Minelab GO-FIND 22 Ultra-Light Collapsible Metal Detector for Adults & Kids with 8" Waterproof Coi

I have a Whites-clone pulse induction monster that will find ANYTHING, even up to two meters (that's not a typo). I have a VLF that you've never heard of, that easily goes to a foot+, and discriminates in/out with just awesome precision; it has a knife-like detection field with a DD coil, & recovers fast enough to read 'nail+penny+doubloon' as 'donk+blip+oooweeedoggie'. Both are completely manually calibrated. With rheostats. I like rheostats. However, metal detecting is my hobby, not my job. Never have I to date gone out and not learned something new. For some time now I've been drooling over an Equinox 600/800, or for that matter a CTX 3030, or an XP Deus, for the simplicity alone (and of course the glowing reviews about everything that they do), but to be honest: I'm interested in the automatic settings, because I'm not interested in thinking so hard constantly (Okay, it's not that hard, I'm just being lazy, but it seriously does impact how often I 'haul the things out', you understand.). My first detector was a National Geographic toy-that's-not-a-toy holiday present. With it, I found lots of nails & bottle caps & pull tabs & small change coins & I remember a particularly deep steel housedoor latchplate. Way fun but easily grown out of, and it was re-gifted to the delight of my daughter & her children. I came full circle to purchase a Go Find 66. For $300 I could have gone with a Nokta Macro Simplex for the waterproof (I haven't scuba-ed in many years, and don't particularly enjoy walking around slowly in a grid pattern in the rain) & some automation (plus it's an Equinox knock-off...). For the foldablity/throw-in-the-trunk-ness, the idiot proof simplicity, & shear fun, I went back on myself and plopped down $200 for a Go Find 66 that anyone that comes with me can use while I go around thinking a bit with a real machine. In the meantime however, this thing will get me off my butt & out detecting because it's turn on & go, super lightweight, & packs anywhere! The National Geographic (not the Junior version), & all the Go Find models in the series, use the double-processor VFLEX tracking ground balance & detection found only on other middle-top-of-the-line Minelabs, by the way. If you're interested, look it up on Minelab's website. It's cool. The machine has a 10" rectangular-ish trapezoidal search coil. I've found it more or less large enough for coverage, and although it doesn't split hairs like a DD, it really does the job. Another thing that the 66 has is Bluetooth, and an app that plots to Google Maps, along with remote control, & target refinement/tone settings, etc. The coin and item identification features on the app really up the game for trash rejection. (The CTX 3030 does stuff like that along with some other extreme detectors; but do you have $3000 burning a hole in your pocket?) I got an quick email reply to my inquiry, from Jason at Minelab HQ, saying that the Go Find models 40 through 66 won't pair directly to Bluetooth headphones or anything other than a smartphone running the app. It does pair seamlessly with the app on my Android, but of course with a Bluetooth delay. I always use hardwired headphones anyway. Yet another thing that this has is a backlight, which simply is not standard on alot of detectors at this price range. And it fits in a backpack, folks. I'm happy. I'll get vertigo circling back again and trying to justify cheaping myself out on something like a Simplex, OR overspending on a professional machine. So for the foreseeable future, I'll enjoy the challenges and benefits of the stuff I've chosen so far. If there's one commonality I've noticed between most how-to's out there, it's that people have their favourites, and even different favorite ones for different jobs. I know my agenda, we'll say; & I have alot of fun with my 66, some marker flags, (a Dr Otek pinpointer, love it) and a shovel. 😉 The Go Find 66 does work very well. Is it flimsy? I could snap it like a twig, but I don't feel as though I will. Does it look like a toy? Kinda, but it would have fit right in as a streamlined TV prop on ST:Voyager back in the day. No numerical display and no true all-metal mode is probably the proverbial coalpile in a ballroom where most advanced detectorists would find issue. The depth is shy of professional (yet mind-blowing-ly adequate, if that's possible) and the discrimination is very wonky & mysterious. For example: A U.S. quarter crossing parallel to the coil reads predictably in an air test from about 10" or more. I'm frankly taken alittle aback, in a pleasant way; just it's kinda chatty at high sensitivity. For instance: Deeper than 6", even on medium sensitivity, I'd expect a two bit piece to be detected, but as ferrous together with high value, therefore a question; but at 6" I've come to expect most targets to be an intuitive match to what the icons portray. The smartphone app also makes exact predictions for different coins along with pictures, and icons for other objects & trash. The app seems like it would be quite handy. If I could mount the smartphone on the Go Find I know I'd use it. I find it awkward to say 'cellphone armband', so you can imagine how comfortable I find wearing one, but perhaps I'll figure something out. The device by itself does it's job. I'm being conservative on paper, but don't expect miracles. The Minelab Go Find 66 is not a god rod, but I trust it. I'll still drool over the Equinox; but to the young ones out there: Sometimes wanting is better than having. 😉🔃

Very good basic metal detector from one of the best detector manufacturers. The Minelab Go Find 11 is a very basic metal detector with two search modes and a single tone signal. It uses Minelab’s proprietary software so it is great for locating targets in the ground. It does not have the discrimination or customizable features on more expensive detectors. If you are looking for an excellent detector for kids or beginners this is a good machine to start with. I have several other more advanced detectors and this machine impressed me with it’s capabilities. The LED display is easy to read and the tone is easy to hear. With two search modes there is not a lot of discrimination, but it does find targets readily. I bought it because it collapses down fairly small and I like the idea of a detector that fits into a day pack without disassembly. It is also a Minelab with the Minelab software. There are models of the Go Find that are more advanced than this one, so it you want a little more capability I would look at those models. All in all, it is a great little detector.

While it takes time and practice to learn to use any metal detector, the GO-FIND 44 seems fairly straightforward. It worked OK right out of the box but I'm getting better results the more I've practiced and learned with it. Overall, it seems very sensitive which means it will find a lot of small trash. It takes time and practice to learn to discern various targets. Real metal detectors don't work like on TV. Most hits aren't treasure.

Got this for my granddaughter for Christmas this is her first find, stainless steel cross she's very happy with it.

This is awesome for the price! It doesn’t have all the features of an expensive detector like depth or different tones or numbers, but works very well at what it does do. Feels cheep n flimsy but has not broken after many uses. Love how compact it gets and easy to use for a beginner. I have found tons of coins and jewelry at all the neighborhood parks.

This is really a almost a toy. Very flimsy build. Very disappointing. But I should have known that for the price. Didn't even bother reading the directions but putting the batteries in and pressing the buttons did nothing. Buttons feel really flimsy like they wouldn't last very long. Sent it back.

I'm an avid metal detectorist and use higg end machines but this purchase was for my daughter. It's easy to use, only a few buttons, has a visual display and good volume. It folds up to become very portable. For what it is, I think it's great for someone who is just starting out and wanting to give metal detecting a try or for kids. This machine IS NOT for experienced metal detectorists. It lacks a pinpoint or any real target separation. If you're wanting something to start out with but possibly become serious woth and you're hoping this unit will last you a bit, this is not right for you. This is a toy that does detect metal but has no real depth or separation. Great for kids though!

Got this as a present for my daughter in the spring, and we've had a great time with it since. Easy to carry, easy to use. It's held up to a child's use in fields, woods, and beaches. Haven't found any doubloons yet, but there's always hope!