Minelab GO-FIND 44 Metal Detector with Bluetooth and 10 in Coil

The Minelab GO-FIND 44 is the folding GO-FIND model that adds Pinpoint, Treasure View lights, Easy-Trak automatic ground tracking, a backlit display and Bluetooth through the GO-FIND app, for beginners and families who want more target information without a learning curve. It weighs 1.1 kg (2.3 lb) and has a hard-wired 10 inch coil that is waterproof to 1 m (3.3 ft).

What you gain moving up to the GO-FIND 44

• A Jewelry and Coins mode. The GO-FIND 44 has three find modes: Non-Ferrous, Jewelry and Coins, and All Metal. The GO-FIND 22 has two.
• Pinpoint. Pinpoint narrows down where the target sits before you dig, so the plug can be smaller.
• Bluetooth through the free GO-FIND app. Bluetooth 4.0 connects the detector to the app, which lets you view detector information, identify common coins and record finds on Google Maps.
• A backlit display and keypad. White backlighting on the screen and the keys keeps the GO-FIND 44 readable at dusk.
• Easy-Trak automatic ground tracking. The detector tracks changing ground automatically.
• A 10 inch coil. The larger coil covers more ground per sweep than the 8 inch coil on the GO-FIND 22.

What is in the box with the Minelab GO-FIND 44

Minelab’s standard contents for the GO-FIND 44

• Minelab GO-FIND 44 metal detector with hard-wired 10 inch rectangular monoloop coil
• 2 camouflage skins (peel-and-stick)
• Owner’s manual

The GO-FIND 44 runs on 4 AA batteries.

Where we would start with the GO-FIND 44

Parks and coin hunting

Parks hold coins and jewelry mixed in with iron. We would start in Jewelry and Coins mode with sensitivity on level 3 and volume at 3 to 4, and use Pinpoint before every dig to keep the plug small.

Beach and shoreline

The 10 inch coil is waterproof to 1 m (3.3 ft), so it can sweep wet sand at the waterline while the control box stays dry. We would use Non-Ferrous mode with sensitivity on level 2 to 3 and volume at 4 to 5, and check the three-level depth indicator before you scoop.

Evening detecting

The backlit display and keypad keep the GO-FIND 44 readable as the light fades. We would run Jewelry and Coins or All Metal with sensitivity on level 2 and volume at 4.

For a closer look at the whole range, see our GO-FIND series review.

Who the GO-FIND 44 suits

We like the GO-FIND 44 because it gives beginners a more complete detecting experience and keeps the compact folding design. Its added features make target recovery and target reading easier, especially Pinpoint and the Treasure View display. A family on vacation is a good example. They want a detector that packs small, runs simply and has enough features to stay interesting after the first afternoon.

Settings that matter on the GO-FIND 44

Pinpoint. You know a coin is under the coil, but not exactly where. Pinpoint narrows the spot down and cuts unnecessary digging. In our experience it is particularly useful for beginners.

Treasure View. The colored LEDs show visual target information and help a beginner read some target responses. It is not a definitive identification system, and a favorable light does not guarantee a valuable object.

Easy-Trak. Automatic ground tracking helps when the soil changes from one part of a park to another. It compensates for changing ground, but it does not remove every effect of mineralization.

Limits of the GO-FIND 44

The larger coil does not mean every target reads deeper than on the GO-FIND 11 or GO-FIND 22. For more search options and more sensitivity adjustment, the GO-FIND 66 is the most capable model in the range, though not everyone needs those features.

One mistake to avoid with the GO-FIND 44

Do not assume a green Treasure View light means gold or a valuable coin. Green only says the target is not iron. The display is an aid to interpretation, not a guarantee.

Our recommendation on the GO-FIND 44

We would recommend the GO-FIND 44 to beginners who want a portable detector with pinpointing and useful target information. The biggest reason is practical detecting features in a detector that stays approachable.

Minelab GO-FIND 44 modes and controls

The GO-FIND 44 has three find modes: Non-Ferrous, Jewelry and Coins, and All Metal, plus Pinpoint. Easy-Trak tracks the ground automatically. Three target tones, four target ID segments and the five Treasure View lights describe each target: red means an iron object, possibly trash, and green means a non-iron object, possibly treasure. The three-level depth indicator shows roughly how deep a target sits. Iron targets such as nails give the lowest tone, less valuable metals a lower medium tone, and silver and copper the highest tone. Sensitivity has four levels and volume has five. The display and keypad have a white backlight for late-day hunting. VFLEX is Minelab’s VLF technology, running at 8 kHz on the GO-FIND 44.

Audio comes through the built-in loudspeaker or wired headphones on the 3.5 mm jack. Bluetooth 4.0 links the detector to Minelab’s free GO-FIND app, which lets you view detector information, identify common coins and record your finds on Google Maps. The detector weighs 1.1 kg (2.3 lb), runs on 4 AA batteries and extends from 55.5 cm (21.9 inches) folded to 130.5 cm (51.4 inches), and Minelab includes two camouflage skins to personalize it. Simply unfold the shaft and go.

Accessories for the GO-FIND 44

For private listening, the Minelab Koss earbuds for the GO-FIND series plug into the 3.5 mm jack. The Minelab GO-FIND carry bag holds the folded detector, and our pinpointers speed up recovery once the hole is open.

Minelab GO-FIND 44 specifications

Minelab covers the GO-FIND 44 with a 2-year warranty. We are an Authorized Minelab dealer with a showroom in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and our staff help by phone or email. Our guide to the best metal detectors for kids shows how the GO-FIND 44 compares with other beginner detectors. For GO-FIND 44 accessories, see our Minelab GO-FIND 44 collection.