Description
The Nokta Score is Nokta's least expensive way into a fully waterproof, simultaneous multi-frequency metal detector, with the whole machine submersible to 16 ft (5 m). Most detectors at this price make you choose: multi-frequency accuracy, or a body you can actually take into the water. The Score refuses that trade. It runs Nokta's Simultaneous Multi-Frequency (SMF) core, the same technology idea used in machines that cost far more, in an IP68 body that goes under with you, and it is built to turn on and go: pick Park, Field or Beach and start swinging. If you have been shopping waterproof multi-frequency metal detectors and stalling at the price, this is the entry point to the platform.
Why This Model
The Score line is one platform in three tiers, built on the same waterproof SMF chassis. The base Score is the turn-on-and-go tier: three search modes (Park, Field, Beach), five sensitivity levels, no ground balance to set, and the SC30 coil, for the hunter who wants accurate multi-frequency detecting without a menu to learn. Step to the Double Score (Score 2) when you want recovery speed, ground balance (automatic, manual and tracking), a notch filter, an iron filter, and double the sensitivity range for trashier, more mineralized ground; step to the Triple Score (Score 3) Pro Pack when you want a fourth Relic mode, four frequencies, a second coil, and wireless headphones in the box. Buy the tier that matches your hunt, and know the coils and skills carry across the whole line.
SMF transmits several frequencies at once instead of one, so target IDs stay steady as the ground changes, from a dry park to wet salt sand. That stability is the reason a beginner can trust the number on the screen. Nokta locks Beach mode to multi-frequency for exactly this reason: on conductive salt sand, Nokta says single-frequency detectors either cannot work or underperform. Beach mode also senses black sand on its own and puts a warning icon on the screen.
Two things are worth knowing before you compare listings. Some dealer pages credit the base Score with ground tracking, an iron filter and bottle-cap rejection; on Nokta's own comparison chart those controls belong to the Double Score and Triple Score, and the base Score has none of them. Others say the Score has no Bluetooth; it does, with a Bluetooth on/off setting that pairs Nokta BT Low Latency headphones or other Bluetooth headphones (headphones sold separately). We would rather you buy the Score for exactly what it is: the simplest waterproof SMF machine Nokta makes.
Nokta Score vs Double Score vs Triple Score
The specs below are the ladder. Score 2 and Double Score are the same machine under two names, and so are Score 3 and the Triple Score Pro Pack; each is one detector. The SC-series coils and the platform carry across, so a household can share kit.
| Score (this) | Double Score (Score 2) | Triple Score (Score 3) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 modes (Park/Field/Beach) | 3 modes | 4 modes (+ Relic) |
| 2 freq (Multi + 15 kHz) | 2 freq (Multi + 15 kHz) | 4 freq (Multi + 4/15/20 kHz) |
| Sensitivity 1 to 5 | 1 to 10 | 1 to 15 |
| No recovery speed | Recovery 1 to 3, 2 profiles | Recovery 1 to 5, 3 profiles |
| No ground balance setting | Auto/Manual/Tracking | Auto/Manual/Tracking |
| No notch or iron filter | Notch + iron filter 0 to 9 | Notch + iron filter 0 to 9 |
| Carbon fiber lower shaft | Carbon fiber lower + upper | Carbon fiber lower + upper |
| 1 coil (SC30) | 1 coil (SC30) | 2 coils (SC30 + SC24) |
| No wireless headphones in box | No wireless headphones in box | aptX wireless included |
All three are IP68 waterproof to 16 ft (5 m), run Simultaneous Multi-Frequency, use 60 target IDs, have Bluetooth, and carry the same 3-year Nokta warranty.
Technical Specs and Benefits
| Spec (Nokta) | What It Does in the Field |
|---|---|
| Simultaneous Multi-Frequency + 15 kHz | Stable target IDs across changing ground; a single 15 kHz option for Park and Field when electrical interference gets noisy. |
| 3 search modes: Park, Field, Beach | Covers the three places most people actually hunt, no setup required. Beach mode runs multi-frequency only and flags black sand automatically. |
| IP68, submersible to 16 ft (5 m) (whole detector) | Shallow water, creeks, and rained-out days; the control box goes under, not just the coil. |
| SC30 12 in x 9 in / 30 x 23 cm waterproof DD coil | Balanced all-round coil; interchangeable across the whole Score line. |
| 60 target IDs, 30 discrimination segments, 4 discrimination patterns | Read a target before you dig; ignore the junk you have learned to skip. |
| Sensitivity 1 to 5, no ground balance setting | Turn-on-and-go control set: Nokta designed the Score to work without ground balancing on most terrain, so there is nothing to balance before you swing. |
| Auto noise cancel, auto frequency shift across 13 channels | One long press of the frequency button runs noise cancellation against electrical interference such as power lines. |
| Bluetooth wireless audio (aptX Low Latency compatible), built-in speaker | Pair Nokta BT Low Latency headphones (sold separately) for audio in step with your swing, or hunt on the speaker. |
| Vibration 0 to 5, LED flashlight, backlit display and keypad | Alerts you can feel, even under water, and a light to hunt into the dark. |
| 2.6 lb / 1.2 kg with coil; shaft 25 to 52 in (63 to 132 cm) | Light for all-day hunts; the shaft adjusts to your height and arm length. |
| 3250 mAh lithium polymer battery, 5 to 12 hours, USB charging in 3 to 4 hours | Charge from any 5V 2A USB adapter or a powerbank in the truck; runtime depends on frequency, backlight, flashlight and audio choices. |
| 3-year Nokta warranty | The full manufacturer warranty on a new detector from an authorized dealer. |
The Software Keeps Improving After You Buy It
The Score is field-updatable over USB with Nokta's free Score Update Tool for Windows and macOS, and Nokta has already shipped two free updates. V1.1 added automatic Deep Target Identification to Field mode, which lets deep non-ferrous targets that were masked by iron, or read as iron, register as non-ferrous. V1.2 (September 2024) sharpened Pinpoint and Beach mode and increased the volume of weak signals from deep targets. On the base Score the Field-mode Deep Target Identification works on its own; the adjustable "dt" level is a Double Score and Triple Score setting. It is a genuine "gets better over time" story rather than a fixed feature set.
Compatibility
The Score uses the SC-series waterproof Double-D coils, and all three sizes interchange across the whole Score line. Your Score ships with the SC30; add a size when the ground calls for it:
- Nokta SC24 9.5 in x 6 in / 24 x 15 cm: the small coil for trashy, high-iron ground, tight spots, and pinpointing.
- Nokta SC30 12 in x 9 in / 30 x 23 cm: the standard all-round coil, and the one your detector ships with, useful as a spare or replacement.
- Nokta SC35 13.5 in x 12.5 in / 35 x 31.5 cm: the large coil for maximum depth and ground coverage on open sites.
- Nokta BT Low Latency Headphones: wireless audio for land and wading.
- Nokta Waterproof Headphones: wired audio for hunting with the detector under water.
See every coil and accessory that fits the Score line: What fits the Nokta Score, Double Score and Triple Score.
Who It's For
The Score fits the new detectorist who wants a metal detector for beginners that will not be outgrown on the first beach trip, and the experienced hunter who wants a light, fully waterproof second machine for the surf line, the creek and the rained-out day. It covers the three places most people hunt: wet and dry beach sand in Beach mode, trashy parks and yards in Park mode, and plowed fields and pasture in Field mode.
Know the limits before you buy. The base Score has no ground balance control, no recovery speed, no notch or iron filter, no custom profiles, five sensitivity levels, one coil, and no headphones in the box. If you already know you will hunt heavy iron or highly mineralized ground, start at the Double Score. The battery is internal and is replaced only by Nokta or its authorized service centers; an optional waterproof spare battery is sold separately for long days. If your budget stops below the Score, Nokta's Simplex Lite and Simplex Ultra are also waterproof to 16 ft (5 m), but they run a single 15 kHz frequency, not simultaneous multi-frequency. For gold nuggets rather than gold jewelry, look at the Legend 2, which adds a dedicated Gold mode, or the Magnetar 9000, Nokta's dedicated deep-gold machine.
What Comes Standard in the Factory Box
- Nokta Score detector (system box and shaft)
- SC30 12 in x 9 in / 30 x 23 cm waterproof Double-D search coil with coil cover
- Headphones adapter, 6.3 mm (1/4 in)
- USB charging and data cable
- 3-year Nokta warranty
No wall adapter is included; the Score charges from any 5V 2A USB power adapter, a computer USB port (slower), or a powerbank.
Who You Are Buying From
History Seekers is a small American business and a working detecting channel: over 1.1 million people follow our hunts on Facebook and YouTube. Everyone here detects, and the person who answers your call has real dirt time. Every purchase keeps everyday Americans working. We also price match: contact us with the competitor's current listing so we can verify it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Nokta Score, Double Score and Triple Score?
They are one platform in three tiers, and each is a single detector: Score 2 is Nokta's Double Score and Score 3 is the Triple Score Pro Pack. Compared with the base Nokta Score metal detector, the Double Score adds recovery speed (1 to 3), two custom profiles, a notch filter, an iron filter, automatic, manual and tracking ground balance, and double the sensitivity (1 to 10). The Triple Score Pro Pack adds a fourth Relic mode, four frequencies (4, 15 and 20 kHz plus Multi), sensitivity to 15, three profiles, tone, iron volume, threshold and bottle-cap controls, a second SC24 coil, and aptX wireless headphones. This is the base Score: 3 modes, Multi plus 15 kHz, sensitivity 1 to 5, no ground balance setting, one SC30 coil, and no headphones in the box.
Is the Nokta Score waterproof?
Yes. It is IP68 rated and the whole detector, control box included, is waterproof to 16 ft (5 m), not just the coil. Beach mode is built for wet salt sand and underwater use to that depth. Keep the headphone and charging socket closed with its screw cap when nothing is plugged in, never use the detector under water while a powerbank is connected, and for audio under water use the built-in speaker, the vibration alert, or Nokta Waterproof Headphones.
Does the Nokta Score have Bluetooth, and does it come with wireless headphones?
It has Bluetooth; it does not include headphones. The Score has a Bluetooth on/off setting and pairs with Nokta BT Low Latency headphones or other Bluetooth headphones, with a separate screen icon when aptX Low Latency headphones are connected. Headphones are sold separately; only the Triple Score Pro Pack includes aptX wireless headphones in the box. Wired headphones connect through the included 6.3 mm (1/4 in) headphones adapter.
Does the Nokta Score need ground balancing?
No. The base Score has no ground balance setting; Nokta designed it to work without ground balancing on most terrain. Ground balance (automatic, manual and tracking) starts on the Double Score and Triple Score, which is the reason to step up if you hunt highly mineralized ground.
Does the Nokta Score detect gold?
It finds gold jewelry readily, rings and chains in parks and on beaches, wet sand included, which is what a simultaneous multi-frequency machine does well. It has no dedicated gold prospecting mode, so sub-gram natural nuggets in mineralized goldfield soil are outside its lane. For nugget hunting, stay in the Nokta range with the Legend 2 (dedicated Gold mode) or the Magnetar 9000 deep-gold detector.
Which search coils fit the Nokta Score?
The Nokta SC-series waterproof Double-D coils: SC24 9.5 x 6 in (24 x 15 cm) for trash and tight ground, the standard SC30 12 x 9 in (30 x 23 cm) it ships with, and SC35 13.5 x 12.5 in (35 x 31.5 cm) for maximum coverage and depth. All three interchange across the Score, Double Score, and Triple Score; the SC24 and SC35 are sold separately.
Can the Nokta Score software be updated?
Yes. It is field-updatable over USB with Nokta's free Score Update Tool for Windows and macOS. V1.1 added automatic Deep Target Identification to Field mode, and V1.2 (September 2024) improved Pinpoint and Beach mode and raised the volume of weak signals from deep targets. Nokta asks owners to restore factory defaults after updating.
Is History Seekers an authorized Nokta dealer?
Yes. History Seekers Metal Detectors is an authorized Nokta dealer; every Nokta Score we sell is new, sourced through Nokta's authorized US distributor, and carries the full 3-year Nokta warranty.
History Seekers Metal Detectors is an authorized Nokta dealer; every Nokta Score we sell is new, sourced through Nokta's authorized US distributor, and carries the full 3-year Nokta warranty. Your questions get answered by detectorists who run these machines on real permissions. We will help you choose a coil, set up your first modes, and get you digging keepers instead of bottle caps. Because at History Seekers, the story is more important than the artifact.
See everything that fits your machine:What Fits the Nokta Score, Double Score and Triple Score