Walk Through Metal Detectors, How Many Zones Do I Need?

Minooka, IL, October 7, 2015 (Newswire.com) - When considering purchasing a Walk Through Metal Detector, a novice will quickly become confused about advertisements of Single Zone, 6 Zone, 12 Zone, 18 Zone, or even a 33 Zone.  We wanted to break this down so it is easily understandable. 

All of the Walk through Metal Detectors on the market perform as they should and detect various sizes and densities of metal based upon their sensitivity settings,  This basically a setting that lets the user choose from detecting something as small as a paper clip to something large like a gun. It is simple to understand. And, basically they all perform pretty much the same.

When money is once parted with, it can never return

Jane Austin

What can seem confusing is when you see a 33 zone device for $5400 vs a Single Zone device at $2600. The difference in these 2 examples are relatively easy to understand once explained.  A single zone unit will alarm at any point or time a metal object passes through the doorway. It does not identify anywhere on the body where the suspect material may be, so a full and complete body search from head to to toe must take place. In situations requiring a high number of passers, this is big problem.  A 33 zone will identify on the on the passer where the suspect item is, plus or minus about 6 inches. It does this by illuminating LED lights on either side of the doorway in the vertical position of the suspect item, then a search is conducted of that area. The problem with a 33 zone unit, is the time it takes to set up and program 33 zones and maintain and the cost of these units is typically double. They cost twice as much and you still have to perform a search.

Metal Defender MD6/12 can be set to 6 zones or 12 zones, is affordable and easily programmed.  In 6 zone mode, the device will identify suspect objects in approximately 12 inch increments form the floor to top of the unit. In 12 zone mode its about every 6 inches. Yes, you still need to perform a search, but down to a 6-12 inch location on the passer, about the same as a 33 zone model for 1/2 the price.

The conclusion is basically that 33 zones or more are just overkill and a way to charge more for the device.  So when considering the purchase of Walk Through Metal Detectors, take into consideration that in the case of alarm zones, more isn't necessarily better, it's just more.