Nokta Triple Score Review: The Game-Changing Detector?
When Nokta first teased the Score series in late 2023, I'll admit I was both excited and a bit skeptical. The hype was real, especially after the success of their Legend.
Could they really pack true simultaneous multi-frequency (SMF) tech into an even more affordable machine without cutting major corners? I've spent years swinging metal detectors that cost twice as much, so I was eager to see if this could be the real deal.
I've now dragged the Triple Score all over my permissions, from iron-infested Roman fields near the Tay to the quiet, rolling pastures of Angus.
After dozens of hours and some fantastic finds, I can tell you this: the Triple Score isn't just hype. It's a machine that punches well above its weight, though it did take some getting used to.
Unboxing & Initial Setup: 9/10
The unboxing experience is straightforward and efficient, which I appreciate. Nokta provides everything you need to get started right out of the box, minus the dirt.
Inside, you'll find the main control box, the three-piece carbon fibre shaft, the 12"x9" (SC30) DD coil with its cover, a USB-C charging/data cable, and a set of Bluetooth aptX™ Low Latency headphones. The inclusion of high-quality wireless headphones at this price point is a huge plus, as many competitors sell them as an optional extra.
The quick-start guide is clear and concise, making assembly a breeze. I had the detector fully assembled and charging within five minutes of opening the box.
Getting the Triple Score set up for its first hunt is incredibly intuitive. After its initial charge, I powered it on and was greeted by a simple, easy-to-read interface.
The menu system is logically laid out. I could navigate through the core settings like search modes (Park, Field, Beach), sensitivity, and volume without ever needing to consult the full user manual.
Pairing the Bluetooth headphones was a one-button affair, and they connected instantly with no noticeable lag in the audio response, which is critical for discerning faint signals. I spent about ten minutes familiarizing myself with the settings in my garden before heading out, and I felt confident I had a good grasp of its basic functions.
Design, Build Quality & Ergonomics: 8/10
The Triple Score feels solid in my hands, which honestly surprised me for a machine in this price bracket. The full carbon fibre shaft isn't just a marketing point; it's a game-changer.
After a six-hour hunt, my shoulder usually aches from my older, heavier machine. With the Triple Score, I feel like I could keep going all day. That feeling of not being physically drained by your gear is priceless.
The cam-locks on the shaft are robust and lock up tight with no wobble or play. The entire unit is also fully waterproof up to 5 meters (16ft), and while I haven't taken it diving, I've had it completely submerged in streams and have hunted confidently in torrential downpours with no issues whatsoever.
The rubberized grip is great, but I do wish the arm cup had a bit of padding. After a few hours, the hard plastic starts to dig in, so I've added a bit of foam myself – an easy fix.
From an ergonomic standpoint, the machine is beautifully balanced. With the 12" coil attached, it doesn't feel nose-heavy, and the swing is smooth and natural. The control box is positioned perfectly for thumb access to all the main buttons without having to adjust my grip.
However, that built-in speaker placement is a real head-scratcher.
Just last week, I was doing a quick search of a stubble field without my headphones, and my waterproof jacket sleeve kept covering the speaker. I almost walked right over a crisp signal that turned out to be a nice George V silver shilling. It’s a minor annoyance, but it taught me to always use the excellent included headphones.
Feature | Nokta Triple Score | Minelab X-Terra Pro |
Search Technology | Simultaneous Multi-Frequency (SMF) | Pro-Switch (Switchable Frequency) |
Operating Frequencies | Multi, 4kHz, 15kHz, 20kHz | Park & Field: 5, 10, 15 kHz; Beach: 8 kHz |
Bluetooth Audio | Yes, aptX™ Low Latency | Yes |
Search Modes | 3 (Park, Field, Beach) | 3 (Park, Field, Beach) |
Coil | 12"x9" Waterproof DD (SC30) | 12"x9" Waterproof DD (V12X) |
Weight | 1.2 kg (2.6 lbs) | 1.3 kg (2.8 lbs) |
Shaft | Carbon Fibre | 3-piece |
Waterproofing | IP68 - up to 5 meters (16ft) | IP68 - up to 5 meters (16ft) |
Battery | Built-in Li-Po, 10-15 hrs | Built-in Li-Po, approx. 25 hrs |
Target ID | 1-60 | -19 to 99 |
Ground Balance | Automatic, Manual, Tracking | Automatic, Manual, Tracking |
Vibration | Yes, in handle | Yes, in handle |
Backlight | Yes | Yes |
Key Features & Technology: 9/10
The SMF technology is where I really fell for this machine.
I took it down to West Sands in St Andrews, a place where my old single-frequency machine would scream and chatter endlessly on the wet sand. The Triple Score, once I switched it into Beach mode, just went quiet. It was almost unnerving at first.
That stability allowed me to hear a faint, repeatable 'peep' that my old machine would have drowned out. The result was a beautiful little silver ring. That moment alone sold me on its SMF capability.
Then there's the ability to switch to single frequencies. On a pasture I know holds tiny, clipped hammered coins, I switched over to 20 kHz. The machine became more alive, more sensitive to those tiny targets, and I managed to eke out a paper-thin silver penny fragment that the SMF mode had reported with a much less confident signal.
Having both options truly feels like having two detectors in one.
Beyond SMF, the Triple Score is packed with useful tech. The iron filter and notch discrimination are effective and easy to adjust on the fly. I particularly like the "bottle cap reject" setting, which has saved me from digging countless modern trash targets on busy sites.
The vibration feedback in the handle is another excellent feature, perfect for windy days when audio is hard to hear or for users who are hard of hearing. The built-in rechargeable Li-Po battery consistently gives me a solid 12-14 hours of use from a single charge, which is more than enough for a full day's detecting.
The ability to update the software via USB-C also means the detector is future-proofed, allowing Nokta to roll out performance tweaks and new features.
In-the-Field Performance Review: 8/10
This is where the Triple Score truly sings. My main permission is a pasture that has seen centuries of activity, and it's absolutely carpeted with iron. The recovery speed is no joke.
I get a real thrill when I hear that sharp, high-tone 'zip' right next to a low iron 'grunt'. Just a few weeks ago, I had exactly that experience. I dug a plug and my pinpointer screamed on a rusty nail. My heart sank a little, but I re-checked the hole and got another, fainter signal. Tucked right against the side of the hole was a tiny, green Roman bronze coin. It's a moment of pure joy, and it's a find I'm convinced a slower detector would have missed, masking the coin's signal completely.
But it's not a magic wand. I took it to a known Victorian dump site, and the stock coil felt like it was having a panic attack.
The sheer density of iron and trash targets made the audio a constant, confusing chatter. It felt overwhelming, and I had to slow my swing to a crawl just to make sense of it.
It still pulled out a few buttons, but it was hard work. It reminds you that while the machine is smart, you still need to use good technique, and in that ground, I was really wishing for a smaller coil to better isolate the good targets from the junk.
The audio tones are crisp, but I find the range a little less nuanced than some premium detectors. It does a great job of separating iron, mids, and highs, but discerning subtle differences within those ranges takes a bit more practice and ear-training compared to, say, a Minelab Equinox or a XP DEUS II.
User Experience & Learning Curve: 9/10
For a detector with this much technology under the hood, the Triple Score is remarkably easy to pick up and use. This is its greatest strength.
A complete beginner could take this out of the box, switch it to Park mode, ground balance it (which is a simple one-button press), and start finding good targets within minutes. The preset modes are very well-configured and handle most conditions without needing any tweaks.
The user interface is clean, with no confusing sub-menus or cryptic icons. Everything you need for 90% of your hunting is accessible with just a few button presses.
For those who want to dig deeper, the Triple Score offers enough settings to grow with you. Adjusting the recovery speed, iron filter, and custom discrimination patterns allows you to tailor the machine's performance to your specific site and target preferences.
I spent my first few hunts sticking to the presets, but as I got more confident, I started experimenting with the custom settings. The learning curve is gentle, not steep.
It encourages experimentation without punishing you for it. This machine successfully bridges the gap between a "turn on and go" detector and a more advanced, customizable machine.
My Final Verdict: 9/10
The Nokta Triple Score is a phenomenal achievement. It's rare that a detector comes along that genuinely changes the game for its price point, but Nokta has done it.
It’s powerful, it’s intuitive, and most importantly, it makes me want to get out and hunt. It instills a confidence that you’re not leaving good targets in the ground.
While it has some minor quirks, they are footnotes in an otherwise brilliant story.
It has become the detector I grab first for about 80% of my hunts, and it's the one I enthusiastically recommend to anyone who asks. It has truly earned its place in my car, always ready for the next field
About the Author
Piotr Lesniewski
Piotr is a Polish metal detectorist living in Scotland who discovered his passion for metal detecting as a child when exploring fields and beaches with his dziadek (grandfather). With over 10 years of experience, he now specialises in making metal detecting accessible to younger generations and promoting affordable Chinese-made detectors in the growing market.