Minelab VANQUISH 540 Pro Pack Multi-Frequency Metal Detector

The Minelab VANQUISH 540 Pro Pack is a Multi-IQ metal detector with two coils and ML 80 wireless headphones for coin, jewelry and relic hunters who want more settings than an entry level detector. The V12 12 x 9 inch and V8 8 inch Double-D coils are both waterproof, and the detector runs on AA rechargeable batteries with a USB charger in the box.

What is in the box with the Minelab VANQUISH 540 Pro Pack

Minelab's standard contents for the VANQUISH 540 Pro Pack (Minelab part 3820-0004)

• Minelab VANQUISH 540 detector with collapsible shaft
• V12 12 x 9 inch Double-D elliptical waterproof coil
• V8 8 inch Double-D elliptical waterproof coil
• ML 80 Bluetooth wireless headphones
• 4 x AA NiMH rechargeable batteries
• 4-way USB battery charger
• Control pod protective cover (rain cover)

About the Minelab VANQUISH 540 Pro Pack

The VANQUISH 540 Pro Pack puts two coils and wireless headphones in the box with Minelab's VANQUISH 540. The detector runs Multi-IQ, transmitting several frequencies at once, so there is no frequency to choose and no ground balance to set. Minelab gives it five search modes (Coin, Jewelry, Relic, All Metal and Custom, which keeps your own settings) plus pinpoint, 10 sensitivity levels, 25 discrimination segments, 5 target tones and 10 volume levels with a separate ferrous volume. Targets read on a ferrous scale of -19 to 0 and a non-ferrous scale of 1 to 40, with a five level depth indicator and a red display backlight for dawn and dusk. Our VANQUISH 440 and 540 target ID guide shows where common US coins and trash tend to read on that scale.

Minelab VANQUISH 540 Iron Bias and settings

Iron Bias has two settings, High and Low. We would run High in parks and around old house sites full of nails, where it helps keep iron from sounding like a good target, and try Low where you suspect a good target is hiding next to iron. If the detector gets noisy on wet salt sand or near power lines, we would lower the sensitivity a step or two before changing anything else.

Minelab VANQUISH 540 coils

The Pro Pack carries two Double-D coils. The V12 12 x 9 inch elliptical coil covers ground quickly in open fields and on beaches; the V8 8 inch elliptical coil is the one we would fit in trashy tot lots, between roots and around old foundations, where separating targets matters more than coverage. Minelab rates both coils waterproof to 1 meter (3.3 feet); the control box is not waterproof, and the protective cover in the box keeps it dry in rain. For hunting in the water, the fully waterproof VANQUISH 560 in the table below is the model to look at.

Audio, weight and power

The ML 80 headphones connect over Bluetooth with aptX Low Latency, so the tone arrives without a delay you can hear. Minelab lists the VANQUISH 540 at 1.3 kg (2.8 lb), and the shaft extends to 145 cm (57 inches) and collapses to 76 cm (30 inches). Power comes from 4 AA NiMH rechargeable batteries with a 4-way USB charger in the box.

Minelab VANQUISH 540 Pro Pack and VANQUISH 560 compared

Getting started with the Minelab VANQUISH 540

Charge the NiMH batteries, pair the ML 80 headphones, fit the V12 coil and start in Coin mode with Iron Bias on High. Dig every repeatable signal for the first few trips so the tones and target numbers start to mean something on your own ground, then try the V8 coil on the trashiest spot you know. For a beach example, see our Daytona Beach finds with the VANQUISH 540, and to compare every VANQUISH model, see our VANQUISH comparison guide.

Minelab VANQUISH 540 specifications

Minelab covers the VANQUISH 540 control box and coil with a 3-year limited warranty in the USA.

Serious Detecting bundle (added free at checkout):

• Serious Detecting Finds Bag with 42 inch Waist Belt
• Double Serrated Hand Digger with Belt Holster
• Protective Gloves

For our full VANQUISH 540 guide, settings advice and comparisons, see the Minelab VANQUISH 540 collection.