Minelab GO-FIND 22 Metal Detector

The Minelab Go-Find 22 is a 2.2-lb folding detector running VFLEX technology at 8 kHz, priced at $124.99. It collapses to 21.9 inches for backpack transport, extends to 51.4 inches for sweeping, and ships with a hard-wired 8" coil waterproof to 1 m (3.3 ft). Two find modes, a 3-level depth indicator, and two-tone audio cover the core of what a first-time detectorist needs. For parents comparing this against toy detectors or no-brand beginner machines: the Go-Find 22 is a genuine Minelab detector with genuine signal discrimination.

What the Go-Find 22 Gives You Over a Toy Detector

• Two find modes with real discrimination. Reject Iron mode silences ferrous targets so you skip bottle caps and pull tabs. All-Metal mode opens everything up when you want to hear the full ground. Toy detectors do not give you this choice reliably.
• Two-tone audio that reads targets. Low tone for iron. High tone for coins and non-ferrous metals. After one outing, a new user digs with purpose instead of guessing.
• Three sensitivity levels. Level 3 in clean open grass. Level 1 near playground equipment or mineralized beach sand to cut false signals.
• A depth indicator before you dig. Three depth levels show how far the target sits before you break ground. Fewer unnecessary holes.
• A waterproof coil rated to 1 m (3.3 ft). The 8" coil handles shallow creek crossings and wet sand at the waterline. The control box stays above water.
• Folds to 21.9 inches for transport. Short enough for most hiking packs and school bags. Our Go-Find Series overview covers how this model fits the lineup. When goals grow beyond parks, the Go-Find 44 adds more target ID segments without a major price jump.

What's in the Box

• Minelab Go-Find 22 metal detector
• 8" Rectangular Monoloop coil (hard-wired, waterproof to 1 m / 3.3 ft)
• 2 x Camouflage stickers
• 4 x AA batteries (not included)

Where It Performs Well

Parks, Yards, and Schoolyards

Open grass areas with shallow targets are the Go-Find 22's natural ground. Coin spills, dropped jewelry, and surface-level finds respond clearly to the 8 kHz VFLEX signal, and Reject Iron mode keeps the bottle-cap count manageable. Kids can cover a park in an hour and come back with real finds.

• Mode: Reject Iron
• Sensitivity: Level 2 (up to 3 in clean open grass; down to 1 near metal structures)
• Volume: 3–4

Shallow Water and Creek Edges

The 8" coil is rated waterproof to 1 m (3.3 ft), which means you can run it through creek shallows, wade the bank edge, and sweep wet beach sand at the waterline. All-Metal mode captures the full target range in high-value shoreline environments where selective discrimination would leave finds behind.

• Mode: All-Metal
• Sensitivity: Level 1–2 in wet salt sand; Level 2 in fresh water shallows
• Volume: 3

VFLEX Technology

VFLEX is Minelab's single-frequency VLF platform. At 8 kHz, the Go-Find 22 is tuned for coins, jewelry, and the non-ferrous targets most common in parks and shorelines. Four discrimination segments give it enough resolution to separate a coin signal from iron ground trash. Ground balance is automatic; there is no manual noise cancel or iron bias, which keeps the control panel clean and the learning curve short.

Build, Display, and Audio

At 1.0 kg (2.2 lbs) and 130.5 cm (51.4 in) extended, the Go-Find 22 is comfortable for kids and adults across most height ranges. The shaft folds and locks without tools. The monochrome LCD displays battery level, sensitivity setting, depth indicator, find mode, and volume level on a single screen. There is no display backlight, which keeps battery draw low on four AA cells. For transport and storage, the Minelab Go-Find carry bag fits the folded machine securely and protects it between sessions.

Audio runs through a built-in speaker or a wired 3.5 mm (⅛") headphone jack. There is no wireless audio. Five volume levels cover indoor testing through windy outdoor sessions. The two-tone audio system (low for iron, high for non-ferrous) mirrors the target communication structure used across Minelab's more advanced lineup, so habits built on the Go-Find 22 carry over cleanly to a future upgrade.

Search Coil

The 8" Rectangular Monoloop coil is hard-wired to the lower shaft, removing the connector as a failure or loss point. The rectangular profile covers more ground per sweep pass than a round coil of the same nominal size, which suits the open-ground hunting most Go-Find 22 users are doing. Coil waterproof rating: 1 m (3.3 ft). No optional coil upgrades are confirmed by Minelab for this model.

Specifications

• Technology: VFLEX
• Operating Frequency: 8 kHz
• Search Modes: Non-Ferrous (Reject Iron), All Metal
• Target IDs / Discrimination Segments: 4 Segments
• Sensitivity: 3 Levels
• Target Tones: 2 (Low = iron / ferrous; High = non-ferrous / coins)
• Volume Control: 5 Levels
• Depth Indicator: 3 Levels
• Iron Bias: No
• Noise Cancel: No
• Wireless Audio: No
• Included Headphones: No
• Audio Output: Built-in speaker; Wired 3.5 mm (⅛") headphone jack
• Display: Monochrome LCD (no backlight)
• Standard Coil: 8" Rectangular Monoloop (hard-wired)
• Coil Waterproof Rating: 1 m (3.3 ft)
• Length Extended: 130.5 cm (51.4 in)
• Length Collapsed: 55.5 cm (21.9 in)
• Weight: 1.0 kg (2.2 lbs)
• Battery: 4 x AA (not included)
• Operating Temperature: -5°C to +45°C (+23°F to +113°F)
• Warranty: 2 Years

Why Buy from Serious Detecting

We are an authorized Minelab dealer, which means every Go-Find 22 we ship carries the full 2-year manufacturer warranty and factory support. Our team has run Minelab machines across the lineup and can answer real questions about detector behavior, not just recite spec sheets. Orders ship free, every purchase comes with a 30-day return window, and we match competitor pricing. If you are still comparing options for a first detector, our kids and beginner metal detector guide covers the full field across price points and ages.