Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV Review: Is it Any Good as a Detector?

If you’re new to the world of metal detecting and looking for an entry-level device, the bounty hunter tracker IV might be just what you’re looking for.

Perfect for both adults and older children alike, you can get your feet wet in the world of metal detecting without breaking the bank.

However, this is not to say that the device is subpar, as it still offers a decent range of features to please amateur metal detectorists.

What makes The Bounty Hunter Tracker IV an excellent choice?

The primary hook of The Bounty Hunter Tracker IV is its extreme affordability.

You would be hard-pressed to find other metal detectors that come in at the same price point and have the same quality.

In fact, many people actually think it is a toy at such a low price point, but we assure you – it’s the real deal.

Appearance and Ease of Use

One of the key selling points of The Bounty Hunter Tracker IV is its easy-to-use style.

This is perfect if you never used a metal detector before, and you’re trying to keep things as simple as possible.

This motion-based metal detector possesses three search modes and an easy to adjust stem to suit people regardless of their height. 

Motion-based refers to the need to move the device in a sweeping motion to locate metals, in a manner similar to that of operating a brush cutter machine.

The ergogenic design of this detector makes it easy to operate for extended amounts of time, coming in at just over 4 pounds. 

This also makes it an excellent option for children as they are unlikely to become fatigued from usage.

Pros

• Very affordable
• Adjustable detection modes
• Ergogenic lightweight design
• Manual discrimination notch

Cons

• Not the most advanced metal detector out there
• Limited terrain options
• No pinpointer mode

Features and Benefits

Looking at the display face of The Bounty Hunter Tracker IV, you might initially feel underwhelmed but this is a good thing – especially if you’re new to the world of metal detecting.

There are only three settings adjustments that can be made which are:

Sensitivity

The sensitivity of the metal detector refers to the extent to which the device can detect an object. This makes it a lot easier to pick up smaller pieces of metal.

The downside is that there are likely to be more false positives owing to the presence of natural metals and minerals found in the soil.

You are also more likely to experience a scenario known as excessive chatter, which is interference from electrical or mechanical devices nearby.

To minimize this, it is usually advised to set the sensitivity to a moderate level which balances accurate detection with a low rate of false positives.

Discrimination Notch

Most metal detectors come equipped with a discrimination feature, which allows them to ignore certain low-value metals. 

For instance, metals such as lead and iron are considered trash, generally not sought after by bounty hunters.

High conductivity metals such as silver and copper are easily detected when discrimination is set to high, but somewhere in the middle of the pack lies valuable metals such as gold, nickel, or brass.

While some pricier metal detector models possess superior discrimination modes, The Bounty Hunter Tracker IV still does a decent job.

For this reason, it is highly advised for you to manually calibrate the discrimination notch by having a test run – burying known metals in the sand and adjusting the notch to suit what you’re looking for.

Search Modes

The Bounty Hunter Tracker IV comes built-in with three search modes to try out if you’re not comfortable with adjusting sensitivity and discriminate notches yet.

These modes are:

• All metal – as the name implies, this mode detects all metal types. A high-pitched beeping sound is emitted as you sweep over buried metal. It also possesses the advantage of having maximal depth coverage. This mode is ideal when hunting for old iron relics, such as near known sunken ships.

• Tone – this mode emits either a high- or low-pitched sound depending on the type of metal encountered. This mode can be used in conjunction with the discrimination notch.

• Full discriminate – this mode automatically ignores no value trash metals, emitting a single beep tone upon detection.

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Waterproof Coil

The coil, also known as the search coil, is effectively the heart and soul of your metal detector. 

As such, it makes sense to protect it from water damage which would cut short your fun time. The Bounty Hunter Tracker IV comes equipped with an 8-inch waterproof coil

While the coil possesses modest water resistance, this does not go for the entire apparatus.

The control panel is not waterproof and should be protected from possible damage.

Preset Ground Balance Feature

Ground balance refers to the pre-calibration of the machine for certain soil types.

In this case, it is well suited for use in normal to sandy soils, but not ground that is high in mineral content, such as swamps or marshes.

This is because the concentration of metallic minerals results in a poor detection experience, with lots of false positives.

On the flip side, beginners who do not have experience calibrating for ground balance will appreciate the out of the box experience waiting for them in specific soil types.

Headphone Jack

The Bounty Hunter Tracker IV comes outfitted with a built-in speaker, which sounds the various tones it is programmed for.

However, the volume is non-adjustable and can be downright impossible to hear when you’re anywhere with people nearby or prone to electrostatic interference.

For this reason, it is an excellent investment to get yourself a pair of noise-canceling, and adjustable volume headphones.

The ¼ inch jack is not very common, so ensure your headset is compatible first.

Battery Powered

Battery-powered metal detectors such as The Bounty Hunter Tracker IV have advantages and disadvantages.

The main disadvantage is that there is a finite duration that the batteries will last.

On the flip side, you can simply carry around several sets of batteries if you will be on an extended bounty hunting expedition. 

One pair of 9V batteries (included with purchase) will last between 20-30 hours, which is plenty for the novice hunter.

Batteries also mean that you can use your detector in the absence of electricity, as you’re not limited by trying to find electrical outlets for recharging.

Real Life Performance

This is one of the most important aspects of a good metal detector: how it actually performs in the field. 

Just because this detector is very affordable, it does not translate into a shoddy performance.

In fact, it’s very efficient as a metal detector, being able to locate a variety of metals, if you are not challenging the device with troublesome terrain.

It is not the most sensitive tracker on the market, clocking in at a frequency of 6.7kHz, missing out on smaller pieces of metal. 

It is not 100% accurate in differentiating either, as during our review we did find that there was an overlap of separation and some false triggering.

With that in mind, it still does a robust job for the price point, which to be honest, you know is not a top tier device. 

You will still gain a lot of experience using this machine as an entry-level device and will develop a love for metal detecting.

The discrimination feature will take some getting used to initially, but once you develop a feel of how it operates you will appreciate it much more. 

Precious time will be saved not picking up on trash quality metals.

Wondering about the depth of the device? This depends on a couple of factors. As alluded to, the type of soil will play a part. 

The machine will work best in fairly compact, drier soil types, including beach sand. It will perform poorly in water or mineral-rich earth, such as the areas in or around swamps.

Detection is possible up to a depth of about six to seven inches for objects as small as a US sized quarter. 

Other factors such as search mode and sensitivity will also play a part, in addition to the skill of the operator.

All the real-world results that are typical of The Bounty Hunter Tracker IV amount to nothing if you don’t take the time to become familiarized with the device and the operation manual.

How Does The Bounty Hunter Tracker IV Compare To Other Metal Detectors?

Bounty Hunter Tracker IV Vs Bounty Hunter Gold Digger

Both of these detectors are made by the same company and are classified as entry-level budget-friendly options. 

However, the Bounty Hunter Gold Digger is even more of a beginner product, having a very simple analog display, smaller coil (7 inches as opposed to 8 inches), and lacks the three modes the Tracker IV has.

It is also cheaper than the Tracker IV, but since you won’t save much in that regard, it’s probably a better idea to go for the better of the two; the Tracker IV.

Tracker IV Vs Garrett ACE 200

Another comparison among entry-level detectors is the Garrett ACE 200 that has the upper hand.

This machine offers much more data in terms of depth detection and metal type, with a sleek digital control panel and 0-99 visual target ID indicator.

The only real downside of the Garrett ACE 200 is the fact that you cannot manually adjust the discrimination settings as you could for the Bounty Hunter Tracker IV. 

Manual discrimination is preferred by seasoned bounty hunters as it offers greater control.

All in all, the ACE 200 is the better choice, although you should be prepared to pay some more for all the bells and whistles.

Tracker IV Vs Fisher F22

The Fisher F22 is possibly the best entry-level metal detector on the market.

In many ways, it shouldn’t even be considered entry-level because the features are numerous and advanced.

With manual discrimination mode, built-in pinpointer, and digital target identification, it overshadows the Bounty Hunter Tracker IV. 

It is also much more expensive, so keep that in mind as you often get what you pay for.

FAQ

Is The Bounty Hunter Tracker IV A Toy?

No, the bounty hunter tracker IV is not a toy. It is a real metal detector, with many excellent features, despite its entry-level pricing.

It is a good option for children or adults learning the ropes of metal detecting.

Is The Bounty Hunter Tracker IV Good For Beach Hunting?

Under good conditions, it is very effective at beach hunting.

However, there are specific factors that limit its effectiveness at this job, including how close to the shoreline you prospect, and also the overall weather. 

Wet conditions decrease sensitivity and increase false positives.

What Accessories Are Included With Purchase Of The Bounty Hunter Tracker IV?

The device does not come with any accessories. From our experience, you won’t need much either, except for a good pair of headphones which will help you accurately locate metals.

Does the Bounty Hunter Tracker IV Find Gold?

The Bounty Hunter Tracker IV is capable of detecting all metals, gold included.

However, if your primary objective is to hit it big with a gold nugget, you may have to search for a very long time.

For one, you won’t typically find gold nuggets just buried in your backyard, or on the beach; it will take prospecting in an area that is known to be abundant in the mineral. 

Plus, gold is unlikely to be very close to the surface, which you can see is a problem given this detector’s limited depth detection.

You could, however, find lost pieces of gold jewelry that may be just below the surface soil or sand in highly traversed areas.

Does The Tracker IV Have A Pinpointer Mode?

No, it does not. Pinpointer mode is a way for metal detectors to more precisely lock on to a target object’s location, including depth.

The Bounty Hunter Tracker IV is compatible with an external pinpointer (purchased at additional cost) but does not have one built into the unit.

Is A Warranty Offered With Purchase Of The Tracker IV?

Yes, the manufacturer offers 5 years warranty, offering you plenty of time to get familiarized with your device.

Conclusion

If you’re new to the world of metal detecting, it is understandable that you wouldn’t want to fork out loads of cash to get a feel of things.

The Bounty Hunter Tracker IV excels in ensuring that you don’t. The range of features it offers at this price point is excellent.

Keep in mind that there are other machines classified as entry-level which retail for $200-$300 dollars that offer more functions, but The Bounty Hunter Tracker IV does not disappoint, especially in terms of its manual discrimination notch.

It’s lightweight build and yet sturdy durability means that kids can use it without much worry of fatigue or damage, and learn the joys of metal detecting.

Throw on a pair of headphones, and if budget permits, an external pinpointer, and you have a capable detector in your hands.

Overall, it is a great device for the price, with enough functions to get the job done.

I hope this Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV Review has helped you decide whether it’s the right metal detector for you

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