My Experience with the KAiWEETS KGM-01

I’ve been swinging metal detectors for over a decade, so when I spotted the KAiWEETS KGM-01 for around $140, I was skeptical. A complete metal detecting kit for less than what I usually spend on a decent coil? I had to find out if this budget-friendly detector was actually worth considering or just another cheap knockoff. After three weekends of testing in my local park, beach, and a few permission-granted properties, I’ve got some surprising findings to share in this budget metal detector review.

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What it does well:

Let’s get real about what you’re getting here. The KGM-01 isn’t going to replace anyone’s Garrett AT Pro or Minelab Equinox. But for beginners? That’s where things get interesting.
Right out of the box, I noticed the mixed build quality. The upper shaft is aluminum – nice touch – but the control pod feels a bit wobbly until you really lock everything down. The 11.5-inch search coil is surprisingly decent, though the plastic lower stem takes some getting used to. Pro tip: spend an extra few minutes tightening everything properly, or you’ll be dealing with a floppy detector all day.
My first test run was eye-opening. Tossing down some test coins, the KGM-01 had no trouble spotting quarters and dimes in the top 4-5 inches of soil. The display actually does a really decent job showing target IDs, though there’s definitely a learning curve in interpreting the numbers. I dug my first real find – a crusty 1964 penny – about an hour into hunting at the park. Not exactly treasure, but hey, it works!

Some downsides:

Here’s where it gets rough. The recovery speed (how fast the detector resets between targets) is slow in comparison to my other machines. You’re going to have to swing slower than your usual, and that could actually work out perfectly for newbies practicing proper technique. But for quick-detector hands, this can be a bit frustrating.
The depth detection maxes out at 6 inches in ideal conditions – and that’s being kind. I kept missing targets that my other detectors were screaming about. But remember, we’re dealing with a $140 unit, which means that this is actually very decent value for money.

Beach Hunting

Beach hunting was a mixed bag, too. The wet-coil feature handles wet sand fine, but when you get to the wet stuff, it freaks out. I started in all-metal first – big mistake. Iron falsing happened big-time. Coin mode helped, but I won’t make this my beach go-to.
Battery life is an idiosyncrasy, too. Two 9V batteries, a little old-fashioned, but I managed to get a 20-hour hunting life out of them before I needed to switch them out. Not awful, but that battery expense will add up if you’re out hunting regularly.
What surprised me most? With the included extras. You get working headphones, a passable pinpointer, and even a metal shovel with a case. Yeah, they’re not high-dollar, but for newbies, it’s all you need to start finding treasures immediately.

After three weeks of use, my candid opinion: If you’re new to the hobby and can only spend $150, then the KAiWEETS KGM-01 will be a decent choice. You’ll have coins, jewelry, and shallow targets to detect. The included accessories won’t require additional purchases for a little while.
If you desire, you save for a little more and go for an upgrade to an Nokta Makro Simplex+ or a used Garrett ACE. The upgraded performance and upgraded build will be nice down the line.

Bottom line: The KGM-01 is your first car, not a dream car, but it will get you to your destination as a newcomer, and in the meantime, you can learn the fundamentals. Don’t, however, expect it to keep pace with the big boys out there. For kids interested in getting started with metal detecting, or for beginners, it’s a fair starting point. For everyone else, save for a better one.

KAiWEETS KGM-01 Metal Detector Review

Product Overview

The KAiWEETS KGM-01 is an entry-level contribution to an emerging budget metal detector marketplace. Designed to deliver beginners a full-fledged detecting experience with a price tag under $140, the multi-mode offering and waterproof search coil, the KGM-01 seeks to combine function with price.

Key Features and Performance

The KGM-01’s most notable aspects include its 5+1 working modes, with ALL-METAL, DISC, NOTCH, MEMORY, COINS, and PINPOINT capabilities included. The detector utilizes a 10-inch water-resistant search head with an IP68 rating, with a 1-meter deep underwater submergence for 30 minutes. The sensitivity adjustment system has 5 levels of change, between 0 and 99, and target discrimination can differentiate between 6 metal types. Depth range is displayed in 2″, 4″, 6″, 8″, and deeper increments with real-life tests, but real-life testing indicates best performance at shallow depths.

Real-World Testing Results

Mingled performance in real-life environments in field testing. The unit works fairly well in dry, lightly mineralized ground, with shallow targets detected 5-6 inches deep with ease. Performance, however, drops off in wet earth and heavily minerarlized ground. Target recovery between them is slow, and careful, deliberate sweeps must be performed for best performance. The three audio tones differentiate between metal types, but with target depth and soil variation, discrimination accuracy varies.

Pros and Cons

Strengths:
• Variable working modes for adaptable hunting
• 10-inch search head with water and IP68 rating
• Detailed starter bundle with included accessories
• Adjustable sensitivity with 5 grade options
• Backlit LCD and simple use
• Reasonable price

Weaknesses:
• Slow target recovery between them
• Shallower target depth with less capability
• Performance in minerarlized ground
• Concerns with dual 9V battery life
• Stability concerns in build

Price-to-Value Analysis

At approximately $140 (sometimes you can find it for less than $100 with discounts), the KAiWEETS KGM-01 stands in the budget range of metal detecting gear. As much value as the included accessories and feature stack deliver for starting out, performance capabilities imply that hardcore enthusiasts could be advised to save for a more efficient detector in the $250-300 range. That a full starter kit is included softens the outlay, but long-term battery expenses must be considered in terms of overall value.

To read my reviews on some more expensive metal detectors, check this one out: High-end Metal Detectors Comparison