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Asking your opinions of AT Pro - some questions - Thanx!

Ytcoinshooter

Ytcoinshooter

Well-known member
Garrett has brought to market in the AT line a combination features and usability at a price that has my attention. I've read a number of threads by users and testers alike. Although I have choices that excel in the salt beach environment I'd still like to know:

1) how stable it is and how well it punches into the wet ocean sand at low tide. I hunt in red and black sand as well as fluffy sand.

2) If any one has submerged it for shallow water ocean hunting plz chime in. How does the threshold react to the rising and falling swells? Does the unit false upon coil lift off from ocean floor at more than minimum sens?

3) Are users still reporting false signals when the coil is lightly bumped or scrubbed on land? Shielding paint issue was suspect by at least one well known detectorist.

4) Do the coils have a special connector - i.e. are the coils for the AT only for the AT? I know the supplied headphones have a special waterproof connection with an available adapter for use of other brands of land only headphones.

5) How sensitive is it to EMI & RF? Like does a simple backing off of the sensitivity calm it (w/out having to turn it nearly all the way down) or have you found unhuntable areas?

I've used a couple of low end Garrett's over the years to test and evaluate for friends and family. I always found them uncomplicated in operation with some nit picking on my part . Mainly regarding the plastic build or false response to some mineralized rocks. I envision the AT Pro as an ideal companion / backup when I don't have a narrow focus aka the possibility of hunting just one kind of site for the day. I always take two detectors with me, in part because I live 45 minutes from Long Island Sound and plans can change quickly from a wooded cellar hole site to kicking around the beach in any weather. Seems it would make a great back pack unit for hikes into wooded preserves. A good take along detector when I don't know if and where I'd get some swing time in while out doing "other fun stuff" with my wife. Often she will point and say "that looks like a good place for you to try". I also see the AT as being light enough for her to use when she wants to detect.
I think Garrett really hit a home run in the AT package but can I justify buying another detector? I do use every one I have.
HH- Bruce
 
I did find this just below by grumpysrd: I have used and test my ATP on the saltwater beach. It will work, but not as good as you may believe. It works very well in dry and damp sand. I have found numerous coins, a gold ring, and other items there. However wet sand and the surf is different. Although in my controlled test I was able to detect a quarter at 4 inches in Standard Coin and Pro Coin and Zero modes the vdi was erratic in wet sand. I did get a coin/high tone. It would not find the quarter any deeper even at full sensitivity. When a wave came in over the hole it changed everything. It seems the wetter it is the less depth I got.
 
I can comment on 3, 4, and 5.

3 I had a big problem with this. I hunted thru it but it was a problem. I sent it in to be fixed. I have not gotten it back yet. They told me they replaced the coil and did some updates.

4. The AT coils go on just the AT's. Gold and pro are interchangable.

5. Only had a emi problem once in a park. I changed the freq and all was good.
 
Thanks WIHawker. The coil falling is my biggest concern. I couldn't live with as I saw demonstrated on a YouTube video by synthnut. If that issue has been fully resolved then I'd be confident in a good time with the AT.
 
My detecting is on land, so I can't address your water questiuons.

I can tell you that the coil falsing issue was only on the early AT Pros. That problem was addressed and corrected almost two years ago.
 
You using a Minelab Sov now? I know a couple people who switched to the AT series including myself. I don't do the beach hunting so I can't say how they compare there. I use an AT Gold. Of course the Iron Audio is great for bottlecaps. The Hi-Resolution iron discriimination is super. It's like adding an octave where the Sov cuts off. Recovery speed there is just no comparision it's so much faster. Depth is as good or better. Controls can be easily adjusted with the same hand you hold the detector with.
 
Yes, my sov gt sees use as a wet and dry sand machine. Sure the recovery isn't fast and at times with the bigger coil I feel like its seeing too much of the maxtrix for a trade off for sheer beach coverage. The sov isn't what I'd use in a park or lawn setting (hello V3i) but that's just my comfort level. I have friends who do impressivly well in parks and lawns because they have put the time in to know the sovereign. The AT intrigues me because of the versatility, being weatherproof and submersible to 10". So if the coil issues were solved a year or more ago then I'm getting an the AT Pro after my latest and last surgery is healed. I'm six weeks away from being able to swing any detector. I can see the only place I won't bother using the garrett is in the ocean, I have better choices and no vlf can you beat a PI or even my Excalibur wading in the ocean. Even the CZ20/21 IN the ocean doesnt get near the depth of my PI. I will use the AT on the dry and damp sand.
To read that anyone compares the AT to the Sov depthwise is a welcome surprise. Thank you everyone, the coil & coil wire causing false signals would prevent me from buying in, knowing that is resolved I'm a little excited now.
HH-Bruce
 
Of course the intent is as a land coin & jewelry hunter first. Ill take it along with my V3i and will be prepared for long days out. I just retired young September 1, 2012 and I'm scheming, planing now that my time is my own.
 
I have used the AT both in fresh and salt water with different results. Fresh water not a problem and pretty deep I may add (snorkel, goggles head down bum up so to speak) very stable.
Saltwater for me though is another beast. Sensitivity is turned down to about 4 or 5 on the meter which is ok I suppose so 5/8, bout half sensitivity and she runs ok. Still likes to chatter a bit though so ground balance needs to be done every so often. Even with the chattering though if you put the coil over a target in range the signal is unmistakable. Low tide is the best time with next to no wind or big waves makes quite a difference. I'm in Australia so my beaches may be different to yours (minerals) obviously. I make sure I'm at least knee to waist deep in saltwater because then no waves can disrupt the coil although hitting the coil on the ground causes my AT to false at times. So shallow targets is about all your gonna get forget the deeper targets as the BBS or PI machines will make quick work of those. For the price you can't beat the AT pro.
Cheers!
 
I can't vouch for the AT Pro. I don't think it is quite as good as the AT Gold, but that's my biased opinion. I'm sure others might have a diifferent view. I know the meter on the Sov was more accurate, but really the AT meter reads with more sensitivity because the machine is so much faster. So the numbers bounce around more if there is other metals nearby. Part of it is having the coil centered over the target more precisely. And you do have to ground balance.

I know nothing about the Whites other than it costs a whole lot more. I would think there is not much advantage with the ATP other than waterproof and much lower cost. I don't even know what kind of coil it has, but the 5 x 8 double d on the ATG (option on the ATP) is just excellent. It's more difficult to pinpoint surface targets, takes some effort to learn.

There are several videos on the Garrett website.
 
Bruce get a AT-Pro and you won't look back! I love mine and love the separation this detector offers it's a little nose heavy with the stock coil on it but that's my only complaint, I can swing it all day long with very little arm fatigue I hear the 5x8 coil for it is killer in trash and that will be my next purchase.
 
The ATP is heavy. It's the heavier shaft, for water hunting I suppose. I have used mine for hours and find myself changing hands more often than with my ACE 350. The smaller coil is a huge help as well. I had a 5 hour hunt the other day and after 4 switched to the smaller coil until done.
 
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