The Bounty Hunter Metal Detector is the Best Starter Unit, According to Experts
A metal detector is a nifty gadget to have in your home. The best metal detectors provide the opportunity for a fun new hobby or help you find that long lost earring along your property line. You don’t need much to get started and you don’t have to spend a fortune. In fact, you can snag some of the best metal detectors, including the Bounty Hunter Metal Detector, for under $200. And yep. A cheap metal detector can be just as effective as an expensive model, according to Joanna Jana Laznicka, metal detectorist and founder of Focus Speed.
“Success in metal detecting is not determined by the amount you spend on a detector but by the time you invest in learning how to use it,” says Laznicka. “I know expert metal detectorists who solely use and get remarkable finds using the basic Bounty Hunter Tracker IV, which retails for $70 and can be found used for $30. Expensive equipment does not necessarily equate to better performance.”
The Bounty Hunter metal detector is one of 11 models that our expert product testers closely inspected. They paid careful attention to the details, including how easy it was to assemble, its ergonomics and its overall performance. After hours of testing, our team determined that this model is simple and easy to use, making it perfect for kids and beginners. Heres everything you need to know about the Bounty Hunter metal detector.
What is the Bounty Hunter Metal Detector?
The Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV Metal Detector is a multi-purpose metal detector that features an 8-inch submersible coil and old-school knob controls along with an analog-style interface. It runs on two 9V batteries (not included), has an adjustable length of 43 to 52 inches and weighs just 2.4 pounds. And while it does have an arm rest, it does not have an arm strap. Our testers found this to be rather strange given that there are slats in which to insert a Velcro strap. Additionally, the Bounty Hunter metal detector does not include any accessories.
The Bounty Hunter metal detector has three modes so you can discern trash from treasure: full discrimination,tone discrimination and all metal modes. It features automatic ground balance which neutralizes the detector’s response to mineral content in the ground but does not have any land type settings.
This entry-level metal detector retails for under $150. According to our testers, it is simple and stripped down. “It’s kind of like a glorified version of the kids’ models,” says associate product testing manager Annamarie Higley. “The analog interface doesn’t really tell you anything, but it’s easy to use if you’re just looking to have fun.”
VIA MERCHANTWe Tried It
Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV Metal Detector
The Bounty Hunter Metal Detector is recommended by our testers as well as expert metal detectorists.
Bounty Hunter Metal Detector Features
Waterproof Searchcoil
The 8-inch searchcoil is completely submersible for underwater detection.
Three Discrimination Settings
This metal detector has three discrimination settings to help you find exactly what you’re looking for. These presets include:
- Full discrimination mode discriminates against most trash items and can be adjusted to be even more perceptive with the disc knob.
- Tone discrimination mode activates a “unique dual tone ‘beep'” and automatic iron rejection, which helps you better identify what your targets are from sound alone.
- Motion All Metal mode detects all types of metal including iron, steel, aluminum, brass, silver, copper and gold.
Automatic Ground Balance
This feature allows the Bounty Hunter metal detector to work in virtually all soil conditions, regardless of mineral content.
How We Tested It
Assembly
Product testers Annamarie Higley and Sydney Manning led the efforts to see what the Bounty Hunter metal detector was really capable of. They began by assembling the unit. Assembly was quick and easy and our team was able to get straight to work. At 2.4 pounds, this unit is very light and has a padded foam hand grip for comfort. However, the lack of an arm strap makes it difficult to hold.
“It doesn’t come with a strap, which makes it hard to hold,” explains Higley. “By nature, metal detectors have to be held at sort of an awkward angle, so without a strap as a counter, holding becomes very tiring on the forearm very quickly.”
Air Test
Once they managed to get a good grip, our testers performed an air test in all metal mode and then switched to full discrimination mode. 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 Bounty Hunter metal detector on a 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. The Bounty Hunter metal detector excelled at detecting aluminum, picking it up from six inches away or less.
However, our testers were disappointed in the performance when detecting gold. “Only a glitchy half-beep sounded, and the earrings needed to be two to three inches from the coils, at that,” explains Higley.
Discrimination Testing
During testing, our team also found that the discrimination mode didn’t do a very good job discriminating against ferrous items, which are metals that contain iron as their main element, or those with low target IDs. Though speaking of target IDs, our team found them hard to determine overall.
“The screen is virtually useless and isn’t at all intuitive,” says Manning. “Whenever we swing a metal item in front of the coil, the gauge that reads from 10 to 1 (left to right) bounces all the way to 1, then immediately back to 10 again. We thought this might be the target ID scale, but it’s impossible to read due to how quickly it moves.”
Overall, our testers agree that this metal detector is a great value for kids, beginners or anyone looking to have fun. Laznicka agrees. “I currently own 22 metal detectors ranging from budget-friendly to high-end models, including fie Bounty Hunters. Two are IV Trackers,” she says. “The IV Tracker, in particular, is an excellent analog detector. I know several fellow detectorists who, despite having the means to purchase more expensive models, choose to stick with the IV Tracker because of how well it does in relic detecting and old coin detecting.”
Pros
- Simple and easy to use
- Expert recommended
- Detected all of our test items
- Waterproof searchcoil
- Lightweight
Cons
- No arm strap
- Screen was very hard to read
Why You Should Trust Us
AtFamily Handyman, we love helping our readers get the most out of their hobbies. Finding quality products that make your life easier and wont leave you with a bad case of buyers remorse is a big part of that. From metalworking to woodworking to treasure hunting, were here to help. Our editors and testers have years of experience testing products and we prioritize publishing honest product reviews to help our readers make informed buying choices.
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 theBounty Hunter metal detector. We performed 13 tests on each metal detector and collected roughly 600 data points overall. Moreover, we spoke to Joanna Jana Laznicka, expert metal detectorist and founder of Focus Speed. Laznicka offered her expert insight on what to look for when buying a metal detector as well as the pros and cons of various models.
FAQ
Will a bounty hunter metal detector find gold?
Yes, the Bounty Hunter metal detector will find gold. During testing, it detected 10k gold earrings from 2-3 inches away.
Can you use the bounty hunter metal detector in water?
The searchcoil is submersible and can be used in water.
How do I use the bounty hunter metal detector?
The Bounty Hunter metal detector is a motion detector. This means you must sweep the searchcoil from side-to-side in order to detect metal. Simply holding the searchcoil over a metal object will not register that a target has been found.
What Other Reviewers Had to Say
The Bounty Hunter metal detector has over 9,800 five-star reviews on Amazon. Buyers find that it works well and is a great value.
Five-star reviewer David Whiteley was delighted to score this Bounty Hunter metal detector on sale and used it to locate his property pins. “I had read that this item was light–but it is like a feather! When it was delivered, I couldn’t believe it could possibly be in the box, yet it was,” he raves. “I assembled it in no time. Instructions are a bit vague but if you have any mechanical aptitude you should be able to figure it out.” And while he didn’t like the design of the battery compartment, Whitely was impressed by the detector’s overall ease-of-use, performance and affordability.
Marya Oakes, another satisfied Amazon user, refers to the Bounty Hunter metal detector as a great starter detector. “I wanted something cheap to find a lost item in the backyard,” she writes. “We have had lots of fun with this beyond that use. I watched a YouTube on the best settings to use and to learn the tones. With that knowledge, my daughter and I were able to find lots of items easily with this detector. It’s light and durable. We have not been gentle with it and it has held up great. The batteries last a long time. Most targets it has picked up have been 4 to 5 inches deep or less. I don’t know if it doesn’t pick up deeper targets or we just haven’t run across any.”
And while our testers weren’t crazy about the analog display, Retired Engineer loves it. “Most modern digital detectors generally only have five steps for discrimination and five steps for sensitivity. They work well, but you can’t fine-tune them like this one. You have to live with factory settings,” they write. “That’s why it was great to find this unit. This analog detector has a dial for sensitivity, and a dial for discrimination. In other words, a full range of adjustment! You can actually fine-tune this unit to filter better at specific depths and materials, adjust for different soils, etc. Yes, you’ll need to get the feel of the detector to be proficient, but once you do, you’ll get great results!”
Bounty Hunter vs. Sunpow Metal Detector
Our experts on the product testing team tested 11 metal detectors. TheBounty Hunterand theSunpow metal detectors have comparable features and are similarly priced at about $149 and $142, respectively.
Both metal detectors are lightweight and have waterproof searchcoils. They both run on 9V batteries, have several discrimination modes and produce sounds to alert you that a target has been found. That said, the Sunpow metal detector has two more settings than the Bounty Hunter metal detector.
When it comes to performance, both metal detectors are suitable for beginners and were able to detect gold from just a few inches away. One noticeable difference between the two models is the screen. The Bounty Hunter has an analog interface while the Sunpow has a backlit screen. Our testers found the Sunpow’s screen intuitive and easy to use, especially for beginners whereas they described the Bounty Hunter’s screen as “useless.”
While our testers weren’t head over heels for the Bounty Hunter metal detector, it’s worth repeating that this model is used and recommended by expert metal detectorists. With a little patience, time and practice, we’re confident that our testers would soon get the hang of the Bounty Hunter metal detector and be on their way to finding treasures galore.
Final Verdict
If you want a simple yet reliable metal detector, then the Bounty Hunter metal detector is an excellent choice. Whether you’re a detecting newbie or a seasoned pro, this lightweight model is easy to use and adept at uncovering buried treasure. Best of all, it’s extremely affordable.
Where to Buy the Bounty Hunter Metal Detector
The Bounty Hunter metal detector is available at a variety of retailers including Amazon, The Home Depot, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Bass Pro Shops.
VIA MERCHANTWe Tried It
Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV Metal Detector
The Bounty Hunter metal detector is an affordable, beginner-friendly unit.
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