Geocaching and Metal Detecting

Geocaching involves using a GPS-enabled device to search for hidden treasure, usually small coins or tokens, placed in a box. Once you locate the position, a metal detector can be a great help to locate it quickly! Why not combine the two hobbies and enjoy the game so much more? Both hobbies involve getting outside, searching for treasure and keeping fit (usually with a partner or friend). 

Caches can be hidden high in trees, on land, or underwater. You do not need to dig underground usually to locate a cache. When choosing a detector for geocaching in Australia we recommend you read our Best Detectors Article. The best products which help combine these hobbies are:

Garrett ACE 400	Garrett AT Pro	Teknetics T2

Garmin eTrex 22x – Rugged Handheld GPS Navigator

One of the most popular GPS devices among backpackers, Garmin’s eTrex comes with a distinctively rugged design that makes it super-easy to handle across just about any terrain. It weighs just 142 grams and works with replaceable AA batteries that can last up to 25 hours, giving you a reliable navigation tool that can serve you through far distances.

You’ll also get to enjoy a large internal memory space to access music, custom maps, location logs, and many other types of digital files during your adventure, thanks to a massive 8GB inbuilt memory plus a microSD card slot for external memory. The internal memory is preloaded with Topo Active maps showing pliable roads and trails.

Other features you’ll find quite useful include support for GPS and GLONASS satellite systems, a barometric altimeter, and a compass.

Altitude Meter Compass – Lightweight GPS Altitude Meter, for Camping Outdoors Climbing Travel

This meter compass will help eliminate a lot of guesswork and mistakes when hiking because it supports more than one type of satellite-based navigation system. When your GPS signal begins to flounder as you descend into valleys or ravines or walk into thick forests canopies, the device switches to GLONASS or other satellite systems with stronger signals.

This altitude meter also has a reliable barometric altimeter to help you ensure that your real-time ground height matches that of your map. To provide further guidance on your adventure, the device also provides you with accurate readings of temperature and humidity.

SUNNTO M-2 G Compass – An Advanced Compass with a Simple Interface

Another well-rounded portable GPS device, the M-2 G compass gives you all the navigation guidance you need to get to your geocaching location much faster. A key feature that makes it more reliable than many other devices is the use of a proprietary digital compass technology. Rather than magnetizing the needle directly, the creators magnetize a small disk attached to a gimbal that supports the needle. As a result, you won’t have navigation issues when the needles dip too deeply when they’re used in the farthest parts of either the Northern or Southern hemisphere.

What’s more, you’ll also get to save data showing the amazing heights you’ve conquered thanks to M-2 G’s inclinometer.

Fisher F22 – A Powerful Entry-Level Detector

Having undergone several incarnations, the Fisher F22 is an excellent detector streamlined for amateur users. With handy features like excellent lightweight and high target accuracy, it’s the perfect detector to add a splash of fun to your geocaching adventure.

Its quick automatic retuning feature, manual discrimination settings for jewellery, coins, and artefacts, as well as its large display screen with easy-to-read category ID all add up to boost your chances of stumbling on significant finds. You’ll be able to venture into any terrain fearlessly with its solid waterproof protection and replaceable AA batteries with an average lifespan of 24 hours.

Garret AT Pro – A Detector for Any Weather and Any Terrain

Bringing a powerful yet simple detector like Garret’s AT Pro with you on your geocaching adventure gives you a great chance of stumbling on hidden treasures. A multi-purpose detector, the AT (All-Terrain) Pro will help you find the confidence and inspiration to take on great heights, long trails, and unfamiliar terrains in your geocaching adventures.

You stand a good chance of making an exciting discovery with the detector’s highly accurate discrimination, sturdy battery life, waterproof design, and ergonomics (excellent lightweight and great arm support).

Garret Ace 300 Metal Detector – The Best Intermediary Detector

When it comes to metal detecting, accuracy, speed, and control is everything. The Garret Ace 300 lies somewhere between an entry-level and an expert detector, with simple features that allow for great targeting accuracy, easy frequency adjustment, and speedy tracking of signals. You can work with 5 different modes depending on what you’re looking for – jewellery, relics, coins, custom, and no discrimination. The target I.D and audio signals also allow you to identify your targets easier and faster. Its waterproof protection and replaceable AA batteries with 24 hours lifespan also make Ace 300 all the more reliable.

Bounty Hunter TK4 – The Best Waterproof Metal Detector for Beginners

This is another powerful metal detector with advanced features, but a fairly smooth learning curve. The TK4 can help you detect just about anything from metals to relics, jewelry, and even your hidden catchment.

But with its three search modes, tone discrimination, and automatic ground balance, and ergonomic handle, you don’t have to spend much time getting a hang of the device. The discrimination feature will save you the disappointment of going after worthless junk and scraps and the waterproof feature will allow you to venture into creeks and lakes fearlessly in your search.

Fisher F44 – Best User-Friendly Detector

Features like super-fast auto retuning, numeric target IDs, adjustable sensitivity, and adjustable volume easily qualifies the F44 as an advanced metal detector. But its user-friendly interface and simple operations make it an ideal detector or any level of detecting skills. Coupled with its waterproof protection, the F44 is the perfect entry-level detector for hunting coins, jewelry, relics even in wet terrains like beaches or under a heavy downpour.

Teknetics Delta 4000 – The Most Versatile Metal Detector

While it may not have all the bells and whistles of an attractive high-end detector, Delta 4000 has just about all the features needed to make your geocaching quite productive. Built with a “switch on and search” simplicity, the Delta 4000 allows you to spend less time figuring out settings and more time covering your hunting grounds. The device also helps discover treasures faster with features like 5 segment depth indicator, notch control of discrimination, overload alarm system, and sturdy batteries. But what makes it highly versatile is its interchangeable coil and pinpointing heads.

Conclusion

Time to head out for a profitable geocaching adventure in the outback with an expedient set of tools! With the tools reviewed above, every geocaching adventure will bring memorable moments and momentous finds. Happy trails.