Nokta Magnetar 9000 Overview
The Nokta Magnetar 9000 is Nokta's advanced pulse induction (PI) gold detector, aimed at deep gold and micro nuggets in harsh goldfield soil. Two menus keep it approachable: Easy mode uses pre-tuned settings so you can power up and start detecting, and Expert mode gives full control over every parameter. The Magnetar 9000 ships with two waterproof Dual-Receiver Coil (DRC) search coils, the MG37 14.5 x 13 inch (37 x 34 cm) and the MG29 11 x 8 inch (29 x 21 cm). The system box is IP68 rated to 3 m (10 ft). The shaft is telescopic carbon fiber. Power comes from an external 6600 mAh (48 Wh) lithium-ion pack rated 7 to 10 hours per charge in Nokta's manual, and two packs come in the box. Software is updatable, and Nokta backs the Magnetar 9000 with a 3-year warranty.
Magnetar 9000 vs Gold Kruzer: Which Should You Buy?
The Magnetar 9000 and the Nokta Gold Kruzer are both Nokta gold detectors, built on different technology. The Magnetar 9000 is pulse induction with Nokta's DRC coils and ground settings for low to very high mineralization; the Gold Kruzer is a light 61 kHz VLF with target ID that goes fully under water to 5 m (16.4 ft). The comparison table further down this page sets the two side by side.
We recommend the Magnetar 9000 for prospectors whose ground is heavily mineralized (ironstone, hot rocks, black sand), where a high-frequency VLF has to give up sensitivity to stay quiet. We recommend the Gold Kruzer for small gold in milder ground, for water work beyond 10 ft, and for anyone who wants a lighter detector. The Nokta Legend 2 is the all-round multi-frequency choice for hunters who split time between gold, coins and relics.
Magnetar 9000, Best For:
- Prospectors working harsh, heavily mineralized goldfield ground
- Deep nuggets and patch hunting with the MG37 14.5 x 13 inch coil
- Bedrock cracks, tailings and brush with the smaller MG29 11 x 8 inch coil
- Long days in the field, with two battery packs, a bungee and a hipstick in the box
Gold Kruzer, Best For:
- Small gold in mild to moderate ground with a 61 kHz VLF
- Prospectors who want Gen, Fast, Boost and Micro search modes
- Creek and shallow water work to 5 m (16.4 ft)
- Detectorists who want a 3 lb detector
Key Features That Matter in the Field
The DRC coils are the Magnetar 9000's core feature: Nokta designed the dual-receiver layout for clear target response on deep gold and micro nuggets. Three gold modes set the detector's character. Maximum is the factory default and the mode Nokta's manual recommends for gold, with Standard and Deep as the alternatives. The Ground setting (Regular, Tough, Extreme) matches the detector to low, medium or very high mineralization; Extreme locks the mode to Maximum. Ground balance runs in Auto by default and tracks both conductive and magnetic soil changes, with Semi Auto and Manual for operators who want to set it themselves. Noise Cancel scans 255 channels automatically, which takes about 50 seconds, or lets you pick a channel by hand. Sensitivity has 20 steps, and the Stabilizer (Off, Low, Medium) and Audio Filter help settle the threshold on salty or mineralized ground. Key-press vibration, a flashlight and backlit keys round out the controls.
We recommend starting in Easy mode with the factory settings, running Noise Cancel at each new site, and moving to Expert mode only once you know how your ground sounds.
Where the Magnetar 9000 Works Best and Its Limits
The Magnetar 9000 belongs in goldfields: dry washes, alluvial flats, bedrock and old workings where mineralization is the main problem. The system box is IP68 rated to 3 m (10 ft), so creek edges, rain and shallow water are inside its design. The included Bluetooth headphones are not waterproof, and wireless audio stops working when the whole detector goes under water. For full submersion, Nokta's manual points to the optional Nokta Waterproof Headphones; when only the system box goes under and the headphones stay dry, Nokta's Koss headphones with waterproof connectors also work. Keep a removed battery pack out of rain and water. At 5.3 to 6.2 lb, the Magnetar 9000 is heavier than a VLF gold detector, which is why the bungee and hipstick come in the box. Nokta's manual describes no target ID scale or iron discrimination setting for the Magnetar 9000, so plan to dig your signals.
Coils and Accessories That Fit the Magnetar 9000
Both Magnetar 9000 coils, the MG37 14.5 x 13 inch and the MG29 11 x 8 inch, are waterproof DRC coils that come in the box with covers. Nokta's package list also includes the Nokta DetectoBag backpack, Nokta Bluetooth headphones with charging cable, two lithium-ion batteries, a charger with four plug adapters, a vehicle charger, a battery clamp charging cable, a bungee and hipstick, the Nokta standard digger, a 1/4 inch headphone adapter cable and a USB data cable. For recovery, add a pinpointer and the rest of your kit from our gold prospecting equipment.
Other pulse induction gold detectors we carry include the Minelab GPX 6000, the Garrett Axiom and the AlgoForce E1500 Plus. Compare them in our gold detectors collection or read the gold detector buying guide.
Nokta Gold Detectors Compared: Magnetar 9000 vs Gold Kruzer
| Feature | Nokta Magnetar 9000 | Nokta Gold Kruzer |
|---|
| Technology | Advanced pulse induction | VLF, 61 kHz |
| Search Modes | Easy / Expert; gold modes Maximum, Standard, Deep | Gen (All Metal) / Fast / Boost / Micro |
| Ground Balance | Auto / Semi Auto / Manual; Regular, Tough, Extreme ground settings | Automatic / Manual / Tracking |
| Target ID | None listed by Nokta | 00 to 99 with discrimination; iron audio and tone break in Micro mode |
| Sensitivity / Gain | 20 steps | 01 to 99 |
| Included Coils | MG37 14.5 x 13 inch DRC + MG29 11 x 8 inch DRC | GK26C 10 x 5.5 inch concentric + GK19 7.5 x 4 inch DD |
| Audio | Speaker, Bluetooth headphones in box, 1/4 inch (6.3 mm) socket | 2.4 GHz wireless headphones in box |
| Vibration | Key-press vibration only | No |
| Display | Full color backlit LCD, 320 x 240 pixels | Custom LCD, backlit |
| Weight (with coil and battery) | 5.3 lb (2.4 kg) with MG29, 6.2 lb (2.8 kg) with MG37 | 3 lb (1.4 kg) |
| Length | 28 to 59 inch (72 to 150 cm) | 44 to 53 inch (111 to 135.5 cm) |
| Waterproof Rating | IP68 / 10 ft (3 m) | IP68 / 16.4 ft (5 m) |
| Battery | Two 6600 mAh (48 Wh) Li-ion packs, 7 to 10 hr each | Built-in 3700 mAh Li-Po, 14 to 19 hr |
| Warranty | 3 Years | 2 Years |
For more on the detector, read our Nokta Magnetar 9000 overview.
Why Buy the Nokta Magnetar 9000 from Serious Detecting?
- Free Shipping on Orders Over $99: Your Nokta Magnetar 9000 ships at no extra cost across the continental US.
- Authorized Nokta 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 Magnetar 9000 questions by phone or email.
