Garrett ACE 400 Metal Detector Review

The reasonably priced Garrett ACE 400 metal detector offers exceptional accuracy at detecting metal 8”-12” deep. Adjustable frequencies, high-resolution iron discrimination, and five discrimination modes make metal detecting easy and fun.

Why is Garrett ACE 400 Metal Detector worth it?

Amateur hobbyists and professionals alike will enjoy the affordable price, ease of use, and accuracy of the Garrett ACE 400 metal detector. Although a mid-range device, it performs like a top-tier model thanks to various detection features. These include frequency adjustment, digital target ID, and iron audio to help you discriminate good targets from junk. It’s easily customizable and versatile enough for various environments, like dry beaches, fresh water, rocky terrain, or during competitions. Detect coins, jewelry, gold, and other treasures buried up to 12” underground with the waterproof 8.5” x 11” search coil.

What is the difference between the Garrett ACE 400 Metal Detector and competitors?

The Garrett ACE 400 metal detector is a big step up from the 250 and 300 models, enabling you to find objects you might not have on previous passes. It has more adjustable frequencies and twice the iron resolution to precisely discriminate between several objects close together. Unlike other models, it has Digital Target ID on a 0-99 scale in the large-digit display, giving you greater accuracy and less time spent digging unwanted objects. A continuous battery-level indicator can be helpful in the field (25 hours of search time with the four included AA batteries). This model also has upgraded cam locks for a more stable feel.

What design features of the Garrett ACE 400 Metal Detector will enhance the user's experience?

The Garrett ACE 400’s upgraded features help you easily distinguish junk from treasure. Digital Target ID gives you an idea of what you’ve found before you start digging by determining the metallic content of an object. Five search modes include jewelry, relics, coins, zero discrimination, and an advanced custom setting. Electronic pinpointing precisely locates targets and speeds recovery, while eight sensitivity settings, notch discrimination, and high-resolution iron discrimination help you zero in on your target without interference. This metal detector includes comfortable headphones, allowing you to hear three separate tones for target conductivity and Iron Audio to hear iron targets.

What drawbacks of the Garrett ACE 400 Metal Detector should the user consider?

One drawback of the Garrett ACE 400 metal detector is that it is not fully submersible. Only the coil is waterproof, so you can’t use this detector in underwater settings. It also lacks automatic or manual ground balance, so it might not be the best for hunting in areas with high mineralization levels or searching for gold nuggets. And it is not designed for saltwater use, as this can cause false positives.

FAQ

We've researched and answered some common questions that arise when consumers are shopping for metal detector.

Can you use the Garrett ACE 400 metal detector at the beach?

The Garrett ACE 400 metal detector is excellent for dry sand hunting at the beach. However, it is not suitable for wet sand or saltwater. The high conductivity of wet sand can cause false positives that skew accuracy. The ACE 400’s coil is waterproof and appropriate for freshwater like lakes or streams. However, the control box is not waterproof, so avoid stray splashes or falls.

How deep does the Garrett ACE 400 detect?

The Garrett ACE 400 can generally detect metal from 8”- 12” deep. However, factors like size, shape, type of metal, object orientation, and soil conditions will all factor in. Small items like coins or jewelry can generally be found between 6”- 8” deep, while larger objects like soda cans can be found a foot deep or more.

Can the Garrett ACE 400 metal detector find gold?

Yes, the Garrett ACE 400 can find gold and other metals. It has a higher 10 kHz frequency to provide better sensitivity to low- and medium-conductivity targets like gold. Gold falls around the middle of the Digital Target ID range. If you are serious about finding gold, you may want to use a coil explicitly designed for finding gold rather than the standard coil.

Final Thoughts

The Garrett ACE 400 metal detector is exceptionally accurate at an affordable price that can quickly pay for itself. It’s easy to learn and use, lightweight, and comfortable. Five discrimination modes, electronic pinpointing, ad sensitivity adjustment allow for the greatest versatility when searching for metal up to 12” underground.