A locating device, in particular a handheld locating device, for detecting objects enclosed in a medium, includes a first device for detecting objects enclosed in a medium, and having a control and evaluation unit for measurement signals of the locating device. The device has a second detection device that makes it possible to detect a predeterminable distance d of the locating device from a surface of a medium. In addition, a method for calibrating a measurement device, in particular for calibrating a handheld locating device for detecting objects enclosed in a medium, a reference measurement for calibrating the measurement device is carried out only after at least one measurement has been carried out of a distance d of the measurement device from a surface of a medium.