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If there’s a brand you can trust, it’s Minelab.
If this is your first time shopping for a multi-frequency metal detector, buy it from the experts in multi-frequency technology.
The Minelab Vanquish 440 has an entry-level price tag, but it’s far more than just an entry-level metal detector.
With the reliability and accuracy provided by Minelab’s technology, you’ll have multi-frequency benefits that allows you to explore all terrains regardless of the conditions.
From saltwater to hard clay, detect with the best.
At a Glance…
✔️ Best Feature: Multi-IQ
❌ Worst Feature: No ground balance
👌 Ideal For: Shallow Water, Beach, All Terrains, Gold, Silver, Coins, Jewelry, Relics, Beginners, Intermediates
Our Verdict: The Vanquish 440 is an appreciated model released by Minelab. It provides multi-frequency capability with ease-of-use at a price point that is just right for beginners looking for a quality metal detector. Even so, intermediates and advanced users will find this lightweight tool to be a valuable and comfortable asset for long hunts.
Who is the Minelab Vanquish 440 Best Suited to?
The Vanquish 440 is a multi-frequency metal detector that is suitable for users of all skill levels. Of course, beginners will be ecstatic to have a multi-frequency detector offered at such a low price point from Minelab.
Intermediates and experts may miss the ability to notch or the sensitivity required to detect very thin targets like chains. However, with distinct tones, adjustable 12-segment discrimination, and multi-frequency in the palm of your hand, the 440 is a suitable detector for advanced users in a lightweight package.
How Does the Minelab Vanquish 440 Perform?
The Vanquish 440 performs excellently as a multi-frequency metal detector. The simplicity of its modes, Target ID, and distinct 3-tone audio provides a platform that can easily be used by beginners.
Essentially, it has the same multi-frequency system as the Equinox series. Amateur hobbyists can get into the game at a much lower price point with an easier learning curve because it does away with the extra settings that makes it difficult to learn right off the bat.
With AA batteries as its power source, it provides reliable performance anywhere, anytime. Just make sure you have some spares on you if you’re planning a weekend of treasure hunting.
Features & Benefits
Multi-IQ
It really is incredible to see multi-frequency capability offered at this price point. But, can it perform accurately at such a low, entry-level cost? Yes. Yes, it can. It’s Minelab after all.
While the individual kilohertz at work are unknown in the multi-frequency range, you have different search modes to choose from to ensure it’s appropriate for your type of hunt. With the 440, you have Coin, Relic, Jewellery, and Custom. While they do have preset discrimination patterns, they can be edited to customize it for your hunting grounds and desired and specific targets.
The 440 has the same Target ID range of -9 – 40 as the Equinox series but without the price associated with the Equinox. The capability of high detection is there thanks to the Multi-IQ.
Price
For the low price, the Vanquish 440 offers a lot. Trust Minelab to provide its noted Multi-IQ tech in a truly affordable package that allows beginners and youngin’s to get into the high-quality game of metal detecting.
Even though it doesn’t have additional bells and whistles, it does have simplicity with multi-frequency capability. It does away with the fuss of a steep learning curve but provides high-performance in a low-cost package. Does the Vanquish 440 have value? You betcha.
Discrimination
The 440 allows for 12 discrimination segments, and of course, discrimination is customizable in the preset search modes or Custom mode. However, you can’t notch discrimination as they are fixed. You may not need it anyway since it can be worthwhile to dig everything, especially if you’re new to metal detecting.
There is an All-Metal mode that turns on all discrimination, so you can hear all targets. You will quickly learn the three, distinct tones of low, medium, and high to discern between the types.
For Beach Use
You will notice that there is no dedicated Beach Mode, but the Vanquish is just at home on the beach as any other beach detector. With the right discrimination settings and perhaps lowering sensitivity from 10 to 8, you will find that it will work like a peach on wet sand.
Waterproof
The included V10 10” x 7” DD searchcoil is completely waterproof – and it should be. It even comes with a skidplate for that extra protection. You can wade and surf (not literally) through fresh and saltwater and will acquire excellent performance regardless.
The only downside is that the control box is not waterproof, but it is water-resistant. The control box comes with a weather cover-up for those downpours that are inevitable some days.
Limitations
No Ground Balance
Now, don’t get your panties caught in a twist. The Vanquish does not have and neither needs a ground balance feature.
Why?
It has Multi-IQ that processes frequency comparison and compensation automatically. In other words, the Multi-IQ automatically detects what the best frequencies are for maximum depth detection in mineralized ground.
Minelab claims to use the most technologically advanced systems for ground balancing capabilities that other manufacturers cannot parallel. So, it turns out after all that what seems to be a lack of a feature is actually not a lack at all – it’s already being done for you without you having to perform it yourself.
Talk about the hard work being eliminated from the equation, right?
Popular Questions
How Much does the Vanquish 440 Metal Detector Weigh?
The Vanquish 440 metal detector weighs a very light 2.6 lbs. Do you experience shoulder pain from your large and heavy searchcoils?
No longer will you have to switch out coils or deal with various types of pain from hauling a heavy rig. The 440 is lightweight and has a collapsible, snap-lock system for packing up and taking on the go. The arm cuff shaft is also adjustable to provide the right type of comfort fit.
What is the Warranty on the Minelab Vanquish Metal Detector?
The Vanquish 440 and any Minelab branded equipment and accessories sent with it are warrantied for three years by Minelab. This is an excellent warranty as it’s also owner transferable. Notable caveats include that proof of purchase and registration must be provided within 45 days of purchase to Minelab.
What Type of Batteries does the Minelab Vanquish 440 take?
The Vanquish 440 takes 4x AA batteries. It is compatible with rechargeable or alkaline batteries. It provides up to 10-11 hours depending on settings and usage.
Can the Vanquish Detector be used in Salt Water?
If there’s a metal detector that is well-suited to saltwater hunting, it’s a multi-frequency. As such, the Vanquish 440 is excellent for salt water.
Note: only the searchcoil and shaft are waterproof, so depth will vary on how close you dare get to the control box. Ensure the cover-up is installed to protect the control box from sand, surf, and spray.
Does the Minelab Metal Detector have a Depth Indicator?
The screen does show a depth indicator for targets. There will be arrows that will provide an indication of depth in 2” increments beneath the surface. Less arrows indicate shallow targets and more arrows indicate a deeper target.
Conclusion
The Minelab Vanquish 440 is a very welcome metal detector to the amateur metal detecting field. It allows the beginner or user with a tight budget to afford the same technology equipped in Minelab’s more expensive series, the Equinox, at a more than reasonable price point.
Where is the multi-frequency detector best put to use? Everywhere!
Try going over your over-hunted sites or new pastures to detect deeper and more accurately than before.
You may be surprised with what you and others could have missed.