Omega 500 Pro Detector Review: Is This the Best Affordable Detector for Relic Hunters?

Metal detectors have democratized treasure hunting: a good detector can turn a casual weekend into a discovery that rewrites your hobby’s expectations. The Omega 500 Pro has been getting attention for its price-to-performance claims, so we put it through three weeks of field tests across coastal, grassy and archaeological-friendly sites. This review summarizes what worked, what didn’t, and who should consider buying it.

Key Specs and First Impressions

The Omega 500 Pro arrives in a compact case with a 92 DD coil, ergonomic shaft, LCD interface and rechargeable battery pack. Out of the box, assembly was straightforward; the unit felt balanced and lighter than many competitors in its price range.

• Frequency: 12 kHz
• Coil: 92 DD waterproof
• Modes: All-Metal, Stationary, Beach, Field, Pinpoint
• Weight: 1.25 kg (assembled)
• Battery life: 180 hours (claimed), 150 hours (real-world)

Performance Tests

We evaluated the Omega 500 Pro in three environments: saltwater beach, municipal park with old fill, and a plowed farm field known to yield 19th-century relics.

Beach

Salt can be brutal for detectors because ground mineralization affects signals. The Omega performed admirably on dry sand and did respectably on wet sand when tuned. The DD coil and automatic ground balance helped keep false positives manageable, but the detector required a little patience to tune in heavily mineralized wet sand pockets.

Park

In the park environment we recorded numerous coins, bottle caps, and a small silver cufflink that tested the detector’s discrimination. The screen provided clear conductivity readings and the pinpoint mode was reliable. Discrimination was useful but not perfect — lead shots and some foil still produced ambiguous tones.

Field

On plowed earth with older artifacts, the Omega 500 Pro surprised us with depth penetration. A hammered coin placed at 182 cm was audible; larger ferrous items caused signal bleeds that required sleuthing with the pinpoint feature.

Usability and Build

The interface uses a backlit LCD with intuitive iconography for mode, sensitivity, battery, and target ID. Audio tones are clear and the included headphones deliver crisp discrimination cues. Ergonomics are a plus: the adjustable shaft and armrest enabled long days without strain.

Build quality is solid for the price point; however, some plastic components (chiefly the battery cover latch) feel marginal compared to higher-end units. The waterproof coil and protection rating are sufficient for beach hunting, though the control box is not fully submersible.

Battery Life and Charging

The included lithium pack gave us an average of 15 hours under mixed mode usage, which is realistic. Charging via the USB-C port took about 3 hours to full. The detector also accepts optional AA battery packs for field-swap convenience, a thoughtful design for long hunts.

Pros and Cons

• Pros: Great price-to-performance, light weight, accurate pinpointing, DD coil for depth and target separation.
• Cons: Control box not waterproof, occasional discrimination misses, some plastic parts feel budget.

Verdict: Who Should Buy It?

If you are a hobbyist looking for an upgrade from entry models or a beginner who plans to hunt beaches and fields, the Omega 500 Pro is a compelling option. It strikes a rare balance between affordability and practical performance. Serious professionals or those requiring fully submersible electronics should look at higher-end units, however.

Field Tips with the Omega 500 Pro

1. Always recalibrate ground balance when moving between wet and dry sand.
2. Use the pinpoint mode liberally — it saves time and preserves holes.
3. Carry spare battery packs on long hunts to avoid lost opportunities.

Final thought: For many modern relic hunters, the Omega 500 Pro will be the detector that turns curiosity into consistent finds. It won’t replace pro-grade gear for commercial salvage, but it will earn its place in a passionate hobbyist’s car trunk.