How to choose a magnetometer?

The choice of a magnetometer is determined by your goal: whether you are looking for archaeological artifacts or deposits of minerals.

If you are looking for minerals, you need a proton magnetometer. It is a relatively simple device, but it is affected by various interferences. In particular, for geological research with a proton magnetometer you need two units – the first for fieldwork, the second one - to compensate for interference. Researches with proton magnetometers are complex, require registration of interference and thus available only for specialists-geophysicists. Obviously, high-quality researches with proton magnetometers require high material costs.

If you are into archaeological research, search of artifacts or iron meteorites, gradiometers are much better. These magnetometric devices have two sensors and therefore you do not need the second device to avoid interference. They are specially designed for searching of products of human activity and are widely used not only by professional archaeologists, but also by amateurs. Research with a gradiometer is simple, does not require sophisticated technology, and allows achieving a goal several times faster and more efficiently than a proton magnetometer.

Another important feature of magnetometric equipment is its performance. A magnetometer can measure only at points; you lose too much time and are not be able to investigate your area quickly and thoroughly. Ideally, your device must measure the field and transmit information continuously, in a convenient form, so you do not have to constantly peer into a display, read and memorize the number of many figures.

And, of course, a searching device should be as convenient and light-weight as possible to ensure pleasant work.