check baggage or carry on 2025 Don

I travel with 2 one checked, one carry on and have never had any issue even on international flights. Always carry one in case your luggage is lost, clothes are easily replaced detectors not so much.

I carry the head on, and leave the poles and coils in the checked

I fly with the Equinox/Manticore in my carry on and in my padded knapsack under the seat is my breakdown PI detector. All scoops and digging tools are in my checked bag. Would suck if a detector went missing from my checked bag…they can and do open bags behind the scenes. Know your destination and what is permissible - legal. There is a list of countries that restrict Detecting or prohibited it all together and won’t let you in the country with your machine or will confiscate it… the responsibility is on you to know ahead of time . Some countries may impose a duty on your”sports equipment” if the value exceeds X number of dollars. Bring a copy of your receipt, especially if you bought it used. I know in Mexico they were googling the full retail one of my detectors to determine if I owed duty. My receipt from eBay showed I paid well under $600. The scoops tipped them off something was odd and I showed the Seahunter MK2 to them from my pack and that explained why the scoops. Funny my carryon was not inspected with the Equinox inside . But there were 2 of us so the other sports equipment allowance would go to my wife. This happened once outta 10 trips to MX. Some people will never have this happen but ya gotta know before you go. Taking your finds out of the country is another topic. Mine finds are coins and trinkets, easily worn or put with what little jewelry we take.
Good luck!