The Garrett metal detector is intuitive, ergonomic and budget-friendly, making it the ideal choice for any treasure hunter.
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The Garrett Metal Detector is the Perfect Entry-Level Model, According to Our Product Testers
Published on Oct. 22, 2024
If you’re in search of an exciting new hobby, consider investing in a Garrett metal detector. The best metal detectors, including the Garrett Ace 300, make it easy and fun to uncover hidden treasure on a trip or along your own property line. It will detect the presence of metallic objects including gold, copper and aluminum, making it an especially useful gadget to have in your home.
The Garrett metal detector is one of 11 models that our expert product testers closely inspected. They paid careful attention to details including how easy it was to assemble, its ergonomics and its overall performance. They also brought it to a local beach and were impressed by its overall intuitiveness and ergonomics. Here’s everything you need to know about the Garrett metal detector.
What is the Garrett Metal Detector?
The Garrett Ace 300 is a multi-purpose metal detector. This model features a 7-by-10-inch submersible coil and digital interface. It runs on four AA batteries, has an adjustable length of 42 to 51 inches and weighs less than three pounds. A pair of Garrett ClearSound Easy Stow Headphones with volume control, an ACE Environmental Cover-Up and a search coil cover are included with your purchase.
The Garrett metal detector has five search presets to help you find exactly what you’re looking for. It also features adjustable frequencies which eliminate or minimize interference caused by electrical sources or from other metal detectors. Moreover, the search coil is submersible so you can hunt for treasure on the beach or at the lake.
It also features electronic pinpointing which our testers found particularly helpful since it precisely locates a detected target’s position.
Priced at $270, the Garrett metal detector is a mid-priced model that is easy to use and suitable for beginners.
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
Garrett Ace 300 Metal Detector
The Garrett metal detector features five search modes and adjustable frequencies so you can easily separate trash from treasure.
Garrett Metal Detector Features
Waterproof
The Garrett metal detector is designed to detect objects underwater.
Customizable Discrimination Settings
This metal detector has five search modes, making it easy to tell trash from treasure. These presets include:
- Zero-disc mode detects every kind of metal. This mode is ideal for times when you’re not quite sure what you’re looking for. It’s also recommended when a target signal is inconsistent.
- Jewelry mode is designed to find items such as rings, bracelets, watches and necklaces. This mode will ignore most iron trash.
- Relics mode looks for lead, brass and bronze.
- Coins mode picks up U.S. and similar coins. While this mode is designed to eliminate common trash items such as iron, foil, and pulltabs, the brand cautions that medium-sized jewelry may be missed with this discrimination pattern. According to the manual, some digging of junk targets is to be expected, such as aluminum cans.
- Custom mode allows you to program and save your preferred settings. The factory preset for the custom mode is the same as the coins mode. The manual advises beginning with this discrimination pattern and then using the “DISCRIM” and Accept/Reject controls to customize the mode.
Electronic Pinpointing
This non-motion, all-metal mode function is used to precisely locate a detected target’s position.
Three Volume Settings
This Garrett metal detector produces three distinct tones based on a target’s metal type and conductivity.
• High-conductivity targets (Digital ID > 75) produce a unique bell tone signal.
• Medium to low conductivity targets (Digital ID of 33–75) produce a medium-pitched signal.
• Ferrous targets, which are metals that contain iron as their main component, (Digital ID < 33) produce a low-pitch
signal.
How We Tested It
Product testers Annamarie Higley and Sydney Manning set out to see what the Garrett metal detector was really capable of. They began by assembling the unit, a process which got off to a bumpy start since they were unable to get the shaft to click into place. After grappling with it for some time, they called for reinforcements. Associate product tester Dylan Fischer was able to get the pole to extend so that Higley and Manning could continue with their testing. They also had trouble adjusting the coil angle.
“When we eventually got the pole to extend and the unit built, the coil head was floppy,” explains Higley. “We couldn’t adjust its angle, which is essential to metal-detecting with the proper technique. Eventually, we messed around with it, moved the rubber washers to a more effective spot, and we were able to get the head to be more fixed.”
Once the unit was fully assembled, our testers got to work. They especially liked how easy it was to carry. “The strap is heavy-duty and able to lay flush with Annamarie’s arm,” says Manning. “The foam grip on the handle is luxe and comfortable. It feels lightweight enough so as not to cause fatigue, even after a while.”
After the Garrett metal detector was securely on Higley’s arm, it was time to see what it could do. Our testers began by performing an air test. Higley explains that this is a standard basic functionality test that many companies recommend prior to first use.
To perform this test, our team placed the Garrett metal detector on non-metal surface outside and proceeded to wave a selection of metal items in front of the coils. These items included a pair of 10k gold earrings, a copper pipe, aluminum foil, pull tabs, bottle caps, a screw and a nail. It was able to detect all of our items from less than a foot away. However, it was only able to detect gold from three inches away.
During testing, our team liked the intuitive tones which signal what the target likely is. “There were a few different beeps on this one, which was nice when trying to identify the target without digging it up,” says Higley. However, our testers noted that it became confused by the items they believed to be mixed metals (caps, nail and screw).
“There were a lot of different beeps going off at once with this. It was kind of erratic,” she adds. “We did adjust the sensitivity down, but the same thing happened. We didn’t, however, adjust the frequency setting, which may be where the problem was.”
During testing, Higley and Manning used the zero discrimination and jewelry modes. They were pleased to discover that the Garrett metal detector was able to detect the earrings as well as other non-ferrous items in jewelry mode. Conversely, they were disappointed when it didn’t 100% discriminate against the screw and nail like it should have in jewelry mode.
Another thing to consider is the fact that the unit’s target IDs didn’t always align with the key. “Their key says foil should have a target ID in the 30s, but ours read in the 70s,” explains Higley.
In spite of the rocky assembly process and testing hiccups they encountered, our testers agree that the Garrett metal detector is a great buy. “We liked this one a lot. It was intuitive and the screen was fairly accurate and easy to follow,” raves Higley.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Intuitive tones which signal what the target likely is
- Detected all of our test items
- Depth reader was mostly accurate
- Waterproof
- Screen was easy to read in the sunlight
- Heavy-duty strap and comfortable foam grip
- Lightweight
Cons
- Could only detect gold within a few inches of the coils
- It became confused by mixed metals
- Target IDs didn’t always align with the key
Why You Should Trust Us
At Family Handyman, we know how important it is to find quality products that make your life easier and won’t leave you with a bad case of buyer’s remorse. Of course our goal is to help you with everything you should know about your home, but we enjoy helping you enjoy your hobbies, too. Whether you’re into metalworking, woodworking or treasure hunting, we’re here to help. Our editors and testers have years of experience testing products and we will only recommend a product if we believe it will enhance your own experience as it did ours.
In order to help you make an informed buying decision, our product testing experts on the product testing team spent approximately 80 hours in our lab getting up close and personal with 11 metal detectors. Several of those hours were spent actively testing the Garrett metal detector. We performed 13 tests on each metal detector and collected roughly 600 data points overall.
FAQ
What is the best Garrett metal detector for beginners?
The brand offers a beginner’s special package on their website. This package includes the Garrett Ace 200 metal detector. The Ace 200 costs $200 and has a smaller coil and only three search modes.
How deep can a Garrett metal detector go?
Typically, metal detectors are capable of uncovering objects buried between 10 to 16 inches deep, according to the brand’s website.
Will a Garrett metal detector find gold?
Yes, the Garrett metal detector will find gold. That said, our testers found that it was only able to detect gold within a few inches of the coils.
What Other Reviewers Had to Say
Over 2,400 Amazon users gave the Garrett metal detector a five-star rating for its ease-of-use, light weight and value.
Five-star reviewer Mike in VB calls this a good sporting use metal detector. “For the money, this is good intermediate sporting use metal detector. It works fine detecting iron and aluminum,” he writes. He ends his review by offering a pro tip for prospective buyers: “Definitely download and read the complete manual to properly setup the unit for detecting the types of things you are interested in.”
Nicholas Beekman, another satisfied Amazon user, was thrilled by how well the Garrett metal detector works. “My wife’s wedding ring was lost in the garden for three months. After using two cheaper metal detectors with no luck, I purchased this model and found the ring in less than 5 minutes,” he raves.
Experienced treasure hunter Just Jeff upgraded to the Garrett metal detector and he’s happy he did. “I upgraded to the Garret 300 and found the transition to be smooth. It pulls a little downward on the wrist but other than that, it’s balanced and lightweight with a nice LED display with numerical reference for the target,” he writes. Jeff goes on to add that while there is a learning curve, the Garrett metal detector is a great choice for all skill levels.
“The volume is loud and is not able to be adjusted. Th only way to adjust volume is when using the wired headphones that came with the detector. Until you ‘learn’ the tones and numbers being displayed, dig everything. You’ll find more trash than treasure but that’s not the detector’s fault,” he explains.
“There are several modes for distinguishing types of targets you’re looking for,” his review continues. “The unit is easy to operate; turn it on and go! It’s great for beginners and experienced users without investing large amounts of money. Batteries come with it and after 18 to 20 hours, the indicator is still reading ‘full.’ You won’t be disappointed in this detector. It’s easy to assemble and with moderate practice you’ll be retrieving treasure in no time.”
Garrett Metal Detector vs. Nokta Metal Detector
Our experts on the product testing team tested 11 metal detectors. They recommend both the Garrett Ace 300 and the Nokta Legend. Though they’re both adept at finding targets, the Nokta metal detector costs about $300 more than the Garrett metal detector. Before you decide which model to invest in, here’s how they differ.
Both metal detectors are lightweight and fairly easy to use. They both have customizable discrimination settings and multiple frequencies. That said, the Nokta metal detector has more bells and whistles than the Garrett metal detector. For starters, the Nokta has four customizable discrimination settings in addition to four terrain settings. It’s also rechargeable, fully submersible and equipped with extras like Bluetooth capabilities, vibration alerts and multiple user profiles.
When it comes to performance, both metal detectors are suitable for all skill levels and were able to detect gold. The Nokta was able to detect gold from about eight inches away while the Garrett was able to detect it from three inches away.
During testing, our team found that the Nokta’s screen was hard to read in the sunlight thanks to its all-black buttons. They also found it to be much quieter than other models. The Garrett metal detector, on the other hand, was easy to read and our testers liked the different tones. Moreover, the Garrett metal detector includes headphones, an environmental cover and a search coil cover. The Nokta does not include any accessories.
Overall, the Garrett metal detector is the better value, especially for beginners.
Final Verdict
If you’re in the market for a metal detector, then this Garrett metal detector is an excellent choice. This lightweight model is comfortable to hold and easy to use, making it idea for beginners and seasoned treasure hunters alike. It also includes handy accessories like headphones, an environmental cover and coil cover which makes it an excellent value.
Where to Buy the Garrett Metal Detector
The Garrett metal detector costs $269.99 and is available at a variety of retailers. Purchase yours on Amazon, Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops, and Scheel’s.
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
Garrett Ace 300 Metal Detector
The Garrett metal detector is a mid-priced, beginner-friendly unit. Five search modes make it easy to separate trash from treasure.
