susceptible to interference from small pieces of metal. By performing the ground balancing procedure, you can get rid of false signals from tough ground conditions. You may want to choose a different coil if you're hunting in an area with lots of scrap metal.

Concentric Coils

Concentric coils, like many used for the Garrett metal detector Ace series, and Minelab GPX, are best for pinpointing small targets. This Minelab metal detector is designed with pulse technology. These coils are round with a single loop of wire, and the transmit and receive signals are in the same plane. Choosing the best metal detector coil for your application is the key to success in the field with your gold metal detector.

Concentric coils offer good depth and sensitivity, but they're not as versatile as dd or mono coils. They're best suited for detecting small targets in close proximity to one another in mildly mineralized soil, where other coils may not be as effective.

Concentric coils are available in a variety of shapes, including elliptical coils and semi-elliptical coils. The elliptical design has reasonable depth and cuts a narrow and precise path.

Concentric coils work best in areas with minimal mineralization. If you're hunting in an area where the soil is heavily saturated with minerals, a double d coil may be the best choice for you.

Some advantages of concentric coils include:

  • Good depth and sensitivity
  • Best for detecting small targets
  • Good for isolating targets in close proximity to one another

The main disadvantage of concentric coils is that they're not as versatile as other types of coils. If you're hunting in an area with high mineralization, you'll probably be better off with a different type of coil.

When it comes to metal detecting, you will find that there are many different coils and metal detector accessories available to you, so you should pick the one that works best for you. If you're just starting, a mono or Double-D coil is a good place to start. Whichever type of coil you choose, make sure it's suited for the type of hunting you plan on doing.

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