How To Ground Balance A Metal Detector?

When detecting in highly mineralized soils, it is very likely that your metal detector will produce phantom signals. This occurs because these soils contain iron components that respond to the electromagnetic field emitted by the metal detector.

Needless to say, this can be incredibly frustrating as it leads to a significant waste of valuable time searching for targets that do not actually exist.

Luckily, the most modern metal detectors often have a function to avoid these phantom signals. This function is called the ground balance setting. What is ground balancing in metal detecting? And how should I ground balance a metal detector?

The ground balance function is crucial in increasing the maximum detection depth of a metal detector in highly mineralized soils. It achieves this by adapting to the specific soil conditions. There are primarily three methods for ground balancing: manual, automatic, and tracking.

Regardless of the method, the principle remains the same. You need to pump the coil up and down while simultaneously holding the accept/reject button until the metal detector’s signal stabilizes.

This may appear deceptively simple, but in reality, achieving effective resistance to ground mineralization using the ground balance function can be challenging.

That’s why I will provide you with comprehensive information to ensure you have a thorough understanding of how to optimize your metal detector’s resistance to ground mineralization through proper utilization of the ground balance function.

What is ground balancing in metal detection?

Ground balancing your metal detector involves allowing it to adjust and adapt to highly mineralized soils. This process helps the detector eliminate false signals caused by mineralization while still recognizing genuine target signals. Essentially, the metal detector masks the effects of mineralization in the soil, allowing for more accurate target detection.

In old and undisturbed bottoms you will often find many natural iron particles. These iron particles are naturally formed during the decomposition of plants. This is called ground mineralization.

When the soil concentration of iron components is excessively high, they can respond to the metal detector’s electromagnetic field by generating their own electromagnetic field. As a result, the metal detector will produce phantom signals, leading to false detections and unnecessary digging.

When to use the ground balance function of the metal detector?

Using the ground balance function is essential for optimal metal detecting, particularly in trashy and highly mineralized areas. By properly adjusting the ground balance, your metal detector can effectively filter out false signals and maintain accurate target identification.

Always remember to ground balance your metal detector before starting your detecting session. This ensures that your detector is calibrated to the specific soil conditions, allowing you to achieve maximum detection depth and enhance your chances of finding valuable targets while minimizing false detections.

Ground balancing a metal detector (step-by-step)

In general, there are three methods to ground balance your metal detector: manual, automatic, and tracking. Manual ground balancing is considered the most precise method, offering accurate adjustments tailored to the specific soil conditions. However, if you prefer convenience, you can also utilize the automatic or tracking modes.

1. Manually ground balancing the metal detector

Manually ground balancing your metal detector is the preferred method for achieving the most accurate results. While the exact steps may vary slightly depending on the specific model of your metal detector, the following general guidelines can be applied to common models like the Minelab Equinox and Nokta Makro Simplex:

2. Automatically ground balancing the metal detector

The second mode you can use to ground balance your metal detector is the automatic ground balance mode. This mode is straightforward to use and simplifies the process. The initial steps are the same as when manually ground balancing the metal detector.

Begin by finding a representative piece of land and then navigate to the ground balance settings on the metal detector. With the accept/reject button pressed, start pumping your coil up and down.

In the automatic ground balance mode, the metal detector will automatically determine the appropriate ground balance. Once the ground balance number on the display stabilizes, you can release the accept/reject button. The metal detector is now automatically ground balanced.

3. Ground balancing the metal detector by using the tracking mode

The last mode you can use to ground balance your metal detector is the tracking mode. In this mode, the metal detector continuously adapts to the changing soil conditions, eliminating the need for constant manual adjustment of the ground balance level.

To use the tracking mode, follow the same initial steps as with manual or automatic ground balancing. Find a representative spot that reflects the soil conditions and access the ground balance setting on the metal detector.

In the tracking mode, simply press the accept/reject button briefly, and the metal detector will continuously adjust to the soil conditions as you detect. This allows for ongoing and automatic ground balancing throughout your metal detecting session.

4. Fixed ground balance

Some entry-level metal detectors have a fixed ground balance mode, which means that the manufacturers have preset the ground balance level and you cannot adjust it. This is not considered a very accurate way of ground balancing the metal detector.

Using a fixed ground balance mode can result in a loss of detection depth. However, it’s worth noting that newer models of metal detectors no longer have this fixed ground balance feature, as manufacturers have recognized the importance of allowing users to adjust the ground balance for optimal performance.

What is the best way to ground balance a metal detector: automatic, manual or tracking?

The best way to ground balance a metal detector is to do it manually. By setting up the ground balance function manually, you will get the most accurate ground balance number.

This means that the metal detector adapts very good to the soil circumstances. Because of this, the metal detector will reach its maximum detection depth.

Some people prefer to use either the automatic or the tracking mode because it is simply less work to use these two settings. Unfortunately, these two ground balance modes are not as accurate as when you set up the ground balance function manually.

What if I don’t use the correct ground balance level?

If you don’t use the correct ground balance level, the metal detector won’t reach the maximum detection depth. When the metal detector can’t reach the maximum detection depth it will definitely miss some cool targets. Therefore, it is extremely important to properly ground balance the metal detector.

Incorrectly using the ground balance function means that you are either using a too high or a too low ground balance level. If you use a too high ground balance level, some good signals will be lost.

This happens because the metal detector doesn’t know the difference between a target and ground mineralization. Because of this, the metal detector will coincide the target with the ground mineralization.

If you are using a too low ground balance level, the metal detector won’t ignore the ground mineralization. This means that the metal detector will produce lots of phantom signals. Because of this, the target won’t be found. This also decreases the maximum detection depth.

In conclusion, finding the correct ground balance value is crucial for achieving the highest possible detection depth and improving target discrimination.

By properly adjusting the ground balance level, the metal detector can effectively distinguish between desired targets and ground mineralization. This ensures more accurate and reliable detection results during your metal detecting endeavors.

What is the difference between the ground balance, the discrimination and the sensitivity function?

Although the discrimination and ground balance functions are based on the same principle, they serve different purposes. The ground balance function allows your metal detector to adapt to soil conditions, while the discrimination function helps the detector ignore specific types of metals.

The discrimination function is commonly used to exclude certain targets from detection, such as pull tabs, beer caps, and iron nails. However, it is challenging to fully discriminate ground mineralization using this function.

On the other hand, the ground balance function serves as an adaptation feature and cannot completely ignore specific targets. It is particularly useful for detecting in highly mineralized areas, as it allows the detector to adjust to the soil conditions.

In contrast, the sensitivity function is distinct from both the discrimination and ground balance functions. The sensitivity level determines the strength of the metal detector’s response to an electromagnetic field and does not involve the exclusion of specific metals.

How often should I ground balance my metal detector?

How often you have to ground balance your metal detector depends on the kind of ground balance mode that you are using. Furthermore, this depends on the kind of soil that you would like to detect.

In general, you should ground balance the metal detector every time before you start with detecting. When you want to detect in highly mineralized bottoms, you should do this more often.  

In general, it is recommended to ground balance your metal detector every time before you begin detecting. This ensures optimal performance and helps avoid incorrect settings that could result in a reduced detection depth.

Ground balancing becomes even more crucial in certain circumstances, such as when detecting in trashy or highly mineralized soils. These types of soils require precise ground balancing to prevent the occurrence of phantom signals.

When using the tracking ground balance mode, you don’t need to ground balance the metal detector as frequently compared to the manual or automatic modes. This is because the tracking mode allows the metal detector to continuously adapt to the changing soil conditions while you’re detecting.

What is the cheapest metal detector that has a proper ground balance function?

There are a few relatively cheap metal detectors that both have manual and automatic ground balance modes. Some cheap metal detectors that have a proper ground balance function are the Nokta Makro Simplex +, the Minelab Equinox 600, the Minelab Equinox 800, the Quest X5, the Quest X10 pro, the Garret Ace Apex and the XP Deus 5.

Can I also avoid ground mineralization if my metal detector doesn’t have a ground balance function?

Luckily enough, more and more manufacturers provide metal detectors with a proper ground balance function. Unfortunately, not every metal detector has a ground balance mode.

If you want to avoid ground mineralization without using the ground balance function you should use the discrimination and sensitivity function. Furthermore, you should consider to choose a small coil.

The first setting that you should use to avoid ground mineralization is the discrimination function. With the discrimination function you can choose to ignore certain metals. This means that you should ignore the metal iron in these highly mineralized soils.

The second setting that you should use to avoid ground mineralization is the sensitivity function. The sensitivity level determines how strong your metal detector reacts to an electromagnetic field. In highly mineralized bottoms you should therefore use a low sensitivity level.

Last but not least, you should consider to use a small coil.  When you use a small coil it is less likely that the metal detector reacts to ground mineralization.

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