Nokta Midi Hoard Waterproof Kids Metal Detector

The Nokta Midi Hoard is the world's first IP68 waterproof kids metal detector, fully submersible to 1 meter (3 ft). Built by Nokta, it weighs 880 g (1.9 lbs), runs at 15 kHz, and gives kids ages 8 to 12+ a real machine with pinpoint, three audio tones, sensitivity, and discrimination, not a toy that buzzes at every nail.

What Kids Gain Coming from a Toy Detector or a Hand-Me-Down

• Sandbox to creek without anxiety. The IP68 rating means submerging the coil and lower shaft to 1 m is part of the design, not an accident to repair. Toy detectors crack the first time a sprinkler hits them.
• 880 g (1.9 lbs) keeps small arms swinging for the full afternoon. A hand-me-down adult VLF at 3 lbs or more gets put down inside 20 minutes.
• A 15 kHz operating frequency, three audio tones, three sensitivity levels, and two discrimination levels teach kids the same target ID logic experienced detectorists already use. They learn iron versus nonferrous instead of constant random beeping.
• Custom LCD with a three-level depth indicator and a dedicated pinpoint mode shows recovery technique on day one. Kids dig fewer guess plugs and start finding clad and silver coins.
• The 83 to 109 cm (32.5" to 43") retractable shaft fits a 7-year-old today and a 12-year-old next year. One detector covers several hunting seasons before they outgrow it.

If you are comparing models head to head, browse our full kids metal detector lineup to weigh weight, depth rating, and coil size across the brands we carry.

What's in the Box

• Midi Hoard detector control housing
• 18 cm (7") DD waterproof search coil, pre-installed
• Lower and upper shaft assembly
• Quick start guide
• Note: 2 x AA batteries are not included

Where the Midi Hoard Earns Its Keep

Read our guide to metal detecting with kids for age-appropriate site ideas, starter targets, and ground rules before the first hunt.

Beach and Shallow Water

The IP68 rating is the reason the Midi Hoard exists. Kids can work the wet sand line, tide pools, and shallow creeks without worrying about coil dunks. The 18 cm (7") DD coil is sized for smaller arms, and the three-level depth indicator helps young hunters decide which signals are worth digging in soft sand.

• Mode: All-metal listening, three-tone audio
• Sensitivity: Level 2 in clean dry sand, Level 1 in mineralized wet sand
• Discrimination: Off in the surf line so coins are never rejected, Level 1 if iron junk is heavy

Park and Playground Hunting

Coins, lost jewelry, and the occasional ring sit in mulch beds and short grass around play equipment. The 7" coil isolates targets close together, which matters around playgrounds where every clad coin sits next to a bottle cap or pull tab.

• Mode: Discrimination mode with three-tone audio
• Sensitivity: Level 3 in clean park grass, Level 2 near fence lines and metal benches
• Discrimination: Level 2 to reject most pull tabs and foil before digging

Sandbox, Backyard, and Driveway Practice

The shortest learning curve happens at home. The shaft collapses to 83 cm so a 7- or 8-year-old can drive the detector without the coil dragging the ground. Pair the detector with the Nokta Cool Sand Sifter so kids can scoop and sift sandbox finds without crouching down to dig.

• Mode: All-tone for early ear training
• Sensitivity: Level 1 indoors near appliances and electronics, Level 3 outside
• Discrimination: Off for the first sessions so every target sounds, Level 1 once kids understand iron rejection

How the Midi Hoard Detects

The Midi Hoard runs a 15 kHz single-frequency VLF circuit, the same operating range used in adult coin and jewelry detectors. That means real target ID logic instead of the random tone behavior of toy detectors. Three audio tones separate iron, mid-conductors, and high conductors so kids can hear the difference between a nail and a quarter before they dig. The custom LCD adds a three-level depth indicator, a battery icon, and dedicated pinpoint and discrimination LEDs. Auto shut-off and an audible low-battery alarm extend run time on the 2 x AA batteries during long sessions.

Build, Display, and Audio

At 880 g (1.9 lbs), the Midi Hoard is light enough for a small frame to swing for hours without arm fatigue. The retractable shaft adjusts from 83 cm to 109 cm (32.5" to 43"), fitting kids from about 7 years old up to teen height. The 18 cm (7") DD search coil is fully waterproof to the IP68 specification, so submerging it in shallow water is part of the use case rather than a risk. The custom LCD groups depth, mode, battery, and target indicators on one easy-to-read screen.

Audio runs through the built-in speaker with two-level volume control. The Midi Hoard does not include a headphone jack, which works well for kids hunting alongside a parent who is coaching tone calls from a few feet away. We recommend adding a coil cover before sand, gravel, or rocky use to protect the underside of the search coil.

Coil Options

The Midi Hoard ships with the 18 cm (7") DD waterproof coil and Nokta does not offer alternate coil sizes for this detector. We stock the factory Nokta 7" Coil Cover as a low-cost protection upgrade, worth adding before any sand, gravel, or rocky park hunt. The cover snaps on in seconds and pays for itself the first time a kid lays the coil flat on concrete.

Nokta Midi Hoard Specifications

• Operating Frequency: 15 kHz, single-frequency VLF
• Audio Tones: 3
• Pinpoint: Yes
• Sensitivity Settings: 3 levels
• Discrimination: 2 levels
• Depth Indicator: 3 levels
• LED Indicators: Pinpoint and Discrimination
• Battery Indicator: Yes
• Auto Shut-off and Alarm: Yes
• Volume Control: 2 levels
• Search Coil: 18 cm (7"), DD, waterproof
• Display: Custom LCD
• Weight: 880 g (1.9 lbs)
• Length: 83 cm to 109 cm (32.5" to 43"), retractable shaft
• Waterproof Rating: IP68, fully submersible to 1 m (3 ft)
• Battery: 2 x AA, not included
• Recommended Age: 8 to 12+ years
• Warranty: 2 years (manufacturer)

Why Buy the Nokta Midi Hoard from Serious Detecting

Serious Detecting is an authorized Nokta dealer, so every Midi Hoard ships with the full 2-year manufacturer warranty and US-based service. Our team detects and prospects in the field, and we answer setup, age-fit, and accessory questions before the box ships. Free US shipping, 30-day returns, and our price-match guarantee apply to the Midi Hoard and every accessory we stock for it.