Metal detectors use assorted technologies, various settings options depending on performance targets for which they were created. In other words, there isn't a metal detector good for all targets, but there are five basic types of metal detectors:

• metal detectors used to detect coins, relics, treasure (a wider range)
• metal detectors for gold prospecting,
• underwater and salt beach
• detections metal detectors at large depths;
Metal detectors
• industrial .

Most detectors are designed to provide the best results for a particular search (detection) but can be used for different targets but not to provide results as good as the goals for which they were created. For example best nugget detector used to detect sites that are very sensitive to very small pieces of gold are very efficient in gold prospecting is not behaving as well as looking coins senses every piece of metal. Coins detection devices are not designed to grasp pieces as small as a grain of rice and offers and provides a better rejection of iron compared to the other. Science designing a metal detector is the art of compromise. When certain specific characteristics are emphasized, other features will be underrepresented. Any detector can not work equally well in all specific searches.