Minelab VANQUISH 340 Metal Detector

Minelab VANQUISH 340 Metal Detector Overview

The Minelab VANQUISH 340 runs Multi-IQ, transmitting on multiple frequencies at once, so there is no frequency to pick. Onboard you get Coin, Jewelry and All Metal modes, four sensitivity levels, five discrimination segments across Target IDs from -9 to 40, a fixed High Iron Bias, three target tones (Low, Mid, High), three volume levels, a 4-level depth indicator and automatic noise cancel, which runs every time you switch on. The V10 10 x 7 inch Double-D coil is waterproof to 1 m (3.3 ft); the control box is water resistant with its rain cover attached. The VANQUISH 340 weighs 1.2 kg (2.6 lb) with batteries, extends to 145 cm (57 inch) and collapses to 76 cm (30 inch). Four AA alkaline batteries come in the box and run about 10 hours; Minelab NiMH rechargeables run about 11 hours. Minelab covers the control box and coil for 3 years.

The VANQUISH 340 has no pinpoint mode; Minelab's manual describes a manual pinpointing technique instead, sweeping the coil across the target at right angles. Our VANQUISH 340 getting started guide walks through the first hunt.

VANQUISH 340 vs. VANQUISH 360: Which Should You Buy?

The VANQUISH 340 and the VANQUISH 360 both run Multi-IQ, have three search modes, a fixed Iron Bias and three target tones, and use a 10 x 7 inch Double-D coil. The VANQUISH 360 adds IP68 waterproofing to 5 m (16 ft) for the whole detector, control box and coil, a built-in lithium-ion battery that runs up to 10 hours, a pinpoint mode, six discrimination segments, five sensitivity levels and the -19 to 99 Target ID scale, with Park, Beach and All Metal modes and the V10X coil.

If you hunt parks, yards and the dry and wet sand of a beach, and you like AA batteries you can swap in the field, we recommend the VANQUISH 340. If you want to take the whole detector into the water or never buy batteries, look at the VANQUISH 360. If you want a pinpoint mode, Relic mode, 25 discrimination segments and Bluetooth audio while keeping AA batteries, the VANQUISH 540 is the step up in the 40 Series.

VANQUISH 340, Best For:

• First-time buyers who want Multi-IQ with three simple search modes
• Coin and jewelry hunting in parks, schoolyards and yards
• Beach hunting on dry and wet sand where only the coil goes in the water
• Hunters who prefer AA batteries they can swap in the field

VANQUISH 360, Best For:

• Beginners who want the whole detector waterproof to 5 m (16 ft)
• Freshwater swimming beaches and shallow water
• Hunters who want a built-in rechargeable battery instead of AA cells
• Park and beach hunting with Park, Beach and All Metal modes

Key Features That Matter in the Field

Coin mode is Minelab's mode for common modern coins while ignoring trash, and it is the one Minelab recommends for trashy locations. Jewelry mode is for lost rings and chains, and its pattern rejects only iron. All Metal detects every metal, iron included, so you hear more targets and dig more trash. Gold jewelry and aluminum trash can read alike, so we recommend Jewelry or All Metal on swimming beaches rather than Coin.

With four sensitivity levels, we recommend starting high and stepping down only if the detector gets noisy near power lines or other electrical equipment. The Iron Bias is fixed at High, so the VANQUISH 340 classes large or complex iron as iron; that keeps it simple, at the cost of flexibility in heavily iron-contaminated ground. Audio runs through the built-in speaker or wired headphones on the 3.5 mm (1/8 inch) socket; the VANQUISH 340 has no wireless audio.

Where the Minelab VANQUISH 340 Performs Best

Parks, sports fields, yards and beaches are where the VANQUISH 340 makes the most sense. The coil can go under water to 1 m (3.3 ft), so you can sweep wet sand and the shallows, but the control box is water resistant only: keep it out of the water and use the rain cover in wet weather. Minelab's manual warns against mixing alkaline and rechargeable batteries.

The limits are iron, water depth and gold. On old homesites full of nails, five segments and a fixed Iron Bias leave little room to tune. For wading deeper than the coil, the VANQUISH 360 is the detector to look at. The VANQUISH 340 finds gold jewelry, but it has no gold mode; see our gold detectors for natural gold.

Coils and Accessories That Fit the Minelab VANQUISH 340

The Minelab VANQUISH 340 comes with the V10 10 x 7 inch elliptical Double-D coil and its skidplate. Minelab lists three coils for the VANQUISH 40 Series: the V8 8 x 5 inch, V10 10 x 7 inch and V12 12 x 9 inch elliptical Double-D coils. Minelab does not list the V8X, V10X or V12X for the 40 Series. Each Minelab coil comes with its coil cover, and replacement V8, V10 and V12 skidplates are in this collection.

The VANQUISH 340 collection also holds the Minelab VANQUISH Environmental Cover for the control box, the Minelab AA NiMH battery pack and 4 AA charger, the lower shaft, arm strap, Minelab wired headphones, other wired headphones with a 1/8 inch plug and the VANQUISH carry bag. VANQUISH 340 bundles add a PRO-FIND 40 pinpointer, a carry bag or both.

VANQUISH 340 vs. VANQUISH 440 vs. VANQUISH 540 Comparison

All three VANQUISH 40 Series detectors run Multi-IQ, share the -9 to 40 Target ID scale, use a coil waterproof to 1 m (3.3 ft) on a water resistant control box and run on four AA batteries. They differ in search modes, discrimination, iron control, audio, display and the coil in the box.

Read our VANQUISH 340, 440 and 540 comparison for a closer look at the differences across the series.

Why Buy the Minelab VANQUISH 340 from Serious Detecting?

• Free Shipping on Orders Over $99: Your Minelab VANQUISH 340 ships at no extra cost across the continental US.
• Authorized Minelab Dealer: Showroom in Ypsilanti, Michigan, full 3-year manufacturer warranty and product registration support.
• Help Before and After You Buy: Our staff answer setup, coil and VANQUISH 340 questions by phone or email.