Independently researched Practical Guide
Metal Detector Target ID Chart and Guide
There is no universal target-ID chart. Garrett commonly uses 0–99, original Legend 01–60, Legend 2/Simplex 01–99, Equinox 900 -19–99, Vanquish 440 -19–40 and Manticore 0–99 plus 2D ferrous evidence.
Bottom line
Use a model-specific local chart—not one cross-brand number list
Record known regional coins and trash with the exact detector, mode, coil and soil. Treat stable ranges as probabilities. Depth, angle, alloy, corrosion, ground and adjacent targets can move every number.
Field guide
Starting points and hard limits
| Situation | Baseline | Action | Caution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garrett AT/Vortex | 0–99 conductivity scale | Model-specific ferrous controls | Same number is not same object |
| Original Nokta Legend | 01–60 | Mode-specific iron boundary | Do not mix with Legend 2 |
| Equinox 900 | -19–99 | -19–0 ferrous region | Deep targets can jump |
| Manticore | 0–99 + 2D ferrous indication | Trace above/below centerline | Ferrous Limits differ from notch |
Method
Use a controlled workflow
Confirm the exact platform
Model generations and firmware use different scales.
Build a local baseline
Scan actual coins, tabs, foil and iron above and in the soil.
Record ranges, not points
Test flat, edge-on, shallow and deeper orientations.
Use multiple evidence
Combine number, tone, trace, repeatability and site context.
Decision analysis
What actually changes the result
ID scales are arbitrary mappings. A “25” on one detector cannot be translated mechanically into “25” on another.
Resolution is not certainty. More segments provide finer display steps but cannot overcome a weak, mixed or mineral-distorted signal.
Air charts are incomplete. They help label relative conductivities; in-ground logs capture the conditions that matter.
FAQ
Seven questions specific to this page
Is there a universal metal detector ID chart?
No. Brands and models use different scales, processing and mode-dependent boundaries.
What scale does Equinox 900 use?
Minelab uses -19 through 99, with the low negative-to-zero region representing ferrous response.
What scale does the original Legend use?
The original Legend uses 01–60; Legend 2 is a separate 99-ID platform.
How does Manticore show iron?
It combines a 0–99 conductive ID with ferrous indication and trace position on the 2D map.
Why does a known coin show several IDs?
Angle, depth, alloy, corrosion, soil and nearby metal spread the response.
Can online charts identify every coin?
No. Use them only as orientation and build a chart from regional coins in your own ground.
Does a higher number mean a more valuable target?
No. It generally reflects conductivity response, not value or composition.
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Use evidence, not copied numbers
Record the detector, mode, coil and conditions behind every useful result.
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