Here is Bounty Hunter Discovery 1100 metal detector review. The article has information about the device operation frequency, its search coil type, if the headphones are supplied, how long the device can operate using one battery set and other stuff as well as what differs this metal detector from other models produced by the company.
Contents
What the device was designed for?
The Bounty Hunter Discovery 1100 is a consumer-grade metal detector designed specifically for beginners. While it may not uncover super-valuable treasures, it serves as an excellent introductory tool for those eager to explore the world of treasure hunting.
Product Line Overview
The Discovery series marks the entry point into Bounty Hunter’s lineup of devices. In addition to the Discovery 1100, this product line includes the Bounty Hunter Discovery 2200 and the Discovery 3300, each offering progressively advanced features. For those seeking an even simpler option, the Bounty Hunter BHJS Junior is available, primarily marketed as a toy for young explorers.
User-Friendly Design
The Discovery 1100 stands out for its simplicity. With no complicated settings, it features just the essential controls needed to power on and start searching for treasures. The device’s user-friendly design means that you won’t need to pore over the user manual; the intuitive menu is straightforward enough for beginners to navigate with ease.
Overall, the Bounty Hunter Discovery 1100 is a perfect starting point for anyone looking to dive into treasure hunting without the intimidation of advanced technology. Its accessibility makes it an ideal choice for novice users ready to embark on their treasure-seeking adventures.
| Model | Bounty Hunter Discovery 1100 |
| Weight | 4 lbs |
| Length | Adjustable |
| Batteries | 2 9V alkaline batteries |
| Headphones | No |
| Warranty | 5 years |
| Operating Principle | VLF |
| Standard Searchcoil | 7 inch waterproof |
| Operating Frequencies (kHz) | 6.6 kHz |
| Water resistance | No |
| Submersion Depth | No |
| Discrimination | Yes |
| Ground Balance | Yes |
| Audio Threshold | No |
| Sensitivity – Depth Adjustments | Yes |
| Electronic Pinpointing | No |
| Visual LCD Display | Yes |
| Build-in flashlight | No |
- Discriminating metal detector gives a unique sound for different types of metals
- 3 Mode metal detector
- 3-Segment target identification
- 4-segment depth display
- Detects coin-sized objects 6″ deep; larger objects up to 2′
Last update on 2024-12-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Source: Amazon Affiliates
The review
The shaft
The Bounty Hunter Discovery 1100 features an S-shaped shaft with a convenient armrest, designed for user comfort during treasure hunting. The shaft consists of two adjustable sections, allowing you to customize the length to fit your height easily. Simply push the spring button and select an adjustment hole in the shaft to achieve the perfect fit. The armrest can also be adjusted for added comfort, providing support during long searching sessions.
Weighing only 1.3 kg (approximately 2.9 lbs), the Discovery 1100 is lightweight, making it easy to maneuver for extended periods without causing fatigue. While it is compact and easy to carry, it’s worth noting that the device may not be perfectly balanced. However, the ergonomic design, combined with its lightweight nature, helps ensure a more enjoyable and less tiring treasure-hunting experience for beginners.
The Discovery 1100 also features a locking mechanism that securely holds the adjustable sections in place, preventing any unwanted movement during use. Additionally, it is designed for quick and easy assembly, allowing users to set it up and start hunting in just a few minutes. Its lightweight design makes it convenient to transport, whether you’re heading to the beach, a park, or a historical site for treasure hunting. Constructed from durable materials, the shaft ensures longevity even with frequent use in various environments.
The search coil
The Bounty Hunter Discovery 1100 utilizes a Very Low Frequency (VLF) approach, operating at a frequency of 6.6 kHz. This frequency is particularly effective for detecting a wide range of metals, making it ideal for beginners who are just starting to explore treasure hunting.
Included in the device package is a round concentric search coil with a diameter of 7 inches. This coil is waterproof, allowing you to submerge it in shallow water while searching for treasures. However, it’s essential to keep the control unit above water to ensure safe operation. The waterproof coil enhances the user experience, especially in environments like beaches or shallow streams, where buried treasures may be hidden beneath the water’s surface.
Overall, the combination of the VLF technology and the versatile coil design makes the Discovery 1100 a reliable and user-friendly option for novice treasure hunters.
Headphones
While headphones are not included in the device package, the Bounty Hunter Discovery 1100 features a headphone jack, allowing you to use your own headphones for an enhanced listening experience. Using headphones can significantly improve sound quality and help you focus on the detection signals without background noise distractions.
This feature is particularly beneficial for beginners, as it enables them to better hear faint signals and nuances in the sounds produced by the detector. By connecting headphones, users can engage more fully in their treasure-hunting adventures, making it easier to identify potential finds. Overall, the headphone jack adds an extra layer of functionality to the Discovery 1100, catering to the needs of novice treasure hunters looking to enhance their experience.
The battery
The Bounty Hunter Discovery 1100 is powered by two 9V batteries, providing approximately 20 to 25 hours of continuous operation. This extended battery life is beneficial for users who plan to spend long hours treasure hunting, allowing them to focus on their search without frequent interruptions for battery changes.
However, one drawback of using 9V batteries is their availability. Unlike AA batteries, which can be easily found in most stores, 9V batteries are not as commonly stocked, potentially making it more challenging to find replacements when needed. For beginners, this can be an important consideration, as they may not anticipate the need for specific battery types during their outings. Overall, while the battery life is a strong feature, the availability of 9V batteries may pose a minor inconvenience for users.
Waterproofness
The Bounty Hunter Discovery 1100 is designed exclusively for ground searching, despite having a waterproof search coil. While the waterproof coil allows for some protection against moisture and enables users to search in wet conditions, the overall device is not intended for underwater use.
This limitation is important for users to understand, particularly beginners who may assume that a waterproof coil means the entire detector can be submerged. Using the metal detector in water can lead to damage and functionality issues. Therefore, it is essential to use the Discovery 1100 on land to ensure optimal performance and longevity.
Control unit and settings
The Bounty Hunter Discovery 1100 boasts a user-friendly menu with no complicated adjustments required. Even novice detectorists can easily navigate the settings without referring to the user manual. Simply press the ON button, and you can begin your treasure-hunting journey immediately.
The LCD display features a backlit screen that maintains its contrast even in bright sunlight, ensuring that the information is easily readable. On the left side of the display, a 4-segment scale indicates the depth of the detected metal object while also serving to adjust the device’s sensitivity level. For instance, if three segments are active, the sensitivity is set to approximately “3/4.”
You can adjust the sensitivity level using the ‘up’ and ‘down’ arrows. At the maximum sensitivity setting, the device can detect a coin or similar-sized object up to 6 inches deep. Larger objects will yield higher detection depths.
The display also includes a ‘pyramid’ indicator that provides an approximate depth of the target once detected. Small-sized targets close to the surface will be indicated on the upper segment of the pyramid, while deeper objects will be shown in the lower segments labeled 2, 4, or 6 inches.
This model does not include a VDI (Visual Display Indicator) number, as it is designed for consumer-grade use.
On the right side of the display, indicators categorize detected objects into three groups:
- Silver/Copper: The arrow will point to objects made of these metals. However, some corroded items or large aluminum targets may mistakenly be included in this category.
- Mid Range: This group primarily consists of iron targets, such as pull tabs, nickel coins, and various zinc objects, as well as some gold items.
- Iron: This category encompasses most ferrous targets, although small aluminum or gold objects may also appear here by mistake.
Using the MODE button, you can exclude unwanted metals from your search. By pressing this button, you can select one of the discrimination modes.
In the lower right corner of the display, there is a battery charge indicator. It will begin to flash once the battery charge drops to 7.35V. The Discovery 1100 will notify you in advance of low battery life with a blinking icon in the bottom right corner of the display, allowing you to prepare for a battery change.
Tones
While the LCD display of the Bounty Hunter Discovery 1100 is convenient for identifying detected objects, monitoring all the data in the field can be challenging. To address this issue, the metal detector includes an additional sound identification feature for detected objects.
The sound indication alerts users to the presence of a target and provides insights into the possible type of metal. However, more precise information regarding the object and its location can still be gleaned from the data displayed on the screen.
The device features a three-tone sound identification system, while newer models offer four tones. The sound tones are categorized as follows:
- Low Tone: This tone corresponds to ferrous metals, indicating the presence of items like iron.
- Middle Tone: This tone typically indicates various targets such as bottle caps, pull tabs, and wires.
- High Tone: This tone is associated with non-ferrous metals, including copper and silver coins, as well as bronze and copper domestic implements. However, it is worth noting that some corroded iron targets may also produce a high tone response. This issue is not unique to the Discovery 1100; even more expensive metal detectors can struggle to differentiate between corroded ferrous targets and non-ferrous ones due to their similar sound tones.
As a result, distinguishing between corroded ferrous targets and valuable non-ferrous items can be quite challenging, given that they often produce almost identical sound signals. Nonetheless, the combination of visual and auditory feedback enhances the overall detection experience, especially for beginner detectorists navigating outdoor conditions.
Ground balance
Ground balance is an essential feature in metal detectors that helps filter out mineralized soil signals, improving detection accuracy. According to the manufacturer, the Bounty Hunter Discovery 1100 automatically adjusts its ground balance in “GroundTrac®” mode. This automatic adjustment ensures that the device maintains consistent sensitivity levels, allowing for effective detection across various terrains.
However, it’s important to note that the ground balance has a pre-set value that users cannot adjust. For a consumer-grade metal detector like the Discovery 1100, this limitation is not surprising. While the automatic ground balance simplifies the operation for beginners, it may not offer the level of customization that more experienced detectorists might desire when searching in highly variable ground conditions. Overall, the automatic ground balance helps ensure a smoother treasure-hunting experience for those just starting in the hobby.
Conclusions
All in all, I must say that this metal detector is more a toy, than a real device. I’d recommend it for kids and those, who like going treasure hunting from time to time.
Why? Well, first of all, because the manufacturer has a metal detector model, which is a bit more expensive, but it’s much better – Bounty Hunter Tracker IV. So, if you are a beginner digger, I’d advise you buying Bounty Hunter Tracker IV.