Anatomy of a Hobby Metal Detector

A hobby metal detector consists of the following components that act together to make the metal detector a treasure hunting machine.

Coil: This is the part of the metal detector that the current passes through to make the magnetic field. It actually consists of two coils, one sends out the magnetic field the other detects the eddy current bouncing back of a piece of metal.

Shaft / Stem: The piping that brings the coil in close proximity to the ground without one having to bend over. The electrical cord the provides the current from the control housing to the coil is usually wrapped around the stem.

Control Housing: This is the box that contains the brain of a metal detector. Very often the batteries or power source are also contained within the housing. This unit converts the signals detected by the coil into usable information displayed graphically or by sound.

Handle: Where you grip the metal detector in your hand to control it.

Arm Cuff: This allows the detector to sit comfortably in ones arm and act as a counter balance so that all the weight of the metal detector is not held by ones hand alone.