Quest Metal Detectors began life in the mid‑2010s under the name Deteknix, initially registered in the United States but with manufacturing in China. Early notoriety came not from detectors but from pinpointers—most notably the XPointer—which offered competitive performance at a price that undercut established brands. The company rebranded to Quest after trademark disputes, consolidating its detector and accessory lines under a single identity. Over time Quest shifted its operational footprint: manufactu...
In the UK context, Quest entered a crowded market dominated by Minelab, Garrett, XP, and Nokta. Its strategy was to offer lightweight, feature‑rich detectors with modern conveniences at prices attractive to newcomers and mid‑tier upgraders. Early full‑size models such as the Q20 and Q40 gained traction among hobbyists looking for waterproofing, rechargeable batteries, and wireless audio without premium pricing. The control pod designs echoed smartphone aesthetics, with simple iconography and backlit LCD...
Quest’s evolution from the Q series to the X series marked a step toward competing directly with simultaneous multi‑frequency (SMF) platforms. The X10, X5, and later the XPointer Max pinpointer solidified brand recognition. However, it was the Q60 and the more recent V series (V60/V80) that signaled Quest’s SMF ambitions. These models combined selectable single‑frequency operation with simultaneous multi‑frequency modes, coil interchangeability, and Bluetooth audio. For UK farmland users, the attraction ...
Quest’s build philosophy blends consumer electronics sensibilities with detector ergonomics: slim, sealed control pods; telescopic stems; and relatively light weight. Coil ears and shafts have improved over successive generations, responding to early community feedback about durability. Waterproofing to 3 m on many models broadens appeal to inland diggers who also work shallow streams or beaches, though UK marketing focuses on pasture and plough performance.
Technically, Quest detectors target mid‑frequency ranges (around 13 kHz) for general use, with multi‑frequency modes for stability in variable mineralisation. Audio profiles tend to be simple and clear, with tone break adjustments to help manage coke and small iron in UK soils. Recovery speed is competitive in the mid‑tier segment, and menu navigation is straightforward enough for new users to grasp quickly. In practice, Quest machines are pitched as “friendly” detectors—easy to start with, yet with enoug...
Distribution in the UK runs through established dealers, often bundling Quest models with accessory kits to sweeten entry‑level sales. Warranty and service are handled via European hubs, which helps alleviate concerns about long repair lead times. While Quest lacks the deep legacy brand recognition of Garrett or Minelab, its visible presence at rallies, sponsorship of online communities, and steady flow of firmware updates have helped it carve out a foothold.
From a cultural standpoint, Quest embraces a consumer‑friendly, iterative model: release hardware, gather user feedback, and deliver firmware updates to refine performance. This is particularly visible with the Q60 and V80, which have received post‑launch tweaks to target ID stability and audio nuance based on field reports. The company also cross‑pollinates features from its pinpointer line—such as wireless charging and vibration feedback—into full‑size detectors where appropriate.
For UK farmland, Quest’s detectors sit in an interesting niche. They may not match the absolute unmasking speed of an XP DEUS II or the iron handling of a Minelab MANTICORE, but they deliver a well‑rounded package that is light, weatherproof, and competitively priced. In skilled hands, the Q40, Q60, and V80 have pulled hammered silver, bronze artefacts, and milled coinage from worked ground. Their combination of usable recovery, decent iron discrimination, and coil flexibility makes them viable “club mac...
Looking forward, Quest’s likely trajectory will involve further refining SMF performance, continuing to reduce weight, and improving mineralisation handling for the varied soils of the UK. Expanding coil options—particularly small, light ellipticals for iron‑dense sites—would further cement their relevance for British farmland detecting.


In 2020 Quest expanded its mid-tier with the Q30, a waterproof, lightweight detector positioned between the Q40 and Q60, quickly adopted by UK hobbyists for its balance of features and price. The Q5 evolved into the Q5 IDMAX with enhanced ID stability and improved coil options, while the X5 received an Enhanced version around 2020 that refined electronics and durability for sustained UK use.

In 2023 Quest introduced the Q35 as a waterproof selectable‑frequency successor to the Q30, and in 2024 refreshed entry models with the IDmaxX series (X10 IDmaxX and X5 IDmaxX), which updated shafts, coils and electronics while keeping the detectors firmly in the affordable tier for UK club digs.