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CONFUSED, CAN'T FIGURE OUT MY AT-PRO

T

TRIPLE-SSS

Well-known member
I ran some tests in my backyard with my new AT-PRO. I used several different coins, different metals, different pull tabs, and used all the standard and pro modes to get better acquainted with this new machine. I also read the manual twice, watched all the videos and have been reading all the opinions posted on this forum.
After running these tests with all the different misc. items, I decided to see what I could find in my backyard. I hit on this one target in the standard mode,coins,and the machine gave me a nice loud, high tone in the quarter column at 6 to 4 inches deep. After digging about 6 inches,I could not find the target using my pin pointer. I expanded the hole, dug another 6 inches and still no target.I tried every mode both in standard and pro mode with and without the audio role on and off. I kept on getting this nice loud high tone but with no target. After scratching my head for a few minutes, I decided to get my Grrett 1500 and see what the hell is going on. My 1500 showed the target at 12 plus inches and imaging revealed the target to be the size of a soda can. I took my shovel and dug another 6 inches and it was indeed a soda can at about 16 to 18 inches deep.
I thought all this new technology and added features would at least give me the right depth and possibly help me to identify a can in the pro mode. Maybe someone can give me an explanation as to what I could do possibly to help me identify cans on the beach so I don't waste my time digging them. I'm sure that I will master this new machine with time, but I'm not sure if it's possible to compare the new AT-PRO with the 1500 when trying to identify large unwanted targets.
I guess time will tell and maybe I'll be able to figure out a solution. I don't know if anybody has had a similar situation or not, if so, what were your results?
HAPPY HUNTING TO EVERYONE
TRIPLE-SSS
 
What you experienced is correct. Metal detectors are designed to get their best accuracy for depth and target ID on coin sized objects. You are spoiled with the imaging. What you can do with the AT Pro to compensate for the imaging you are used to is raise the coil above a signal. On a coin sized object you might lose the signal at around 10"-15". A larger target like a pop can will still give a very strong signal at15"-20+"...indicating it's larger then a coin sized targets. These things take time. Just go out and use the AT pro as much as you can and learn the language it is giving you. It will all soon come together for you.:thumbup:
 
I do not know much about the AT Pro but I do know that it does not have an Imaging coil which means that the target ID depth is probably set up for coin size targets and the depth readout is only a guestimate based on signal strength. The coke can at 12 + inches was probably giving a signal about the same as a coin like a quarter at 4 or 5 inches ??
 
Like John said - raise your coil. You can also size your target especially in the pinpoint mode. Is it coin sized? Also when your machine says a quarter at 4 to 6 inches and you have already dug 12 inches and still getting a strong hit - probably an aluminum can.
 
just keep this in mind, if you pinpoint the target, and trace around it and it seems to be a coin sized target, indicated at 4 inches, and you dig down to past 4 inches, then theres a VERY high propability that it is larger than a coin sized target.
 
Also once you pinpoint,, do a detune, and make a tight circle around the target, if it is a can, you can sometimes tell this way also. Do you know how to detune ?
 
I've been doing the coil raising thing myself. After digging a crater to China for a rusted out coffee can I realized I better find a way to eliminate some of the large stuff! Now on the other hand, that hole double underscored my confidence in the detectors ability to find possible caches at farmsites, etc.!
 
Very much appreciate every ones feedback, makes me feel a little bit better knowing that this can be overcome. That's what this forum is all about, support group, information and using somebodies knowledge and experience to help those who sometimes hit a brick wall.
Thanks again for your feedback
HAPPY HUNTING
TRIPL-SSS
P.S.--Will post my finds once I get to spend a day on the beach with my new toy!!!
 
The trusty GTI 1500's imaging and true depth pretty much takes care of this problem but using my Ace 250 coin hunting, I figured out right quick, if you hit a good target and it indicates say two inches and you dig down two inches and it still saying its in the hole, you can bet your bottom dollar its not a coin but something bigger than a coin. I guess the AT Pro is kinda like the Ace. I hope to find out real soon. Wantin' an At pro real bad.
 
Another handy couple of hints for newcomers.
When you are pinpointing in All Metal Mode (with threshold tone), steel bottle caps and other ferrous items will begin to signal about coil diameter from the edge of the coil whereas non ferrous items will begin to signal mach closer to the edge of the coil. So if your coke can had been a steel can or large piece of iron it would have produced a much broader signal than a aluminium coke can. Non ferrous Coins close to the surface say within zero to 10 inches will give a short signal in close to the coil.
 
When I get a strong signal I usually lift the coil to see how high I can get it off the ground and still detect a target.
It dont take long to learn to identify the larger targets that sound like coins but are big deep soda and beer cans.
Now on a farm or old homestead you want to dig those cans ... but on the beach or in a school ground you would pass it by.
Any new detector will take some getting used to.
If you really liked your Garrett 1500 and learned to use the imaging feature, why did you not upgrade to a 2500 instead of the AT Pro?

Anyhow dont expect your new AT PRO (or any new detector) to do all the work for you.
It still takes some skill on your part to walk over those junk targets ... but with enough time in the field you will get it.

A test garden helps cut the learning time a lot.

Willee
 
Yeah this forum is a wealth of information with a whole slew of very knowlwdeable folks to help out. Dat's why we is da best. HA.

Bill
 
just be patient, and keep at it, even great detectorists are having to learn the ways of the new technology, it has its own little nuances, and quirks, tricks , and treats. This is marvelous piece of equipment, and will help you leave a lot of junk in the ground, and get alot of treasure out of the ground. I am a great detectorist, okay,, and it took me the better part of a day tofigure out the intricacies of the AT PRO. Just dont try to eat the whole worm at one sitting, and you will be fine.
 
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