AT Pro and saltwater

[grumpysrb]

I have an ACE 150(backup) and the ACE 350. I have found about 8 dollars in clad and two 14k rings, and some relics and the like over 3 months. Now I'd like to move from the dirt and dry sand, sometimes wet, and get into the saltwater. I am looking for a water machine and now have the money for the AT Pro. I need to know if it is worth the purchase for the water or if I should look for a different machine? How much do all you AT Pro users find in the water?

 

[John-Edmonton]

Some guys have done very well with theirs.....

http://www.garrett.com/hobbysite/hbby_at_pro_saltwater_video.aspx

 

[grumpysrb]

Saw the video, but didn't see what he found.

 

[nugget71]

Yes you can use the Pro in salt water and yes you will find items but..........there are more suitable machines out there for SALT water exclusively. So you need to make the right choice........do you want an all purpose machine like the AT Pro that is a jack of all trades or do you want a Master at one trade? By the way if you do a search on these forums you will probably find multiple questions like yours already here, it will save you and others alot of time answering questions that have been answered many times before.
Good luck with your choice.

 

[8720roger]

depends on your pocket book.if its shalow like most of us go whit the at pro it works well in or out of the salt water you just need to back off on the sencitivity and re groundbalence the machine in the water,or you can spend more money and get a pi machine

 

[Leslie(nova scotia)]

From the land of the Bluenose.....yes the p.i. machines are by far the best in salt water. Use my Seahunter MK11 in the water and the Pro on dry land. Best of luck and best ofthe season to you and the brood me bouy!

 

[grumpysrb]

Before I buy anything can anyone recommend PI machines for $600. or less. That's my budget, I'd like to check them out before deciding on anything.

 

[mickfin]

A Garrett Sea Hunter is a PI unit and will be in your price range 4R the Ocean,

 

[grumpysrb]

I spent several hours at the beach with the new AT Pro. This is going to take time. I tried the wet sand, but wasn't sure of what I was hearing and ended up on the dry sand. I'd flip from standard to pro made whenever I hit something trying to learn the tones in Pro Mode. What I found most irritating was the short headphone cord. The heavier feeling coil I can get used to. I just swing slower.

 

[qkslvr]

The At pro needs to be ground balanced when going from wet sand to dry sand. Salt ground balances between 0-20 depending on the mineralization. Garrett recommends Pro mode when hunting in salt, if your detector chatters then turn the sensitivity down.

 

[SE-5]

I spent several hours at the beach with the new AT Pro. This is going to take time. I tried the wet sand, but wasn't sure of what I was hearing and ended up on the dry sand. I'd flip from standard to pro made whenever I hit something trying to learn the tones in Pro Mode. What I found most irritating was the short headphone cord. The heavier feeling coil I can get used to. I just swing slower.

I bought Sun Rays from Bart at Big Boys Hobbies, you'll have to get the 1/4 adapter. The Rays have a longer cord, still not long enough to suit me, but longer than the stock Garrett's.

 

[grumpysrb]

Went back to the saltwater today. First thing I did was test the depth in wet sand. Buried a quarter at 6 inches. Max sensitivity in all modes. In standard coin got no signal. Sporadic signal, no vdi reading in Pro coin. In pro zero was slightly better, the vdi was sporadic and jumped all over. Moved to 4 inches and did much better in all modes, but the vdi was till all over, but did hit the 80's half the time. As I was removing the quarter to test a shallower depth a wave crashed over and took the quarter. I found it at about 2 inches down next to the hole, but had to re- ground balance, and it took me a few to figure that out.

With the surf churning and tide coming in I decided to hunt along the high tide mark. You can tell when swinging over wet and damp sand the ground balance is affected from the tones and chatter it makes. I did find 2 quarters(2000 and 198 the Penney I lost two weeks ago(at about 2 inches) 2 dimes(2006 and 1999), 2 large (about the size of a handball) 2 hand trowels all at the tide line or in the water as the waves came and went. Found a toy car in the dryish sand. The small trowels and washers read 99 or so on the vdi and the coins came in at their usual place in the low 80's for the dime and mid to upper 80's for the quarter. Did catch the vdi reading on the Penney. The toy car came in at 99 and in the 80's, two different metals in it I guess.

 

[grumpysrb]

n/t

 

[nugget71]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLmUFrgYik4&list=UUBOA-x8YAPNDVZ4d3Jy7RPg&index=1

No waves, very calm conditions as you will see and Pat says he hunts in standard mode (all metal) (Zero) which is interesting. Does not mention sensitivity. Pretty good days hunt!
Cheers!

 

[grumpysrb]

WOW! I'll have to try Standard Zero at the beach. I'll have to stay on the wet sand, I don't have a water scoop and the surf is rough right now. Can't wait. My last hunt turned up some 80's coins so I know there's jewelry out there too.

Thanks Nugget71 for the post.

 

[senda]

In salt water or sand of the seashore Garret gives me trouble, I have to lose much sensitivity and not if I lose something ... lack of trust can be used, but there are other machines that act better as souvering. Onshore is fantastic
regards best