Bounty Hunter Fast Tracker Metal Detector Review
The Bounty Hunter Fast Tracker is an entry-level analog VLF detector built around simplicity: switch on, set a couple of controls, and start swinging. It's designed for beginners and casual hunters who want a low-cost, low-fuss machine for coins, jewelry and general targets in parks, yards and fields, without a learning curve or a big outlay.
In this review I'll be honest about what the Fast Tracker does well for the money and where its simplicity becomes a limitation. Like every Bounty Hunter, it's a First Texas Products machine with a dependable build and interchangeable coils. Exact specs and pricing shift by retailer, so I keep the numbers qualitative — check current listings before buying.
Specifications
| Technology | VLF (very low frequency) single-frequency |
| Modes | Motion all-metal and discrimination |
| Target ID | Basic discrimination-based rejection |
| Controls | Simple sensitivity and discrimination adjustment |
| Search coil | Waterproof submersible coil, interchangeable |
| Power | Standard batteries (see current manual) |
| Best for | Beginners and casual coin/jewelry hunting on land |
Pros
- Very affordable
- Extremely easy to learn with minimal setup
- Lightweight and comfortable for younger or casual users
- Submersible interchangeable coil for beach edges
- Dependable First Texas build and support
- A genuinely capable introduction to the hobby
Cons
- Limited control and no LCD, so target information is basic
- You'll dig more trash in littered sites
- Depth and discrimination lag behind the step-up models
- Dedicated hobbyists tend to outgrow it
Who the Fast Tracker is for
The Fast Tracker is aimed squarely at newcomers, kids stepping up from a toy detector, and casual hunters who want an affordable, grab-and-go machine. There's very little to configure, which is exactly the point — you can hand it to someone who has never detected before and they'll be finding coins the same afternoon. Parks, backyards, sports fields and dry sand are its natural habitat.
If you want more control and target information as you improve, you'll likely outgrow it and move to something like the Lone Star Pro or the digital Land Ranger Pro. But as a true starter, its simplicity is a feature, not a bug.
In the field
On average ground the Fast Tracker finds coins and jewelry at sensible beginner depths and its discrimination is enough to skip a lot of obvious iron trash. The audio is simple to interpret, and that low complexity means fewer confusing signals for a first-timer to decode. It's genuinely capable of finding real, keepable targets — plenty of hobbyists started on a machine just like this.
The trade-off is limited fine control: you can't fine-tune targets the way a pricier model allows, so in heavily trashed sites you'll dig more junk. A different coil can help — our search coils guide explains when a smaller coil aids separation in trash and when a larger one adds depth in clean ground.
Fast Tracker vs the step-up models
Compared with analog step-up models like the Lone Star Pro and Platinum, the Fast Tracker trades adjustability for simplicity and a lower price. Against digital machines like the Time Ranger Pro, it's a much more basic tool with no screen. If you already know you're serious about the hobby, consider spending up front; if you want the cheapest honest way in, the Fast Tracker delivers. See how it ranks in our best Bounty Hunter guide, and check whether Bounty Hunter detectors are good if you're deciding on the brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Fast Tracker good for beginners?
What can the Fast Tracker find?
Will I outgrow the Fast Tracker?
How much is the Bounty Hunter Fast Tracker?
Ready to check the latest price?
Check the current Bounty Hunter Fast Tracker price on Amazon