Underwater metal detectors

Detectorist with metal detector and headphones searching on a sea beach

Beach & underwater

Metal detectors for beach and underwater

Waterproof detectors for the beach, shallow water and diving: three metal detectors – from the beach all-rounder to the diving detector for depths of up to 60 m.

3 detectors compared
Diving depth up to 60 m
€1,149 to €1,999

What matters on the beach and under water

Salt water, wet sand and diving depth make different demands than searching on land. These four points are decisive.

Choose the right diving depth
5 m is enough for the beach and surf. If you dive, you need a detector that is rated for the depth, headphones included.
- Minelab Excalibur 2 to 60 m
- XP DEUS II 28 to 20 m
- Minelab Equinox 900 to 5 m
Multi-frequency for salt water
Wet salt sand is conductive and produces false signals. Multi-frequency detectors stay quiet and stable by the sea.
- Excalibur 2 17 frequencies
- DEUS II Beach programs
- Equinox 900 Multi-IQ
Headphones for under water
Radio and Bluetooth do not work under water. For diving you need wired or bone conduction headphones.
- DEUS II 28 Bone conduction 20 m
- Excalibur 2 KOSS underwater
- Equinox 900 Bluetooth, on land
Care after salt water
Salt and sand attack the shaft and contacts. A few minutes of care extend the service life considerably.
- After every use Fresh water
- Coil cover Rinse out sand
- Before charging Dry the contacts

Three metal detectors for beach and water compared

All figures according to the manufacturers – checked and selected by detectorists with over 30 years of field experience.

XP DEUS II 28 FMF RC with bone conduction headphones for the beach, shallow water and dives to 20 m

Beach + diving

XP Metal Detectors

XP DEUS II 28 RC + Knochenschall

For the beach, surf and diving in one detector: the coil, remote control and bone conduction headphones are waterproof to 20 m, and dedicated diving and beach programs are on board as standard.

Technology FMF multi-frequency
Frequencies FMF + 49 single frequencies 4–45 kHz
Diving depth to 20 m (coil, RC, headphones)
Search coil 28 cm DD (470 g)
Headphones Bone conduction, to 20 m
Weight light – coil 470 g, RC 150 g
Battery RC approx. 25 h
Ideal for Beach, shallow water & diving

Programs: diving, beach, beach P, beach sens
Incl. underwater antenna cable, 5-year warranty

€1,365 incl. VAT

View XP DEUS II 28 RC + bone conduction

Diving depth up to 60 m

Minelab

Minelab Excalibur 2

The classic for divers: submersible to 60 m, with 17 frequencies working simultaneously for wet salt sand and analogue operation via rotary knobs.

Technology BBS multi-frequency
Frequencies 17 frequencies, 1.5–25.5 kHz
Diving depth to 60 m
Search coil 25 cm (10″)
Headphones KOSS underwater, wired
Weight not specified by manufacturer
Battery NiMH 1,000 mAh, up to 19 h
Ideal for Recreational and wreck divers

Rotary knobs instead of a display – can be operated with gloves
Shaft for land (114–122 cm) and water (82–91 cm)

€1,999 incl. VAT

View Minelab Excalibur 2

Beach all-rounder

Minelab

Minelab Equinox 900

The most affordable way to the beach: fully waterproof to 5 m, two coils for sand and stones, and just as strong on land in fields and meadows.

Technology Multi-IQ multi-frequency
Frequencies Multi + single frequencies 4–40 kHz
Diving depth IP68, to 5 m
Search coil 28 cm + 15 cm DD
Headphones ML-85 Bluetooth (on land)
Weight approx. 1.3 kg
Battery up to 12 h, magnetic USB
Ideal for Beach, shallow water & land

8 search modes plus your own program
Battery can be charged from a power bank even while searching

€1,149 incl. VAT

View Minelab Equinox 900

Technical data according to the manufacturers. Check seals, covers and connectors before every dive.

Frequently asked questions about searching on the beach and under water

Which metal detector is suitable for diving?

For diving, the complete detector including headphones must be designed for the planned depth. The XP DEUS II 28 with bone conduction headphones is waterproof to 20 m, the Minelab Excalibur 2 to 60 m. The Minelab Equinox 900 is waterproof to 5 m and therefore intended for the beach and shallow water, not for diving.

Is an IP68 waterproof detector enough for the beach?

For the beach, the surf and searching in waist-deep water, a detector that is waterproof to 5 m, such as the Minelab Equinox 900, is enough. By the sea, multi-frequency technology is more important than diving depth, because wet salt sand is conductive and strongly interferes with single-frequency detectors.

Why don't wireless headphones work under water?

Radio and Bluetooth signals are almost completely absorbed in water. Under water you therefore need wired or bone conduction headphones rated for the depth. The XP DEUS II 28 comes with bone conduction headphones rated to 20 m, the Minelab Excalibur 2 with KOSS underwater headphones.

Are you allowed to use a metal detector on the beach?

Searching is allowed on many bathing beaches, but the rules of the local authority or operator apply. It is usually prohibited in nature reserves and national parks. Wrecks and finds of historical significance are protected as heritage. In Germany, found items worth more than €10 must be reported to the lost property office (Section 965 of the German Civil Code). Other countries have their own rules.

How do you care for a metal detector after use in salt water?

After every use in the sea, rinse the detector with clean fresh water, flush sand out of the coil cover and shaft joints and let everything dry thoroughly. Dry charging sockets and contacts completely before charging so that no salt is deposited.

Recommend usShare now

Underwater metal detectors

Metal detectors for beach and underwater

What matters on the beach and under water

Choose the right diving depth

Multi-frequency for salt water

Headphones for under water

Care after salt water