Minelab GO-FIND 66 Metal Detector

The Minelab GO-FIND 66 is the most complete model in Minelab’s GO-FIND series, with four find modes, Pinpoint, Easy-Trak automatic ground tracking and Bluetooth through the GO-FIND app in a detector that folds to 21.9 inches. It weighs 1.1 kg (2.3 lb), has a hard-wired 10 inch coil that is waterproof to 1 m (3.3 ft), and Minelab packs wired earbuds and a digging shovel in the box.

What you gain coming from a simpler detector

• Four find modes. Non-Ferrous, Jewelry and Coins, Higher Value Coins and All Metal cover the common situations without custom setup.
• Easy-Trak automatic ground tracking. The detector tracks changing ground automatically.
• Four target tones. Each target gives one of four tones, so you start reading targets by ear while the display confirms them.
• Bluetooth 4.0 and the free GO-FIND app. The app lets you view detector information, identify common coins and record finds on Google Maps.

What is in the box with the Minelab GO-FIND 66

Minelab’s standard contents for the GO-FIND 66

• Minelab GO-FIND 66 metal detector with hard-wired 10 inch rectangular monoloop coil
• Wired earbuds
• Minelab digging shovel
• 2 camouflage skins (peel-and-stick)
• Owner's manual

The GO-FIND 66 runs on 4 AA batteries.

Where we would start with the GO-FIND 66

Parks and schoolyards

For coin hunting we would start in Higher Value Coins mode. In heavy trash, pull sensitivity back to level 2 or 3; in older, cleaner parks, try level 4 or 5. The five Treasure View lights give a green or red read before you dig, a quick visual check while you are still learning the tones.

Beaches and shorelines

The 10 inch coil is waterproof to 1 m (3.3 ft), which puts wet sand, surf edges and freshwater shorelines in range. We would use Jewelry and Coins mode with sensitivity on level 2 to 3 on wet or salty sand and level 4 to 5 on dry sand. The coil can go under water; the control box cannot.

Who the GO-FIND 66 suits

We like the GO-FIND 66 because it has the most complete feature set in the GO-FIND 11, 22, 44 and 66 family and keeps the light folding design. It suits someone who wants a portable detector but expects to use it more regularly than an occasional beginner. It folds to 21.9 inches, which makes travel easier when luggage space is limited. In our experience that makes it a good vacation detector.

Settings that matter on the GO-FIND 66

Search modes. The four modes change which target groups the detector accepts. For coins in a park, pick a mode that rejects some iron. For jewelry, pick a mode that accepts a broader range. Avoid aggressive discrimination when you search for gold jewelry.

Sensitivity. There are five levels. In a quiet field, a higher level may help. Near electrical interference, a lower level keeps the detector more stable. Maximum is not always best.

Pinpoint. With a coin in a lawn, Pinpoint shows where to recover it, which makes digging more efficient and the hole smaller.

Where the GO-FIND 66 works well, and where it does not

The 10 inch rectangular coil gives useful coverage for parks, fields and casual detecting. It is hard-wired, so it does not take the interchangeable coils of Minelab's more advanced detectors. Bluetooth connects the detector to Minelab's GO-FIND app, which suits customers who like a smartphone alongside the detector.

For regular detecting, especially at beaches or in varying ground, we would also look at the VANQUISH series, such as the VANQUISH 360, VANQUISH 460 and VANQUISH 560. VANQUISH detectors use Multi-IQ simultaneous multi-frequency and have different capabilities. Someone who puts compact storage and casual use first may still prefer the GO-FIND 66.

One mistake to avoid with the GO-FIND 66

Do not assume Bluetooth means a direct pairing for any Bluetooth headphones. Wireless audio on the GO-FIND 66 runs through the GO-FIND app on your phone, and Minelab lists it as Bluetooth via App. It is not the same as the dedicated wireless headphone systems on Minelab's higher end detectors, so check the app before you plan around wireless headphones.

Our recommendation on the GO-FIND 66

We would recommend the GO-FIND 66 to anyone who wants a compact, portable detector with more features than the basic GO-FIND models. The biggest reason is portability combined with more sensitivity control, target filtering, pinpointing and app connectivity.

Minelab GO-FIND 66 modes and controls

The GO-FIND 66 has four find modes: Non-Ferrous, Jewelry and Coins, Higher Value Coins and All Metal, plus Pinpoint. Easy-Trak tracks the ground automatically. Four target tones, four target ID segments and five Treasure View lights describe each target: red means an iron object, possibly trash, and green means a non-iron object, possibly treasure. Iron targets such as nails give the lowest tone, less valuable metals a lower medium tone, higher value metals a higher medium tone, and silver and copper the highest tone. The three-level depth indicator shows roughly how deep a target sits. Sensitivity and volume each have five levels, and the display and keypad have a white backlight. VFLEX is Minelab’s VLF technology, running at 8 kHz on the GO-FIND 66.

Audio comes through the included wired earbuds, the built-in loudspeaker or Bluetooth 4.0 through Minelab’s free GO-FIND app, which also 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), long enough for most of the family. Simply unfold the shaft and go.

Over the GO-FIND 44, the GO-FIND 66 adds the Higher Value Coins mode, a fifth sensitivity level and a fourth target tone.

For a closer look at the whole range, see our GO-FIND series review. A handheld pinpointer from our pinpointers collection speeds up recovery once the hole is open.

Minelab GO-FIND 66 specifications

Minelab covers the GO-FIND 66 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 66 compares with other beginner detectors. For GO-FIND 66 accessories, see our Minelab GO-FIND 66 collection.