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Detector specifications
Waterproofing:
Fully Waterproofto 3 ft
Detection technology:
VLF
Connection:
Wireless Coilaudio optional
Best for
Highlighted icons show the targets, ground and experience level this detector is built for.
- Coin & Relic — shop all
- Gold — not suited to this detector
- Beach & Water — not suited to this detector
- Kids — not suited to this detector
- Beginner / Intermediate — shop all
- Advanced / Expert — not suited to this detector
The Quest Air is a compact metal detector that uses your smartphone as its display and controls. The Quest app shows the Target ID, a depth indicator, modes and battery status, while the detector itself is a single frequency 7.5 kHz VLF with a 9 x 5 inch search coil on a flat-folding frame. Quest rates the entire unit IP68, waterproof to 1 meter (3.3 feet), for rain, wet grass and shallow water, and it weighs about 1.14 kg (2.5 lb).
| Configuration | |
|---|---|
| Detector | Quest Air with flat-folding frame, adjustable armrest and handle |
| Coil | 9 x 5 in TurboD Double-D search coil |
| Display and controls | Your smartphone in the detachable tilting holder, running the Quest app |
What is in the box with the Quest Air
Quest's standard contents for the Air
- Lower rod with the 9 x 5 inch TurboD Double-D waterproof search coil
- Middle and upper rod (telescopic aluminum shaft with flat-folding frame)
- Adjustable armrest with armrest band
- Handle with detachable tilting phone holder
- Handle cover
- USB-C charging cable with protected charging cap
- Quest strap
- Instruction manual
Who the Quest Air suits
What interests us about the Quest Air is its unusual design. Instead of a control box with a built-in screen, it uses your smartphone as the display and the controls. We think it appeals most to people who already enjoy using their phone for everything.
How the Quest Air works
The Quest app gives a large Target ID, a depth indicator, the modes and battery status on a wide horizontal phone display, and stealth mode keeps the phone in your pocket when you would rather hunt by sound. There is no power button to hunt for: pull the lower rod and Quest's patented magnetic switch activates the coil through its sensor. Charging is over a standard USB-C cable behind a protected cap, and the armrest and handle adjust for a compact carry.
In the app you choose All Metal or Discrimination. Target IDs run from -90 to 90, so iron reads as a negative number, and discrimination rejects IDs in steps of 10 from -90 to 0 and steps of 5 from 0 to 90. Sensitivity runs from 1 to 50, tones from 1 to 4 plus FAST, and volume has 16 levels. Ground balance is automatic (pump the coil) or manual. The phone connects over Bluetooth, and the Quest app runs on iOS and Android, with no data collection. Coins can be detected down to about 12 inches.
The built-in 750 mAh lithium-polymer battery gives about 10 hours of detecting, and a full charge over USB-C typically takes 5 to 6 hours. The two-section rod adjusts from 80 to 130 cm (31.5 to 51 inch).
What sets the Quest Air apart
The phone is the interface: picture searching a park while reading target information on a screen you already know. The Quest app shows the target ID, a depth indicator and operating information, which makes the Air approachable. Keep in mind that the phone is an essential part of the detector, not an extra.
Portability: the Air has a flat-folding frame, and we like that for travel. Packing for a weekend trip, a compact detector is easier to bring along than a full-size machine.
7.5 kHz: the Air is a single frequency 7.5 kHz VLF detector for general recreational searching. We see it as a detector for coins, relics and everyday hunting, not a replacement for a specialized high frequency gold detector.
The phone holder: the detachable, tilting holder lets you set the angle of your phone as you sweep. Quest rates the detector IP68, waterproof to 1 m (3.3 ft), but that rating covers the detector, not the phone. A waterproof detector does not make the phone on it waterproof.
One mistake to avoid with the Quest Air
Buying it expecting a conventional built-in display. Check that your smartphone works with the Quest app before your first hunt.
Our recommendation on the Quest Air
We recommend the Quest Air to detectorists who value portability and enjoy using their smartphone as the detector screen. What we like most is the compact design and the phone-based operation. If you would rather have a control box with its own display, see the Quest X1, X5 and X10 IDMAXX detectors.
Quest Air specifications
| Specification | Quest Air |
|---|---|
| Technology | Single frequency VLF, 7.5 kHz |
| Coil | 9 x 5 in TurboD Double-D, waterproof |
| Display and controls | Smartphone with the Quest app (iOS and Android) over Bluetooth, no data collection |
| Coin detection depth | About 12 in |
| App readouts | Target ID, depth indicator, modes, battery status |
| Detecting modes | All Metal, Discrimination |
| Target ID | -90 to 90 |
| Sensitivity | 1 to 50 |
| Tones | 1 to 4, FAST |
| Volume | 16 levels |
| Ground balance | Automatic (pump) or manual |
| Stealth mode | Yes, phone can stay in your pocket |
| Power | Patented magnetic switch, activated by pulling the lower rod |
| Water | Entire unit IP68, waterproof to 1 m (3.3 ft) |
| Battery | 750 mAh Li-Po, about 10 h |
| Charging | USB-C, 5 to 6 h, protected charging cap |
| Rod | Two sections, 80 to 130 cm (31.5 to 51 in) |
| Weight | About 1.14 kg (2.5 lb) |
| Frame | Flat-folding, adjustable armrest and handle |
| Phone holder | Detachable, tilting |
| Warranty | 2 years |
Quest's 2-year manufacturer warranty covers the Air, and as an authorized Quest dealer we help with any warranty question.
Every Quest detector, coil and accessory we carry is in our Quest metal detectors collection.
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