Product Review: Garrett SuperScanner Metal Detector

Garrett proclaims itself the “global market leader” in security metal detectors, be them walk through portals or hand held “wands”. That claim may or may not be true (we’re putting down some bets on “not”, but that’s beside the point) but the fact is that these SuperScanners are in use in a lot of sensitive installations and areas that use checkpoints in order to clear visitors and

employees before entry.

After using the SuperScanner for a while, we’ve come to a verdict as to whether or not it actually is as good as Garrett says it is. Here’re some specs, but for a change, this review will feature notes and some commentary, since this specs list is essentially a brag list. Not so much specs.

Ultimate sensitivity not subject to arbitrary adjustment – this also means that you can’t tailor this tool to your surroundings and your own needs, something that is essential with most security tools.
Auto tuning means no adjustments are ever necessary – see above… This is not a plus, this is a definite minus.
Simple and effective one switch operation – okay, this one is true. A toddler can operate this thing.
Rugged high-impact A.B.S. case with reinforced coil compartment – also true. This scanner will stand up to a lot of punishment.
Meets or exceeds all regulatory and performance standards including the newN.I.J.0602.02
Detects medium-sized pistol from distance of 9″; large knife, up to 6″; razor blade, box cutters, handcuff keys, up to 3″; foil-wrapped drugs, electronic components, tiny jewelry, 1″ – this might very well be true, but unless you’re standing in the middle of a field, with no walls or floors with metal in them to disturb this howling monster of a “wand”, you’ll never know.

Large scan surface for quick and thorough scanning – which also does its best to make you wonder if you’re getting a howl because of the wristwatch or the belt buckle. Or a gun.
Sharp audible alarm and bright Red LED indicates detection of metal – it’s true. The sound makes angels weep.
Momentary switch temporarily eliminates detection of nearby ambient metal such as rebar, metal walls, etc. – this is about as useful as an ice cube maker in Antarctica. Doesn’t work the way we wish it would at all.
Green LED indicates detector is on, Amber LED indicates that battery is low – we had this same feature on a DiscMan once.
No tools required to change battery (9V, alkaline or rechargeable)
9-volt alkaline battery included
Rechargeable Battery Kit and NiMH batteries sold separately (#16102) – if you plan on using this scanner, you need this. The scanner drains batteries like a college jock drains beer cans.

All in all, we think the comments just about sums it up. The price is appealing when it comes to this “wand”, but that’s just about it. It’s big, it’s bulky, it’s hard to wield, and it howls as if in pain if you so much look at it and think about metal.

There are no advanced features, no possibility of manually setting sensitivity, the device will detect anything from walls to guns – and it prefers to do it all at

once, making sure that you know where absolutely nothing is, and unless you plan on using it as a blunt instrument, you’re better off shelling out a few extra bucks, and go for something that actually works.