Quest Air - Quest Partners With Ukraine's Air MD

Some of you may remember the Kickstarter project for the “Air MD” that sprung to life back in 2018. The Air MD is a wireless metal detector that uses your mobile phone as the controller. No cables and pretty much any smartphone will do as long as it can run the Air MD app.

The company raised the working capital however, through a series of missteps and tech problems the machines were slow in coming to fruition. And what with a worldwide pandemic and a war to contend with it must have been difficult to carry on production in a sustained manner.

It was clear therefore that some sort of intervention was required, and this is where Quest enters the frame.

Although we don’t know the specifics, it would appear that Quest has entered into some sort of partnership or agreement with Air MD. The machine has been rebranded and is now called the “Quest Air’. It sports the very familiar Quest colour scheme and the app also now carries the Quest branding.

We are given to understand that Quest is updating the app and ironing out some of the bugs that affected the original machine. Also, the revised model will be pitched more towards the entry-level/vacationer end of the market. It is particularly well suited to the role of a vacation or backup machine due to its collapsable stem and lightweight.

It is great to see Quest partnering with Air MD and enabling this very interesting machine to make it to retail.

The Spec:

Working method: VLF Single Frequency 7.5 kHz.
Audio Output: 16 levels. Volume via smartphone.
Smartphone compatibility: Bluetooth v4.0
Weather Protection: Coil IP68. Submersible to 5 meters.
Telescopic Rod: Fast-release cam-lock. 2 sections. Straight rods. Extendable from 80cm to 130cm.
Headphones: Wire headphones connected to your smartphone.
Wireless Audio: optional Bluetooth Wirefree Vibe/Pro.
Design: Sleek, flat-folding.
Armrest: Adjustable, flexible armrest cup with strap.
Handle: Position adjustable, grenade textured surface.
Battery: Built-in 900 mAh li-Po battery for 10 hrs operating time.
Recharge port: Durable and corrosion-resistant magnetic USB system.
Detection coil: 10″ TurboD performance waterproof coil.
Metal ID: 99 metal ID level for target identification.
Ground balance: Automatic (pump) or manual.
Programs: Discrimination/All metal programs.
Guage: Depth reader, Metal ID, Battery status etc.
Setup options: Recovery speed, threshold, tones, Iron audio.
Weight: up to 1.13 kg.
(specifications subject to change)

Pricing & Availability

The Quest Air MD is still undergoing revisions to its software so it is not yet available to buy retail however, we are given to believe that the price will be around the €300/£300 mark.

As to when it will be available to purchase. Probably be sometime between April to June 2023.