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Detector specifications
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 Teknetics Omega 8500 is a 7.69 kHz VLF detector for coin shooting, relic hunting and jewelry, with Discrimination and All Metal modes, a digital Target ID and Ground Grab computerized ground balancing with manual override. Ours comes with the 11 inch DD waterproof elliptical search coil.
| Configuration | |
|---|---|
| Detector | Teknetics Omega 8500 |
| Coil | 11 in DD waterproof elliptical |
What is in the box with the Teknetics Omega 8500
Teknetics' standard contents for the Omega 8500 with 11 inch DD coil
- Teknetics Omega 8500 metal detector
- 11 inch DD waterproof elliptical search coil
- Instruction manual
Who the Teknetics Omega 8500 suits
What we like about the Teknetics Omega 8500 is its more advanced set of controls for detectorists who enjoy fine-tuning. We think it is particularly interesting for coin and relic hunters.
Teknetics Omega 8500 modes and controls
The Omega 8500 has a dual control interface with analog knobs and a touchpad, independent gain and threshold controls, and a quick-switch mode control between its two operating modes, Discrimination and All Metal. Discrimination works across 8 categories with Notch, and the digital Target ID gives a numeric reading plus an iron (Fe) readout. In Discrimination mode, audio has 5 preset tone variations to choose from, and in All Metal mode you can set the pitch of the VCO tone to one of four preset frequencies, with Fe-Tone audio for iron; sensitivity has 99 levels and volume 10, and the Omega remembers your settings.
Two menu settings help on difficult sites. Frequency shift (FREQ) moves the Omega to an alternate frequency setting when it chatters from electromagnetic interference with the coil held still; ground balance again after you change it. Deep selects the filter mode: D0 is a fast filter for target separation in heavy trash, D1 is the general-purpose setting, and D2 and D3 add a 60 Hz or 50 Hz notch filter for cleaner soils, where sensitivity needs adjusting to suit.
For the ground, the Omega gives you Ground Grab computerized ground balancing with manual override, a ground phase number, an Fe3O4 bar graph of magnetic mineralization and a ground error indicator. Pinpoint mode has a depth indicator, and the adjustable backlight helps in low light. Power comes from a standard 9-volt battery, and Teknetics gives 20 to 25 hours on an alkaline battery.
Settings that matter on the Teknetics Omega 8500
Target ID and discrimination: picture an older property with copper coins, silver coins, nails and aluminum trash. The Omega's digital target ID and its Discrimination and All Metal modes help you evaluate those different responses. We would not suggest it identifies every coin correctly, though.
Ground balance: on ground with heavy mineralization, ground balancing compensates for the soil's response. We like how much ground information the Omega gives you: Ground Grab computerized ground balancing with manual override, a ground phase number, an Fe3O4 bar graph and a ground error indicator. Learn the procedure properly rather than assuming one setting works everywhere.
Audio: experienced detectorists learn to recognize targets by sound. The Omega's multiple audio tone options and its discrimination help you build that skill. In an older park, you can hunt without looking at the display all the time and let the tones tell you which targets to check first.
Omega 8500 or Gamma 6000: we would choose the Omega for someone who wants more control and expects to detect regularly. The Teknetics Gamma 6000 may suit someone who wants a simpler introduction.
One mistake to avoid with the Teknetics Omega 8500
Expecting it to be something it is not. The Omega 8500 runs a single 7.69 kHz frequency, so it is not a simultaneous multi-frequency detector. Its elliptical search coil is waterproof, but the control housing is not, so it is not an underwater detector either.
Our recommendation on the Teknetics Omega 8500
We recommend the Omega 8500 to intermediate and experienced coin and relic hunters who like adjustable settings. What we like most is how much target and ground information it gives an operator who knows how to use it.
Teknetics Omega 8500 specifications
| Specification | Teknetics Omega 8500 |
|---|---|
| Technology | VLF |
| Frequency | 7.69 kHz |
| Frequency shift | Yes, alternate frequency settings (FREQ) to reduce EMI |
| Deep (filter mode) | D0 to D3; D2 and D3 add a 60 Hz or 50 Hz notch |
| Modes | Discrimination (8 categories plus Notch), All Metal |
| Target ID | Digital, numeric, with iron (Fe) readout |
| Audio | 5 preset tone variations in Discrimination; VCO tone pitch, 4 preset frequencies, in All Metal; Fe-Tone audio |
| Sensitivity | 99 levels |
| Volume | 10 levels |
| Gain and threshold | Independent controls |
| Ground balance | Ground Grab computerized with manual override |
| Ground readouts | Ground phase number, Fe3O4 bar graph, ground error indicator |
| Pinpoint | Yes, with depth indicator |
| Controls | Analog and touchpad; memory |
| Backlight | Adjustable |
| Battery | 1 x 9V, 20 to 25 hours alkaline |
| Coil | 11 in DD waterproof elliptical |
| Weatherproof | No; the elliptical search coil is waterproof |
| Uses | General purpose, coin shooting, relic hunting, jewelry |
| Country of origin | USA |
| Warranty | 2 years |
Teknetics covers the Omega 8500 with a 2-year warranty.
Every Teknetics detector, coil and accessory we carry is in our Teknetics metal detectors collection.
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