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If you’re considering an underwater metal detector for your business or your diving hobby, then you need a high-quality metal detector that can keep up to task and provide results.
For everything between the surface and 100m depths, you’ll need the Aquascan Aquapulse AQ1B.
100 meters? That equates to 328 feet.
This is no joke.
It’s a legit, submersible, diving metal detector.
Serious business.
At a Glance…
✔️ Best Feature: Pulse induction
❌ Worst Feature: Heavy for land use
👌 Ideal For: Underwater, Diving, Beach, Freshwater, Coins, Jewelry, Relics, Silver Gold, Intermediates, Experts
- Pulse induction
- Made for diving
- Other applications
- Various packages
- 15” searchcoil
Our Verdict: You may not have heard of Aquascan or you may be wary of a product that’s been out for a long time, but there’s no need to redesign a winning design. That’s exactly what the Aquapulse 1B is. It’s a champion diving metal detector that has excellent depth and sensitivity performance. If you’re a serious diver or are looking to get maximum results underwater, you’ll give the UK brand a chance.
Who is the Aquascan Aquapulse AQ1B Best Suited to?
As a diving metal detector, it should be a top pick for a diver. It can handle both freshwater and saltwater environments and can go deeper than other underwater metal detectors in the market.
But why spend another $1000 more when you can get something like the Garrett Sea Hunter Mark II or the Nokta Makro Anfibio? It can go a lot deeper than either machine and is pulse induction like the Garrett versus the selective frequency of the Anfibio.
Not only can it go deep, but it can also detect deep too. 6-8” depths are easy pickings for this machine. It’s the depth detection of targets found at 20-40” plus some that will impress you.
How Does the Aquascan Aquapulse AQ1B Perform?
Aquascan is a UK manufacturer and has been around for a long time. The Aquapulse 1B is a workhorse for underwater detectorists. It’s a lot more expensive than the Garrett Sea Hunter Mark II, but it’s capable of taking you down another 100 feet closer to the ocean floor.
The increased price point is also due to its build quality. For 300 feet and more performance, you’re asking a lot from the metal detector frame to its search coil and technologies, and this is without mentioning the scuba equipment you’ll need to get to these depths.
With all that in mind, the Aquapulse has been built to exacting standards to withstand the demands of deep divers. The AQ1B control module has been tested for 100m depths and beyond, so it’s proven its performance to be well suited to the job.
When you’re down that far, the last thing you need is to lose your metal detector. The separate control module can be tethered to the diver in multiple ways including the waist quick release buckle or strapping to the arm or cuff.
Even if you’re not exploring 328-foot depths, you have the capability to do it if you ever have the opportunity. You won’t be held back by your gear if you have an Aquascan Aquapulse.
Features & Benefits
Pulse Induction
The AQ1B is a pulse induction metal detector. It’s excellent for depth, ignoring high mineralization in beach environments, and it reacts to all metallic targets. However, if there are high concentrations of black sand at your particular hunting ground, you may need to adjust the rejection knob to achieve the desired threshold. Some tweaking should be expected.
Once you do find your desired threshold, it’s all happy hunting from there on out. While the Aquapulse is excellent for exploring ship wreckages, hunting for sunken gold bars, and any other type of retirement find, it’s also exceptionally good at finding the small stuff too. It’s very sensitive to finding silver at greater depths below the surface, high K gold rings, and everyday wedding bands and 9K gold rings at decent depths too.
While it operates at a lower pulse delay that may not be ideal for dry and wet sand hunting but is excellent for underwater use. It does two things: reduces false salt signals and allows for smaller targets to be heard. A much slower threshold speed will also provide maximum sensitivity. Of course, it can be adjusted for when you come up for some shoreline hunting.
Made for Diving
The Aquapulse 1B is made for diving. It’s definitely overkill if you’re just exploring the shorelines and even 10-foot depths, but if you’re serious about strapping up and hitting the seabed, you’ll need the high-quality housing and pulse induction tech of the AQ1B.
It’s rated to 100m depths although it’s been tested to perform and hold up at further depths. True to form for diving detectors, it has a completely waterproof, submersible housing from its searchcoil to its control module and headphones. It lacks visual and vibrational aids as you must depend on the threshold audio for response signals.
The module houses the rotary on/off switch and doubles as the rejection feature for surface searching. It’s also home to the multi-turn threshold adjustment, headphone and charging port, and the searchcoil loop connection port. The control module also houses the Nicad rechargeable battery pack.
The AQ1B is that easy to get started with. With its simplified design, you can tell it makes for underwater detection so much easier and enjoyable. When you’re down that deep that’s exactly what you need.
Other Applications
Seeing as this is an arguably expensive underwater PI metal detector, it might help to know that it is useful for other applications. It’s an excellent option for industrial and commercial uses.
Salvage and recovery is an example where can be especially valuable and convenient to have. Those who are into underwater relic hunting will appreciate the all-metal performance of the AQ1B. Think anchors, old tools, and lost cargo from sunken and rescued ships.
Recovery and documenting lost finds on archeology expeditions and underwater surveying are more applications where the Aquapulse can prove to be a lifesaver.
While it has plenty of underwater benefits, it does weigh in like a tank for land use. While the searchcoil has a lot to do with its overall weight, expect the completed assembly to be no lighter than 10 lbs. It’s more like 12-15 lbs at the end of the day.
Various Packages
You may get a little confused if you’ve been looking for the best deal on the Aquapulse 1B. That’s because the actual detector is sold in various packages. This is the AQ1B Standard Kit with the 15” searchcoil.
You can also find the 8” searchcoil kit and the 10” searchcoil kit. You can also buy the searchcoils separately since they’re interchangeable and are compatible for connection to the control module.
Additionally, pay attention to the package description as there are Standard, Commercial, and Professional packages. Each type will have varying included accessories between them. The Standard 15” diver kit includes the full armsaver kit (shaft and assembly parts), waist belt control unit, Bonephone submersible headphones, 15” searchcoil, and charger.
Limitations
Heavy for Land Use
While the Aquapulse can be used for land hunting, it’s made specifically to be underwater. One giveaway is its weight. While a non-issue for underwater use, the heavy poundage will definitely be an issue on land.
The complete assembly with the 15” searchcoil weighs 12 lbs. Interestingly the 10” searchcoil assembly weighs in at 15 lbs. While the 15” is obviously larger in diameter, it has a slimmer build than the 10” coil.
Popular Questions
How Deep can the Aquapulse AQ1B Detect?
While detection depth varies for different targets, the AQ1B diving metal detector is capable of detecting various metal types at greater depths. For example, with an 8” or 10” searchcoil, a 24K gold ring can be detected at 11”. Test items for detection ranges can be found here.
Are the Included Bonephone Headphones Waterproof?
The bonephone headphones are waterproof and submersible. They’re different and designed to be worn under a diving hood. They are not to be placed over the ear as it can interfere with eardrum pressure equalization. They are instead to be placed on a bony part of the head that is close to the ear, hence the name, Bonephone.
For underwater, land use, or a more comfortable option, consider the compatible Aquascan AQ1B headphones.
How Long is the Battery Life on the Aquascan Aquapulse AQ1B?
The Aquapulse AQ1B operates for 8-10 hours. The charger is included with the metal detector. Do not use a different charger to prevent damage to the battery pack. If the battery ever fails, you can purchase and install a new rechargeable battery pack for the AQ1B. It is a 7-cell, 2500ma internal battery pack.
What is the Warranty on the Aquascan Aquapulse 1B?
The Aquapulse 1B is warrantied for a 1-year period. If repair is required and is covered under the warranty, there is no charge to the owner. If a repair service is required outside of the warranty period, there is a minimal handling and testing fee.
Conclusion
If 100m performance isn’t good enough for you, then you need to mutate with gills. The Aquapulse metal detector can explore down deep, but it’s up to you to take on the challenge of getting down there.
Think about what is lost within diving range… The RMS Republic sunk to 270 feet and a Byzantine era merchant ship sits in pristine condition amongst many other wreckages in the Black Sea at 93 meters.
With the Aquapulse in hand, what will you discover at diving depths?
Further Reading:
- Fisher CZ-21 Metal Detector Review (10.5 inch Coil)
- Aquascan Aquapulse AQ1B Metal Detector Review
- Minelab GPZ 7000 Metal Detector Review
- Minelab SDC 2300 Metal Detector Review
- Minelab Excalibur II Metal Detector Review