Minelab VANQUISH 560 Multi-IQ Waterproof Metal Detector, V12X Coil

The Minelab VANQUISH 560 is a waterproof simultaneous multi-frequency metal detector for coins, jewelry and relics in parks, fields and on beaches, and the top model in Minelab's VANQUISH 60 Series. It uses Minelab's Multi-IQ technology, the same detection technology as the VANQUISH 360 and VANQUISH 460, and adds five target tones, four Iron Bias settings (-1, 0, 1 and 2), adjustable ferrous volume and the larger V12X 12 x 9 inch Double-D coil. It has Park, Field and Beach modes plus a User Profile, 30 discrimination segments and Bluetooth LE Audio (LC3) wireless audio, and Minelab rates it IP68, submersible to 5 meters (16 feet). Minelab ships the standard VANQUISH 560 with the V12X coil and wired 3.5 mm headphones. For the rest of Minelab's range, see our Minelab metal detectors.

Who the Minelab VANQUISH 560 is for

What we like about the VANQUISH 560 is that it gives you more target information and more adjustment without becoming as complicated as an EQUINOX. Its five target tones, 30 discrimination segments, four Iron Bias settings and V12X 12 x 9 inch coil suit someone who wants to take the hobby more seriously. We recommend it to someone who already knows they will spend a lot of time detecting and wants more detailed audio, discrimination control and a larger coil.

For trying the hobby, taking a detector on vacation or searching now and then, we steer people to the VANQUISH 360. For detecting regularly with useful controls and no unnecessary complexity, the VANQUISH 460 is what we recommend to many beginners who are serious about staying with the hobby.

What the Minelab VANQUISH 560 adds over the VANQUISH 460

Both detectors use Multi-IQ, both are waterproof to 5 meters (16 feet), and both have 30 discrimination segments, Bluetooth LE Audio wireless compatibility and adjustable Iron Bias. The VANQUISH 560 adds five target tones instead of three, a fourth Iron Bias setting (-1), ferrous volume you can adjust from 1 to 10, and the V12X 12 x 9 inch coil instead of the V10X 10 x 7 inch. The 560 is also a little heavier: Minelab lists 1.26 kg (2.8 lb) against 1.16 kg (2.6 lb) for the 460.

We recommend the 560 over the 460 to someone who values more detailed target information and broader coil coverage. If you want adjustable Recovery Speed, more advanced ground handling and greater control over how the detector behaves, we recommend the Minelab EQUINOX 700 instead.

Five target tones and adjustable ferrous volume on the Minelab VANQUISH 560

The VANQUISH 560 divides the Target ID range into five tones, where the 360 and 460 use three. Five tones split the range into more categories. In a large historical park where older coins may be buried among scattered iron, we begin in Park or Field mode and learn the different tones.

Ferrous volume sets how loud iron targets sound, from 1 to 10 (default 4), separately from the main volume. On the 360 and 460 it is fixed.

Iron Bias settings on the Minelab VANQUISH 560

Iron Bias controls how the detector classifies targets that give a mixed iron and non-ferrous response, such as a coin lying close to a rusty nail. The VANQUISH 560 has four settings: -1, 0, 1 and 2. The 460 has three: 0, 1 and 2. Minelab's default is 2 in Park, Beach and the User Profile and 0 in Field, and each search mode keeps its own setting.

A higher setting rejects more unwanted iron responses but raises the risk of passing over a good target that gives a mixed signal. The extra -1 setting is a less aggressive approach to iron. Where older coins sit among scattered iron, we experiment with Iron Bias rather than relying only on the numerical Target ID.

Minelab VANQUISH 560 search modes and settings

• Park: Minelab's mode for parks and freshwater, with a lower recovery speed and good depth and discrimination in trash.
• Field: for fields and relic sites. Minelab gives it enhanced sensitivity to fine metal relics and unmasking of targets among dense ancient iron trash, with a higher recovery speed and a lower Iron Bias, and it rejects coke.
• Beach: for salt beaches, including underwater. It gives residual salt a Target ID of 0, so low-conductive targets such as gold chains can still be detected, and it tracks the ground automatically.
• User Profile and All Metal: you can store Park, Field or Beach with your own changes in the User Profile, the only mode that keeps changes after the detector is turned off. The All Metal button switches discrimination off so every target is heard.
• Sensitivity (1 to 10) and noise cancel: noise cancel runs automatically at every power-on and takes about five seconds.
• Discrimination and Target ID: Target IDs run from -19 to 0 for iron and 1 to 99 for non-ferrous targets, 119 in all, and you accept or reject them in 30 segments of four IDs each, or reject a target on the spot.
• Ground balance: the range is -9 to 99, with an Auto Ground Balance that you start yourself. Minelab says it should rarely be needed, and Beach mode tracks the ground automatically.
• Backlight, flashlight and vibration: a red display backlight, keypad backlight, a built-in flashlight and handgrip vibration whose strength follows the signal. The backlight and flashlight shorten battery life.

Multi-IQ on the Minelab VANQUISH 560

Multi-IQ processes multiple frequencies simultaneously. Minelab puts it in all three VANQUISH 60 Series models, so the 560 is not a fundamentally different detector from the 360 and 460, and buyers should not assume the most expensive model has different detection technology. Minelab publishes no frequency values and no single-frequency option for the 60 Series. See our multi-frequency metal detectors.

Beach and water hunting with the Minelab VANQUISH 560

The VANQUISH 560 combines Multi-IQ with full waterproofing: Minelab rates it IP68, submersible to 5 meters (16 feet). It works on dry sand, wet sand and in shallow water within that rating, and Beach mode is Minelab's mode for salt beaches, including underwater. See our beach metal detectors.

The detector being waterproof does not make every accessory waterproof. Minelab specifies its 3.5 mm waterproof headphones (part 3011-0372) for underwater detecting, and the wired headphones in the standard VANQUISH 560 box are not necessarily suitable for submerging. With nothing plugged in, the 3.5 mm socket can go underwater with its waterproof dust cap fitted. Do not take the detector underwater while it is charging or running from a power bank.

Coils for the Minelab VANQUISH 560

The standard VANQUISH 560 comes with Minelab's V12X 12 x 9 inch elliptical Double-D coil; the 460 comes with the smaller V10X 10 x 7 inch. The V12X gives broader coverage on open ground. Around an old farmhouse where nails are scattered around the foundation, we switch to a smaller coil such as the V8X 8 x 5 inch to work closely spaced targets, then go back to the V12X in the open fields. A smaller coil is also easier to maneuver around roots, rocks and playground equipment.

Minelab lists six coils for the VANQUISH 60 Series: the V8X 8 x 5 inch, V10X 10 x 7 inch and V12X 12 x 9 inch elliptical Double-D coils, and the EQX 06 (6 inch round), EQX 11 (11 inch round) and EQX 15 (15 x 12 inch elliptical) Double-D coils. Minelab does not list the first-generation V8, V10 and V12 coils for the 60 Series. See our metal detector coils.

Headphones and wireless audio on the Minelab VANQUISH 560

The standard VANQUISH 560 comes with wired 3.5 mm (1/8 inch) headphones. Any standard 3.5 mm headphones work if the plug's overmold is under 9 mm (0.35 inch). For wireless audio the 560 supports only Bluetooth LE Audio with the LC3 codec. Bluetooth LE Audio is designed for low latency with compatible headphones, but ordinary Bluetooth headphones are not necessarily compatible, and Minelab describes the 60 Series as incompatible with standard Bluetooth devices. Minelab recommends its ML60 earbuds, which come with the VANQUISH 560 PRO-PACK. Minelab's ML 80, ML 85 and ML 100 headphones are not listed for the VANQUISH 60 Series. See our metal detector headphones.

Pinpointing with the Minelab VANQUISH 560

The VANQUISH 560 has a pinpoint function with segment visualization and a 5-level depth indicator that Minelab calls a guide only. A handheld pinpointer such as a Minelab PRO-FIND locates a coin in a shallow hole quickly, so you are not checking handfuls of soil with the full-size detector.

Upgrading from an older Minelab VANQUISH

The VANQUISH 440 and 540 had waterproof coils, but their control boxes were not designed for submersion. The VANQUISH 560 is fully waterproof and adds a rechargeable battery, updated wireless audio and more control over iron.

One mistake to avoid with the Minelab VANQUISH 560

The mistake we would warn about is expecting the VANQUISH 560 to find every coin deeper than the 360. All three use Multi-IQ and are waterproof to 5 meters (16 feet); the differences are mainly in adjustment options, target information and what comes in the box.

Minelab VANQUISH 560 weight, battery and build

Minelab's manual and brochure list the VANQUISH 560 at 1.26 kg (2.8 lb) including batteries. The aluminum and fiberglass S-bend shafts lock with camlocks, extend to 142 cm (56 inches) and collapse to 79.5 cm (31.2 inches). The display is a monochrome LCD with a red backlight.

The 3.7 V, 4500 mAh lithium-ion battery is built in. Minelab gives approximately 10 hours of use, less with the backlight or flashlight on. Charging from flat takes about 7 hours with a 1 A, 5 V USB supply (at least 5 W for full speed) through the magnetic USB-C charging cable in the box. You can detect while running from a power bank, but not underwater. Minelab says replacement batteries can be supplied and installed by a Minelab Authorized Service Center. Software updates install over the same cable. Minelab rates the operating temperature at -10 to +40 °C (+14 to +104 °F).

What is in the box with the Minelab VANQUISH 560

Minelab's standard contents for the VANQUISH 560

• Minelab VANQUISH 560 detector with S-bend shafts
• V12X 12 x 9 inch elliptical Double-D coil with skidplate
• Armrest with strap
• Wired 3.5 mm (1/8 inch) headphones
• USB-C magnetic charging cable
• Getting Started Guide

Minelab covers the VANQUISH 560 control box and coil with a 3-year warranty in the USA. Serious Detecting is a family-owned, authorized Minelab dealer with a showroom in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and our staff help by phone or email.

Minelab VANQUISH 560 or VANQUISH 560 PRO-PACK

The detector in the VANQUISH 560 and the VANQUISH 560 PRO-PACK is the same; the difference is the accessories. The standard 560 comes with the V12X coil and wired headphones. The PRO-PACK adds the smaller V8X 8 x 5 inch coil and swaps the wired headphones for Minelab ML60 wireless earbuds. The PRO-PACK does not have a more powerful detector; the advantage is two complementary coils and wireless earbuds in the box. We recommend it to someone who searches both open ground and trashy historical locations and will genuinely use the smaller coil. If you mainly search clean, open beaches or parks and already own suitable headphones, we recommend the standard 560. The PRO-PACK packages are also in our Minelab VANQUISH 560 collection.

Minelab VANQUISH 560 specifications

Our recommendation: choose the VANQUISH 560 for a capable, fully waterproof Multi-IQ detector with more detailed target information but relatively simple operation. For the rest of the range, see our guide to the best Minelab metal detectors.

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