Search Coils
In short. Changing the coil changes the machine more than any setting does. A small coil separates targets in rubbish, a large coil reaches deeper and covers ground faster. Our search coils run £99 to £139, and most detectorists end up owning two.
People spend months saving for a better detector when a £99 coil would have solved the actual problem. If you are losing good targets in iron rubbish, or covering too little ground on a big field, the coil is the cheapest fix available. These are search coils for metal detectors in the Golden Mask fitting. Metal detector coils are machine specific, so a metal detector coil that fits one maker will not fit another.
What Coil Size Changes
Small coils, 5 to 9 inchBetter separation in iron rubbish and on old house sites. They see less ground per sweep but they see it more clearly.
Mid size, 9 to 11 inchThe all round choice and what most machines ship with. A sensible balance of depth, coverage and target separation.
Large coils, 12 inch and upMore depth on bigger targets and far faster coverage of open farmland. They mask small targets and struggle in trash.
Elliptical versus roundElliptical coils get into hedgerows and between obstacles and pinpoint more precisely. Round coils give a slightly deeper, wider footprint.
DD and Spider Coils Explained
DD coilsTwo overlapping D shaped windings. They handle mineralised British soil far better than concentric designs, which is why nearly every coil here is a DD.
Spider coilsAn open frame design that cuts weight and lets soil and water pass through. Noticeably less tiring on a long session.
Fighter coilsA tougher closed shell for rough ground, stubble and shingle, where an open frame would take a beating.
Will it fit?These are Golden Mask fitting coils. Ring us with your machine and shaft before ordering if you are not certain, and we will check it rather than guess.
The Range
£99, small and sharp5 inch DD Spider. The rubbish and house site coil, and the lightest in the range.
Also stockedA 12 inch DD Spider, a 12 inch DD Fighter, a 10.5 inch DD and a 9 inch Spider. Prices on these vary, so ring us.
Why Buy From Us
Official UK dealerReal warranty, real support, and stock we actually hold.
Built for UK groundMineralised farmland, shingle beaches and riverbanks, where cheaper kit struggles.
Honest adviceWe would rather talk you into the right machine than the dearest one.
Free UK deliveryOn every detector, with support from a UK team.
Not sure the coil is your problem? Our most popular machines page shows where the real upgrade points are, and the Golden Mask range lists the detectors these coils are made for.
Search Coil Questions, Answered
Does a bigger search coil find deeper targets?
On larger objects, yes, by a few inches. On a coin sized target the gain is small and you lose the ability to separate it from nearby iron. Bigger coils mainly buy you ground coverage, not depth on small finds.
What size coil should I buy first?
If you already have the standard mid sized coil, buy small. A 5 inch spider will find things on ground you thought was worked out, because it can hear a good target sitting next to a nail.
Will any coil fit my metal detector?
No. Coils are machine specific, both electrically and in the connector and shaft fitting. These are Golden Mask fitting coils. Tell us your model and we will confirm before you order.
What is the difference between a DD and a concentric coil?
A DD coil uses two overlapping D windings and produces a blade shaped detection field. It copes much better with mineralised soil and gives better separation. Concentric coils pinpoint slightly more neatly but are noisier in British ground.
Are spider coils worth it?
If you detect for more than a couple of hours at a time, yes. The open frame sheds mud and water and takes real weight off the end of the shaft, which you feel by the third hour.
Do I need to reset my detector after changing coil?
Yes, ground balance it again from scratch, and expect to adjust sensitivity. A larger coil usually needs the sensitivity backing off a little or it becomes unstable.
Can I use a coil in salt water?
Check the rating for the specific coil. Most are sealed against splashes and wet sand, but full submersion is a different specification. See our beach detecting page for what salt does to equipment.
Further reading
