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To start with, the Makro Deephunter 3D Pro Package is not for the faint of heart.
It’s a serious machine for only serious metal detectorists. The Deephunter is calibrated to detect everything including precious metals, gold, cavities, and voids.
The price tag on this metal detector will make you cringe, but if you want to see the goods in 3D action before you dig, it’s a must-have.
But, there’s a few things you should know about it before you decide to pull the trigger on this very expensive unit.
At a Glance…
✔️ Best Feature: 3D Graphics Display
❌ Worst Feature: Not waterproof
👌 Ideal For: Shallow Water, Highly-Mineralized Soils, Gold, Coins, Relics, Jewelry, Intermediates, Experts
- 3D Graphic Display
- Selectable Frequency
- 2 Searching Modes
- Metal & Cavity Detection
- Deep Ranging
Our Verdict: The Makro Deephunter metal detector is an advanced machine with many features that will prove to be invaluable to the serious hunter. The 3D display is undoubtedly the highlight feature. You can now make the most well-informed decisions before digging at the great detection depths of the Deephunter.
Who is the Makro Deephunter 3D Pro Best Suited to?
It’s a no-brainer, the Deephunter is an advanced system that is best suited to experts who are already familiar with metal detecting. Even though anyone could learn how to interpret the display, the metal detector has many manual settings that will require experience to maximize the potential for success.
The steep price for the Deephunter is also another indication that it’s geared towards serial hobbyists and professionals. Beginners are unlikely to start off with such an expensive metal detector and the advanced settings required to make the most out of a search.
Who’s it for?
It’s for intermediates looking for an upgrade and veteran detectorists.
How Does the Makro Deephunter 3D Pro Perform?
This is a VLF (Very-Low Frequency) metal detector with selectable frequencies. It’s a high-performing detector with or without use of the 3D imaging system. With the imaging system, you can get visual data of the environment to locate various objects using non-motion detection. Without use of the imaging system, you can treasure hunt like you normally would but with the added benefits of searching in highly-mineralized soils and increased detection depth.
One thing to remember about the luxury of using advanced tech in the field is the extra weight you’ll be lugging around. Only you can decide if it’s worth it.
Features & Benefits
3D Graphics Display
The graphics display is presented through an imaging system called the control unit. Although it may be intimidating at first to comprehend, the data is presented in an interpretable fashion. There are four buttons and five knobs on the unit and a visual display screen that is used to display the 3D data.
The screen is only used when the detector is in search Mode 1. The imaging system is primarily for detecting larger objects at significant depths. The display will have four bars that indicate the detector has detected a Cavity, Metal, Ferrous, or Precious Metal. These bars will fill up to a certain level depending on how much has been detected. Above these bars is the Oscilloscope.
When an object has been detected, it will either display in the Metals or Cavity segment. The number of objects, represented by something that resembles a mound, will be displayed on either segment. Its shape, size, and how much it fills the segment will also help to determine how big or small and how deep the object is.
Selectable Frequency
This VLF detector has what is called selectable frequency. The Deephunter operates at 12.5 kHz while the vision system is in use and operates at 17.5 kHz when it is disabled while in Mode 2. This is a selectable frequency model because you have the option of using more than one frequency, but it only analyzes the signal from one frequency at a time. Both frequencies are within what you would call the “do-it-all” zone which is within 10-20 kHz.
2 Search Modes
The Makro metal detector has manual sensitivity and ground balancing. You can also use the Iron Discrimination knob to manually increase or decrease discrimination for ferrous metals without affecting the signals for precious metals. You will hear tones that alert you to ferrous metals and high, slightly different audio tone alerts for precious and gold.
So, apart from these additional settings, you only have need of two search modes. Mode 1 is a non-motion system that provides both audio and visual data. It’s what allows for imaging information throughout your search. Mode 2 is a motion system and audio mode that is used for fast ground coverage and deep detection for small metals and objects like coins.
Mode 2 incorporates use of Sensitivity, Ground Balance, Iron Discrimination, and Iron & Minerals Settings found on the control unit. It’s only compatible with certain searchcoils designed for Mode 2 as Mode 1 is only compatible with the T44 and T100 searchcoils.
Metal & Cavity Detection
The Deephunter is capable of not only detecting metals, but it can also detect cavities and voids deep in the earth for possible deposits of your target object. The visual display has a dedicated Cavity bar and additional information will also be displayed on the Oscilloscope. For both cavities and metals, if you desire additional information such as specific size (width and length) and depth estimates, you can also access screens that will display this data.
There is also a dedicated Record button that allows you to save your Analysis and Depth reports for a maximum of 20 reports that you can retrieve later for a future dig at the site.
Limitations
Not Waterproof
It’s a shame that for as high-end and technologically advanced this system is, it’s not waterproof. If there was someway to go diving with it, it could really enhance underwater metal detecting and expand its target demographic of potential buyers. However, I would imagine it would be very expensive to waterproof this tech for such a purpose.
The good news is, the searchcoil is waterproof, so it can be used in shallow water, just be sure you don’t fall in with the control unit attached to your side.
Heavy
One notable downside is the weight of the entire assembly. Depending on what coils you choose to use and if you’re using the control unit (imaging system), you could possibly be carrying around up to 14 lbs of weight. The shaft itself weighs 2.2 lbs, the control unit 3 lbs, and coils are 1.8-3 lbs. The T100 coil weighs 14.2 lbs. Like I’ve said, this isn’t the metal detector for the faint and weak of heart.
Popular Questions
Can the Makro Metal Detector be Used on the Beach?
Yes! The Makro can be manually ground balanced to mineralized soils like at the beach. Furthermore, you can make use of both Iron settings to successfully continue searching in these areas. Set Ferrous Discrimination to max and set the Iron & Minerals knob to Beach and Mineral. With this setting, ferrous metal signals will be silenced, and detection depth will be reduced. If you still experience some ground signals, you may have to reduce sensitivity.
What is the Power Source for this Metal Detector?
The Makro Deephunter metal detector has a detachable, rechargeable 16.8 V 3300 mA Lithium Polymer battery. The package includes a wall charger and a car charger. When using Mode 1, battery power will provide up to 4 hours of operating time. In Mode 2, you can expect up to 24 hours of operating time.
The charger has a light that will turn from red to green once the battery is fully charged. It will take approximately 7 hours to charge from completely empty to full. During storage, it’s best to remove the battery in a fully charged state from the metal detector.
How Deep can the Deephunter 3D Pro Detect?
While there are many factors that govern detection depth, you can expect at least 4 meters of detection with the largest T100 searchcoil in ideal soil conditions.
What Accessories are Included in the Pro Package?
There is a total of 18 items included in the box. You can expect the usual in the form of the shaft, mounting hardware, manual, DVD, and warranty certificate. Searchcoils included are all DD designs. For operating in Mode 1, you have the T44 (44×36 cm) and the T100 (100×60 cm). For Mode 2, you have the C47 (47×39 cm) and the C32 (32×26 cm) that also come with coil covers while the T100 comes with its very own carry bag.
You also get the control unit that comes with its own leather carry bag and harness, the T100 searchcoil control unit, battery, AC and car chargers, a carrying bag for everything. Smaller included accessories are headphones and the connection cable.
Conclusion
The Makro Deephunter 3D Pro Metal Detector Package may be expensive, but there’s a whole lot to look forward to. A bunch of accessories makes it even sweeter, and it’s covered with a 2-year manufacturer warranty. To have both audio and visual target information will cost you, but when you strike it rich, you’ll find it was an investment that paid for itself.
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
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