Metal Detector Gifts for Kids and Beginners

The eight gifts at a glance

For a child: Bounty Hunter Junior

First Texas Products describes the Junior as a kids’ detector for ages 6 and up . The Amazon listing for the exact product we link is titled “Bounty Hunter Junior Metal Detector for Kids” with a 6.5-inch coil, beep alerts, a discrimination mode and an age 6+ label. Our Bounty Hunter Junior review covers where it makes sense: short, supervised outings in a yard or park, not beaches or rough ground.

Skip it for a teen or an adult, who will outgrow it quickly. For a checklist of what to pack for a child’s first hunt, see our kids’ starter kit checklist .

Check the Bounty Hunter Junior on Amazon (sold by Amazon.com)

The HEAD-PL headphones below are not for the Junior; that listing excludes it.

For an older child, teen or budget adult: Bounty Hunter Tracker IV kit

First Texas Products lists the Tracker IV (TK4) as a VLF detector with three modes, an 8-inch coil that is waterproof (the control box is not), about 2.6 lb and two 9V batteries that are not included. It has no target ID display, and a 1/4-inch headphone jack. The package we link adds a digger and pouch, according to the Amazon title, which is the same bundle our Tracker IV review identifies as B000VC2JVU.

Choose it when the goal is the simplest and least expensive full-size start. If the recipient is likely to want more target information, look at the Minelab options below or our beginner detector picks . Batteries are not in the box, so add two 9V batteries to the gift.

Check the Tracker IV kit on Amazon (sold by Amazon.com)

For a teen or adult beginner: Minelab X-Terra Intrepid

Minelab’s X-Terra Intrepid page calls it an easy starter detector. It lists a 10-inch hard-wired coil that is waterproof to 1 m (3.3 ft), two search modes (All Metal and Non-Ferrous) and a pinpoint mode. Minelab lists the coil, not the control housing, as waterproof, so check the manual before using it in water. The Amazon title adds a target ID display.

Choose it for someone who wants a modern entry-level Minelab. Skip it if you want headphones and a digger in the same box; that is the Voyager.

Check the X-Terra Intrepid on Amazon (sold by Minelab)

For an adult beginner who wants a complete kit: Minelab X-Terra Voyager

Minelab’s X-Terra Voyager page lists an 11 x 8.5 inch double-D coil, waterproof to 1 m (3.3 ft), four search modes (All Metal, Custom, a jewelry mode and Learn), and a package with a backpack, a digger and wired headphones. Minelab groups the X-Terra series as beginner to intermediate.

It is the gift that needs the fewest extra purchases. The coil is waterproof but the page does not rate the control housing, so apply the same caution as for the Intrepid.

Check the X-Terra Voyager kit on Amazon (sold by Minelab)

Smaller gifts that go with a detector

Bounty Hunter Pinpointer. The Amazon title lists audio signal and vibration alerts. A pinpointer helps find the target inside a dug hole, which is useful for any beginner. Our pinpointer roundup compares other models.

Check the Bounty Hunter Pinpointer on Amazon (sold by Amazon.com)

Bounty Hunter HEAD-PL headphones. The Amazon title lists compatibility with Bounty Hunter detectors (excluding the Junior), a 1/4-inch stereo plug and padding. They match the Tracker IV’s 1/4-inch jack. Check the plug on any other detector before buying. Our headphone buying guide explains compatibility.

Check the Bounty Hunter HEAD-PL headphones on Amazon (sold by First Texas Products)

Garrett Pro-Pointer AT. Our Garrett Pro-Pointer AT review maps its 10-foot and 20-foot ratings. This is a search link, because the Amazon offers we found were not sold by Amazon.com or Garrett itself.

Search Amazon for the Garrett Pro-Pointer AT

Garrett Edge Digger. See our Garrett Edge Digger review and the digging tools roundup . This is also a search link for the same reason.

Search Amazon for the Garrett Edge Digger

Check these before you buy

1. Age and size. The Junior is for young children; the others are full-size detectors.
2. Waterproof is usually the coil. Both the Tracker IV and the X-Terra pages describe a waterproof coil, not a submersible control box.
3. Batteries. The Tracker IV needs two 9V batteries that are not included.
4. Compatibility. Match the headphone plug to the detector.
5. Permission to dig. Add a note reminding the recipient to get permission before detecting on any land.
6. Seller and returns. Look at the seller, condition and return window before the holidays.

How we picked these

This is desk research from manufacturer specifications and Amazon product listings. We have not used any of these products. An exact Amazon link is used only when the listing title matched the product and Amazon.com or the brand’s own store was listed as the seller of a new, in-stock item; otherwise the link is a labeled search. See our editorial policy and affiliate disclosure : as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Sources

• First Texas Products: Bounty Hunter Junior
• First Texas Products: Bounty Hunter Tracker IV (TK4)
• Minelab X-Terra Intrepid
• Minelab X-Terra Voyager