Bounty Hunter Fast Tracker review

Bounty Hunter is owned by First Texas Products, the same parent company of Teknetics and Fisher Labs. First Texas Products is an American-run and made corporation that has a long history of producing quality metal detectors and accessories. Bounty Hunter has been making and selling metal detectors since 1988. Bounty Hunter metal detectors are often seen as low end or made for beginners or children. But they have a lot of quality products that are great for all skill levels.

One of Bounty Hunter’s best perks is their price. They are often less expensive than other brands of metal detectors. They also produce models specifically for children and teenagers. The lower end models from Bounty Hunter are perfect for beginning detectorists.

In this Bounty Hunter Fast Tracker review, I’m going to go over everything you need to know about this metal detector so you can best determine if it’s worth your hard earned money. And, to better help you, I encourage you to check out this interactive guide below, where you can compared the Fast Tracker detector to other notable detector’s on today’s market:

Model	Price	Features
Garrett AT Max	$$$	Waterproof to 10 feet
Fisher F22	$$	9″ Triangulated Concentric Coil
Garrett Ace 400	$$$	8.5 x 11" DD coil
Minelab Vanquish 540	$	Search Modes: Coin, Relic, Jewelry, Custom, All Metal

Tips for Beginners

There are a few important tips for beginning detectorists to observe. Firstly, ensure you know and follow all metal detecting laws. There are metal detecting laws at the local, state, and federal level, and it is your responsibility to know and follow them. Ensure you are not on private property and that if you are, you have permission to detect there. Many times, homeowners will allow detectorists on their property, so all you must do is ask!

Take some time to get familiar with your metal detector and how it operates. Even simple to use metal detectors require a little time to get comfortable with, so test your detector at home and familiarize yourself with your user manual. It helps to carry extra batteries for your detector and ensure you have the proper equipment for digging and carrying loot.

One of the most important tips for a beginning detectorist is to be patient. You will find treasure, but you will likely find more trash than treasure. This is true for all of us. Even as a seasoned metal detectorist, you will still find a lot of trash targets. When you first start metal detecting, it is important to dig all targets.

This helps you get familiar with your detector and with the sounds and sights of metal detecting. Always remember to be aware of your surroundings. You do not want to bother others who are recreating while you are metal detecting, so try to go during off-peak hours and months.

Meet the Fast Tracker

The Bounty Hunter Fast Tracker is a beginner metal detector made to find coins and relics. This simple to use model is perfect for kids, teenagers, or those just entering the metal detecting world. Unlike some metal detector models, the Fast Tracker does not have an LCD screen. It is controlled by knobs and is without any complicated settings. The Fast Tracker features duo-tone audio discrimination made to change the tone of differing types of metal. This helps even beginning detectorists identify the type of metal in the ground begore digging. Varying metal tones helps users easily identify the type of target found so you can pick and choose what you want to dig.

Users can also adjust the sensitivity of the Fast Tracker which helps eliminate ground noise and interference. The Fast Tracker comes with a 7.25” interchangeable, waterproof search coil. This makes is a great model to use around shallow water. It should be noted that the control box is not waterproof, just the search coil. It can be used with headphones or with the built-in speaker.

This is a lightweight metal detector, at just 3 pounds. It operates on a frequency of 6.6 kHz. This lower frequency will not be great for finding small gold but will be able to detect larger pieces of gold and a variety of other metals. The Fast Tracker is adjustable from 44” to 51.5.” Ground tracking is automatic and not adjustable. The Fast Tracker features 2 search modes, discrimination and motion all metal. It operates on 2 9-volt batteries and users can expect 20 to 25 hours of battery life.

Bounty Hunter Fast Tracker Depth

It should be noted that the Fast Tracker has been discontinued and may be difficult to find. Some stores and websites still have these metal detectors, but they are in extremely limited quantities. Bounty Hunter offers a 5-year warranty on the Fast Tracker.

The maximum coin depth on the Fast Tracker is about 6.” This is in particularly good soil conditions, so it should be noted that in difficult soil conditions, with reduced sensitivity, the Fast Tracker may only be able to find a coin at 3” or 4.” All Metal mode gives users the best depth. If the soil is highly mineralized, there is saltwater, or a lot of electromagnetic interference, the depth of the Fast Tracker will be diminished.

Bounty Hunter Fast Tracker VS Garrett Ace 250

Garrett’s Ace 250 is one of the best-selling metal detectors on the market. The Ace 250 is simple to assemble and can be used right out of the box. This makes the Ace 250 perfect for beginning detectorists. The Ace 250 is specifically designed to find coins, jewelry, and relics. It operates at a slightly lower frequency than the Fast Tracker at 6.5 kHz. As with the Fast Tracker, the Ace 250 will not be great at finding small gold or thin gold jewelry but will find larger pieces. The Ace 250 has 5 operating modes:

Coin
Jewelry
Relics
Custom
All Metal

As with the Fast Tracker, the Ace 250 does not have a numerical target ID, but it does have a graphical target ID. On the LCD screen that is a target ID legend at the top showing the most likely metals in that range. When the detector hits on a target, the indicator points to the most likely target type. The Ace 250 has 3 different depth indicators, 12 graphical segments for accurate target ID, adjustable sensitivity, and adjustable discrimination.

One thing I really like about this detector is it saves the last used settings when the detector is powered off. To clear the last used settings, simply hold the power button for around 10 seconds. This allows users to retain the same settings if detecting in the same area or reset the detector to customize it to a new area. The Ace 250 has 3 audio tones and an ELIM button which functions like a notch discrimination.

The Ace 250 comes with a larger search coil than the Fast Tracker, at 9.” It is also waterproof, but the control box is not. Ground balancing is automatic and not adjustable, like the Fast Tracker. This model and the Fast Tracker lack an audio volume control. The Ace 250 is slightly lighter than the Fast Tracker at 2.7 pounds.

Garrett offers a 2-year warranty on the Ace 250.

Check out my review of the Garrett Ace 250 here.

Bounty Hunter Fast Tracker VS Garrett Ace 150

The Garrett Ace 150 is an entry level metal detector designed to find coins and relics. Unlike the Bounty Hunter Fast Tracker, The Ace 150 comes with an LCD screen. It had depth indicator, adjustable discrimination, and fixed ground balancing. The Ace 150 features programmable search settings, a light, durable construction, and can break down into 3 parts to allow for easy storage and transport.

The Ace 150 features 3 pre-programmed notched search modes, 3 depth levels, 4 sensitivity levels, and tone ang graphic ID. It operates at slightly lower than the Fast Tracker, at 6.5 kHz. The Ace 150 comes with a 9” interchangeable search coil and operates on 4 AA batteries. It is lightweight at just 2.7 pounds and comes with a 2-year warranty.

Bounty Hunter Fast Tracker VS Fisher F22

Fisher’s F22 comes with many features found on more expensive metal detectors at a fraction of the price. This is one of my favorite beginner metal detectors. My kids both started out with very inexpensive metal detectors, and recently upgraded to the F22. The F22 is a lightweight model, at just 2.3 pounds, making it an easy to carry metal detector. It is well balanced and durable. It comes with a waterproof 9” concentric search coil. The control box is weatherproof, but not fully waterproof. So, it can be used in a rain or snowstorm, but should not be fully submerged in water.

The F22 has 4 search modes: jewelry, coin, artifact, and custom. It has 4 audio tones: bass, low, medium, and high. It operates at 7.69 kHz, slightly higher than the Fast Tracker. The F22 also features Iron Audio which allows users to adjust the volume of ferrous targets so you can choose whether you want to dig them or not. The F22 has 10 sensitivity levels, LCD screen with numerical Target ID, preset notch discrimination, and a depth indicator.

Fisher offers a 5-year warranty on the F22.

Check out my review of the Fisher F22 here.

Bounty Hunter Fast Tracker VS Discovery 3300

The Bounty Hunter Discovery 3300 is a durable metal detector meant to be wearproof and impact resistant. It is very lightweight, at just 2.5 pounds, and operates at the same frequency as the Fast Tracker, 6.6 kHz. It operates on 2 9-volt batteries. The Discovery 3300 features preset ground balancing, but also comes with manual ground balancing. This is something the Fast Tracker does not have. This allows users to better adapt the metal detector to different soil types and cope with interference better. Discrimination is adjustable and it features a pinpoint mode. Again, this is something the Fast Tracker lacks.

The Discovery 3300 features adjustable sensitivity, notch discrimination, All Metal Mode, Discrimination Mode, and Discrimination/A-M Touch Pad Mode. It also features ZAP Control, which works in Discrimination Mode to eliminate a known undesirable metal object from detection. The Discovery 3300 comes with an LCD screen with 11-segment digital target ID and numerical depth indicator.

It features a 7-segment target eliminator and 3 levels of iron discrimination. Audio is adjustable with 4 tones and it comes with an 8” waterproof search coil. This detector is more advanced than the Fast Tracker and has many more features. Despite that, it is easy for a beginning detectorist to use.

Bounty Hunter offers a 5-year warranty on the Discovery 3300.

Check out my review Bounty Hunter Discovery here.

Bounty Hunter Fast Tracker VS Quick Silver

Bounty Hunter’s Quick Silver is a simple to use metal detector designed as a “turn on and go” metal detector. The Quick Silver features motion All-Metal mode, progressive discrimination mode, notch mode, preset ground balance, 3 tone audio, and 4 segment digital target ID on the LCD display. New metal detectorists will appreciate the ease of this metal detector as it has almost no learning curve. Preset ground balance helps the detector neutralize ground noise and reduces the number of false positives.

The Quick Silver is built for comfort with its padded armrest and adjustable stem. It is lightweight at just 2.8 pounds. It operates at a frequency of 6.7 kHz, just slightly higher than the Fast Tracker. It comes with a waterproof 8” search coil. The depth of this metal detector is like the Fast Tracker. The Quick Silver is not great in areas with high weeds or thick grasses. It has to be about ½” above the ground to work well.

Bounty Hunter offers a 5-year warranty on the Quick Silver.

Check out my review Bounty Quick Silver here.

Conclusion

Each of the metal detectors on this list are perfect for beginning metal detectorists or children who are interested in finding treasure. Detectorists who are more advanced will not find these detectors quite up to par, so keep that in mind. Another note, because of the low operating frequency of each of these metal detectors, they will not be good for finding small gold or fine gold jewelry. They will also have trouble in highly mineralized soil conditions and saltwater areas.

The Bounty Hunter Fast Tracker is a simple to use, uncomplicated metal detector that can literally be turned on and used. There are no complicated settings, no LCD screen with a lot of icons, and no need to ground balance. While this detector can be used by beginning detectorists, I would recommend the Fast Tracker more for children or teenagers.

The search coil is waterproof, so it can be used in shallow, freshwater settings, but remember not to submerge the detector fully or the control box will be damaged. Be aware that this model is no longer in production and has been discontinued. It is still possible to find it from certain sellers, but they have limited quantities. For this reason, and several others, I would recommend going with the Garrett Ace 250, Fisher F22, or Bounty Hunter Discovery 3300.

Garrett’s Ace 250 is one of my top picks for a beginning metal detectorist. This detector features graphical target ID, which is something the Fast Tracker lacks. It also has adjustable sensitivity, discrimination, and saves settings when the detector is turned off. Certain metals can be notched out using the ELIM function, and like the Fast Tracker, the search coil is waterproof. The Ace 250 has been labeled as the best-selling metal detector in the world for a reason!

The Garrett Ace 150 is another good metal detector for beginners or children. I think this model would be very appropriate for kiddos as it is simple to use and has no complicated settings, which can overwhelm little ones. This model does feature a large LCD screen, so it is simple to read. It has enough features to teach the basics of metal detecting without being overly complicated.

Fisher’s F22 is one of my favorite entry level metal detectors. It features a numerical target ID, 4 operating modes, and pinpoint mode. This detector has adjustable sensitivity, volume, 4 tone audio identification, and saves the last used settings. The search coil is waterproof, but the detector should not be fully submerged in water. This detector is simple to use for kids and adults alike and is a great beginning metal detector. Both of my kids have enjoyed this metal detector and it is not difficult for them to operate. It has more settings than a lower model, but it has enough settings that they are learning the basics of metal detecting and how to compensate for various conditions using the F22.

Bounty Hunter’s Discovery 3300 metal detector is another great option for beginners. The operating frequency is nearly the same as all the others on this list, so it will be great for all metal types except for small bits of gold or fine gold jewelry. One features I like about the Discovery 3300 is along with preset ground balancing, it also has manual ground balancing.

This lets the user tune the machine for the soil conditions. This is extremely helpful in areas with high soil mineralization. Most of the place I metal detect (NE Utah and SW Idaho) are full of soil minerals. A detector without manual ground balancing can experience a lot of extra noise and interference. This sets the Discovery 3300 slightly above the Fast Tracker, in my opinion.

Bounty Hunter’s Quick Silver is truly a turn on and go machine. This detector has no complicated settings and makes it simple to use by kids and beginning detectorists. This detector will be to simple for intermediate or advanced metal detectorists. The Quick Silver features motion All Metal mode, discrimination, notch, preset ground balance, and an LCD screen. The search coil is waterproof, as with the other models, but the control box is not.

Each of these detectors are aimed at beginning detectorists, or those who simply do not want to fidget with a lot of complicated settings. Each detector is simple to use, and lightweight. Each features a waterproof search coil for use in shallow water. Most Bounty Hunter models are designed for beginners or those who want a simple detecting experience. They are typically less expensive than other models and for these reasons, many shy away from them.

I always recommend pairing a metal detector with other pieces of metal detecting equipment. I suggest taking a handheld metal detector, or pinpointer, to narrow down a target location more accurately. Many of the detectors on this list do not have a pinpoint feature built-in, so it is helpful to have a pinpointer along. My favorite pinpointer is Garrett’s Pro-Pointer AT. This detector is fully waterproof and ruggedly built. I also recommend investing in high quality digging tools.

There are many types of hand shovels and regular shovels that are low price, but often they are low quality. It is awful to have your digging tools break when out in the field. I also recommend a finds pouch. This helps you keep track of all your loot. I also recommend using headphones when it is safe to do so. Headphones can help you hear faint targets and multiple targets at once. Be sure you are in an area where headphone use will not put you in danger.

There are several tips to follow when you are a beginning metal detectorist. Make sure you buy the right metal detector. You will not do yourself any favors if you buy an expensive metal detector that is well above your skill level. It will end up frustrating you and may make you dislike the hobby altogether. Ensure you have permission to hunt wherever you are; whether it be private property or city park, be sure you have obtained the necessary permissions. Always follow all metal detecting laws. These come at the local, state, and federal level, and it is your responsibility to ensure you know and follow them.

You really cannot go wrong with any of the entry-level metal detectors on this list if you are a beginner. As I mentioned, more advanced detectorists may find these metal detectors too simplistic, so I do recommend these for newbies. Kids will get a lot out of these metal detectors, too. Both of my kids have gained a lot of experience and knowledge using inexpensive, beginner models like the ones on this list. I started metal detecting with a Fisher F22 and have since upgraded to a more complex metal detector. These are the perfect starting point for any beginner!