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ATpro showed up finally! Yes, I did some testing too.

K

khouse

Active member
Been waiting for it to show up. I open the box and put it together like a 4 year old at Christmas. My coil connector spun on with ease. I didn't think it was hard to line up. But my phone jack nut was tight. I looked at the threads and all I can say is a simple thread chaser would straiten out the problem at the factory. If you take it off and on 5 times the treads will clean up and work a lot better. Next I looked for my new velcro straps but there were none to be found. So I fired it up and it sounded just like my Ace. But I was soon to find out this was no Ace. It's a beast! It's cold here with snow on the ground but I have a 20 year old seasoned test garden. That's where I went. I used the auto GB feature and it's fast. I set it in Pro/zero mode with 6 bars of power. Iron disc zero. My test garden only consists of a zinc, copper cent, nickel, clad dime, clad quarter, round tab and square tab. Every target at a measured 6 inches. I have had a lot of brands and models over this garden with one thing in common. No TID machine has ever consitantly ID'd my nickel. I mean no lock at all. I always wanted to dig it up and see what was screwing with the ID's of these machines but never did. I have had machines from 5.59 to 22.5 kHz on that nickel and all were wacky. You know what I'm going to say now...... The ATpro shot a rock solid 52 every way I swung the coil! It hit all the other targets at great depth too by raising the coil. Like I said it's a beast! I then came inside for some more air tests and the iron ID worked flawless. I will have to say that every tone was smooth, crisp and pleasant to my ear. Do not let the cable connectors keep you from this machine! I'm telling you the audio is something very special. My soil is frozen 2 inches but as soon as it thaws I'll be digging! Also my Gizmo fit's perfect on the ATpro to extend the arm cuff back! What a plus!
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I wish I could check my test garden, but it's under about 8" of snow and the surgeon said no shovelling, no vacuuming, no going to work :nono: but because the metal detector weighs a measly 3.03 LBS, I can detect. What a swell guy! :) I am glad that the AT pro is hot on nickels. It should then probably be hot on gold rings too. It has proven itself to me that it likes holes objects....another great asset to add to the growing pile.

Good luck with your first hunt. :thumbup:
 
First, I want to thank you for your post and comments about a first experience with the AT Pro. It shows that the folks at Garrett have made some strides. Anyone who is blind might not appreciate the fact that the making of the AT Pro has 'copied' (if you will) several ideas from various competitors, and those of us who do try to experience a variety of makes and models know what these are. It's very different to see a spankin new Garrett entry that uses a VDI read-out, at least some variable Discrimination and not all notch segments, and a modulated or, in Garrett's reference, a "PROportional" audio compared with the saturated STD audio they have used for so long. Then, to fit a new and larger-than-normal Double-D coil on the working end really lets us know changes are here for Garrett. :clapping:

Now, we can only hope to see this as a trend for future changes in their model line-up in the near future. We can also see more field tests or comparisons as you've done. I know that there have been some 'planted test gardens' I have use that have been in place for a long time. One I've used I helps a dealer with back about '72 or '73! I've found there to be times when one particular detector didn't seem to fair that well, but in the field for general hunting it wasn't that bad. I've worked a couple of detectors over the 'test bed' and thought they were going to be great due to such good Target ID lock-on, but they failed to impress me over the following several months. I say that only because we now know how your initial test went to I will be interested in following your report a couple of months from now. Maybe when we get some good spring or summer weather for ample hunting and maybe some side-by-side comparisons?

I'm curious about YOUR impression of the size of the VDI read-out?

Also, it's a bit unusual to see such high Ground Balance numbers that I've seen listed on the forums, especially from some sites I didn't think had really bad ground. What are a few of the Ground balance reference numbers you get in your area?

How do you think the AT Pro will compare with a few popular models using similar size search coils? Models, if you have them or can borrow them, such as the White's XLT, XL Pro, MXT or Spectra V3i? Maybe the Fisher F-75 or the Teknetics T2 and Omega?

I'm sure others would appreciate any personal opinions. Thanks.

Monte
 
I want one of those extenders!!! How much!??!?
 
Monte,, heres the crux of the enchelada my friend... Garrett now has the " tone roll iron audio".. Garrett machines can DISTINCTFULLY . tell the difference between a friggin bottle cap, and a coin,, nobody elses stuff can do that,,, its going to change EVERYTHING... this technology puts Garrett leaps and bounds ... way ahead of the competition... and im sure theyve secure patents on this new technology..Im sure the TDI was a patent that whites HAD, but its done, and Garrettt adopted it. Ive followed your posts for some time, and I know you are a tesoro officionado,, but plz be impartial, and recognize the great leap that has been made, and embrace it.
 
Glad you finally got it Kenny. It's a wonderous machine ain't it. Also happy you got some easy connectors. Maybe the later ones will have no problems. Wishing you lotsa luck with it.

Bill
 
Monte said:
First, I want to thank you for your post and comments about a first experience with the AT Pro. It shows that the folks at Garrett have made some strides. Anyone who is blind might not appreciate the fact that the making of the AT Pro has 'copied' (if you will) several ideas from various competitors, and those of us who do try to experience a variety of makes and models know what these are. It's very different to see a spankin new Garrett entry that uses a VDI read-out, at least some variable Discrimination and not all notch segments, and a modulated or, in Garrett's reference, a "PROportional" audio compared with the saturated STD audio they have used for so long. Then, to fit a new and larger-than-normal Double-D coil on the working end really lets us know changes are here for Garrett. :clapping:

Now, we can only hope to see this as a trend for future changes in their model line-up in the near future. We can also see more field tests or comparisons as you've done. I know that there have been some 'planted test gardens' I have use that have been in place for a long time. One I've used I helps a dealer with back about '72 or '73! I've found there to be times when one particular detector didn't seem to fair that well, but in the field for general hunting it wasn't that bad. I've worked a couple of detectors over the 'test bed' and thought they were going to be great due to such good Target ID lock-on, but they failed to impress me over the following several months. I say that only because we now know how your initial test went to I will be interested in following your report a couple of months from now. Maybe when we get some good spring or summer weather for ample hunting and maybe some side-by-side comparisons?
I will be hunting fresh water beaches this weekend if the weather permits. I won't be getting in the water here in Missouri! Maybe I'll have some more info?

I'm curious about YOUR impression of the size of the VDI read-out? OK, It could be larger no doubt. They are more the size of the m6, mxt's but a little thinner. But I can see them well as they are crisp. The iron disc numbers are smaller.

Also, it's a bit unusual to see such high Ground Balance numbers that I've seen listed on the forums, especially from some sites I didn't think had really bad ground. What are a few of the Ground balance reference numbers you get in your area? It GB'd at 68 in black Missouri soil. It only took 3 pumps and it was set.

How do you think the AT Pro will compare with a few popular models using similar size search coils? Models, if you have them or can borrow them, such as the White's XLT, XL Pro, MXT or Spectra V3i? Maybe the Fisher F-75 or the Teknetics T2 and Omega? I have swung the V3i, mxt, m6,IDX, IDX pro, Classic 3, 3900 CM, cz5, compadre, ss umax, prizms, xterra 30, 50 70, F2 over my garden that I can remember. The cz5 was the only other machine that really tried to lock the TID on my nickel. All other TID machines failed.
Even without the iron ID on you can really hear the low iron tone on the ramp up and down on the tone. Yes it's not as clear as iron ID on but it's there.
I'm sure others would appreciate any personal opinions. Thanks.
Inside and outside tests were only about 20 minutes total. But I can tell that this machine really sings if you listen. Plus having all those features at your fingertips without scrolling through a menu is a plus for me. No knobs to get out of adjustment too. One thing that I would have liked to see was a bulging epoxy fill on the coil. This way it would slide over the ground better. I've never like coil covers but I may get one? Time will tell? I can say that the coil is feather light though. The other thing is the arm cuff length. I could be longer but the Gizmo fixes that. So there you have it as honest as a 20 minute test drive can offer.

Monte
Click to expand...
 
Good report Kenny! I like that extender too...pretty cool idea!

Good news about that nickle...should be a winner in the gold fields also!


Alan
 
bearkat4160 said:
Good report Kenny! I like that extender too...pretty cool idea!

Good news about that nickle...should be a winner in the gold fields also!


Alan
Click to expand...

The nickel still being at the same depth as the other coins was noticeably louder when it hit. Couldn't miss it!
 
Uncle Willy said:
Glad you finally got it Kenny. It's a wonderous machine ain't it. Also happy you got some easy connectors. Maybe the later ones will have no problems. Wishing you lotsa luck with it.

Bill
Click to expand...

Only the coil connector went on like a greased hog. But the phone one went on like a corn cob.
 
John, The nickel hit louder than the other coins. So I'm hoping for a few more rings myself! Last year I didn't hunt as often as usual because I managed both my boys baseball teams. This year will be different. I love wading out in the fresh water swimming holes. Now I don't have to use the Ace 250 in a food container!
 
crackbadger1 said:
Monte,, heres the crux of the enchelada my friend... Garrett now has the " tone roll iron audio".. Garrett machines can DISTINCTFULLY . tell the difference between a friggin bottle cap, and a coin,, nobody elses stuff can do that,,, its going to change EVERYTHING... this technology puts Garrett leaps and bounds ... way ahead of the competition... and im sure theyve secure patents on this new technology..Im sure the TDI was a patent that whites HAD, but its done, and Garrettt adopted it. Ive followed your posts for some time, and I know you are a tesoro officionado,, but plz be impartial, and recognize the great leap that has been made, and embrace it.
Click to expand...

A few corrections, with Monte's kind indulgence.

Like you, Crackbadger, I've been following Monte's posts for a while now. My impression is that he is impartial. But that doesn't mean what he prefers will be what you or I prefer.

If you've read his posts lately, you can see that his current favorite detector is the Teknetics Omega which is a First Texas product. Since the AT seems to have incorporated many of the Omega's features, it stands to reason that Monte probably would be impressed with it.

As far as being a Tesoro aficionado, Monte makes no secret of the fact that his favorite Tesoro detectors are ones that are no longer in production. So if he's shilling for Tesoro, he's doing a pretty lousy job!:rofl:
 
I liked all the posts here! K, I am glad you got it. Personally, I think is what I needed. I did appreciate Montes' Post. I have seen the F75 and it is pretty impressive. I am going to for go any more tests and have fun. I still have allot to explore with the AT pro. It cherry picks very well with iron disc up to 40 (max) for short hunts.For coins it is great. Zero mode is awesome. Just ordered a heavy duty scoop for the surf. I don't for see any unmanageable problems.

Again, I will say my 6" digging tool is to short. The AT pro does hit on targets 10" +.

As far as any Gounod balancing. I have done this automatically and re-adjusted anything necessary, manually. The controls are easy to use.

I really have not had the problems with connections or buttons. Keep posting.
 
I can't wait for my ground to thaw! It was below zero a couple of days here and I'm not going to pull a "John Edmonton" and hack my zincs out of the ice!
 
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