Beyond a Metal Detector For the Treasure Hunter or Prospector That Needs to Go Deeper: The EZ MAG ULTRA Tri-Axial Earth Magnetometer

In the world of professional treasure hunting, the difference between a successful dig and a day of disappointment often comes down to the tools you use in the field. While traditional metal detectors are effective, they are limited by depth. When it comes to uncovering deeper items—such as deep caches and ancient artifacts—or detecting caves, tunnels, forgotten mine shafts, burial sites, buried pipes, property foundations, and basically any disturbed ground, you need more advanced technology. That’s where Terra Exploration Group’s EZ MAG ULTRA Tri-Axial Earth Magnetometer comes in, offering the depth and precision required for deeper, more complex discoveries.

The EZ MAG ULTRA isn’t just another gadget; it’s a geophysical survey instrument designed to give treasure hunters an edge in the field beyond a metal detector. While most high-end magnetometers are priced out of reach for the average treasure hunter—sometimes costing as much as $40,000—Terra Exploration Group has engineered the EZ MAG ULTRA to offer similar functionality at a fraction of the cost.

The EZ MAG ULTRA is designed to withstand the rugged environments that treasure hunters often encounter, such as forests, jungles, hillsides, fields, and deserts. Whether you’re scouring ancient battlefields, exploring forgotten homesteads, searching for old privy pits and caches, or locating forgotten mine shafts, the EZ MAG ULTRA is built to handle the toughest conditions.

The Company Behind the EZ MAG ULTRA

Terra Exploration, founded by explorers and treasure hunters Bob and Robert Leonard, brings over 30 years of global geophysical field survey experience, having navigated some of the most challenging environments in search of hidden treasures and historical artifacts. Their adventures have taken them to ancient Mayan and Incan cities, Jesuit mines, underground Japanese and Nazi bunkers, haunted castles, and other iconic locations. Featured on popular TV shows such as The Curse of Oak Island, Treasure Quest, and Expedition Unknown, their expertise in extreme environments and nearly impossible searches for lost or hidden treasures led them to develop a range of cutting-edge tools, including magnetometers, geoelectrical scanners, ground-penetrating radar, and wall-penetrating radar devices.

What is a Magnetometer and How Is It Used for Treasure Hunting

The EZ MAG ULTRA is a magnetometer. A magnetometer is used in surveying and treasure hunting to measure the Earth’s magnetic field strength and its variations to detect and map subsurface features such as mineral deposits, archaeological artifacts, and geological structures. By identifying changes in the local magnetic field, magnetometers help detect iron-rich rocks, ore deposits, buried objects, and potential treasures. 

There are different types of magnetometers, including Proton Magnetometers, Cesium Vapor Magnetometers, Optically Pumped Magnetometers, Hall Effect Magnetometers, SQUID Magnetometers, Magneto-Resistive (MR) Sensors, Lorentz Force Magnetometers and Fluxgate Magnetometers, each with varying levels of sensitivity and accuracy. 

The EZ MAG ULTRA is a Hall Effect magnetometer In simple terms, the science behind the Hall Effect allows it to measure the Earth’s magnetic field in one or multiple directions (up to three), enabling rapid data acquisition.

In geophysical surveys, magnetometers are used to locate ore deposits and faults, while in archaeology, they can detect buried structures like walls or artifacts. For treasure hunting and prospecting magnetometers, they can help identify areas with concentrated mineralization or buried metallic objects. Environmental applications include locating buried waste, pipelines, or drums. Geological surveys can be invasive, but geophysical surveys are neither invasive nor destructive 

During field surveys, the magnetometer records magnetic variations as surveyors move across the area, producing data that is displayed in contour maps or 3D models to highlight anomalies, providing a non-invasive method for understanding what lies beneath the surface.

The EZ MAG ULTRA: Precision While Remaining User-Friendly

Treasure hunting is as much an art as it is a science, and the best tools are those that blend technical precision with ease of use. The Terra Exploration Group, designers and engineers behind The EZ MAG ULTRA have worked hard to excel in both areas, understanding the frustration of dealing with overly complicated equipment. The EZ MAG ULTRA is different—designed to be user-friendly while delivering the high-resolution data you need to uncover hidden treasures, structures, cavities, or decomposing matter.

Paired with Terra Mapper Software, the EZ MAG ULTRA captures magnetic field strength ten times per second, ensuring that even when you’re moving quickly across a site, no detail is missed. This rapid data collection means that at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour, you’re still capturing a measurement every yard—ideal for sweeping large areas efficiently.

Being More Accurate With Treasure Hunting – Doing a Grid

But finding treasure isn’t just about detecting anomalies; it’s about accurately pinpointing their location. That’s where the EZ MAG ULTRA’s GPS integration makes a difference. Each magnetic field measurement is geo-tagged, allowing you to overlay your findings onto satellite images. This feature not only gives you a clear visual of your search area but also allows you to return to specific hotspots with pinpoint accuracy—perfect for revisiting potential treasure sites.

Tip: Gridding is an essential process to ensure that data collection is organized, systematic, and capable of identifying localized anomalies in the magnetic field, leading to more accurate and interpretable results. Ensure that you maintain a constant height above the ground with the magnetometer to avoid inconsistent readings.

When using the EZ MAG ULTRA, the search area size can be virtually unlimited, but for practical and efficient operation, a grid of 100 feet (30 meters) by 50 feet (15 meters) is generally easy for a single operator to manage. To ensure thorough and systematic coverage, visible flags can be placed at the ends of alternating scan lines. For detecting larger objects, such as caves or wide tunnels, the spacing between lines can be around 10 feet (3 meters). However, for smaller objects, reducing the line spacing to about 3 feet (1 meter) is recommended. The operator should walk in a straight line along the grid, starting at the beginning of line 1 and continuing to the first flag, where they will tap “Pause” on the tablet. After stepping over to line up with the next flag, they tap “Resume” and proceed in the opposite direction. This back-and-forth process is repeated, with “Pause” and “Resume” at the end and beginning of each line. For optimal results, the operator should walk in East-West directions, ensuring that the arrow on the front of the EZ Mag Ultra always points in the same direction (either magnetic East or West) without alternating. If following a strict grid pattern is challenging, acceptable results can still be achieved by wandering around the area, though this may lead to less consistent data.

When You Purchase the EX MAG ULTRA, You Will Receive the Following:

• Tri-Axial Earth Magnetometer
• Rugged Windows Tablet with Chest Harness with Terra Mapper Software 
• Backpack Carry Case

Understanding Terra Mapper Software

The Terra Mapper Software captures magnetic field strength readings ten times per second, ensuring that even at speeds of 20 miles per hour, one measurement is recorded for every yard traveled. Additionally, Terra Mapper logs GPS positions for each reading, allowing treasure hunters, surveyors, and geologists to overlay the resulting magnetic field map onto satellite imagery programs and easily return to specific anomalies of interest for further investigation.

Below are screenshots of examples of anomalies and how they look on Terra Mapper Software

Above is a survey of a known natural gas pipeline. As you can see, the 2 pipelines and the original excavation are clearly visible.

The image above is a scan of the James River Bank Caves, providing a detailed view of the caves as they appear beneath a limestone shelf.

The survey above, conducted along a ranch road, reveals a dipole anomaly characteristic of a steel culvert beneath the road. The positive and negative ends of the dipole anomaly are distinctly visible, along with the precise GPS coordinates marking each end.

Note: Importing  EZ MAG ULTRA data into other GIS processing software, such as Surfer (software not included).

Built to Last 

Fieldwork can be tough, and treasure hunting is no exception. Whether you’re braving the elements in search of buried loot or carefully excavating a historical site, your gear needs to be as resilient as you are. Terra Exploration Group has poured extensive experience into making the EZ MAG ULTRA durable and dependable. It’s designed to survive the harshest conditions while remaining easy to operate, making it an ideal companion for any serious treasure hunter.

The EZ MAG ULTRA is waterproof and suitable for damp environments, such as humid climates like jungles, but it is not fully submersible. While I would estimate its rating to be around IP65, please note this is not an official certification, and the manufacturer should not be held accountable for this assessment.

Battery Charging and Hours of Use

The EZ MAG ULTRA features a charging time of 2 hours and is equipped with a NiMH battery with a capacity of 2000 mAh. Once fully charged, the battery provides a working time of up to 30 hours. The minimum working voltage required for operation is 3.0V, and the battery charger is conveniently located on the rear control panel of the device.

What Competing Products Are Currently Available on the Market?

The closest competitors to the EZ MAG ULTRA include the German company OKM, with models such as the Fusion Light, Fusion Pro, eXp 6000, Pro, and Pro Plus, as well as GroundTech with their GR-3 and GR-3 Plus from Istanbul. Additionally, other magnetometers on the market, designed for treasure hunting, employ different technologies and methodologies. For instance, the US-based company Geometrics offers the MagEx, while UIG Detectors, based in Istanbul, manufactures the Deep Seeker. Similarly, Tushniwal Technologies, an Indian firm, produces the Euromag Scalar Magnetometers. Another notable competitor in underwater treasure hunting is JW Fishers, a US company, with their DiverMag1 magnetometer.

Conclusion: Your New Treasure-Hunting Ally

The EZ MAG ULTRA Tri-Axial Earth Magnetometer isn’t just another tool; it’s a treasure hunter’s secret weapon. By combining advanced technology, rugged design, and affordability, it opens up new possibilities for those dedicated to uncovering the past. Whether you’re a seasoned explorer or just starting your journey into the world of treasure hunting, the EZ MAG ULTRA offers the precision, reliability, and ease of use you need to elevate your search to the next level.With the EZ MAG ULTRA in hand, no treasure is too hidden, no terrain too tough. Terra Exploration Group’s commitment to innovation and quality ensures that this magnetometer will be your go-to tool for years to come, helping you turn every hunt into a successful adventure.

For more information, visit the Terra Exploration Group website at: https://www.texgru.com/ez-mag-ultra