I’ve been using the GARVEE Professional Metal Detector for Adults and Beginners mainly for detecting precious metals with my kids in creeks and around, and for cleaning up the yard. I have a couple of other metal detectors that cost three times as much, and this one compares very well to them. The performance is better than I expected for a cheap beginner metal detector, and is a perfect addition for my kids. I tested it with coins and screws, and it identified them accurately.This detector runs on two 9-volt batteries (included). I’ve found that with my other detectors, a single battery goes quite a ways for long sessions, so two should keep you going a pretty long time. However, if you are going to be away from the house, it always helps to have a couple of extras. The included accessories are useful, and the included shovel works well for light digging, but you may want to bring a bigger shovel if you plan to do a lot of digging. The headphones are also kind an afterthough. They are pretty cheap, and not very comfortable, but they certainly do the job. Personally, I don’t mind that they are cheap because if you are going out to a beach or creek, I’d rather subject a cheap set of headphones to elements, rather than a nice pair; however, if you really get into the hobby you may want to invest in a better pair.The build quality is good for what it is. It feels very lightweight but not cheap, and the design makes it easy to assemble and break down for storage. When you are packing a lot of stuff out to the creek, it makes a huge difference to be able to stow it away and easily carry. The appearance and interface is straightforward and functional, and everything feels laid out in a way that makes sense for beginners, with graphics and indicators to help identify items, as well as sounds and tones for different materials.From a functionality standpoint, there are five search modes, and a pinpoint mode that helps narrow down a specific spot of where the metal is, instead of just getting you in the general area. The LCD display is clear and easy to read, even in bright light, and I like having the depth indicator and sensitivity controls at an easy reach for quick changes. The audio alerts paired with the headphone option make it easier to focus, especially in noisier environments.In terms of performance, I found it holds its own against detectors I have that cost quite a bit more. It is not perfect, and you will have to play around with the settings to dial in for what you are looking for, but for coins, small metal objects, and general cleanup tasks like finding nails in the yard, it works well. However, I’ve found that having physical knobs on a detector is better than buttons, because it allows for quicker changes. However, the usability and ease of use of this detector are much better if you are new to metal detecting.For about 130, the value is hard to beat. It’s a complete starter setup with decent quality and will likely be all that most people need to get started. It is a good option for beginners or families who want something reliable without spending a lot. If you really get into the hobby, you will likely want to upgrade, but to get a feel for it or for casual use, it’s a great option.

Between the consistent 5.8kHz performance, easy-to-read screen, and simple controls, this detector is just fun to use. It’s reliable enough that I trust what it’s telling me, which makes every hunt more enjoyable.

You can crank the sensitivity up when you’re in a clean area looking for deeper coins, then dial it back in trashy spots. It holds onto signals well without going crazy with false hits.

I beach hunt a lot and get tired of digging every rusty nail. The Jewelry mode on this detector actually does a nice job ignoring most iron while still hitting on rings and coins. Found my first silver ring last weekend with it.

The detector feels sturdy enough to toss in the trunk but isn’t overly heavy. Buttons have a nice click, and the shaft locks down tightly so there’s no wobble while swinging. Feels like it’ll hold up to regular use.

After a couple of months using this two or three times a week, it’s been completely reliable. No random shutoffs, no glitchy screen, and the coil connection is still tight. It just works when I need it to.

Bought this as a birthday gift for my dad who loves hiking and history. He’s been taking it on trails and around old foundations and sends me pictures of the coins and relics he finds. He had no trouble figuring it out on his own.

Picked this up to use at parks and old picnic spots with my kids. The all‑metal mode picks up everything, and when we get tired of junk, I switch to DISC and Jewelry mode to cut out the nails. We’ve found a surprising number of coins already.

I mostly hunt curb strips and older city lots. Being able to notch out iron while keeping conductivity ranges for coins makes this detector very practical in those trashy environments.

This is a great “serious hobby” detector for adults who don’t want to spend pro-level money. It’s got enough features to grow with you but isn’t overwhelming to learn.