I've got a V3i and the AT Pro. Add a Sunray pinpointer to the V3i and that thing is a heavy weight. I have no complaints with it, it's great machine. The AT Pro is a great machine also. It is a feather weight compared to the weight of my V3i. With both machines results were my top priority, not weight, nor bells and whistles. And I reckon even all those coins and silver and gold pieces of jewelry in the ground really didn't care what color the machine was. The way I see it, it is real simple to blame the machine (real or imagined) for lack of wanted results. When I first got started with metal detecting, I researched and read this one is too heavy, that one is too heavy. I never did read anything on how heavy "too heavy" was. You know, one of those head scratchers. I kind of figured that those people that had too heavy metal detectors were the ones putting them up for sale after getting a lighter one until a new and improved lighter model of whatever came out. Those who complain the AT Pro is heavy, I've often wondered what detector they are comparing to. I can understand those who are comparing with other Garrett detectors. From what I see, all detector models have their weight on the spec sheet. The other thing I have figured out, if I want the detector to "feel" lighter, I just shorten the shaft to shortest length possible. At my age and with my eyesight not what it used to be, I don't need that coil way out there in front of me where I need binoculars to see where the target pinpoint is. It makes much easier for me to navigate through a trashy type site and best of all it is a shorter distance to the ground where I want to dig the target. I guess we all will figure it out some day. It's been said playing golf can ruin a perfectly good walk. Nothing can ruin a perfectly good day of detecting. Happy hunting all.
