Product Selector
FG Sensors provides several fluxgate magnetometer sensors, hardware boards, and measurement systems designed for different applications.
This guide helps you select the correct product depending on:
- your application
- required measurement accuracy
- system complexity
- whether you need a sensor only, a hardware board, or a complete measurement system
Step 1 — Choose Product Type
| Product Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Sensors | |
| FG-3+ | 1-axis fluxgate sensor with frequency output for DIY systems and gradiometers |
| FG-3C | Calibrated 1-axis sensor with UART, analog, and frequency outputs |
| FG-4 | 3-axis fluxgate magnetometer for full vector field measurement |
| Paired FG-3+ Sensors | Matched sensor pair for gradiometers and differential sensing |
| Boards | |
| Converter Circuit Board | Frequency-to-voltage converter for ADCs, data loggers, and analog systems |
| MAG-BOARD | Core electronics board for DIY magnetometer and gradiometer systems |
| Loggers | |
| FGA Logger | Data logging software for FG Sensors magnetometer systems |
| Kits & Systems | |
| Quick Start Gradiometer Kit | Entry-level kit for beginners, students, and first experiments |
| Basic Gradiometer Kit | Core gradiometer electronics for users building their own mechanical structure |
| Full Gradiometer Kit | Complete kit using two sensors to measure magnetic field gradients |
| Professional 3-Axis Magnetometer Kit | High-precision system with logging, GPS, and multi-axis sensors |
| DroneRover Enterprise | Aerial magnetometer system for UAV-based magnetic surveys |
Step 2 — Sensors
FG-3+ Sensor
The FG-3+ is a compact 1-axis fluxgate magnetometer for detecting weak magnetic fields.
Specifications:
- Type: 1-axis fluxgate magnetometer
- Measurement range: ±50 µT
- Output: square-wave frequency proportional to magnetic field
- Supply voltage: 5V
- Typical current: ~12 mA
The frequency output connects directly to microcontroller timer inputs — no ADC required. Typically used with converter boards or custom electronics for raw signal processing.
Typical uses:
- custom magnetometer development
- research experiments
- magnetic anomaly detection
- vehicle detection
- geomagnetic monitoring
FG-3C Sensor
The FG-3C is a fully calibrated and linearized 1-axis fluxgate magnetometer based on the FG-3+ sensing core. It adds digital processing and factory calibration, outputting magnetic field values directly in physical units (nT) without requiring external calibration algorithms.
Key features:
- Fully calibrated and linearized output
- Temperature compensated for stable measurements
- Factory-characterized for high accuracy and repeatability
- Compatible with existing FG sensor installations
- Multiple output interfaces (UART, analog, frequency)
Specifications:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | 1-axis fluxgate magnetometer |
| Measurement range | −60 µT to +60 µT |
| Supply voltage | 5V ±0.25V |
| Current consumption | ~35 mA |
| Default refresh rate | 100 ms (10 Hz) |
Output interfaces:
UART Digital Output
- Magnetic field value in nT
- Baud rate: 115200 bps
- Format:
xxxxxx nT
Analog Voltage Output
- 0.5 V at +60 µT
- 3.0 V at −60 µT
Frequency / PWM Output
- 5V square-wave signal
- 30 kHz at +60 µT
- 130 kHz at −60 µT
Typical uses:
- simplified microcontroller integration
- systems requiring direct physical unit output
- applications needing stable, temperature-compensated measurements
- retrofitting existing FG-3+ installations with calibrated output
FG-4 Sensor
The FG-4 is a 3-axis fluxgate magnetometer that measures the complete magnetic field vector across the X, Y, and Z axes simultaneously.
- Measures magnetic field in three orthogonal directions
- Provides full vector magnetic field data
- Designed for applications requiring directional field information
Typical uses:
- scientific instruments requiring 3-axis field data
- UAV-based magnetometer systems
- professional magnetometer setups
- orientation-independent magnetic field measurement
Sensor Comparison
FG Sensors offers several fluxgate magnetometer models designed for different measurement needs. The table below compares the most common sensors used in FG Sensors systems.
| Feature | FG-3+ | FG-3C | FG-4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axes | 1-axis | 1-axis | 3-axis |
| Output Type | Frequency output | Analog / calibrated magnetic field output | Vector magnetic field output |
| Measurement | Magnetic field component | Magnetic field component | Full 3-axis vector magnetic field |
| Typical Use | DIY magnetometers, gradiometers | Research measurements and calibrated systems | Vector magnetometry and 3-axis field measurements |
| Integration | Requires converter circuit or MAG-BOARD | Direct interface to acquisition systems | Direct interface for 3-axis measurements |
| Typical Applications | Gradiometers, geomagnetic studies, detector systems | Scientific measurements, calibration setups | 3-axis magnetic field mapping, navigation, research |
Paired FG-3+ Sensors
The Paired FG-3+ Sensors are sold as a factory-matched pair for applications requiring balanced dual-sensor measurements.
- Matched pair for consistent differential readings
- Designed for gradiometers and differential sensing systems
- Reduces measurement imbalance between sensors
Typical uses:
- gradiometer construction
- differential magnetic field sensing
- balanced sensor arrays
Step 3 — Hardware Boards
Converter Circuit Board
The Converter Circuit Board is a frequency-to-voltage converter that converts the square-wave frequency output of FG fluxgate sensors into an analog voltage signal.
- Input: square-wave frequency from FG-3+ or compatible sensor
- Output: analog voltage proportional to magnetic field
- Compatible with: ADCs, analog data loggers, and analog signal processing systems
Use this board when your data acquisition system requires an analog voltage input rather than a frequency input.
MAG-BOARD
The MAG-BOARD is the core electronics board used as the main control and signal-processing PCB for DIY magnetometer and gradiometer systems.
- Designed for DIY magnetometer and gradiometer builds
- Handles sensor signal processing and system control
- Used as the central board in custom measurement systems
Use this board when building a custom magnetometer or gradiometer system from components.
The Converter Circuit Board and MAG-BOARD are separate products with different functions. The Converter Circuit Board handles analog signal conversion; the MAG-BOARD is the main system control board.
Step 4 — Gradiometer Kits
A gradiometer uses two sensors separated by a fixed distance to measure the magnetic field gradient rather than absolute field strength.
Advantages:
- reduces environmental magnetic noise
- highlights local anomalies
- improves sensitivity to buried objects
Typical applications:
- metal detection
- archaeology
- geophysical surveying
- underground infrastructure mapping
Quick Start Gradiometer Kit
Best for: beginners, students, initial sensor testing.
- 2× FG-3+ sensors
- PCB with pre-installed firmware
- Android monitoring support
Basic Gradiometer Kit
Best for: hobbyists and researchers building custom systems.
- 2× FG-3+ sensors
- assembled PCB
- LCD display
- firmware installed
- Android monitoring
Users design their own enclosure and mechanical structure.
Full Gradiometer Kit
Best for: field use and complete ready-to-deploy systems.
- 2× matched FG-3+ sensors
- fully assembled PCB
- LCD display
- enclosure
- mounting hardware
- sensor cables
- Android monitoring app
Step 5 — Professional 3-Axis Magnetometer Kits
Professional systems provide high-accuracy magnetic field measurements with integrated data acquisition.
Features:
- 3-axis fluxgate magnetometer sensors
- integrated GPS
- SD card data logging
- USB / UART output
- high-precision measurement electronics
Typical uses:
- geophysical surveys
- scientific research
- environmental monitoring
- magnetic field mapping
Step 6 — DroneRover Enterprise
The DroneRover Enterprise is an aerial magnetometer system designed for UAV-based magnetic surveys and large-area mapping.
Typical uses:
- drone-mounted magnetic surveys
- large-area geophysical mapping
- mineral exploration
- unexploded ordnance (UXO) detection
- remote or difficult-to-access terrain surveys
Step 7 — Choose Data Interface
| Interface | Description |
|---|---|
| Android App | Real-time monitoring and logging |
| USB Serial | Data streaming to computer |
| UART | Integration with embedded systems |
| SD Card | Local data recording |
| Analog Voltage | Output via Converter Circuit Board to ADC or data logger |
Quick Recommendation Guide
| User Type | Recommended Product |
|---|---|
| Electronics developer needing analog input | Converter Circuit Board |
| DIY magnetometer or gradiometer builder | MAG-BOARD |
| Custom sensor system with raw frequency output | FG-3+ Sensor |
| Calibrated sensor with direct nT output | FG-3C Sensor |
| Full vector magnetic field measurement | FG-4 Sensor |
| Gradiometer builder needing matched sensors | Paired FG-3+ Sensors |
| Beginner or student | Quick Start Gradiometer Kit |
| Hobbyist or researcher | Basic Gradiometer Kit |
| Field deployment | Full Gradiometer Kit |
| Professional research | Professional 3-Axis Magnetometer Kit |
| Aerial UAV-based surveys | DroneRover Enterprise |
Next Step
After selecting your product, continue to the relevant documentation section for setup, wiring, and integration guides.