Metal Detecting Tips: Coil Choice

Pondguru
Nov 9, 2026

For hunting different sites, ideally you need multiple coils to make the most of your machine.
Whilst this can prove expensive, the increase in successful digs will quickly justify the expense.
Generally, if you are hunting a trashy site where shallow targets are expected (modern coins, jewellery etc.), use a smaller coil.
If you are hunting over ground with very little trash (i.e. pasture land and ploughed fields away from large centres of population), use a larger coil.
Bigger coils will give more coverage and greater depth which in ground that has never been ploughed can make the difference between finding lots and finding nothing - especialy if the site has previously been hunted by other people.
I have tried using my large coil at a local park where I find lots using the 11" coil. The 18" coil produces a wall of different noises, making it impossible to tell good targets from trash - even when using a discrimination pattern. This is because it covers so much land and passes over multiple targets at once in trashy ground.
In an ideal world, I would also have a 8" x 6" coil for the park hunting. Maybe one day....
Update - now I have a 8" x 6" coil and it is great for very trashy areas.
Thanks for watching.
Check out my other videos in the metal detecting playlist.