This is Infologue’s annual rankings of the best knife arch walkthrough metal detectors for the UK in 2023. All models listed are available for purchase in the United Kingdom. The rankings were compiled with security companies in mind as the primary customer and as such take in to account things such as cost, accessibility, convenience as well as performance and reliability.
Description: The RISK P1 Portable Knife Arch is a professional security walkthrough metal detector that has been constructed with a modular design. This means that it can be taken apart and rebuilt within 5 minutes once fully trained. It weighs only 45KGs and has wheels that allow it to be rolled from one place to another. It has adjustable sensitivity and 24 separate detection zones. It has an LCD screen interface with tally counter and a host of options.
Features:
- Modular Construction for Rapid Deployment
- Highly Sensitive with 255 Levels
- 24 Detection Areas
- Head to Toe Detection
- Mains & Battery Powered
- 12000 mAh Lithium Ion Battery
- Wide Range of Operating Frequencies
- 7” LCD Display for Configuration
- Tally Counter with 4 Different Modes
- Allows for High Speed Detection
- Highly Configurable
- IP54 Rated
- Includes Waterproof cover for use in rain
- Password Protected
- UK Brand
- 12 Month Manufacturer’s Warranty
Price: £2000 ex VAT
Summary: Dethroning the Garett PD6500i for the first year in a very long time is the new Risk P1 Portable Knife Arch. The reason for its entry at pole position is the shear value for money that you get with this device. It is designed very similarly to the Fisher M-Scope (sometimes branded as the Gatescan-P) which costs between double and triple the price. It is very easy to use with a host of functionality including sensitivity adjustment by zone which gives you greater freedom to customise your search profile. It also comes with a great weather cover that allows it to be used out in the rain which many walkthrough metal detectors cannot boast. It also has a large battery should you need to reel in the cables at any reason.
Garrett PD6500i Walkthrough Metal Detector
Description: Unsurprisingly, the Garett P6500i Walkthrough Metal Detector comes in at a close second place. Like the great white shark, the PD6500i has remained unchanged for what seems like a millennia, not needing to evolve because it is already damn near perfect for its role. The P6500i might be considered lo-fi by today’s standards but it is an efficient, immoveable monolith of a machine. Made from heavy duty aluminium, this 74KG monster seems almost bullet proof. It has a reputation for being one of the most reliable knife arches on the market and is most likely the most widely adopted walkthrough in history. Highly sensitive and secure, the Garrett PD6500i is a great choice for sites that have the budget to afford it.
Features:
- Extremely Reliable
- 33 Target Detection Zones
- Adjustable Highly Sensitive Scanner
- Adjustable Alarms
- Tamper Resistance Features
- Wide 30” Doorway
- Built In Traffic Counter
- IP55 Rated
- Very Widley Tested & Certified
- Fast 30 Minute Assembly
- Mains Powered
- Rugged Aluminium Casing
- 2 Year Manufacturer’s Warranty
- Made in the USA
Price: £4995.83 ex VAT
Summary: The Garrett PD6500i has long be the king of the hill when it comes to security walkthrough metal detectors. While other brands like Fisher and Risk have come in with innovative designs and affordable value, Garrett have stuck to their guns and doubled down on the low-fi design. No LCD screen, no modular design, no moving parts etc makes the PD6500i solid with little to go wrong. If it were not for the hefty price tag, the PD6500i would likely still be at number 1.
Fisher M-Scope Portable Knife Arch
Description: Sometimes branded as the Gatescan-P in the UK, the Fisher M-Scope was the first model to use the now widely known modular design template. This innovative move by US branded Fisher allowed it to make headway in the events industry in particular given that it was so much more portable than its competitors. The M-Scope takes about 5 minutes to assemble and offers a high level of functionality including high sensitivity, multiple detection zones and adjustable settings and programs. One of the big advantages that the M-Scope has over a competitor like the RISK P1 is that it has a very long lasting battery (40 hours) when compared to the lower cost model.
Features:
- Portable Walkthrough Metal Detector Arch
- Rapid Deployment Modular Construction
- Up to 40 Hours of Operation on Battery Life
- Rechargeable Battery Included (can also use mains)
- 3 Detection Zones
- Head to Toe Detection Area
- Adjustable Sensitivity (Over 100 Levels)
- Signal Strength Indicator
- LED Display for Configuration
- Built-in Traffic Counter & Statistics
- Memory Function Stores Settings
- Highly Configurable
- Tamper Resistant
- Robust and Lightweight Design
- Suitable for Outdoor Use (In Dry Conditions)
- Made in the USA
- 2 Year Manufacturer’s Warranty
Price: £4165.83 ex VAT
Summary: The Fisher M-Scope is a great device with a very polished presentation. It has a bunch of features and is very easy to take apart and put together again. While not as strong as the Garrett PD6500i walkthrough metal detector, it is well made and will last. It is over double the price of the RISK P1 Portable Knife Arch, which is why it is not higher up on the list but is none the less a great device for sites with sufficient budget. It also comes with a two year warranty and was made in the USA.
RISK DualScan Walkthrough Metal Detector
Description: Speaking of innovation, the RISK DualScan stands out amongst the other entries on the list for a number of reasons. First is the obvious, it is a single panel walkthrough metal detector and not a traditional knife arch shape. It detects on both sides of the panel and from both directions. This means that it can handle a lot of through traffic in a short span of time unlike a traditional model. It utilises roughly 1 square metre of space in order to function which makes it a good option for small entry ways that won’t fit two or even one standard arch. It has all the standard features such as alarms and adjustable sensitivity and functions much like a security professional would expect.
Features:
- Dual Side Walkthrough Metal Detector
- Ideal for High Volume Areas
- Excellent for Narrow Entryways
- Can Detect over 80 People a Minute
- Adjustable Alarm Volume
- 3.7 Inch LCD Screen
- Adjustable Sensitivity
- 6 Detection Zones, 6 on either side
- 50cm Detection Width
- Built In Traffic Counter
- For Indoor Use
- Semi-Portable
- Mains Powered
- MUST BE BOLTED TO THE FLOOR
- For Indoor Use
- 1 Year Manufacturer’s Warranty
Price: £1200 ex VAT
Summary: We were tempted to put this nifty device higher up on the list but one draw back is that it must be bolted to the floor. This is understandable however given its shape and the fact that it does take up far less surface area than its competitors. It is also lightweight and can be carried to a new location if bolt points are available. The single panel design is unique and does offer up a lot of advantages for a well trained team in high traffic areas. It is also nearly half the cost of the RISK P1 Portable Knife Arch and a fraction of the cost of the Fisher and Garrett models up above.
RISK W2 Walkthrough Metal Detector
Description: The RISK W2 is a low-cost traditional knife arch style walkthrough metal detector. It is highly sensitive with adjustable sensitivity across 33 independent detection areas like the Garrett P6500i but not as solid. It has the usual features of modern knife arches like tally counting and configurations but also with a nice LCD screen which is a little more user friendly than the PD6500i’s analog key setup. The RISK W2 resets quickly between searches and allows for a decent traffic flow, preventing bottlenecks. It is also semi-portable with wheels on the front that mean it can be titled and rolled to a new location as long as a mains power source is available there.
Features:
- High Sensitivity Walkthrough Metal Detector
- Highly Sensitive with 355 Levels
- 33 Independent Detection Areas
- Head to Toe Detection
- Rapid High Speed Detection
- 7” LCD Display for Configuration
- Tally Counter
- Highly Configurable
- Semi-Portable with Wheels
- Password Protected
- Suitable for Indoor Use Only
- UK Brand
- 12 Month Manufacturer’s Warranty
Price: £1400 ex VAT
Summary: If you’re wondering why there are 3 RISK walkthrough metal detectors on this list, it is because A, they produce more models than their competitors and B, they are priced extremely competitively. The W-Series especially is a great choice for budget conscious security sites who need a knife arch but would like to get more for their pound. Aside from the W2, there is also a W1 which has 18 zones of detection and comes in at only £1100. The RISK W1 & W2 are great entry level walkthrough metal detectors with a decent array of features.
*Disclaimer: These rankings represent the opinion of the team at Interconnective who compiled the list.