Quest Q30 Metal Detector

Quest Q30 Metal Detector Overview

The Quest Q30 is a single-frequency VLF detector running at 14 kHz, and it is the submersible detector in the Quest Q line: the control box and the coil are waterproof to 5 m (16 ft). It has four search modes (Park, Field, Beach and Gold), a 99-point numeric target ID, a 25-segment signal readout, 15 volume levels and adjustable threshold, tones and FeSen. Ground balance is automatic or manual, a depth reader shows how deep a target sits, and a vibration mode lets you feel a signal under water where a speaker cannot be heard. The built-in battery holds up to 3000 mAh and charges through a magnetic connection, so there is no open port to seal. The Q30 weighs 1.15 kg (2.5 lb), and its telescopic shaft collapses to 80 cm (31.5 inch) for travel. We sell it as the Q30+ package, which pairs the detector and its RaptorX TurboD 9 x 11 inch DD coil with Quest Wirefree Lite wireless headphones. The Q30+ box also holds a quick start guide, a case for the headphones, two Velcro straps, a magnetic charging cable and a USB charging brick.

Quest Q30 vs Q40: Which Should You Buy?

The Q30 and the Q40 are both Quest Q line VLF detectors with numeric target ID, automatic or manual ground balance, built-in rechargeable batteries and wireless headphones in the box. The difference is water. The Q30 is waterproof to 5 m (16 ft), control box included, and adds vibration alerts for wading and shallow water. Both models have a Beach mode, so the choice comes down to whether the control box goes in the water. The Q40 has a weatherproof control box that handles heavy rain but should not go under water, and its waterproof coil can still work wet grass and creek edges.

If you hunt the beach, wade the shallows or want one detector for land and water, we recommend the Q30. If you hunt parks, yards and fields and want the bigger accessory kit in the box, the Q40 covers it.

Quest Q30, Best For:

• Wading and shallow water hunting with a control box rated to 5 m (16 ft)
• Beach hunters who want vibration alerts under water
• Travel hunts, with a shaft that collapses to 80 cm (31.5 inch)

Quest Q40, Best For:

• Land hunting in parks, yards and fields, rain included
• First-time buyers who want headphones, a rain cover and an arm strap in the box
• Hunters who want a second coil, with the Blade coil in the Q40+ Pack

Key Features That Matter in the Field

Vibration is the Q30 feature that matters most once the coil is under water: with the detector in the surf or a lake, you feel the signal in the handle even when you cannot hear it. The four modes give you a starting point for each site. We recommend Park mode for maintained turf, Field mode for open ground, Beach mode for wet sand and Gold mode when you want to hear every small target. The adjustable threshold, tones and FeSen let you fine tune the audio, and the 99-point target ID together with the 25-segment signal readout tells you what is under the coil and how strong it is before you dig. Manual ground balance is there for mineralized soil; we recommend the automatic setting until the detector starts to run noisy. The magnetic charging connection means there is no charge port to leave open on a wet day.

Where the Quest Q30 Works Best and Its Limits

The Q30 is at home on beaches, along lake and river edges and in shallow water to 5 m (16 ft), and it works parks and fields just as well. The Q30 is built for improved search efficiency in saltwater, and Beach mode is the place to start on wet sand. It is still a single-frequency VLF detector, so for regular hunting in the wet salt zone we recommend a multi-frequency detector from our beach metal detectors. The Wirefree Lite headphones in the Q30+ package are weatherproof, not submersible, so keep them on dry land and switch to vibration when the detector goes under water. For other submersible detectors, compare our waterproof metal detectors.

Coils and Accessories That Fit the Quest Q30

The Q30, Q30+ and the older Q60 share coils, covers and parts, so anything listed for Q30/Q30+/Q60 fits all three. The Quest Q30 | Q30+ | Q60 control box rain cover protects the control box. The Quest 11 x 9 coil cover fits the RaptorX coil, and a genuine Quest Q30+ control box replacement covers a damaged or lost control box. The Quest Q30 digital manual is a free download. For recovery, add a handheld probe from our Quest pinpointers.

Quest Land Detector Comparison: Q30+, Q40, X1, X5 and X10

All five are single-frequency VLF detectors with waterproof coils and built-in rechargeable batteries. The differences are frequency, search modes, how far the control box can go in water, coil size and weight.

Our comparison guide to the Quest X and Q Series covers more of the Quest lineup.

Why Buy the Quest Q30 Metal Detector from Serious Detecting?

• Free Shipping on Orders Over $99: Your Quest Q30 ships at no extra cost across the continental US.
• Authorized Quest Dealer: Showroom in Ypsilanti, Michigan, full manufacturer warranty and product registration support.
• Help Before and After You Buy: Our staff answer setup, coil and Quest Q30 questions by phone or email.