GTA Display Problem

[kjohn256]

Hi guys,

Let me pick the brains of you Garrett experts. I've got a GTA 1000 I've had for years but haven't used much. I need to sell but fired it up and the number scale for the depth fades out as it ascends (see photo). Anybody ever have this happen? The only thing I know is wrong with it is cracked battery cases. It couldn't be that simple could it? Could it be a weird lack of power since the battery holders aren't tight like they should be? I need to replace them anyway. I think I saw a post where someone said Radio Shack carries them.

Thanks in advance for any ideas or suggestions on the display problem.

Kent in AL

 

[John-Edmonton]

Get a pencil with an eraser attached and clean ALL battery terminals using the eraser. Pull on those springs (slightly) to get them a little longer. insert a fresh set of batteries. Turn the unit on, then hold the on/off button until it resets the unit on factory default. Is it better now?

 

[dahut]

And if you contact Garrett and tell them about your cracked battery holders, they will send you new ones for free. This is a common problem and maybe the only weak point on the GT series.

 

[thecrawford2008]

Thats true I bought a 1000 in Jan, I took it over to the factory and we went through the machine very closely.
I was given new battery holders for free, they are black instead of the standard white that came originally.
Also my screen is burnt in and you can see all the screen items very easily.
Garrett said that for some reason the 1000 had alot of screen issues, more than any other detector.
They priced a new screen at about 44.00 USD and 20.00 installation and some tax. I was trying to
hold off as the detector was working fine, but now I am having a heck of time with the pinpoint button.
I think I am going to have to get it replaced.

 

[kjohn256]

Thanks for the info guys! John I did try new batteries and did a reset with no change. I will try the pencil eraser trick, then new holders.

Thanks for the advice,

Kent

 

[Uncle Willy]

Probably your problem. You can get the battery holders from Garrett for free.

Bill

 

[kjohn256]

Called Garrett and got new battery holders. Unfortunately wasn't the problem. I'm about to sell this unit. Do you guys think it would better to sell as-is or send to Garrett? Right now it is only a problem with the depth scale.

Thanks,

Kent

 

[kjohn256]

Turns out it wasn't a problem. I always turned the unit on while it was sitting on my workbench. I took it into our kitchen to take pictures of it and noticed the display was fine. I then took it out to my test plot and it was also fine there. I took it back to the workbench and it exhibited the same strange behavior. So there's obviously something there that is interfering with it. I feel better about selling it now. It seems to be a perfect unit.

Kent

 

[robert roy]

Just my opinion but you probably have a problem with the VDI display.
My unit ( MXT) had problems along that line. I don't imanage the fact that its
a different detector has much to do with it. With parts a labor it cost $126 to get me
up and running. If your going to sell the machine you might want to fix the machine
and let the buyer know what he's getting. Just my thoughts
RR

 

[dahut]

SO that was it, huh? Now don't you feel silly?!

 

[kjohn256]

David - Yep, I feel silly but I'm glad I do!

Robert - I called Garrett and discussed with their technicians. They had never seen that particular behavior before. That made me suspicious that it was something simple. I'm going to play more with it today but every time I "tested" it last night it acted fine away from my work bench but did it's funny thing at my bench. I've got drill battery chargers, a radio and other electrical items plugged in around the bench so I'm convinced it's electrical interference.

However I will make buyers aware.

Thanks,

Kent