Minelab VANQUISH 360 Metal Detector

Minelab VANQUISH 360 Metal Detector Overview

The Minelab VANQUISH 360 runs Multi-IQ, transmitting on multiple frequencies at once in every search mode, so there is no frequency to pick. Onboard you get Park, Beach and All Metal modes, five sensitivity levels, six discrimination segments across 119 Target IDs from -19 to 99, fixed Iron Bias, three target tones (Low, Mid, High), five volume levels, pinpoint, a 5-level depth indicator and automatic noise cancel. The whole detector, control box and coil, is IP68 rated to 5 m (16 ft). The VANQUISH 360 weighs 1.16 kg (2.6 lb), extends to 142 cm (56 inch) and collapses to 79 cm (31 inch) on its aluminum and fiberglass S-bend shafts, and its built-in lithium-ion battery runs up to 10 hours and charges through a magnetic USB connector. The V10X 10 x 7 inch Double-D coil comes in the box, and Minelab covers the control box and coil for 3 years.

If you are comparing with the VANQUISH 340, the biggest difference is waterproofing: Minelab rates the VANQUISH 340 coil waterproof to 1 m (3.3 ft) and the 340 runs on four AA batteries, while the VANQUISH 360 is submersible to 5 m (16 ft) as a whole detector and has a built-in rechargeable battery. Our VANQUISH 360 review covers the detector in more depth.

VANQUISH 360 vs. VANQUISH 460: Which Should You Buy?

The VANQUISH 360 and the VANQUISH 460 share Multi-IQ, the V10X 10 x 7 inch coil, the IP68 16-foot rating, the 119 Target ID scale, the 1.16 kg (2.6 lb) weight and the built-in battery. The VANQUISH 460 adds Field mode and a User Profile, 30 discrimination segments you can accept or reject, ten sensitivity levels, three Iron Bias levels, Bluetooth LE Audio (LC3), a red display backlight, a flashlight, handgrip vibration and wired headphones in the box.

If you hunt parks, yards and beaches and want to learn the basics without working through menus, we recommend the VANQUISH 360. If you already know you will hunt iron-heavy homesites, want to accept or reject individual discrimination segments, or prefer wireless audio, step up to the VANQUISH 460. The VANQUISH 560 goes further with five target tones, adjustable ferrous volume, a fourth Iron Bias level and the larger V12X 12 x 9 inch coil.

VANQUISH 360, Best For:

• First-time buyers who want Multi-IQ and full waterproofing with three simple search modes
• Coin and jewelry hunting in parks, schoolyards and yards
• Freshwater swimming beaches and shallow water within the 5 m (16 ft) rating
• Travel and vacation hunting with a detector that collapses to 79 cm (31 inch)

VANQUISH 460, Best For:

• Hunters who want to accept or reject individual discrimination segments (30 in all)
• Older parks and homesites where three Iron Bias levels help with nails and bottle caps
• Detectorists who want Bluetooth LE Audio, vibration or a backlit display for low light
• Field and relic hunters who want a dedicated Field mode and a User Profile

Key Features That Matter in the Field

Park mode is Minelab's mode for parks with modern trash and for freshwater, and it is where we recommend starting. Beach mode is built for salt beaches, including underwater, and tracks the ground automatically as the wet sand changes. All Metal turns discrimination off so you hear every target, which is the most open way to hunt the VANQUISH 360 when lost gold jewelry is a possibility, since small gold rings can read much like aluminum trash.

Noise cancel runs automatically every time you switch on. With five sensitivity levels, we recommend starting at a moderate setting, raising it only while the detector stays quiet, and lowering it near power lines or other electrical equipment.

The VANQUISH 360 has six discrimination segments and a fixed Iron Bias. That removes adjustments a beginner would otherwise have to learn, 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 360 has no wireless audio, so Bluetooth headphones will not connect.

Where the Minelab VANQUISH 360 Performs Best

Parks, yards, sports fields and freshwater beaches are where the VANQUISH 360 makes the most sense. Because the whole detector is IP68 rated to 5 m (16 ft), you can work from the dry sand to the waterline and into shallow water, and rain is not a reason to stop. On ocean beaches, Beach mode and Multi-IQ handle wet salt sand well enough for occasional trips, though severe black sand and nearby interference can still affect it. For underwater audio, Minelab specifies its 3.5 mm waterproof headphones, and the detector should not go underwater while charging.

The limits are iron and gold. On old farmsteads and cellar holes full of nails, the fixed Iron Bias and six segments leave less room to tune the detector, and for regular relic hunting we recommend the VANQUISH 460 or VANQUISH 560. The VANQUISH 360 finds gold jewelry, but it has no gold mode; for natural gold, we recommend a dedicated gold detector such as the GOLD MONSTER 1000.

Coils and Accessories That Fit the Minelab VANQUISH 360

The Minelab VANQUISH 360 comes with the V10X 10 x 7 inch elliptical Double-D coil and its skidplate. Minelab lists six coils for the VANQUISH 60 Series: the V8X 8 x 5 inch, V10X 10 x 7 inch and V12X 12 x 9 inch elliptical Double-D coils, and the EQX 06 6 inch, EQX 11 11 inch and EQX 15 15 x 12 inch Double-D coils. The first-generation V8, V10 and V12 coils are not on Minelab's list for the 60 Series. We recommend the V8X for tight, trashy spots and the V12X for open fields and beaches. Each Minelab coil comes with its coil cover, and replacement V8, V10 and V12 skidplates are in this collection.

This collection also holds the magnetic USB-C charging cable, battery assembly, armrest and arm strap for the VANQUISH 60 Series, Coiltek NOX coils, wired headphones and the Minelab Detector Backpack. VANQUISH 360 bundles add a PRO-FIND 15, 35 or 40 pinpointer, the Minelab Adventure Pack or a carry bag. Any wired headphones work on the 3.5 mm socket if the plug overmold is under 9 mm (0.35 inch).

VANQUISH 360 vs. VANQUISH 460 vs. VANQUISH 560 Comparison

All three VANQUISH 60 Series detectors run Multi-IQ, share the -19 to 99 Target ID scale and are IP68 rated to 5 m (16 ft). They differ in search modes, discrimination, iron control, audio, lighting and the coil in the box.

Read our VANQUISH 360, 460 and 560 comparison guide for a closer look at the differences across the series.

Why Buy the Minelab VANQUISH 360 from Serious Detecting?

• Free Shipping on Orders Over $99: Your Minelab VANQUISH 360 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 360 questions by phone or email.