MINELAB X-Terra Voyager Metal Detector Waterproof Coil Review: Your First Step to Buried Treasure

There’s a unique thrill that courses through you when you first decide to get into metal detecting. It’s a feeling fueled by stories of unearthed history, forgotten coins, and lost family heirlooms waiting just beneath the surface. I remember my first detector—a clunky, imprecise machine that seemed more interested in bottle caps and rusty nails than anything of value. Every beep sent a jolt of hope, only to be dashed by another piece of modern trash. The frustration is real; you spend hours sweeping parks and fields, only to go home with a pocketful of junk and a sore arm. This is the common barrier that turns a fascinating hobby into a chore. You need a tool that’s smart enough to help you learn the language of the ground, light enough to carry all day, and capable enough to ignore the trash while zeroing in on the treasure. The search for that perfect entry point, a detector that empowers rather than discourages, is what leads many aspiring treasure hunters to a critical crossroads.

What to Consider Before Buying a Metal Detector

A metal detector is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for unlocking the past hidden right under our feet. It’s a bridge to history, a tool for outdoor adventure, and a source of incredible excitement. The primary problem this product category solves is the inability to see beneath the soil. It provides a set of electronic “eyes” that can differentiate between ferrous and non-ferrous metals, estimate target depth, and ultimately help you decide whether to dig. The main benefits are profound: it encourages physical activity, teaches patience and research skills, and offers the tangible reward of finding something lost to time. It’s a hobby that connects you to your local history in a way that reading books never can.

The ideal customer for a detector like this is someone new to the hobby, or an intermediate user looking for a lightweight, capable backup machine. It’s for the family wanting a weekend adventure, the history buff eager to find local relics, or the beachcomber hoping to find lost jewelry. This type of detector is designed for accessibility and quick success. However, it might not be suitable for professional relic hunters or serious gold prospectors who require specialized, multi-frequency machines capable of handling extreme ground mineralization or saltwater interference with greater precision. For them, a higher-end model from a brand’s professional line would be a more appropriate, albeit much more expensive, alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Consider the detector’s ergonomics. Is it adjustable to your height? An ill-fitting detector will cause back and arm strain quickly. The MINELAB X-Terra Voyager Metal Detector Waterproof Coil features an adjustable shaft, but as some taller users note, it can be at its limit for those over 6 feet. Also, look at its collapsed size; a unit that breaks down compactly, like this one which collapses to 72 cm (28.3 in), is far easier to transport and store.
• Performance & Capability: This is the heart of the machine. Key features to look for are Target ID, discrimination, and sensitivity. A clear Target ID (like the Voyager’s 0-99 scale) helps you guess the target before digging. Discrimination allows you to “notch out” or ignore trash signals like iron. Sensitivity adjustment is crucial for managing soil conditions and maximizing depth.
• Materials & Durability: Metal detectors are used outdoors and take a beating. Look for sturdy materials like the Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and aluminum used in the Voyager. Pay special attention to the coil; a waterproof coil is non-negotiable for hunting in wet grass, creek beds, or on the beach. While some users initially felt the Voyager had a “cheap” feel, its on-field durability has proven to be robust.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: For a beginner, a steep learning curve is a hobby-killer. Look for detectors with preset search modes (like All Metal, Jewellery, Custom) that allow you to start hunting immediately. A clear, backlit LCD display is also essential for low-light conditions. Long-term care is minimal: just keep the detector clean and dry (especially the control box) and manage your batteries.

Choosing the right detector is the most important step in your treasure-hunting journey. It sets the stage for either frustration or incredible finds. The MINELAB X-Terra Voyager comes bundled with everything you need to start, making it an excellent all-in-one package.

While the MINELAB X-Terra Voyager Metal Detector Waterproof Coil is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Unboxing the X-Terra Voyager Adventure Kit

Opening the box for the MINELAB X-Terra Voyager Metal Detector Waterproof Coil immediately feels like you’re unboxing a complete adventure. Unlike many detectors that come as a standalone unit, Minelab has bundled this with a thoughtful collection of accessories: headphones, a sturdy backpack, and a digging shovel. This instantly lowers the barrier to entry; you don’t have to go out and make three separate purchases just to get started. Assembly was straightforward and intuitive, taking less than ten minutes without needing to consult the manual. The components click together with a satisfying firmness.

In hand, the detector is impressively light. At just 1.3 kg (2.8 lbs), it’s a machine you can swing for hours without fatigue—a critical factor for long hunts. A few user reviews mentioned an initial impression of it feeling “cheap” or “lightweight,” and I can see why. The ABS plastic construction doesn’t have the dense heft of a $1000 machine. However, this is a deceptive first impression. In the field, we found this lightness to be a massive advantage, and the construction proved more than durable enough for rough handling in parks and wooded areas. The backlit display is crisp and clear, a feature often overlooked in entry-level models but essential for those sunrise or sunset hunts. It feels less like a budget detector and more like a streamlined version of Minelab’s more expensive machines, offering a taste of professional features in a very accessible package. You can see the full kit and its features here.

Deep Dive: Field Testing the MINELAB X-Terra Voyager

A detector’s true worth is only revealed in the dirt. We took the MINELAB X-Terra Voyager Metal Detector Waterproof Coil to a variety of locations—a modern park littered with modern trash, an old field with a history of settlement, and the wet sand of a freshwater beach—to push its capabilities and see if its performance matched its promising feature set.

Unlocking the Ground: Performance, Modes, and Target ID

The single most impressive feature for us was the simplicity and effectiveness of the user interface, especially the Target ID system. For a beginner, the cacophony of beeps from a detector can be bewildering. The Voyager simplifies this with a large, clear number on its backlit LCD, ranging from 0 to 99. After just a short time in the field, we began to learn the “language” of the machine. Low numbers consistently indicated iron junk (nails, screws), mid-range numbers pointed to aluminum (can slaw, pull tabs), and higher numbers reliably signaled coins like quarters and dimes. This is an incredible confidence booster. Instead of digging every signal, you can make an educated guess, which saves enormous time and energy.

This experience is strongly echoed by users. One new detectorist, who had previously returned a cheap “junk” model, reported getting the Voyager up and running in no time, successfully finding coins and separating scrap metal in his own yard. Another user praised how it “discriminates junk real easy.” We found the four Search Modes to be genuinely useful. ‘Jewellery’ mode automatically notches out most iron signals, letting you focus on conductive targets. ‘All Metal’ offers maximum depth and sensitivity, which we used in a cleaner, older field to hunt for subtle signals. The ‘Custom’ mode is a fantastic feature at this price point, allowing you to accept or reject specific segments of the Target ID scale to suit your hunting site. We used it at a playground to ignore the specific signal range of modern pull tabs while still accepting signals for nickels and rings. The results were immediate: within an hour, we’d found a handful of modern coins and, most excitingly, a small silver ring—a find corroborated by multiple users who reported finding silver rings and even a 10k gold earring. The Voyager’s ability to turn chaotic signals into understandable data is a feature that really sets it apart for beginners.

Built for the Field: Design, Ergonomics, and Portability

Metal detecting is a marathon, not a sprint. A heavy, poorly balanced detector can end a hunt in an hour due to arm and shoulder fatigue. This is where the MINELAB X-Terra Voyager Metal Detector Waterproof Coil truly excels. At only 2.8 lbs, it feels almost effortless to swing. We spent a continuous three-hour session sweeping a large park and felt no significant strain, a testament to its excellent weight distribution and lightweight design. One user perfectly captured this, noting, “I can carry it around for hours without feeling weighed down, which is a huge plus.” This lightweight build, combined with its ability to collapse down to just 28.3 inches, makes it an ideal travel companion. It fits easily into the included backpack or the trunk of a small car, encouraging you to bring it along on hikes, camping trips, or beach visits.

However, the design isn’t without its quirks. We must address the initial “cheap feel” some users mentioned. The ABS plastic housing doesn’t exude the premium feel of high-end machines. Yet, after being knocked against roots, scraped on rocks, and used in damp conditions, our unit showed no signs of stress or damage. It appears to be a classic case of function over form; Minelab invested in a durable, lightweight material that gets the job done without adding unnecessary cost or weight. The more significant issue we found, which was confirmed by a user review, is the shaft length. For myself at 5’11”, the shaft was extended to its maximum length for a comfortable swing. A user who is 6′ tall found it at the absolute limit, and his 6’3″ father found it too short. This is a critical consideration for taller detectorists. Another minor but notable complaint from one user was the cramped battery compartment, which could make battery changes a bit fiddly and risk pinching wires if you’re not careful. Despite these points, the overall ergonomic design is a major win, making the hobby physically accessible to a much wider range of people. The comfortable design encourages the long hours needed to make those truly memorable finds.

All-Terrain Capability: The Waterproof Coil and Its Limits

The “All-Terrain” promise in a product name sets a high bar, and the key to this is the waterproof coil. The IP68-rated coil on the MINELAB X-Terra Voyager Metal Detector Waterproof Coil means you can submerge it in water without fear. We tested this along the edge of a local lake, sweeping the coil through the shallow water where people often lose rings and coins. The detector performed flawlessly, giving clear, stable signals on submerged targets. This feature opens up a huge range of possibilities beyond dry parks and fields, including creek beds, river banks, and the wet sand of a beach. Many users shared their success stories from these environments, with one finding a gold bracelet on their morning beach walk and another pulling a ring from 10 inches down on their very first outing to a beach. These are the kinds of finds that get you hooked on the hobby.

However, it’s crucial to understand the technological limits, particularly concerning saltwater. Several users noted that while the detector works great in parks and on dry or wet freshwater sand, it “really struggles on saltwater beaches.” This is not a flaw in the machine but a characteristic of its VLF (Very Low Frequency) technology. Saltwater is highly conductive and creates a ground signal that can overwhelm a single-frequency VLF detector, causing it to chatter and give false signals. While you can mitigate this by lowering the sensitivity, you also lose significant depth. Our testing confirmed this; on a saltwater beach, the Voyager became much less stable compared to its performance on freshwater sand. This is an essential distinction for potential buyers. If your primary hunting ground will be saltwater beaches, you would be better served by a detector with multi-frequency technology, like Minelab’s higher-end Vanquish or Equinox series. But for virtually every other environment—parks, fields, playgrounds, woods, and freshwater shorelines—the Voyager’s all-terrain capability is more than sufficient and provides fantastic versatility for a detector in its class.

What Other Users Are Saying

Scouring feedback from a wide range of buyers, a clear and consistent picture of the MINELAB X-Terra Voyager Metal Detector Waterproof Coil emerges. The overwhelming majority of owners, especially those new to the hobby, are thrilled with their purchase. One user summed it up perfectly: “It’s a great detector for beginners, very easy to use, and have found tons of great pieces of history and a few silver rings in the short time I’ve had it!” Another novice treasure hunter, after getting a friend’s recommendation, found an 1857 silver half dime on one of their first hunts. This theme of rapid success—finding $40 in coins in three hours, unearthing a silver skull ring on the first day, or pulling up a 6-inch deep nickel that other detectors missed—is a recurring testament to its effectiveness and ease of use.

However, the feedback isn’t universally perfect, and the criticisms are just as telling. A few users received units that were faulty out of the box, with one reporting a non-functional power button and another breaking the LCD screen while trying to install batteries into the “way too cramped compartment.” This suggests that while the design is generally solid, there may be some quality control inconsistencies. The most common performance-related critique, as we also discovered, is its difficulty on saltwater beaches. One user explicitly stated they “don’t recommend this if you’re going to be doing a lot of salt water beach detecting,” which is excellent and accurate advice. These critiques, while important, seem to be exceptions to the largely positive experience that most users have with this highly capable entry-level machine and confirm it’s a top contender in its price bracket.

How the MINELAB X-Terra Voyager Compares to the Competition

The entry-level metal detector market is crowded, but the MINELAB X-Terra Voyager Metal Detector Waterproof Coil holds a strong position due to its brand reputation and user-friendly design. Here’s how it stacks up against some popular alternatives.

1. hazlewolke Metal Detector 10” Waterproof Coil

The Hazlewolke detector is a direct competitor, often appealing to beginners with its aggressive feature list for a low price. It boasts five detection modes compared to the Voyager’s four, and users often praise its accuracy and large 10-inch coil. However, the Voyager’s key advantage lies in the refinement of its Target ID system and the pedigree of the Minelab brand, which is renowned for its signal processing technology. While the Hazlewolke is a capable machine, the Voyager’s interface feels more intuitive and less cluttered, making it a slightly better choice for someone who wants to learn the fundamentals of the hobby on a platform known for reliability and clear, understandable feedback.

2. DR.ÖTEK MTXR-Red Waterproof Metal Detector

The DR.ÖTEK MTXR-Red stands out with its vibrant design and promises of high accuracy thanks to an advanced DSP chip. Like the Voyager, it features a waterproof coil, a backlit display, and multiple modes. The DR.ÖTEK often comes bundled with a variety of accessories, making it a compelling value proposition. Where the Minelab Voyager pulls ahead is in its proven track record and ergonomic design. The Voyager’s lightweight and collapsible build is a significant advantage for portability and long-term comfort. Buyers who prioritize a well-known, specialized brand in detecting and superior field ergonomics might prefer the Voyager, while those focused purely on getting the most features and accessories for the dollar might be swayed by the DR.ÖTEK.

3. MIYAY Metal Detector Professional Waterproof 5 Modes

The MIYAY metal detector is another strong contender in the budget-friendly space, highlighting a German patent and five distinct operating modes. It offers many of the same core features as the Voyager: a 10-inch waterproof coil, pinpoint function, and a clear LCD display. The choice between the MIYAY and the Voyager often comes down to user interface preference and brand trust. The MINELAB X-Terra Voyager benefits from a simpler, more streamlined approach that can feel less intimidating to a complete novice. Furthermore, Minelab’s decades of experience in the industry often translate into more reliable discrimination and target separation in trashy areas, a subtle but crucial performance difference that can lead to better finds over time.

Final Verdict: Is the MINELAB X-Terra Voyager the Right Detector for You?

After extensive testing and poring over real-world user feedback, we can confidently say that the MINELAB X-Terra Voyager Metal Detector Waterproof Coil is one of the best entry points into the hobby of metal detecting available today. It brilliantly balances performance, ease of use, and portability. Its lightweight design makes it a joy to use for hours, and its intuitive Target ID system and preset modes remove the intimidating learning curve that plagues so many other detectors. It empowers beginners to get out and find good targets—coins, rings, and relics—from their very first day.

It’s not a perfect machine; taller users should be aware of the limited shaft length, and dedicated saltwater beach hunters should look to a multi-frequency model. But for the vast majority of aspiring treasure hunters looking to explore parks, fields, woods, and freshwater beaches, the Voyager is an exceptional choice. It’s a detector that grows with you, offering enough advanced features like custom discrimination to keep you engaged as your skills develop. If you are ready to stop finding junk and start unearthing history, this machine is your ideal first step. We wholeheartedly recommend it as a fantastic investment in a lifetime of adventure. You can check the latest price and get started on your treasure-hunting journey today.