AT air tests not impressive

[upnorth]

How is your machine doing in your hunts in your ground?
Thats the only one answer that matters.

Mudslinger

Quite true.Dirt time is the real test. However I am looking outside at a snow storm right now and getting antsy. I gave her a whirl fresh out of the box for an air guesttimate out of curiosity. Kind of picking fly turds out of pepper right now because I can't swing.

 

[Johnny Cache]

I'm getting great depth with my Pro...I'd send yours in to be fixed or replaced.

 

[marcomo]

Heard if you put good Litium Batteries in the ATP you can get another inch to inc. h and a half.

Dont know where you heard that, but I'd be shocked if that were true.

 

[MikeLab]

I know some litium batteries have run as high as 1.8 volts. Someone said now they run lower, but I still would be cautious about experimenting with higher voltage. Sure sounds like a good way to damage your machine. Probably not covered under the warranty if you burn it up.

 

[upnorth]

Not sure your problem but here is my air test on gold at a good 12"

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEmI7TlpwD0[/video]

And another

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5IzyhvtOd4[/video]

If you're referring to the depth that the AT Pro will give a solid and accurate VDI than you're correct and this is pretty common. Accurate solid target ID requires you to spend a bit more money. Even then most detector, even high end, don't have that accurate VDI below 6". Especially in the ground.

Thanks for the video. I set my new AT away from interference much like you did and basically replicated your video. I layed a plastic ruler along the top of the shaft. I put new batteries in and set it to pro zero one bar down from max. I used a Canadian large cent, a 1900 Victorian silver quarter and a fish scale five cent piece. Very similar to the old silver U.S. half dime. My fish was 1900 I believe and a bit on the thin side, for an already tiny and thin silver coin. The coins would sound off maybe and extra 1\2 inch but I just marked down were the hits were repeatedly solid. Considering that I can probably knock off 30% from the numbers because it is an air\bench test, the silver numbers are a bit flat to me. I got another inch on the quarter when I went full bars\sens.

Pro Zero one bar down from max..........consistent solid signals.
Large Cent: 10''
silver quarter: 7''
fish scale: 6''

This is ok I suppose but I expected a bit more. I guess that the real test is in the fields this spring. I am saying all of this while biting my tongue a little. I know that it takes a while to learn a new machine and to set it up optimally for local conditions. Thanks for your replies everyone.
* I just realized something when looking at the numbers between pro zero and standard zero, there is not much difference between the two, particularly on the silvers.
* I pulled my ACE 250 out and put some batteries in it, setting to to full sens\bars. Same set up with ruler basicly as per video.

Large Cent: 7''
Silver quarter: 7''
Silver five cent piece: 6''

 

[Sven]

How can you get more depth by using higher voltage batteries. There is a voltage regulator built into the circuit that drops voltage down to what the detector needs to operate. And that's all the power it's going to get. The voltage regulator will tell you when it's time to change batteries, usually about 1 volt above the rate of the regulator. That's when your detector starts acting funny.

 

[upnorth]

I'm getting great depth with my Pro...I'd send yours in to be fixed or replaced.

J.C. Can you please check yours the way that I did mine, as a double check ? I was pro zero one bar down from max. I swung the coins between control box and coil (on top) with a plastic ruler on the shaft. I am curious as to what your numbers are for a L.C., silver quarter and a fish. Maybe I'm not doing something right ? I'm getting 8'' consistent on a U.S. clad quarter and 7'' inches on a U.S. clad dime. Thanks.

 

[ajaj]

I know this sounds cold, but, who cares about air tests. Hey, I know they must mean something, to someone, somewhere; but I have found that air tests mean somewhat little in the field. Look, I have dug Wheaties to 11 inches, yet dug a Wheatie that sounded like like junk at 3 inches. Use the machine, listen to the sounds, dig what you can, when you can; you will be pleasantly surprised.

aj

 

[Sven]

I know this sounds cold, but, who cares about air tests. Hey, I know they must mean something, to someone, somewhere; but I have found that air tests mean somewhat little in the field. Look, I have dug Wheaties to 11 inches, yet dug a Wheatie that sounded like like junk at 3 inches. Use the machine, listen to the sounds, dig what you can, when you can; you will be pleasantly surprised.

aj

The point about air tests is to determine if his detector has an issue or not. Air tests do relate to ground depth to a degree depending upon soil conditions.
Do you not suppose if your can get a quarter at 12 air test and Stinkies can only get 7 at the same settings yours would have a large depth advantage in any of the same soil conditions?
If the average air test everyone is getting is 10", we know there probably is something wrong with his machine if his only gets 6". If you do not agree would you be willing to trade your detector for his? I doubt it.

Air tests are really only good to determine if the detector has performance issues.
We all know air tests have no bearing in actual ground hunts and can expect a loss of depth.

Stinky right now is concerned he has a problem detector..........spring time is around the corner and wants the deep AT he paid for.

 

[SpiritRelic]

Stinkfoot,you are not going to get what you air test with your tejon.Tejon is one of the deepest around.But the tejon is a raw vlf detector with nothing added to the circuits to give a depth drop.When features are added to a detector such as tones,vid,there is some lose of depth. O

 

[Johnny Cache]

I'm getting great depth with my Pro...I'd send yours in to be fixed or replaced.

J.C. Can you please check yours the way that I did mine, as a double check ? I was pro zero one bar down from max. I swung the coins between control box and coil (on top) with a plastic ruler on the shaft. I am curious as to what your numbers are for a L.C., silver quarter and a fish. Maybe I'm not doing something right ? I'm getting 8'' consistent on a U.S. clad quarter and 7'' inches on a U.S. clad dime. Thanks.

Woohoo, a reason to skip out on work early and spend some time messing with the ATPro! I will take the equivalent of your 3 coins and do a test today. I was thinking I should do a few tests anyway, just to make sure things are running great for spring. I'll let you know later....

 

[upnorth]

I'm getting great depth with my Pro...I'd send yours in to be fixed or replaced.

J.C. Can you please check yours the way that I did mine, as a double check ? I was pro zero one bar down from max. I swung the coins between control box and coil (on top) with a plastic ruler on the shaft. I am curious as to what your numbers are for a L.C., silver quarter and a fish. Maybe I'm not doing something right ? I'm getting 8'' consistent on a U.S. clad quarter and 7'' inches on a U.S. clad dime. Thanks.

Woohoo, a reason to skip out on work early and spend some time messing with the ATPro! I will take the equivalent of your 3 coins and do a test today. I was thinking I should do a few tests anyway, just to make sure things are running great for spring. I'll let you know later....

Thanks. My numbers seem to be a little down from the common air tests. If I am way off from your tests then I'll know if I have a defective machine or not. If it is just on the weaker end, I can live with that.

 

[upnorth]

Stinkfoot,you are not going to get what you air test with your tejon.Tejon is one of the deepest around.But the tejon is a raw vlf detector with nothing added to the circuits to give a depth drop.When features are added to a detector such as tones,vid,there is some lose of depth. O

Yes sir. And thanks for all the input everyone. I do not take offence with different opinions. I definately do not know it all and there are many here that have forgotten more than I know. As Sven said, I am basicly wondering why I am not getting the same performance that I see others getting. If I am doing something wrong, please point it out. I am replicating tests with the exact same coins, say a U.S. clad quarter and getting 2\3 the performance. I like Garrett machines and I'm still excited about the AT. But if this particular machine is a little wonkie I'd like to get it straight now before the season starts here. I am just concerned that my air tests are weak compared to what I have seen in videos. Thanks for your help\opinions, I value them.

 

[ajaj]

I "hate" air tests; I don't metal detect in air...I metal detect on the ground. The AT Pro does not disappoint. I have found old pennies at 11" and it was somewhat obvious from the sound what I was digging. I NEVER compare machines, or judge a single machine, based on an air test. And there is so much more to a machine than depth capability.

aj

 

[upnorth]

Mods, please lock or delete this thread. I have no interest in persuing it. The AT is a feature packed machine that gives great value for the money spent. If my particular machine is a bit weak I can live with it and still have great fun. I am excited to use this baby in the spring. Thanks all for your advice\patience.

 

[Johnny Cache]

Man, it's too bad I can't get my video up Stinkfoot, I think you'd be impressed. I was getting good signals 10 to 12 inches, even nailing a fishscale around 9 inches...

 

[SpiritRelic]

Mods, please lock or delete this thread. I have no interest in persuing it. The AT is a feature packed machine that gives great value for the money spent. If my particular machine is a bit weak I can live with it and still have great fun. I am excited to use this baby in the spring. Thanks all for your advice\patience.

Why close the thread.I want a AT myself.You want to know about air test big deal.You need to know what the average is of others to do a comparison.Depth is not everything on a metal detector.I never said anything about one being better than another.But air test have nothing to do with the ground.We use air test to make sure the detector is operating correctly.So don't get crazy on us.

 

[upnorth]

1.We use air test to make sure the detector is operating correctly. 2. So don't get crazy on us.

1. Isn't that what I have been doing all along ? 2. Considering that I have been kind, open minded, and positive in regard to my apparently defective machine. And the comments on this testing, in regard to known and accepted performance parameters, I find it sad to see comments like this. Maybe if people read entire threads as opposed to diving in on the latest observation on this quest, their opinions would be less belligerent and ignorant. I started this thread to get help with a new machine that isn't performing to accepted standards. I have made every effort to be positive and try to figure out why my machine is not performing properly. I have made ZERO derogatory personal comments in this thread. I will still enjoy my AT as it is, but I have had more than enough of this sub forum, good bye.

 

[SpiritRelic]

I know the ATpro is awesome from just reading the ATforum.I don't know what the AT pro air test at?Just use a clad Quarter with your settings and report back.I love the design of the ATPro.It is a true winner for sure.Just air test a quarter and come back here.These guys know we are not trying to push,brag,down anything.We had a guy just now on the Tesoro forum wondering the same thing about air test.Well he compaired his to others and come to find out he had a bad coil.This is what air test are for.The Tejon will air test deep but you let the soil get a little off and it goes to pieces on in ground depth.So get right and get back here stinky.

 

[jarrow]

5"x8" coil Pro Mode Coin 7" on clad guarter