Unveiling the Hunt: Bounty Hunter Discovery 1100 Metal Detector

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.

What the device was designed for?

Bounty Hunter Discovery 1100 metal detector is a consumer grade device of beginner level. Therefore, there is no point in expecting some super-valuable findings from it, but it will definitely do as a first metal detector aimed just to try out the treasure hunting process itself.

Discovery product line opens Bounty Hunter devices line. It consists of three devices. Except 1100, there are also the following device models – Bounty Hunter Discovery 2200 and Bounty Hunter Discovery 3300.

If you are looking for something even simpler than these devices, it can be Bounty Hunter BHJS Junior, which is considered a toy.

The metal detector is the simplest one, it has no complicated settings – just the most necessary things to turn it on and start treasure hunting.

The device is so user-friendly, that you don’t even need to read user’s manual. The menu is easy-to-use and even a beginner will be able to deal with it.

As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, the Bounty Hunter Discovery 1100 is a metal detector model produced by First Texas Products under the Bounty Hunter brand. Here are some key features and information about the Bounty Hunter Discovery 1100:

  1. User-Friendly Design: The Discovery 1100 is generally known for its user-friendly design, making it suitable for both beginners and hobbyist metal detectorists.
  2. Three-Tone Audio Discrimination: The metal detector features a three-tone audio discrimination system, allowing users to differentiate between various types of metals based on the tones produced.
  3. Numeric Target ID: Some models of the Discovery 1100 may have a numeric target identification feature, providing users with a numerical value on the display to help identify detected metals.
  4. Depth Indicator: The detector includes a depth indicator, providing an estimate of how deep a target is buried. This feature can be helpful for planning the excavation process.
  5. Adjustable Sensitivity: Users can adjust the sensitivity of the metal detector to customize its performance based on ground conditions and the size of the targets they are searching for.
  6. Discrimination Control: The Discovery 1100 offers discrimination control, enabling users to filter out signals from unwanted metals and focus on specific types of targets.
  7. All-Metal Mode: The metal detector has an all-metal mode, allowing users to detect a wide range of metals without discrimination.
  8. Visual Target Indicator: Model come with a visual target indicator on the display, providing a visual representation of the probable type of metal detected.
  9. Lightweight and Adjustable Shaft: The detector is designed to be lightweight and often features an adjustable shaft length for user comfort.
  10. Battery Life: The Discovery 1100 operates on batteries, and the battery life can vary based on usage. It’s recommended to have spare batteries on hand for longer detecting sessions.
Bestseller No. 2
BOUNTY Discovery 1100 Metal Detector – Disc11
  • Bounty Hunter Disc11 Metal Detector – Metal – Long Handle
Bestseller No. 3
Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV Metal Detector with 8-inch Waterproof Coil
  • Model Number: Tracker II
  • 8-in, waterproof, interchangeable coil
  • Dual-tone discriminate

Last update on 2024-03-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Source: Amazon Affiliates

ModelBounty Hunter Discovery 1100
Weight4 lbs
LengthAdjustable
Batteries2 9V alkaline batteries
HeadphonesNo
Warranty5 years
Operating PrincipleVLF
Standard Searchcoil7 inch waterproof
Operating Frequencies (kHz)6.6 kHz
Water resistanceNo
Submersion DepthNo
DiscriminationYes
Ground BalanceYes
Audio ThresholdNo
Sensitivity – Depth AdjustmentsYes
Electronic PinpointingNo
Visual LCD DisplayYes
Build-in flashlightNo

The review

The shaft

The metal detector has S-shaped shaft with a convenient armrest. The shaft consists of two sections which you can adjust to your individual parameters. Just push the spring button and find an adjustment hole in the shaft section that makes the shaft length fit your height.

The metal detector weighs just 1.3 kg, so it won’t be a problem to wave it for a long time. Discovery 1100 is a small sized and light weighted device, though it’s not perfectly balanced.

The search coil

The metal detector uses VLF approach; it has 6,6 kHz operating frequency. Round concentric coil 7 inches in diameter is included into the device package set. The search coil is waterproof, so you can submerge it, but make sure you leave the control unit above water.

Headphones

They are not included into the device package set, but the metal detector has a headphones jack, so you’ll be able to use headphones once you get them.

The battery

Two 9 V batteries are used as the device power supply. One battery set is enough for about 20-25 hours of continuous metal detector operation.

Unlike AA batteries, which are sold almost everywhere, it is more challenging to find 9V battery, which is a minus in this case.

Waterproofness

The metal detector can be used only for ground search, even though its search coil is a waterproof one.

Control unit and settings

The device has rather user-friendly menu plus there are no complicated adjustments required. Even a beginner detectorist will be able to deal with the metal detector settings without reading the user’s manual. All you should do is turn on the device and start treasure hunting right away.

To turn the metal detector on use ON button. The LCD display has a backlit and maintains its contrast even in the sunlight, which ensures that the data in readable.

On the left there is a 4-segment scale, that informs the user about the depth of the detected metal object. Also, this scale is used to adjust the device sensitivity level. If you see three active segments, it means that the device is sensitivity equals «3/4».

You can change the adjusted sensitivity level by pushing arrows ‘up’ and ‘down’ correspondingly. At maximal sensitivity level the device detects a coin (or any other object of a similar size) up to 6 inches deep. The larger is the object, the higher is the detection depth.

The ‘pyramid’ has two values. After the device detects the object, the pyramid displays the approximate depth of the target (in inches).

Small sized targets which are on the ground or close to its surface will be indicated on the upper segment of the pyramid. Deeper located objects will be indicated in the bottom segments numbered 2, 4 or 6 (inches).

VDI number is not foreseen for this metal detector since this is a consumer grade device.

On the right-hand side of the display there are indicators which divide the detected objects into three groups:

Silver/Copper

Here the arrow will point the objects containing the above-mentioned metals. However, some other corroded objects, large aluminum targets sometimes can get into this group by mistake.

Mid Range

Most of iron targets get into this group. These can be can pull tabs, nickel coins, various zinky objects as well as goldware.

Iron

Here you will find most of ferrous targets. However, some small objects made of aluminum or gold can also appear here by mistake.

Using MODE button, you can exclude some unwanted metals from the search cover. By pushing the button, you select one of the discrimination modes.

In lower right-hand corner of the display there is a battery charge indicator. It starts to flash once the battery charge decreases to 7,35 W. Discovery 1100 will inform you in advance that the battery is discharging by means of a blinking icon in bottom right corner of the display.

Tones

It is very convenient to use LCD display to identify the detected object. However, when you are working in the fields, it is rather difficult to monitor all the data on the display.

That’s why the metal detector has additional sound identification for the detected objects.

The sound indication informs about target presence and possible type of the metal. But more precise information about the object and its location can be obtained from the data displayed on the device screen.

There is a three-tone sound identification (the following models have 4 tones). Low tone corresponds to ferrous metals.

The middle tone is peculiar to all types of bottle caps, Coca-Cola tabs, wire, etc.

High tone corresponds to copper and silver coins, bronze and copper domestic implements. Sadly, some corroded iron targets may sound the same. Though, in fairness it must be said that even more expensive metal detectors have this fault – targets from corroded iron also produce high tone response signal.

So, it is very challenging to see between corroded ferrous targets and non-ferrous ones, since they produce almost identical sound tone.

Ground balance

According to what the manufacturer states, ground balance is adjusted automatically in «GroundTrac®» mode, and it doesn’t affect the device sensitivity level. In plain language this means, that the ground balance has a pre-set value, which you can’t adjust. Which is of no surprise for a metal detector of this level.

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.