Frist let me say that I am not trying to diss the AT is any way... I do think that some have done is and Garrett a disservice with all the hype because expectations are so high that frankly I think some are going to be let down when the AT, though a really good machine, isn't really the best detector ever made> I realize this and I hope you do... have reasonable expectations. Expect it to be an awesome detector in its price range and then if it actually is better than a 1500 dollar machine... you will be plesantly surprised... if you believe all the hype and fully expect it to blow away a 15oo dollar machine and it doesn't, well/// you are going to be disappointed and there is just no reason for that. Think for yourself and when you buy it, expect it to be a better that average mid level detector... and when it is better... be happy. Thinking like this will head off a lot of complaining... Garrett deserves the benefit of the doubt on this, they are a good company and no one should expect them to come out and say, "wait a minute folks... this isn't the best detector ever made... however, if it isn't and they don't say so then they are setting themselves up for some complaining". FWIW, some people complain about every new detector that comes out... it is just the way it is... but this one is being set up for more complaining than usual. So, do yourself a favor and expect a very good mid level detector and then be happy if that is exactly what it is.. be amazed if it actually competes with a 1500 dollar machine... OK?
So... I just finished looking at the Garrett site. I noticed a marked similarity between the relationship of the Omega-8000 and the G2. The O8K runs at a lower, coin friendly frequency and has an elliptical coil. The G2 runs at a higher frequency... quite hig actually, 19khz (the AT runs at 15khx IIRC). One think I did notice that favors the O8k/G2 is that they share some coils. I don't think they share the concentric coils, just the DD coils but I am not sure. I didn't see where the AT-Pro and the ACE-350 share coils... but the relationship between the two is similar with one being more for coins and the other more for relics. Then again the AT is not yet released and maybe when it is released they will share coils. The weight certainly is similar and the price is about the same. The features are comparable, in particular the iron range.
Now I am certain the AT has been in develpoment for a while and is not simply in response to the O8K/G2. I am pretty sure that Garrett came up with a really good coil and, like Minelab did when they introduced the Pro coil, they added the design to an ACE and will soon release the detector that was built around the coil design. Great marketing... I hope they make a lot of money so they can do more R&D... we will profit from that.
So, I expect good things from the AT-PRO, I expect other companies to follw Garretts lead in the waterproofing... way to go Garrett!
Again, my intention is not to throw cold water on the AT... but to encourage people to have reasonable expectations and then be happy if their expectations are exceeded... it is only common sense, IMO. I just noticed what I think are similarities to another brand... maybe it is coincidence or maybe it is the normal progression of available technology... whatever it is, i am glad to see it and I hope it is well received by all. It looks GREAT and I imagine it will work great if people give it a fair chance and take the time to really learn it.
Watching with interest! I hope people will give an honest opinion when it is released with no "knee jerk" reactions before having time to really give it a chance... but that's just me.
Julien
So... I just finished looking at the Garrett site. I noticed a marked similarity between the relationship of the Omega-8000 and the G2. The O8K runs at a lower, coin friendly frequency and has an elliptical coil. The G2 runs at a higher frequency... quite hig actually, 19khz (the AT runs at 15khx IIRC). One think I did notice that favors the O8k/G2 is that they share some coils. I don't think they share the concentric coils, just the DD coils but I am not sure. I didn't see where the AT-Pro and the ACE-350 share coils... but the relationship between the two is similar with one being more for coins and the other more for relics. Then again the AT is not yet released and maybe when it is released they will share coils. The weight certainly is similar and the price is about the same. The features are comparable, in particular the iron range.
Now I am certain the AT has been in develpoment for a while and is not simply in response to the O8K/G2. I am pretty sure that Garrett came up with a really good coil and, like Minelab did when they introduced the Pro coil, they added the design to an ACE and will soon release the detector that was built around the coil design. Great marketing... I hope they make a lot of money so they can do more R&D... we will profit from that.
So, I expect good things from the AT-PRO, I expect other companies to follw Garretts lead in the waterproofing... way to go Garrett!
Again, my intention is not to throw cold water on the AT... but to encourage people to have reasonable expectations and then be happy if their expectations are exceeded... it is only common sense, IMO. I just noticed what I think are similarities to another brand... maybe it is coincidence or maybe it is the normal progression of available technology... whatever it is, i am glad to see it and I hope it is well received by all. It looks GREAT and I imagine it will work great if people give it a fair chance and take the time to really learn it.
Watching with interest! I hope people will give an honest opinion when it is released with no "knee jerk" reactions before having time to really give it a chance... but that's just me.
Julien