In this guide we’ll look at the best pulse induction metal detectors.
We’ve compared sensitivity, search depth, quality and cost
to give you our top recommendations.
What is the Best Pulse Induction Metal Detector?
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More Detailed PI Metal Detector Reviews
Garrett ATX Pro DeepSeeker Metal Detector
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Garrett ATX Pro DeepSeeker Metal Detector Review
The ATX Pro Deepseeker is Garret’s deep searching pulse induction metal detector – it’s one of the best pulse induction metal detectors on the market with Garrett’s no-nonsense reliability.
The ATX continuously readjusts its ground balancing, measuring mineralization, and automatically changing as a result. This means you can move from saltwater to dry sand or ironstone without pressing a button or even thinking.
It can detect all types of metal at depth with the all-metal mode locking onto a target.
There’s no need to change modes and potentially miss out on good targets because the ATX detects them all and shows you what you’ve found on the target ID screen.
It’s sensitive enough to locate tiny gold pieces with its 15 x 20-inch deepseeker mono coil that can reach targets buried up to 18” deep.
The ATX has an iron check function and a manually adjustable audio threshold which is clearly heard through the MS-2 headphones.
Waterproof up to ten feet and tough enough for dusty and humid environments the ATX meets military standards. It’s one of the best pulse induction metal detectors on the market for its reliability, deep seeking function, and ease of use.
Aquascan Aquapulse AQ1B Diver Metal Detector
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Aquascan Aquapulse AQ1B Diver Metal Detector Review
The Aquascan Aquapulse is a top-notch piece of kit and many consider it the best pulse induction metal detector for divers.
The Aquapulse is designed for deep diving and can withstand 100 meters of pressure. Professionals use this machine to recover wrecks and track underwater cables.
It’s perfect for diving but works well on the beach and on highly mineralized grounds too. If you’re gold-seeking on land or under the waves this is your perfect detector for sure.
The search coil is an 8 incher on a telescopic arm that has neutral buoyancy in water. It’ll scan metal buried three meters deep according to Aquascan and swaps out to fit Aquascan’s range of search coils that suit various underwater, muddy conditions.
The Aquapulse has sensitivity and threshold adjustments plus functions that reject ring pulls and other trash.
For example, the ‘REJECT’ control changes its sensitivity. At its lowest it will target small rings and foil and as it increases will resist signals from rings pulls or silver foils. This means you can set the Aquapulse to suit your preference.
The Aquascan Aquapulse is a top PI metal detector for divers with its rechargeable NiMH batteries (8-10 hours of use) and a sturdy telescopic arm.
If you’re going deep under water, this is the best pulse induction metal detector for you.
Garrett Sea Hunter Mark II Metal Detector
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Garrett Sea Hunter Mark II Metal Detector Review
Garrett make great PI detectors and the Sea Hunter Mark II is their other top-of-the-range machine. It’s one of the best pulse induction metal detectors on the market.
The Sea Hunter Mark II has superior automatic salt elimination with 22 frequencies so it’s ideal for saltwater. If you find it chattering a little, use the easy discrimination settings to settle it down
This top-quality pulse induction detector has an all-metal deep-seeking mode and two discrimination modes. These are standard trash discrimination and discrete trash elimination to get the level of trash elimination you require.
The sensitivity and depth are fixed and the audio threshold can be adjusted to suit on a 0-10 scale.
This is another metal detector made for divers as it is submersible up to 65 feet including the headphones and has a one-handed operation control box.
The coil is a concentric 8-inch mono PROformance coil for deepseeking and it has a telescopic arm that will shorten to a diver-friendly 28 inches – perfect for horizontal searches.
Garrett’s Sea Hunter Mark II isn’t as powerful as the ATX Deepseeker, but it’s fully submersible and was favored by expert treasure diver Sir Robert Marx.
This is a great machine for the price and certainly one of the best pulse induction machines for salt water you’ll encounter.
Nokta Makro Pulsedive Scuba Metal Detector
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Nokta Makro Pulsedive Scuba Metal Detector Review
Nokta are described as a rising star in the detector world and the Pulsedive Scuba metal detector is their best pulse induction metal detector for innovation and price.
This is a pulse induction two-in-one machine. It quickly transforms between a mini waterproof pulse induction metal detector and a waterproof pinpointer. The search coil can be swiftly swapped out for the pinpointer head using its quick fit bayonet fittings.
Top-class technology means the Pulsedive is very stable in salt water or on highly mineralized grounds. It has five levels of sensitivity to suit the conditions and a frequency shift option if you’re near other detectorists or a source of power.
The Pulsedive uses audio, vibration, audio plus vibration, or an LED indicator to highlight finds so you don’t need to use headphones – just look at the flashing (or not) LED.
That said it has a built-in wireless module for headphones should you want them and a diving mode that locks the keys against water pressure from deep dives.
This 28 cm little guy is waterproof to 60 meters and has a hard coil cover for its 5.5-inch coil (plus one for the pinpointer). It’s certainly rugged and small enough to push between rocks and weeds for fallen treasure.
The Pulsedive uses a 1650mAh Lithium polymer battery that takes two hours to charge and lasts the whole day. It’s perfect for diving, snorkeling, or rock pooling with its handy size and two-in-one pulse induction functions. If you’re a diver looking to hunt for spoils, this is the best pulse induction metal detector for you!
What To Look For in The Best Pulse Induction Metal Detector
We know there’s lots of options out there – but don’t worry, we’re here to help you find the best pulse induction metal detector for you!
Pulse induction metal detectors are best used in salt water, wet sand, and highly mineralized ground because they ignore the mineralization but maintain high sensitivity.
Here’s what to look for in the best metal detector with pulse induction.
Waterproofing
If you’re planning on detecting in the water of any kind, waterproofing is important. A waterproof coil or a submersible PI detector is necessary.
Submersible Depth
PI metal detectors are ideal for wreck diving, but check its depth capacity out first. Water pressure can do Very Bad Things to circuitry and PI machines are not cheap.
Discrimination
Pulse induction metal detectors are immune to salt water and highly mineralized grounds, but sometimes they need an adjustment. This is when good discrimination is your friend.
Sensitivity or Iron Check
Iron check is a handy feature but not all pulse induction metal detectors have it. (The Deepmax Z1 does as does the Garrett ATX).
Because PI machines don’t generally use modes having something to filter unwanted targets or trash is useful. Adjustable sensitivity is a proven way to filter out ferrous targets and unwanted metals.
Continuous Ground Balance Check
This is a feature only found on the best metal detectors with pulse induction electronics. A continuous ground balance check that readjusts itself accordingly isn’t essential but makes life easier when you’re striding between the ocean and dry sand.
Coil Size
The best coil size depends on your intended use.
If you’re a wreck diver, snorkeller, or a surf detectorist then a small coil such as the 8 inches on Garrett’s Sea Hunter, or the 5.5 inches on the Pulsedive, is lightweight and easy to fit into small spaces between rocks.
That said, a large coil such as Lorenz’s 14-inch DD covers more ground which is handy if you’re striding out in the gold fields.
Look for options to swap out coils.
Conclusion
Pulse induction metal detectors are not cheap so its worth doing your research.
The best pulse induction metal detectors listed above are all worthy of your money. They won’t let you down or embarrass you, and each has a band of followers.
Choose the best PI metal detector you can afford and practice until you have it down pat. There’s no other way to maximize your finds.