Verdict: the Minelab Vanquish 440 is the middle model of the original Vanquish line, and its reason to exist over the 340 is real: Relic and Custom modes, pinpoint, 10 sensitivity levels, 12 discrimination segments and wired headphones in the box. But Minelab’s US store no longer sells it. The old 440 product URL now redirects to the VANQUISH family page, and the model in its place is the Vanquish 460 , which is fully waterproof and rechargeable. Buy a 440 only used or on clearance, at a clear discount to the 460.

This is a desk review built from Minelab’s manual and product pages, not a field test.

Vanquish 340 vs 440 vs 540: what actually changes

All three use Multi-IQ simultaneous multi-frequency, the same -9 to 40 target ID scale, a coil waterproof to 1 m (3.3 ft) and a control box that is only water resistant with the rain cover attached. The differences are controls, coil and audio. Figures are from the technical specifications in Minelab’s VANQUISH 440/540 user manual , which lists all three models.

Vanquish 340 Vanquish 440 Vanquish 540
Search modes Coin, Jewelry, All-Metal Coin, Relic, Jewelry, Custom, plus All-Metal shortcut Same as 440
Pinpoint mode No Yes Yes
Sensitivity levels 4 10 10
Discrimination segments 5 12 25
Target tones 3 3 5
Iron volume Fixed Fixed 10 levels
Iron Bias High only High only High or Low
Stock coil V10 10 x 7 in Double-D V10 10 x 7 in Double-D V12 12 x 9 in Double-D
Weight with batteries 1.2 kg (2.6 lb) 1.2 kg (2.6 lb) 1.3 kg (2.8 lb)
Backlight / Bluetooth No / No No / No Red backlight / Bluetooth aptX Low Latency
Headphones included No Wired Wired (Pro-Pack: ML 80 wireless instead)
Batteries 4 x AA alkaline 4 x AA alkaline 4 x AA NiMH rechargeable

340 to 440 is the meaningful step for most people. Pinpoint, the extra modes and the jump from 4 to 10 sensitivity levels and 5 to 12 discrimination segments change how much you can do on a busy site.

440 to 540 is mostly about iron and audio. Five tones, adjustable iron volume and the Low Iron Bias setting matter on iron-heavy ground; the backlight, Bluetooth and larger V12 coil are conveniences. The Vanquish 540 Pro Pack review covers the bundle with the extra V8 coil and wireless headphones.

Is the Vanquish 440 still sold?

Not by Minelab USA. On October 3, 2026, the Minelab US VANQUISH family page carries the 60 series, the US 440 URL redirects there, and the Minelab UK Vanquish 440 page (SKU 3820-0002) shows it out of stock. The Vanquish 340 is still listed on Minelab USA at under $200. US dealers describe the Vanquish 460 as the 440’s replacement .

An old Amazon ASIN this page once linked for the 440 now opens a Vanquish 460 bundle, so check the model number on any listing before you pay.

Vanquish 440 vs the new Vanquish 460

Minelab’s Vanquish 460 page lists it at under $350 with these changes from the 440:

  • Fully waterproof: IP68, submersible to 5 m (16 ft), against the 440’s coil-only waterproofing.
  • Built-in rechargeable battery: up to 10 hours, instead of four AAs.
  • More control: 30 discrimination segments (440: 12) and automatic ground balance, which the 440 does not have.
  • Audio and feedback: wired headphones included, Bluetooth LE Audio (LC3), handgrip vibration and a flashlight. Tones stay at three.

If you would have bought a new 440, the 460 is the like-for-like choice. Our Vanquish 360 vs 460 vs 560 comparison covers the whole new line.

Relic hunting: what the 440 can and cannot do

The 440 has a dedicated Relic mode. Minelab’s manual says it has “the best detection depth of all of the modes but slightly reduced target separation,” and that its default pattern rejects all iron plus small non-ferrous trash such as foil. Coin mode has the best separation and is the one Minelab recommends for trashy locations.

The limit for relic sites is iron handling. On the 440, Iron Bias is fixed at High, which the manual says helps classify large or complex iron such as rusty nails and bottle caps as ferrous. Only the 540 can switch to Low, which Minelab says helps identify coins among dense ferrous trash, and only the 540 lets you turn the iron tone down. With 12 segments and no ground balance, the 440 suits mixed yards and fields better than nail-packed homesites. For a different-brand comparison at this level, see Vanquish 440 vs Nokta Legend .

Who should still buy a Vanquish 440

  • You find a used or clearance 440 well below the 460’s sub-$350 list price and mostly hunt dry parks, yards and fields.
  • You want pinpoint and more than the 340’s four sensitivity levels, and do not need a waterproof control box.
  • You are fine with AA batteries; Minelab rates alkaline AAs at about 10 hours.

Skip it if you hunt in water or rain often, want ground balance, or work iron-heavy sites. In those cases the 460, or a used 540, is the better spend.

Setup basics from the manual

  • Turn the detector on, wait about five seconds for automatic noise cancel, then start in Coin mode on a busy site or Relic mode where depth matters more than separation.
  • To set sensitivity, hold the coil still, raise sensitivity until false signals start, then back it off until they stop. Lower it further if clear ground still makes noise.
  • Use Custom mode to save your own discrimination pattern so it survives a power-off.
  • Fit the rain cover; only the coil can go underwater.

FAQ

Is the Minelab Vanquish 440 discontinued?

Minelab’s US store no longer sells it: the old Vanquish 440 product URL now redirects to the VANQUISH family page, Minelab UK lists the 440 as out of stock, and the current US line is the 360, 460 and 560. New stock may still turn up at dealers, but most buyers will be choosing between a used 440 and a new 460.

What is the difference between the Vanquish 340, 440 and 540?

Per Minelab’s manual, the 440 adds Relic and Custom modes, pinpoint, wired headphones, 10 sensitivity levels and 12 discrimination segments over the 340 (4 levels, 5 segments). The 540 adds a V12 coil, 25 segments, five tones, adjustable iron volume, a Low Iron Bias setting, a backlight, Bluetooth and rechargeable NiMH batteries.

Is the Vanquish 440 good for relic hunting?

It has a Relic mode, which Minelab says has the best depth of the four modes with slightly less target separation. Its Iron Bias is fixed at High, so it cannot use the Low setting Minelab offers on the 540 for picking coins out of dense iron. For heavy iron sites, the 540 or a 460 is the better match.

Is the Vanquish 440 waterproof?

Only the coil, to 1 m (3.3 ft). The control box is water resistant with the rain cover fitted. The newer Vanquish 460 is rated IP68 and fully submersible to 5 m (16 ft).

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