Mega Detection Viper

The Viper is the entry point into Mega Detection's multi-system range for buyers who mainly want long-range searching but also need a conventional coil to confirm shallow finds. It shares the same main unit as the bigger models, with a 5-inch colour screen, 64-bit processor and 32 GB of memory, but drops the ground scanner and deep PI coil to keep the package simpler.

Six systems are provided. Automatic, controlled-frequency and manual long-range locator modes are rated by the manufacturer for distances up to 3000 m, with depth stated at up to 100 m in automatic mode and up to 50 m in the other two. The manual mode includes 11 target programs, and the controlled mode works across a stated 100 to 5000 MHz band. Ionic and bionic systems add further ways of tracing a target's signal. All these figures are manufacturer claims, not guaranteed results.

For the final stage, the Smart Detect system uses PS36 and PS28 coils with All Metals, Non-Ferrous and Ferrous modes, rated by the manufacturer to about 3 m. This is useful for gold nuggets, coins, jewellery and relics, and for checking whether a long-range signal really is metal. A removable 21000 mAh lithium-ion battery and a 12-language interface, including Urdu, make it practical for long field days.