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AT Pro/Gold newbie tips

C

CaballoDeOro

New member
Thought I might suggest and begin this, as I think it would be really helpful to start compiling a list of tips and tricks for new users of the AT Pro and AT Gold. We could also link to other posts to help new users read the best tips without having to search. Perhaps it would be useful as a sticky thread so it could be easily found by new forum members.

What are the best tricks you have for getting the most out of your AT? Little tips that will speed up the familiarization process for new users. These could be tips for IDing targets, pinpointing, setting up your custom mode, keeping the hardware running right, things to avoid, etc.

To get things started here are a couple of tips related to water hunting:

  • Let's say you want to use your AT underwater while snorkeling, but you didn't spring for the waterproof headphones yet. As long as your ears are under the surface too, you can hear the AT using the speaker. When you first get your shiny new AT out of the box, there is a waterproof, o-ringed cap over the headphone socket. Just make sure this is properly in place before you take your AT for a dip. I make sure by turning the AT upside-down and checking for little air bubbles around the cap that would indicate a bad seal.
  • When you're all-terraining it and you have your stock land headphones connected, you can always make sure that waterproof socket cap is with you in case you want to go in the water. It threads perfectly onto the land headphones dust cap that is tethered to the headphone cable! That's where I stow mine so it's always with me if I need it.
 
I say the main thing is to learn how to ground balance correctly. Sure it's very simple if you do it right. The manual does not explain it enough. It says balance over clean ground. Well, it should say use no iron discrimination (use no discrimination of any kind) then find clean ground to balance over.

This might not sound that important, but if you balance over iron the balance will be way off. If the iron discrimination is set to 35 or whatever, you cannot hear any iron below the coil. Because you don't hear any sound you might think this is clean ground, but you do not know for sure. Maybe most times you are lucky and there is no iron under the coil when you balance. Then the next time you unknowingly balance over iron and don't check it again for an hour.

If you want deep targets you need to ground balance correctly over clean ground and balance often. That's the number one most important thing.
 
I am a newbie with the AT Pro and have a question. I thought you could use the standard headset in the water as long as you dont submerge the headphones. Am I wrong in thinking that you need the submersible ones only if you are going to dive with it?
 
Yes, you can use the stock headphones with the detector under the surface and keeping the 'phones dry on your head. Just make sure the o-ring on the headphone plug is fully seated in the socket and the locking ring is good and tight. It's a good idea to check your connectors before each water hunt. If you want to put your head under the water, you'll need waterproof headphones or remove the stock headphones and cap the socket.
 
Check your settings regularly. The pushbuttons are a little too close for my liking and it's easy to accidentally notch out segments, especially if you're wearing gloves.

As far as ground balancing goes, I've found the the AT to be very forgiving of less than perfect GB. The AT is such a stable unit that I can usually set it with a small negative offset for extra depth.
 
Thanks, I was a little nervous reading some of the posts. I will be going to Hilton Head on Labor day weekend and have every intention of getting th AT wet.
 
I just got my AT Pro yesterday 7/24/12. My tip to other new owners is to watch all the videos about the AT Pro made by Garrett and other owners. These can all be found on Garrett.com and You Tube I believe. I was way ahead of the learning curve when I put my detector together and started swinging. Good luck everyone and HH. Matt
 
matthias said:
I just got my AT Pro yesterday 7/24/12. My tip to other new owners is to watch all the videos about the AT Pro made by Garrett and other owners. These can all be found on Garrett.com and You Tube I believe. I was way ahead of the learning curve when I put my detector together and started swinging. Good luck everyone and HH. Matt
Click to expand...

Great tip, Matt. Those videos do give new users a headstart.
 
Yeah! This was the first time I got so much info by means of video before I even ordered the detector. Great move by Garrett. Plus lots of psyched and satisfied customer videos on 'You Tube'. HH. Matt
 
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