Buying a Hand Held Metal Detector - What You Need to Know

Hand-held security metal detector wands are an essential tool, increasingly used across a wide variety of sectors to boost security. In our latest blog we delve into what you need to consider when buying a hand-held security metal detector.

The invention of the metal detector is credited to Alexander Graham Bell. In July 1881 the U.S. president, James Garfield, was shot in an assassination attempt. Alexander Graham Bell offered to help locate the bullet, lodged in the president’s body, using a metal detecting device. Unfortunately, surgeons were unable to remove the projectile and the president died two and a half months later. But Alexander Graham Bell persisted with his invention which was successful in locating bullets remaining in the bodies of civil war veterans.

In 1925, Gerhard Fischar, the founder of Fisher Research Laboratory, invented the first portable metal detector. This became the first commercially available metal detector in 1931.

How Hand-Held Metal Detectors Work

Metal detectors of all sizes use electromagnetic fields to detect metal objects. The metal detector uses a transmitting coil to generate an electromagnetic field, powered by the metal detector electronics. This electromagnetic field causes eddy currents to flow in metal objects that are in the magnetic field. These eddy currents create their own, weaker electromagnetic fields around the metal object. A receiving coil in the metal detector picks up the weak magnetic field around the metal objects and this triggers an alert from the device electronics. The function of the transmitting coil and receiving coil is sometimes performed by a single coil in the metal detecting device.

The detection sensitivity of metal detectors is affected by a number of factors. Metal detector sensitivity is a measure of the device’s ability to detect metal objects of a specific size and material at a given distance from the detection device. The higher the sensitivity then the smaller the size of metal object that the device can detect. Ferrous and nonferrous metal objects produce different detection results which is a characteristic used in some forms of metal detector.

How to Select a Hand-held Security Metal Detector

When considering the wide variety of hand-held security metal detectors available today there are number of key questions that should be answered.

Firstly, what will the hand-held metal detector be used for? Its important to think about the specific metal objects that the metal detector is required to detect. Typically, these might be weapons, including guns or knives. But in some situations the metal objects that need to be detected might be much smaller. Smaller metal objects require a detector with high sensitivity.

The next important consideration is where and how will the metal detector wand be used? If there is a need to carry the device then easy portability is a primary requirement. Another consideration is outdoor use and the possibility of getting the device wet in rainy weather. These are both very important considerations for police officers who often carry metal detector wands as part of their field kit.

Its also important to consider device ergonomics including the weight, grip and balance. Security personnel may need to be continuously scanning people for prolonged periods with the metal detecting wand so they don’t want to struggle with a large, heavy, cumbersome device that can potentially cause fatigue.

What form of alarm indicator is needed? In some situations, a silent alarm, that alerts the operator to the presence of metal by vibration, is an essential requirement and vibrating alerts are particularly useful in noisy environments. Audible alarms are another alarm option along with LED lights.

Is the metal detector self-calibrating? Metal detector calibration ensures the equipment is working and operating as detailed in the manufacturers specification. Self-calibrating handheld metal detectors avoid the need to ever adjust sensitivity settings.

What is the metal-detector battery life? Portable, hand-held metal detectors are battery powered and how long they operate from a fully charged, fresh battery, can vary. Lower quality metal detector wands tend to offer reduced operation times.

Is the metal-detector authentic and made by a reputable manufacturer? There are many fake, hand-held security metal detectors on the market today. These devices pretend to be manufactured by reputable firms such as Garrett, but they aren’t. This is why its important to use a reliable, trustworthy, approved supplier.

You Can Rely on Garrett

World renowned Garrett Metal Detectors was founded in Garland, Texas way back in 1964. Charles Garrett had recognised that commercially available metal detectors were unsatisfactory so he worked in his garage to develop far better ground-search metal detectors.

Over subsequent years the design of Garrett metal detectors was continuously improved and the company now holds many patents for a wide variety of metal detector innovations. The organisation not only manufactures the world’s most reliable metal detectors, it also runs training programmes and seminars to help users and teach people how to effectively use their products. For example, back in 1982 they carried out valuable seminars to enable authorities to find bullets in animals that had been killed by poachers.

In 1983 the business was invited to develop an effective walk through security metal detector for the 1984 summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. This led to the MagnaScanner, the companies first walk through security metal detector. 60 of these valuable devices were used at the games along with 1000 of Garrett’s pocket probe hand-held metal detectors. The new SuperScanner hand held metal detector was also used at this event which involved the first ever extensive metal detection screening in the history of the Olympic Games.

An important factor in the Garrett success story is their attention to detail and the high quality of everything they manufacture. The Oscar Wilde quote: “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” is evident in the many copies of Garrett metal detector devices on the market today. But none of these copies are as good as genuine Garrett Metal Detectors.

Our Range of Carefully Selected Hand-Held Security Metal Detectors

If you take a look at our carefully curated selection of hand-held metal detector wands and metal-detecting mitts you will see that we don’t offer a huge range of products. The collection of metal detector wands and devices in our store have all been carefully selected and vetted to make certain they fulfil the security needs of our valued customers.

Garrett Superwand - MD GSW

This rugged, genuine Garrett, high performance hand-held metal detector is a firm favourite with police, military and security professionals, worldwide.

This is a high-sensitivity metal detector that presents a full 360 degree magnetic detection field and the ability to pinpoint exactly where a metal object is located. At only 527g (18.6oz) it is incredibly light weight making it easy to use for prolonged periods. It is also very compact at 8.3cm (3.25”) wide, 3.2cm (1.25”) thick and 48.3cm (19”) long. And the detector features a very comfortable, ergonomically designed grip that works for any hand size. One-touch operation makes this hand held metal detector very easy to use.

The Garrett Superwand is powered by a single 9V batter that provides 80 hours of normal operation. It is fully self calibrating using a built in microprocessor, avoiding the need to ever adjust sensitivity settings. It offers both audio and vibration alarms along with a very clear three colour LED indicator.

Garrett Compact Tactical Hi Performance Metal Detector - MD GTHD

Described as the most rugged, compact, high performance metal detector on the market. This is the model commonly used by police officers due to its compact size, reliable performance and weather proofing.

This hand-held metal detector wand is conveniently compact at only 2.9cm (1.15”) by 3.8cm (1.5”) by 22cm (8.7”) and very lightweight at only 200g (7oz). Importantly, this unit is sealed to IP66 weatherproofing standard which, along with its compact size and weight, is why its popular with law enforcement and those who need reliable hand held metal detection capability in outdoor environments.

It offers a clear red LED alarm indicator along with silent vibration, which is exactly what’s needed in the field. And a single 9V battery provides reliable operation for 70 hours. The ergonomically designed high-impact case and moulded rubber grip makes the scanner very easy to use.

This hand-held metal detector is supplied with a convenient ballistic weave holster and includes a useful, integral torch in the end of the device.

Garrett Superscanner Hi Performance Metal Detector Wand - MD-GSS and MD-GSSV

The Garrett Superscanner metal detector wand is possibly the most widely copied and faked hand-held metal detector in the world, which is why its important to use only reliable suppliers, approved by the manufacturer.

This is the hand-held security metal detector most people would recognise. Its appreciated by security professionals, worldwide, for its high sensitivity, reliability and extreme durability. The device is powered by a single 9V battery providing up to around 80 hours of normal usage.

This hand-held metal detectors weighs just 500g (17.6oz) and is conveniently compact at 8.3cm (3.25”) by 4.1cm (1.625”) by 42cm (16.5”). The primary alarm indicators are a simultaneous piezo sounder and high intensity red LED. But this device is also available as the GSSV model, which offers vibration feedback - very valuable to those working in noisy environments such as airports and transport hubs.

Low Cost Metal Detector Wand

We have carefully sourced a highly reliable, low cost hand held metal detector that can meet the security needs of many environments within limited budgets. While this hand-held model is not a Garrett metal detector it does provide reliable, high sensitivity metal detection capability at an affordable price point.

This metal detector wand weighs just 409g (14.4oz) and measures 4.5cm (1.8”) by 8.5cm (3.35”) by 41cm (16.15”). Battery life from this device is around 60 hours of normal use.

The detector features a high/low sensitivity switch and offers simultaneous audible and visual alarms as well as a useful vibration option. This lightweight detector is a great choice when budget is an important consideration.

Metal Detector Mitts - MD SM2

Available as either individual mitts or in pairs, this form of metal detection device is a firm favourite with night club door security personnel and event security staff who need to reliably and speedily scan attendees for knives and prohibited metal objects.

Metal detector mitts are unobtrusive and far less visible than the wand form of hand-held metal detector, which can be an advantage in some situations. Door security personnel, wearing one or two metal detecting mitts, tend to look more welcoming and are not encumbered.

The mitts are designed to be used by people with any hand size and can be worn over the top of gloves in colder conditions. The metal detector sensor is built into the palm of the mitt and enables quick, no-contact pat-down searches to be conducted very efficiently. The cuff of the mitt is where the battery is located and this provides up to around 150 hours of normal operation.

For more information on Buying a Hand Held Metal Detector - What You Need to Know talk to Insight Security