Quest Metal Detectors

Quest metal detectors include land and underwater detectors, pinpointers and recovery gear. A great choice for first-time detectorists, families and budget-minded hunters who want a light, rechargeable detector. Beach and dive hunters come here for Quest's underwater line.

Quest's current detectors are the Q Series (Q30 and Q40) X Series IDMAXX models (the X1, X5 and X10), which are single-frequency 12 kHz VLF machines with a two-digit target ID, and the Quest Air, which uses your smartphone as its display. For diving there is the Scuba Tector Pro, a pulse induction detector, and for recovery there are the XPointer pinpointers.

Three things decide which Quest fits you:

  • How wet you will get: rain only, submersible to 3 m (10 ft), or diving.
  • Coil size: a larger coil covers more ground per swing, and a smaller coil works better in tight, trashy sites.
  • Display: a standalone control box, or your phone mounted on the shaft.

Shop Quest Metal Detectors by Model

Quest X Series IDMAXX: X1, X5 and X10

Quest specifies the same platform for all three X Series detectors: compact VLF on a single 12 kHz frequency, a two-digit target ID, and an internal battery that charges over USB-C. What changes from model to model is waterproofing, coil size and how many settings you can save.

  • Quest X1 IDMAXX: the entry model. It has Coin, Jewelry and All Metal programs, a 9 x 5 in coil, and a three-section shaft that shortens for younger hunters. The control box as weatherproof rather than submersible, so keep it above the waterline.
  • Quest X5 IDMAXX: Field, Gold and Park modes, the Blade9 9 x 5 in coil, and a Super3D collapsible shaft. The X5 has a waterproof rating up to 3 m (10 ft).
  • Quest X10 IDMAXX: the larger Blade11 11 x 10 in Double-D coil and an added User mode for saving your own setup. Same 3 m (10 ft) waterproof rating as the X5. We stock it with or without Quest wireless headphones.

Our take: if you will only hunt dry parks and yards, the X1 is enough. If you want to work creek edges, wet sand or rain, choose the X5. Choose the X10 if you hunt open fields, where the bigger coil covers more ground per swing.

Quest Air: Smartphone-Display Detector

The Quest Air has no control box. Your phone, running the Quest app, shows target ID, depth, mode and battery status. Quest specifies 7.5 kHz VLF, a 9 x 5 in coil, a magnetic switch that powers on the coil when you extend the lower rod, a flat-folding frame, and USB-C charging. The water rating for the Air is up to 50 cm (about 20 in). A smartphone is not included.

Our take: the Air suits travel and minimal kits. If you would rather not bring your phone near water or into the field, an X Series detector is the simpler choice.

Quest Scuba Tector Pro: Underwater and Surf Detecting

The Scuba Tector Pro is a pulse induction (PI) detector built for diving and saltwater with a waterproof rating up to 50 m (160 ft) and is stable in salt. It comes with two setups: an anchor ring and lanyard for controlled searching underwater, and a rod adaptor for working from the beach or shore. It uses the STP20 search coil on a 180-degree hinge. A rod extension kit with handle and armrest is sold separately.

Our take: buy the Scuba Tector Pro if you dive or work deep surf. For wet-sand beach hunting within 3 m (10 ft), the X5 or X10 is enough and gives you a target ID on screen.

Quest Pinpointers

The XPointer Max is Quest's flagship pinpointer. These pinpoints have a VLF with ferrous and non-ferrous indication, four sensitivity levels, and waterproofing to 5 m (16 ft) in fresh and salt water. The XPointer Max includes a Magic Holster that puts the unit on standby between digs, which gives the pinpointer about 14 hours of use. You can see every Quest pinpointer we carry in our Quest pinpointers collection.

Recovery Gear, Audio and Carry

This collection also includes Quest Scoopal sand scoops and travel rods for beach and shallow-water recovery, Diamond Digger hand tools, and Quest wireless audio. Our X10 IDMAXX listing supports Quest WireFree headphone pairing. You can browse Quest bags in Quest carry bags and pouches, or compare options across brands in metal detector headphones and digging tools.

Terms Worth Knowing

  • VLF (very low frequency): the technology in the X Series and the Air. It gives a target ID and lets you reject trash.
  • PI (pulse induction): the technology in the Scuba Tector Pro. It handles salt water well but does not give a numeric target ID.
  • Target ID: the two-digit number that estimates what a target is made of, from iron up to silver.
  • Double-D coil: a coil design, used on the X10's Blade11, that sweeps a long, narrow detection field.
  • Ground balance: tuning the detector to ignore mineralized soil or salt sand.

Comparing Quest With Other Brands

To compare Quest with other brands for a specific job, start with our waterproof metal detectors, beach metal detectors and beginner and intermediate detectors. You can also browse by price band in detectors under $200 and $200 to $400. If you are new to the hobby, read our getting started guide first.

Customer Questions & Expert Answers

Get real answers from outdoor explorers and our product experts. Browse questions about performance, features, and setup —or ask your own to make sure this gear fits your next adventure.

Are all Quest metal detectors fully waterproof?

Yes - full submersion waterproofing on both the coil and control box is a consistent feature across the Quest Q-series lineup, from the entry-level Q20 through the advanced Q60. This distinguishes Quest from brands where waterproofing varies by model tier. For buyers who want full waterproofing without it being a premium add-on, the Quest lineup is consistently submersible. The waterproof rating varies by model - verify the specific depth rating for the model you are considering to ensure it matches your detecting conditions. See the full Quest lineup.

Answered by Richard T. · April 2026

What is the Quest XPointer Scuba?

The Quest XPointer Scuba is a pinpointer specifically designed for scuba dive detecting - one of the very few on the market purpose-built for actual underwater use at dive depths. It uses pulse induction technology that maintains sensitivity in underwater conditions where VLF-based pinpointers lose performance. For divers who metal detect underwater and need a pinpointer rated for their diving depth, the Quest XPointer Scuba is the specialized tool for that application. Standard land pinpointers including most waterproof models are not rated for or effective at dive depths. See waterproof pinpointers.

Answered by Dan P. · April 2026

Which Quest detectors can go fully underwater?

As of October 2026, three Quest detectors can go fully underwater, each to a different depth. The Scuba Tector Pro is rated to 50 m (160 ft) for diving, the X5 and X10 IDMAXX are rated to 3 m (10 ft), the Q30 has a rating of up to 16 feet, and the Q40 and Quest Air are rated to 50 cm (about 20 in). The Q40 and X1 IDMAXX control boxes are weatherproof only, so keep it above the waterline. To compare across brands, see our waterproof metal detectors.

Answered by John W. · October 2026

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