Best Budget Metal Detector (Best Value) Of 2024: 250 Dollar Price Point

I was horrified when I saw videos with high view counts giving misinformation due to limited research and limited knowledge of metal detecting. This video will share my choice for best budget value metal detector in 2024. What should your first detector be? I have the answer here

Tools I Use & Important Links

Chapters:

Do you want to send me something? I will try to have a mail show once per month.
Mail me at:
P.O. Box 351
132 W Merrick Rd
Freeport, NY 11520

Hi, my name is Merrill Kazanjian. New York City is an amazing place to go metal detecting. We have lots of parks, colonial history and great beaches for beach detecting. I have gone to all five boroughs of New York City To Metal Detect and beyond. I also currently own 16 metal detectors. I want to have the best and I want to help you choose the best as well. Below I will showcase some of the playlists on this channel:

By Metal Detector:
Minelab Soveriegn: (Coming Soon)

I have a playlist of metal detecting videos to teach metal detecting. The videos in the playlist below are specifically made to teach the skills and mindset to becoming a great metal detectorist.

I am a treasure hunter. So in addition to metal detecting, I go mudlarking at sites such as Dead Horse Bay. Think of mudlarking as metal detecting without a metal detector.

Playlist By New York City Borough:

Cleaning Metal Detecting/Mudlarking Finds:

Other Playlists:

My most important series is called Becoming A Millionaire Metal Detecting. I am trying to monetize my favorite hobby in order to do it more in the future. In other words, we put the clad we find in the ground, affiliate earnings, and merchandise earnings in to the stock market and we invest it. This show started in January 2019.

[IndianaTones]

The bounty Hunter gold digger? Lmao!!!

[scoutingforhistory]

Don't know how I missed this video, it's spot on. I started with an Ace 300, struggled for a year and almost gave up on detecting. Instead I got a Simplex and everything turned around. Absolutely no question that it's the best value on the market, though some people seem to struggle with the definition of "value".

[mandybrown]

I love honesty about detectors from hard core detectorist thank you 😊

[frankboet]

This is the best metal detecting video on Youtube hands down! I'm getting back to the hobby after about 10 years. My Minelab Excalibur and Sovereign XS2 Pro are dinosaurs compared to today's detector technology.

[Quahogstacker]

Thanks. I searched best $300 Metal detector. Glad I came here . Thanks again. Just starting so I appreciate your knowledge

[honesdaledetectorist]

I started off with a $94 detector I got online with an 8" coil. Seen it sold on different sites under different names. Within 4 months found enough clad to get equinox 600. Yes you can find treasure with inexpensive detectors. The nox I am in love with..

[johnmarano]

So glad I found this video as I try to research buying my very 1st metal detector. Thanks.

[peterrobinson]

My vanquish 340 outperforms my friend and brothers simplex, I admit the simplex is better built and a great machine, but will still take my vanquish over it.

[mupples]

Another happy Simplex+ owner here. I bought it in 2020 and it paid for itself in the first 12 months. I also have a Minelab Vanquish 440, and I would pick the Simplex if I could only have one. Thanks for all the videos, Merrill!

[kevinmoore]

Thank you for the advice. I'm not defending that other video as I've not watched it but some videos are beginners giving advice to other beginners. They appreciate that you might not want to spend $250 just to enter a hobby that you're not sure you'll stay in. That's not just metal detecting but shooting, cycling, kayaking etc. Professionals, like yourself, would recommend better equipment but that might be out of the range of the person who doesn't even know if they want to keep doing the activity. So it is striking that balance.

[jackmelo]

I’m so glad I have found your channel. I started metal detecting a year ago I have the equinox 600 because I was told that’s great for starters. I’ve been watching other channels most of them in California. They make everything seem so easy. I learned nothing from them I happen to find your channel I want to thank you for helping me with your knowledge. I live in Baldwin Harbor I hope I run into you metal detecting One day. I have one question to ask you right now I’m still on factory settings can I find silver and gold on that setting?

[blackbearsmithing]

I will add my own thoughts as I have been spending the last several weeks looking for a new detector. There are two big dogs out there on the market, Minelab Vanquish and Simplex. What kills the Vanquish is the pre set HIGH iron bias on the 340/440. Then on the entry price 540, Minelab decided to slap a big 12 inch coil on it which renders it useless in heavy trash areas such as parks. Their solution, provide a 540 pro pack with all the bells and whistles for nearly 500 bucks! You can almost buy a freakin NOX 600 for that price! Minelab engineers did a fantastic job on building the Vanquish but the sales department failed miserably. Where the Simplex lacks in depth, which is not much, it makes up for in recovery and it’s water proof feature. I’m ordering one if I can scrounge up enough change from the couch. My old Bounty Hunter Tracker IV got busted up when I got attacked by a dog a few weeks back 😆 Also not a bad machine if all else fails, I’ll buy another one for 70 bucks at the big box store. It served me well for nearly 5 years!

[metaldetectingchick]

Great video, I’m s as newbi and already learnt Ace 250 hates wet sand! Loved your video thanks for sharing your knowledge

[stargazer]

Merrill, thank you for making this great video. You nailed it. I got a Vanquish 440, it works great. Eventually, i will build one to the specs i need. But I will always keep my Vanquish 440

[queenbeep]

I find you absolutely mesmerizing I get excited when I see that you have uploaded a new video you are like a metal detecting wizard and I hang on your every word :-)

[jimmymalone]

I have 800 i love it.Enjoyed your video and good Luck

[thylacine]

I always appreciate a no BS, no holds bared straight to the point video on any subject. Im subscribing. Rock on Bro.

[NathanielOutdoorAdventures]

I only have 8 detectors so I am a bit behind you. I do love the deus 2 and looking forward to the legend which I have ordered. I also agree with you that the simplex is still the best for the money

[chadgilbert]

I started with a 202 bounty hunter then garrett ACE 400 and now Minelab Equinox 900 very happy so far !

[williamdunn]

Merrill, I have learned a ton from your videos, thank you! Could not agree more. Bought a Bounty hunter first, very first hole found oldest coin to date 1655 French laird. Got hooked on hobby! Moved to ace 400 did not like. Then to simplex, love it. Light a big plus! First night dig a kg2! Now 3 years on nox 800, worth every penny! Keep up those videos, you definitely have a fan base!