If you are looking for the top metal detecting manufacturer still in business today, here is a list of companies that manufacture metal detectors for relic hunting, coin shooting, gold prospecting and underwater metal detecting. Many of these manufacturers are well known in the metal detecting community while others may be relatively new to the metal detecting market.
- Garrett Metal Detectors
- Minelab
- XP Metal Detectors
- Fisher
- Nokta Makro
- Teknetics
- OKM Metal Detectors
- Bounty Hunter
Which Metal Detector Manufacturers Have Been in Business the Longest?
From the list of 8 metal detecting manufactures listed above which 3 have been in business the longest?
- Fisher Labs: According to their web site, Fisher Labs has been in business since 1931 and continues to manufacture metal detectors today. Their most popular model has been their Fisher F22, F75, and the Gold Bug.
- Garrett Metal Detectors: According the Garrett’s website, Garrett began marketing their line of metal detectors in 1964. Garrett is one of the most popular metal detecting manufacturers on the market today. Their most popular metal detectors have been the Garrett AT Pro, and The Garrett Ace 250.
- Minelab Metal detectors: Minelab has been around since 1985. Packed with a 50 innovative engineers, Minelab continues to break new ground by offer technology and features other manufacturers often times chase themselves. Minelab’s most popular metal detectors is currently the Minelab Equinox, CTX 3030. and their popular underwater machine the Excalibur II.
(Honorable Mention) Nokta Makro: Founded in 2001 and based out of Istanbul Turkey, this company has been gaining steam for the last few years. With the waterproof Anfibio Multi to their most recent waterproof machine called the Simplex, Nokta Makro is also taking on Garrett, XP, and Minelab by releasing cheaper machines packed full of features. Nokta Makro is a company to keep your eye on.
Which Big Metal Detecting Manufacturer Went Out of Business Recently?
The latest company to go out of business is a big one and really shocked many of the metal detecting enthusiasts who own and love their Whites metal detector.
Whites Electronics had been in business since the 1950’s. But unfortunately Whites closed their doors in June of this year. Their website is still active for now but all of Whites vendors and resellers received the word that the company would be shutting down.
It isn’t entirely sure why Whites Electronics is going out of business but they seem to be behind the curve with recent competition getting fierce with Minelab and Nokta Makro coming out with cheaper machines packed full of features that are hard to beat. Nevertheless, Whites had always been a stand up company that made quality metal detectors that were made in the U.S.A.
Where Can You Find Metal Detectors from These Top Manufacturers?
Mental Metal Detecting highly recommends Fort Bedford Metal Detectors. Contact Keith at 814-215-1732 or check out their website. They carry both new and used equipment from most of the manufacturers mentioned above as well as accessories you might need. Give Keith a call and tell him Scott aka “Mental Metal” sent you. You can also find Fort Bedford Metal Detectors on Facebook as well.
