Garrett GTAx 550

[BC]

Bought a used GTAx 550 a couple weeks ago and didn't know enough about it to know if it was working correctly. Now I've found that the touchpad screen doesn't show all information. Touchpad buttons appear to work, and the detector appears to work audibly, but the screen does not show what it should (labels are missing and I have no idea if info is correct). I called Garrett and found that they have no replacement touchpads for that model. I have a good friend who is an electronics genius, but he needs a schematic to know if he can fix it. Anyone know anything about fixing . . . rather than replacing . . . this touchpad?.

 

[razerback408]

the 550 has two modes coin in coin mode it will noch out trash that is not coins and no dis has on notch try pushing the last mode buttin are post a pick so we can see what its showing

 

[nova74]

I would have no idea how to fix this but I'm curious does it show anything on the screen or does it only give audio? I've used this machine for 4 yrs and from my experience all you need it the audio as it is a coin shooting monster as well as loves the silver and there is no mistaking the coin sound for anything else. Did you purchase the machine as a project to fix or a buyer beware situation.

 

[BC]

I'm too new at this to know what I am seeing on the screen, but yes it does show indicator "blocks" for discrimination and depth. But the labels that I think should appear on the screen aren't there: OPERATE MODE and BATT don't show at all. But when I do a bench test, different "block" patterns show for metal type and depth. I just swept a new section of my yard to check my 550 out and found an aluminum drink can about six inches down in hard rocky soil. The tone was like a doorbell, similar to what I get with dimes and quarters in my bench tests. All this makes me believe the unit is working, and the touch-pad buttons appear to work, but the visual screen is not showing everything. Like you said, it's the sound that matters most of the time. All the old-timers I've talked to say it's the ear, not the eyes, that will find treasure. And I believe that . . . if you don't mind a lot of digging.

Which brings me to another question. How accurate are most metal detector screens? I've read hundreds of comments from people that say they dig almost everything because screens cannot be trusted and because good stuff often shows as trash. I'd rather dig trash than miss something really nice, especially when relic hunting. My bottom-line then is to dig until my back gives out (that shows I REALLY am new at this).

I'm using two OLD units as orientation and training tools: I think the GTAx 550 is about 8-10 years old and I also have a Coinmaster 5000/D that is 25+ years old. Both appear to work and have given me some on-the-job education. I now know some of the extras I want on my next detector, although I am still putting together my list. I need to find out which bells and whistles are worth the extra money. I know I want a better unit for wet sand beaches, but I don't want features I really won't use and don't need. Any suggestions?

 

[BigCatDaddy]

Sound like that old green stick is mostly working right. You might try a factory reset if you haven't already. That might just bring the BATT and Mode indicators back, who knows. That belltone is the sound of money. When you get more practice, you'll figure out what the difference is between a coin and a beer can. It's all in the pinpoint. A coin will have a sharp little area when you pinpoint and an old rusty can or piece of rusty iron will have a big area when you pinpoint. Both will belltone just like a coin. And you're right, the ears have it all. Good headphones are a must, no arguments or complaints, just get some good ones and don't hunt without them. Period. Metal detectors only tell you a probability of what's under your coil, not what actually is. I always guess what the target is before I dig, kind of a game to keep my feeble mind amused.