Best Underwater Metal Detectors 2021 – Submersible Underwater Models for Diving & Scuba

You’ve done it. You’ve read the research, seen it’s something you want, and you’ve finally decided to buy an underwater metal detector. 

Now all you need to do is find the best one! Where to start? What to look for? What questions should you be asking? 

Below are some hints and tips from someone who has researched, owned (2), and used many of the underwater metal detectors on the market today.

Most of the interesting items like rare coins, relics, and other treasures are found in water.

To find those treasures, you need equipment that is a perfect fit for the job i.e. a good quality underwater metal detector. g

Read on to discover more about underwater detectors and how to choose the right option.

What Are The Best Underwater Metal Detectors?

Last update on 2024-05-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Are Underwater Waterproof Metal Detectors Suitable For Beginners?

Even though underwater metal detectors look the same as land metal detectors, many things set them apart. 

The skill needed to operate underwater detectors effortlessly is one of the factors that make them unsuitable for beginners. 

Underwater metal detectors are designed with features that make them perfect for finding metal several feet into the water. 

If you’re not familiar with metal detectors or their features, it can be a little difficult to operate them. 

Detectorists who have used underwater detectors in the past can make full use of the features. 

These machines have deep underwater reach and the ability to locate metal covered by mud or any other material. 

Types of Underwater Metal Detectors

The types of underwater metal detectors can be grouped into two categories: Very Low Frequency or Pulse Induction. 

It is crucial to understand the difference between these categories and weigh them according to various elements like depth, mineralization, type of hunting ground, etc. 

Your decision to buy a machine can be influenced by the device’s qualifications in all these factors. 

Beaches and other water bodies have a considerable amount of mineralization. These minerals can interfere with the signals produced by a simple VLF machine. 

Pulse Induction devices are the perfect fit for this job. They are unaffected by the high levels of mineralization present in the soil. 

PI detectors also offer better sensitivity and increased depth reach compared to conventional detectors. 

However, most PI machines are not equipped with discrimination technology and can start beeping after locating any metal type. 

Price is another very important defining factor between the types of metal detectors. VLF detectors fall in the affordable price range, which gives them an advantage over PI detectors. 

You can hunt for coins and jewelry on land and freshwater locations with VLF detectors, but they can struggle to locate targets on beaches and areas with high mineralization.

This problem can be solved with high-end VLF detectors that come with several technologies like manual ground balance, sensitivity adjustment, and others. 

Moreover, VLF detectors are equipped with discrimination technology that can help you find the right target without wasting a lot of time. 

These are some of the basic points that you need to remember when choosing an underwater metal detecting machine. 

Apart from this, you might want to take a look at other points such as budget, proficiency, and accessories. 

Where Will You Use Your Metal Detector?

There are different types of underwater metal detectors on the market, and most of them are designed for specific hunting grounds. 

You cannot just take any metal detector and go scuba diving. 

When you’re picking a device, you need to seek one with features that match your hunting requirements. 

Waterproof detectors that are labeled as weatherproof come with a waterproof coil and are best for shallow waters. 

You cannot submerge these devices into water. Many land detectors fall in this category. 

If you want to go treasure hunting near lakes or beaches, you can try a detector with a waterproof coil and control box. 

Other detectors that are entirely waterproof and submersible make a suitable pick for diving and deep water hunting. Some of these devices perform well 200 feet underwater. 

You can refer to the below-mentioned points when picking an underwater metal detector. 

• Shallow river bank: For prospecting on shallow riverbanks, you will not need an entirely waterproof detector. You can use a regular metal detector that is compatible with a waterproof coil.

• Creeks, lakes, and beach shores: As these places have deep waters, you need to be prepared to face a huge wave or the chances of your machine falling in the water. A device that is entirely waterproof and submersible in water can be a great match.

• Saltwater hunting: Normally, pulse Induction metal detectors are the primary choice for saltwater hunting. However, some machines let you adjust the ground balance and sensitivity which can help you locate objects in such areas. 

• Deepwater or scuba hunting: Scuba hunting involves diving to the deepest depths of a river or a lake to find valuables. For prospecting activities like these, you will need a device that has a high depth reach rating.

The bottom line is, you have to decide first whether you need a device that works on both land and water or just under the water.

Top 5 Best Underwater Metal Detectors Comparison

Keeping the above factors and considerations in mind, I have combined a list of the best underwater metal detectors for the money. 

Fisher CZ-21 Quicksilver

Let’s start with a treasure hunting device that works well both on land and sea, the Fisher CZ-21 Quicksilver. 

This machine can save you a lot of money with its multi-terrain compatibility. Furthermore, the device works even 250 feet deep underwater. 

The Fisher CZ-21 Quicksilver is designed for both saltwater and freshwater. 

With its Dual-Frequency Fourier Domain Signal Analysis, the machine ignores minerals present in the water and leads you straight to the target. 

It can produce multiple frequencies ranging between 5kHz to 15kHz. 

There is no digital display in the Fisher CZ-21 Quicksilver. It means you will have to rely on the audio tones produced by the machine. 

The machine produces three distinctive audio tones low, medium, and high. 

If you hear a low tone, you have located metal that is more conductive than iron. Medium tones and high tones are the ones that really matter. 

These tones indicate gold jewelry, coins, and occasionally it can be just a simple pull tab. 

The Fisher CZ-21 Quick Silver also has a bell tone which only rings when you have located a large and valuable target. 

There is a pinpoint button on the control panel that puts the machine into a no-motion all-metal mode. This mode gives you the precise location of the target. 

With the knobs and buttons on the control panel, it is quite easy to operate the machine. You can configure it to your liking by turning the knobs as you like. 

The Fisher CZ-21 Quick Silver features an 8-inch Open Search Coil that gives you decent depth reach and detection abilities. The machine runs on 9V batteries which are included in the package.

Pros:

• Suitable for both land and sea. 
• A depth reach of 250-feet underwater
• Long battery life
• Multiple frequencies
• Three-tone target audio
• Three different metal modes

Cons: 

• Expensive

Garrett AT Pro

Garrett AT Pro is a highly proficient device that can be used for different treasure hunting activities. 

You can use it to locate coins, relics, and even jewelry 10-feet underwater. However, it is not that great for deep hunting. 

The AT Pro is a VLF device with a frequency output of 15kHz. It has adjustable ground balance and rapid recovery which lets you configure how it functions in different environments. 

There are modes in the machine i.e. Pro and Standard. With the Pro mode, you get precise audio feedback to get information about the target’s size and depth. 

In the standard mode, the machine produces audio signals that can help amateur detectorists find items with ease. 

The AT Pro is not just limited to these basic qualities. There are features like an electronic pinpointer, notch discrimination, target depth indicator, and custom search modes incorporated in the device. 

Since it is a VLF detector, you can expect a little chatter when hunting around saltwater areas. There is a way to reduce this chatter, i.e. by adjusting ground balance and notch discrimination. 

You may have to deal with some limitations with the Garrett AT Pro. 

The machine does not have an all-metal mode, but the ‘Zero’ mode in the device is comparable. 

You will have to purchase waterproof headphones separately. 

The Garrett AT Pro is highly reliable, and its tough body can withstand rugged use and rough weather conditions. 

Its overall performance is quite impressive, and with the advantage of land and water usability, the Garrett AT Pro is sure to appear in the top picks of any detectorist. 

Pros:

• Submersible up to 10 feet
• It comes with Pro Audio Mode 
• Auto and manual ground balance
• Affordable price

Cons:

• Not suitable for saltwater use

Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV

The Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV is an excellent device for beach and shallow water hunting. It’s a VLF detector that uses a 6.6kHz frequency to find valuable items. 

The Bounty Hunter TK4 can find coins located 6-7 inches underground. There are two audio tones in this machine which are high and low. They can be activated in the tone search mode. 

The machine produces distinct types of sounds based on the target identified. 

When the machine finds metals with high conductivity like copper, silver, and brass, it emits a high tone. 

And if metals like nickel and small pieces of jewelry are detected, the machine will produce a low tone. 

The machine does not produce any sound when it detects items made of iron.

Among the many knobs and dials on the Bounty Hunter Tracker IV is a signal strength indicator.

This gives you information about the items buried underground. 

The Tracker IV device is a motion metal detector. This means you have to keep it moving to detect signals. 

To make your treasure hunt easier, the Bounty Hunter Tracker IV offers 3-distinctive search modes such as All Metal Mode, Tone Mode, and Discrimination Mode.

The all-metal mode produces only one type of tone and ignores all discrimination settings. It detects any kind of metal and gives an increased depth reach. 

If you activate the tone mode on the device the machine ignores iron items. It produces high and low tones for all other metals. 

Then there’s discrimination mode. In this mode, you can tell the machine to search for a specific type of metal.

The coil included with the Bounty Hunter Tracker IV is an 8-inch waterproof coil. This coil makes it suitable for saltwater beaches and shallow water hunting.

Pros: 

• 2-tone audio 
• 3-search modes 
• Target Strength indicator
• Waterproof Search Coil

Cons: 

• Preset Ground Balance 

Garrett Sea Hunter Mk II

This Garrett Sea Hunter MkII metal detector is one of the best selections when it comes to pulse induction detectors. 

It has been manufactured to work even 200 feet underwater, with unparalleled sensitivity, and it even comes with completely submersible headphones.

Another cool thing about the Garrett Sea Hunter MkII is that it comes with the company’s signature Discrete Trash Elimination feature. 

This mode lets you use different levels to eliminate trash items so that you can find valuable items and relics sooner. 

The device operates at a frequency of 7.5kHz. It is similar to producing 750 pulses per second. You can choose from 22 adjustable frequencies that can be adjusted manually. 

This lets you configure the device properly and get the right depth and sensitivity for a precise hunt. 

Other features of Garrett Sea Hunter MkII include; numerous search modes, non-motion all-metal mode, and a standard Pulse Induction Discrimination. 

It also offers you the option for eliminating certain metals and adjusting the audio threshold. 

To make the detector suitable for both land and beach use, the machine comes with short stems and straps that attach to your scuba diving suit. 

There are some limitations that you have to consider when using the Garrett Sea Hunter MkII. It does not have a pinpointer mode or visual identification. 

This makes it difficult to get the location of the target or additional information about the target.

The incredible depth and variety of search modes of the Garrett Sea Hunter make for a perfect deep-sea hunting machine. 

To make your hunt quick and successful, you can also opt for a pinpointer from the company. 

Pros: 

• Great Price
• Submersible up to 200ft
• Simple and easy to understand knob controls
• Convenient length adjustment system

Cons: 

• No pinpointer mode

XP Deus

The XP Deus is a serious treasure hunting device. It is loaded with some of the most advanced features that make metal hunting efficient and easy. 

The machine is not easy to operate, so beginners might have some difficulty while using it. 

Even though it is a single frequency VLF detector, you can choose between frequencies ranging from 4-80kHz. 

The frequency output depends on the coils attached to the machine. XP Deus runs on a LiPo battery and runs for 15 hours when fully charged. 

It is constructed using a 3-element design which enables the search coil to function as a metal detector. 

The coil has its own digital signal processor and comes with a separate power source. Other parts like headphones and remote control use similar batteries. 

When these devices are put together, they receive all the data sent from the search coil through a wireless link. 

With the 3 element construction, you can use the machine in any condition or terrain. You get the freedom to choose between the parts you want to take with you for prospecting. 

The remote is the control panel for the device, and you can use it to configure the settings during the hunt. 

It comes with a small screen that gives you information about the target using different icons and numbers. 

The XP Deus has a fully waterproof body, and you can use it 20-feet deep in the water. 

However, the headphones and the remote control are not submersible. Therefore, you might have to buy a waterproof kit separately. 

Pros: 

• Multiple frequencies
• Convenient and a useful 3-element design
• Wireless headphones
• 10 factory programs

Cons: 

• Expensive 
• Needs time to understand 

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