What the OKM Pulse Nova is for
The OKM Pulse Nova is a pulse induction detector, so it handles ground that troubles many VLF machines. OKM states it works on heavily mineralized ground, including salt water, and that its coils are waterproof for gold prospecting in shallow water. OKM also says the Pulse Nova largely ignores small items like aluminum foil, especially with the larger coils, and that explosive ordnance disposal services use it. There is no target ID: you hear targets through the built-in speaker or the included Bluetooth headphones and dig what sounds right. Like most PI detectors, a Pulse Nova rewards a hunter who is willing to dig every solid signal.
OKM rates detection depth up to 3 m (9.8 ft). That figure is for large objects in good conditions. OKM itself notes that depth depends on the object's size, position, shape and conductivity, on how long it has been in the ground, on the soil, and on coil size. OKM also warns that its large coils may not detect single coins.
The Delta and Omega units, and what is in each box
Both OKM Pulse Nova packages include the control unit with carrying strap, a telescopic rod with adjustable armrest, a 38 cm and an 18 cm search coil, an attachable LED flashlight, Bluetooth headphones with charging cable, a charger with travel adapter set, and a quick start guide. The control unit weighs about 0.64 kg and runs about 8 hours per charge, according to OKM.
Pulse Nova Delta: open coils. OKM says they are a few grams lighter and easier to handle, especially underwater, and that militaria hunters in fields and shallow water mainly use open coils like the Delta.
Pulse Nova Omega: solid plate coils. OKM says they do not snag on stones or brush, are especially suitable in stony areas, and are the type experienced natural gold prospectors are used to.
Either package gets you the same detector; the coil construction is the only difference. If you are choosing between the two, match the coil to your ground: stony ground points to the Omega, water and militaria fields to the Delta.
Which coil to use, and what fits the Pulse Nova
The 38 cm coil (375 mm, about 0.8 kg) covers open ground faster and reaches deeper on larger targets. The 18 cm coil (175 mm, about 0.4 kg) is the one for small gold, thick vegetation and tight spots. Both are waterproof. The Pulse Nova control unit is not waterproof (OKM rates it IP40) and OKM gives an operating range of 0 to 40 °C (32 to 104 °F), so keep the box dry and out of hard frost.
OKM also lists a Frame Coil Xi104 for the Pulse Nova. It is not included in either package, covers more than one square meter, is used without the telescopic rod, is aimed at large objects at maximum depth, and is not waterproof. Pulse Nova coils are OKM's own design; coils for other brands of detector do not fit. For recovery, a waterproof pinpointer such as the OKM Fortuna XELA saves time once the Pulse Nova has found the spot.
What OKM makes now in place of the Pulse Nova
OKM no longer manufactures the Pulse Nova and names the OKM Evolution NTX as its successor. The Evolution NTX is a different kind of machine, not a newer PI detector: a VLF search coil for shallow metal combined with OKM's 3D Ground Scan, with a touchscreen control unit. It adds 3D scan images of larger, deeper targets to a detector.
For a pulse induction detector for mineralized ground and shallow water, see our current pulse induction metal detectors. If natural gold is your main goal, see the current machines in our gold detectors collection and read our gold detector guide. All OKM equipment, including the 3D scanners, is in our OKM collection.
