The invention relates to a handheld detecting instrument which comprises a casing. One end of the casing forms a handheld portion, and the other end of the casing is provided with a detecting portion; a battery is arranged in the handheld portion of the casing; a circuit board, a light guiding column and a fixing support are arranged in the detecting portion of the casing; a
central processing unit (CPU), an emitting coil, a receiving coil, a light-emitting
diode and a buzzing alarm are installed on the circuit board; a
liquid crystal display and a control panel are arranged on the outer surface of the detecting portion of the casing; the CPU is a processor with phase detecting and identifying functions; the control panel is electrically connected with the input end of the CPU; the light-emitting
diode, the buzzing alarm and the
liquid crystal display are electrically connected with the output end of the CPU respectively; the emitting coil is electrically connected with the output end of the CPU through a
driving circuit; and the receiving coil is electrically connected with the input end of the CPU through a
signal amplifying and shaping circuit. The handheld detecting instrument is precise and reliable in detecting, good in anti-interference capacity, complete in functions, capable of being used for detecting objects such as
metal,
alternating current, wood beams, plastics and the like.