The Quest for a Satisfactory Quest
Testing Different Machines and the Quest V80 Gamble:
As an avid metal detectorist, I enjoy testing different machines whenever possible. It not only broadens my understanding of metal-detecting technology but also enhances my enjoyment of the hobby. That said, not every experiment yields positive results. One such example is my experience with the Quest V80—a flagship HyperQ (simultaneous multifrequency) machine. While it seemed promising on paper, it didn’t function as expected, making this a gamble I won’t soon forget.
Why take the risk? I’ve always loved a challenge, and as a long-term advocate of Quest and moderator of the Quest UK Users Forum, I had to investigate the bad feedback surrounding this machine. Despite nearly two years of poor reviews, the V80 has retained its £699 retail price, though some units were being sold at a third of the cost while still under warranty. My curiosity led me to test it myself.
Quest’s Reputation and My History with Their Machines:
Quest’s reputation in the UK has been rocky at best. As a Chinese brand struggling to gain footing in Western markets, they’ve historically offered minimal customer support. Sadly, the V80 isn’t their first detector plagued by issues. Over the years, I’ve tested several Quest machines, including the Q30±, X10 Pro, and Q40. While the Q40 delivered decent results, the other models shared alarmingly similar faults to those found in the V Series.
Stability Problems: EMI or Coil Design?
The main issue with the V80, consistent with reports from other users, is its lack of stability. This was often attributed to electromagnetic interference (EMI), but my tests revealed something different. The machine showed signs of sparking or falsing signals, not when idle indoors but when in use—especially when interacting with long grass or experiencing minor taps on the coil. This suggests the problem lies with the coil itself rather than EMI.
After extensive testing and discussions with Saul Hudson, a fellow admin at the Quest UK Users Forum and founder of Treasure Hunting World, we suspect the coils may have tight or excessive wiring. Alternatively, the issue might stem from poor shielding, potentially an attempt to enhance detection depth at the expense of stability.
What Can Quest Users Do?
For those struggling with this £700 machine, it’s important to remember that these devices are still under national warranty. The UK distributor has a legal obligation to provide satisfactory support. Many users have reported that replacing the coil improves stability, so this might be worth exploring.
If Quest fails to resolve these warranty issues, I believe users are entitled to a full refund or a replacement machine that works reliably. It’s crucial to voice dissatisfaction before Quest launches their upcoming S-line detectors without addressing these ongoing problems.
Final Thoughts
The Quest V80 fell short during my first test run on ground where other machines had performed flawlessly. While this post diverges from the usual South Hams History Hunters content, metal detecting remains a vital part of our hobby, and I hope fellow enthusiasts and newcomers find this information helpful.
Thank you for reading, Silva ⚔️ SHHH
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While I have no doubt that the V80 has emi issues, I have not had any emi issues with my Q30, X10, X10 pro or X10 ID Maxx. I did return a XPointer Max that was unusable (my new one is fine.) All of the quest machines I have owned have been very stable on the target ID and have had good depth (unlike a pale green detector I quickly parted with). Lets hope Quest has learned from previous issues and nail it on the “S” series. I have owned and learned 52 different detectors and I don’t want to stop now. Detector manufactures all make mistakes and of late some of them have been whoppers. Quest while not perfect has sure put out some good machines for the money! HH.