How do Garrett detectors measure up to the others?

[Fraulein]

Hello! Being new to metal detection I only acquired my knowledge by reading reviews and looking at You Tube videos. There are nobody around my area to give me any real life knowledge about different kinds of metal detectors. I have decided to go with Garrett because it seemed like a really good product. However I know very little about other metal detector brands.

I could not help while looking at the 'Jump to the Forum' menu that there was 5 different forums for Mine labs, 3 forums for Fishers another 3 forums for Whites, but only one for Garrett. Does this mean anything? I do not wish to start a heated debate or been call a Troll, but I would like to know where Garrett Stand in this industry?

In the car business there are Mercedes and BMW as the best, then there are the other cars. In camera there are Nikon and Canon then the other camera brands, in motorcycle there is Harley Davidson and the other motorbikes. Is Garrett one of the big boys or is it one of the others...?

 

[candcantiques]

Garrett is one of the big boys in my opinion. If you are doing beach or underwater detecting I understand Minelab Excalibur to be the most popular. In my opinion for a starter machine I have tried Whites, Fisher, Bounty Hunter and Garrett. In the same $212.00 price range Garrett blows everyone else away.

 

[Roscue2]

Garrett is one of the big boys. Garrett actually has 2 forums here: this one and the Garrett Scorpion Forum. I don't really know why the other brands have so many forums (some of which see very little use) but hey, whatever floats their boat.

 

[Oakman404]

Garrett holds a lot of the patents that got this wonderful industry/hobby to where it is today. So, I would say Garrett is one of the big boys. Unlike some of the other comparisons you made, treasure hunting is really a personal preference issue. Most people buy and learn the the machine that they gravitate to the most as they are all very comparable in performance. The thing to remember is, this is a HOBBY and is suppose to be fun.

 

[dahut]

It might be worth noting that Garrett has been owned and operated by the same man for decades - Charles Garrett. Garrett detectors set the stage for many of the others.

So how do Garretts stack up against the others? Very well. Are they the very best? That depends on your point of view. They do the job for sure.
They are not trendy, if that matters.They tend to be stable and keep to the same product lines for many years - why have a gazillion detectors just because you can? When there is genuine improvement or advancement in the field, it is often in a Garrett detector.

There is only one forum because one is all that is needed.

 

[Oakman404]

It might be worth noting that Garrett has been owned and operated by the same man for decades - Charles Garrett. Garrett detectors set the stage for many of the others.

So how do Garretts stack up against the others? Very well. Are they the very best? That depends on your point of view. They do the job for sure.
They are not trendy, if that matters.They tend to be stable and keep to the same product lines for many years - why have a gazillion detectors just because you can? When there is genuine improvement or advancement in the field, it is often in a Garrett detector.

There is only one forum because one is all that is needed.

Well said Dahut.

 

[John-Edmonton]

I have used several different brands, and they all work, and I can hunt just fine with all of them. I make it a point of not bashing other detectors as a rule, and usually won't even discuss other brands on the Garrett Forums. The answer to your question is very personalized as much as how different detectors work in different environments. Quite often is the case that someone who buys a metal detector and takes a great interest in the hobby, will define his/her best detector as the one that is the deepest. Usually, after someone puts hundreds of hours into the hobby, the definition of best detector changes. Now it becomes a little more personal. It could be the most bells and whistles, the audio, digital display or lack of, the complexity or simplicity of a machine, the warranty, the price, specialization such as relics, coin shooting, water hunting, tot lot hunting, sports field hunting, gold nugget hunting, jewelery hunting and so on. Add to this the different hunting conditions such as water, wet sand vs. dry sand, salt water vs. fresh water, mineralized soil vs. no mineralization in the soil........and you now hopefully can get a grasp of what I am getting at with no real "BEST" detector or manufacturer.

Now having said that, Garrett probably makes the best entry metal detector, the "ACE" Series, which gives you a machine loaded with lots of bells & whistles that can cost sometimes 3 x as much buying another brand. Wan.td more depth? Get the larger coil. Want to hunt nuggets or tot lots, get the sniper coil. Now if you want a detector which excels with coin and jewellery hunting, get the GTP or GTI Series, as they have the ability to size an object for you. Want an affordable detector for nugget hunt and coin shooting, get the Scorpion. Want to hunt deep gold, get the Infinium. Want to water hunt for gold jewelry and coins with great depth,, get the Sea Hunter Mark II. So picking a metal detector is like a smorgasbord of sorts.

Garrett has excellent customer service, produces ALL metal detectors in Texas USA and has been producing metal detectors for many years. They are sold internationally, and probably the toughest built machines available.

The best accessory you can have to ID good targets is your digger, use it, it costs you nothing and the rewards will surprise you.

.
Here is the list of all Garrett metal detectors and the years they were in production.........Bill

1964
BFOs (zero drift)
The Hunter
The Provider
The Hustler
The Achiever
The Sidewinder
The Playmate
The Finder
The Seeker
The Shark (underwater detector)
1965
BFOs (zero drift)
The Hunter
The Provider
The Hustler
The Achiever
The Sidewinder
The Playmate
The Finder
The Seeker
The Shark (underwater detector)
1966
BFOs (zero drift)
The Hunter
The Provider
The Hustler
The Achiever
The Sidewinder
The Playmate
The Finder
The Seeker
The Shark (underwater detector)
1967
BFOs (zero drift)
The Hunter
The Provider
The Hustler
The Achiever
The Sidewinder
The Playmate
The Finder
The Seeker
The Shark (underwater detector)
1968
BFOs (zero drift)
The Hunter
The Provider
The Hustler
The Achiever
The Sidewinder
The Playmate
The Finder
The Seeker
The Shark (underwater detector)
1969
BFOs (zero drift)
The Hunter
The Provider
The Hustler
The Achiever
The Sidewinder
The Playmate
The Finder
The Seeker
The Shark (underwater detector)
1970
BFOs (zero drift)
The Hunter
The Provider
The Hustler
The Achiever
The Sidewinder
The Playmate
The Finder
The Seeker
The Shark (underwater detector)
1971
BFOs (zero drift)
The Hunter
The Provider
The Hustler
The Achiever
The Sidewinder
The Playmate
The Finder
The Seeker
The Shark (underwater detector)
The Hombre (BFO) 1971
1972
BFOs (zero drift)
The Hunter
The Provider
The Hustler
The Achiever
The Sidewinder
The Playmate
The Finder
The Seeker
The Shark (underwater detector)
*BFO models: Controls on side, no push button or toggle switch at the end of handle:
*Master Hunter BFO
*Coin Hunter BFO
*Cache Hunter BFO
*Treasure Hunter BFO
*Nugget Hunter BFO
*Mini Hunter Ghostowner BFO
*Garrett Mini-Hunter BFO
1973
*BFO models: Controls on side, no push button or toggle switch at the end of handle:
*Master Hunter BFO
*Coin Hunter BFO
*Cache Hunter BFO
*Treasure Hunter BFO
*Nugget Hunter BFO
Master Hunter TR (controls on side, made with push button)
Money Hunter TR
Mini-Hunter TR
Super Mini-Hunter TR
Super Mini-Hunter BFO
1974
*BFO models: Controls on side, no push button or toggle switch at the end of handle:
*Master Hunter BFO
*Coin Hunter BFO
*Cache Hunter BFO
*Treasure Hunter BFO
*Nugget Hunter BFO
Master Hunter TR (controls on side, made with push button)
Money Hunter TR
Super Mini-Hunter TR
Super Mini-Hunter BFO
Mini-Hunter Ghostowner TR
1975
*BFO models: Controls on side, no push button or toggle switch at the end of handle:
*Master Hunter BFO
*Coin Hunter BFO
*Cache Hunter BFO
*Treasure Hunter BFO
Master Hunter TR (controls on side, made with push button)
Money Hunter TR
Relic Hunter BFO (no push button or toggle switch)
Money Hunter BFO (no push button or toggle switch)
Coin Hunter TR (TR discriminator on side with push button)
Cache Hunter TR (TR discriminator on side w/push button)
Relic Hunter TR (TR discriminator on side w/push button)
Ghostown Hunter TR (no push button)
1976
*BFO models: Controls on side, no push button or toggle switch at the end of handle:
*Master Hunter BFO
The Coin Hunter VLF/TR (controls on side, push button)
1977
*BFO models: Controls on side, no push button or toggle switch at the end of handle:
*Master Hunter BFO
*Coin Hunter BFO
Money Hunter TR: (w/push button)
Money Hunter BFO (no push button or toggle switch)
Coin Hunter TR (TR discriminator on side with push button)
The Coin Hunter VLF/TR (controls on side, push button)
The Coin Hunter VLF/TR featherweight series (controls on top, push button, groundhog on coil)
Master Hunter VLF/TR (controls on side, push button, deepseeker on coil)
Master Hunter VLF/TR featherweight series (controls on top, push button, groundhog on coil)
Fortune Hunter TR (controls on side, push button)
1978
*BFO models: Controls on side, no push button or toggle switch at the end of handle:
*Master Hunter BFO
The Coin Hunter VLF/TR (controls on side, push button)
The Coin Hunter VLF/TR featherweight series (controls on top, push button, groundhog on coil)
Master Hunter VLF/TR (controls on side, push button, deepseeker on coil)
Master Hunter VLF/TR featherweight series (controls on top, push button, groundhog on coil)
Fortune Hunter TR (controls on top, push button)
Money Hunter VLF/TR (controls on top, push button, groundhog on coil)
1979
Master Hunter ADS (VLF/TR deepseeker control on side, toggle switch)
Coin Hunter ADS (VLF/TR deepseeker-contols on side, toggle switch)
Marksman P.B. (VLF/TR deepseeker-controls on side, push button)
Master Hunter ADS (VLF/TR Groundhog controls on top, toggle switch)
Coin Hunter ADS (VLF/TR Groundhog-controls on top, toggle switch)
Fortune Hunter P.B.(VLF/TR Groundhog-controls on top, push button)
Money Hunter P.B. (VLF/TR Groundhog-controls on top, push button)
International TR S2 (controls on top, push button)
Treasure Hunter BFO (controls on side, no push button)
1980
Master Hunter ADS (VLF/TR deepseeker control on side, toggle switch)
Coin Hunter ADS (VLF/TR deepseeker-contols on side, toggle switch)
Marksman P.B. (VLF/TR deepseeker-controls on side, push button)
Master Hunter ADS (VLF/TR Groundhog controls on top, toggle switch)
Coin Hunter ADS (VLF/TR Groundhog-controls on top, toggle switch)
Fortune Hunter P.B.(VLF/TR Groundhog-controls on top, push button)
Money Hunter P.B. (VLF/TR Groundhog-controls on top, push button)
International TR S2 (controls on top, push button)
Master Hunter BFO (controls on side, no push button)
Garrett BFO (controls on side, no push button)
1981
Master Hunter ADS (VLF/TR deepseeker control on side, toggle switch)
Marksman P.B. (VLF/TR deepseeker-controls on side, push button)
Master Hunter ADS (VLF/TR Groundhog controls on top, toggle switch)
Fortune Hunter P.B.(VLF/TR Groundhog-controls on top, push button)
Money Hunter P.B. (VLF/TR Groundhog-controls on top, push button)
American TR S2 (controls on top, push button)
Sea Hunter
1982
Master Hunter BFO (controls on side, no push button)
Sea Hunter
Master Hunter ADS III (VLF/TR Deepseeker-controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS II (VLF/TR Deepseeker-controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS I (VLF/TR Deepseeker-controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS I (VLF/TR Groundhog-controls on top, toggle switch)
Gold Hunter A2B (groundhog on coil, controls on top, toggle switch)
American S4 ADS (groundhog on coil, controls on top, toggle switch)
American S3 (VLF/TR, groundhog on coil, controls on top, push button)
American TR S1 (deep scan on coil, controls on top, push button)
Pocket Scanner
1983
Sea Hunter
Master Hunter ADS III (VLF/TR Deepseeker-controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS II (VLF/TR Deepseeker-controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS I (VLF/TR Deepseeker-controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS I (VLF/TR Groundhog-controls on top, toggle switch)
American S4 ADS (groundhog on coil, controls on top, toggle switch)
American S3 (VLF/TR, groundhog on coil, controls on top, push button)
American TR S1 (deep scan on coil, controls on top, push button)
Pocket Scanner
1984
Sea Hunter
Master Hunter ADS 7 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS 6 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS 5 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS 4 (controls on side, toggle switch)
American AM-2 (controls on top, toggle switch)
American AM-1 (controls on top, push button)
Freedom 1 Coin Commander
Freedom 2 Coin Commander
1985
Sea Hunter
Master Hunter ADS 7 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS 6 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS 5 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS 4 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Freedom 1 Coin Commander
Freedom 2 Coin Commander
Freedom Ace Coin Commander
Gold Hunter (controls on top, toggle switch)
1986
Master Hunter ADS 7 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS 5 (controls on side, toggle switch)
American AM-2 (controls on top, toggle switch)
Freedom 1 Coin Commander
Freedom 2 Coin Commander
Freedom Ace Coin Commander
Gold Hunter (controls on top, toggle switch)
Beach Hunter AT3
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Sea Hunter XL 200 Pulse
1988
Master Hunter ADS 5 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Grand Master Hunter
Freedom 3 CDC
Freedom 1 CDC
Beach Hunter AT4
Gold Hunter A3B
1989
Master Hunter ADS 7 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Master Hunter ADS 5 (controls on side, toggle switch)
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Freedom 3 CDC
Beach Hunter AT4
Gold Hunter A3B
Grand Master Hunter II
Freedom 3
Freedom 1
1990
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Beach Hunter AT4
Grand Master Hunter CX II
Master Hunter CX
Master Hunter 7X
Freedom 3 Plus
Freedom 2 Plus
Freedom Ace Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
1991
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Beach Hunter AT4
Grand Master Hunter CX II
Master Hunter CX
Master Hunter 7X
Freedom 2 Plus
Freedom Ace Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
Ultra GTA 1000
Ultra GTA 500
Pocket Probe
1992
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Grand Master Hunter CX II
Master Hunter CX
Freedom 2 Plus
Freedom Ace Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
Ultra GTA 1000
Ultra GTA 500
Master Hunter CX III
1993
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Grand Master Hunter CX II
Master Hunter CX
Freedom 2 Plus
Freedom Ace Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
Ultra GTA 1000
Ultra GTA 500
Master Hunter CX III
1994
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Grand Master Hunter CX II
Master Hunter CX
Ultra GTA 350
Freedom Ace Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
Ultra GTA 1000
Ultra GTA 500
Master Hunter CX III
1995
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Grand Master Hunter CX II
Master Hunter CX
Ultra GTA 350
Freedom Ace Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
Ultra GTA 1000
Ultra GTA 500
Master Hunter CX III
1996
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Grand Master Hunter CX II
Master Hunter CX
Freedom 2 Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
Master Hunter CX III
GTAX 1000
GTAX 500
GTAX 400
1997
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Grand Master Hunter CX II
Master Hunter CX
Freedom 2 Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
Master Hunter CX III
GTAX 1000
GTAX 500
GTAX 400
GTI 2000
Treasure Ace 100
Treasure Ace 200
Treasure Ace 300
1998
Sea Hunter XL 500 Pulse
Master Hunter CX
Scorpion Gold Stinger
Master Hunter CX III
GTAX 1000
GTAX 500
GTAX 400
GTI 2000
Treasure Ace 100
Treasure Ace 200
Treasure Ace 300
GTI 1500
Pocket Probe
1999
Scorpion Gold Stinger
Master Hunter CX
Master Hunter CX III
GTAX 400
Treasure Ace 100
Treasure Ace 200
Treasure Ace 300
GTI 1500
Pocket Probe
GTI 2500
GTAX 550
GTAX 1250
GTAX 750
Sea Hunter Mark II
2000
Master Hunter CX Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
Master Hunter CX III
GTAX 400
Treasure Ace 100
Treasure Ace 200
Treasure Ace 300
GTI 1500
Pocket Probe
GTI 2500
GTAX 550
GTAX 1250
GTAX 750
Sea Hunter Mark II
2001
Master Hunter CX Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
GTAX 400
Treasure Ace 100
Treasure Ace 200
Treasure Ace 300
GTI 1500
GTI 2500
GTAX 550
GTAX 1250
GTAX 750
Sea Hunter Mark II
2002
Master Hunter CX Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
GTAX 400
Treasure Ace 100
Treasure Ace 300
GTI 1500
GTI 2500
GTAX 550
GTAX 1250
GTAX 750
Sea Hunter Mark II
2003
Master Hunter CX Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
GTAX 400
Treasure Ace 100
Treasure Ace 200
Treasure Ace 300
GTI 1500
GTI 2500
GTAX 550
GTAX 1250
GTAX 750
Sea Hunter Mark II
2004
Master Hunter CX Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
GTAX 400
Treasure Ace 100
Treasure Ace 300
GTI 1500
GTI 2500
GTAX 550
GTAX 1250
Sea Hunter Mark II
Infinium LS
GTP 1350
2005
Master Hunter CX Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
GTI 1500
GTI 2500
GTAX 550
Sea Hunter Mark II
Infinium LS
GTP 1350
Ace 150
Ace 250
2006
Master Hunter CX Plus
Scorpion Gold Stinger
GTI 1500
GTI 2500
GTAX 550
Sea Hunter Mark II
Infinium LS
GTP 1350
Ace 150
Ace 250

 

[Uncle Willy]

Unlike owners of other companies Charles Garrett has been an avid treasure hunter ( traveling all over the world ) for nearly 65 years ( starting at age 15 ) and has been producing detectors for 46 years. As an aerospace engineer who built guidance systems for missles Charles designed and built his first detector and many after that. He holds many exclusive patents for detectors. Garrett also produces and provides most of the security detectors in the world. Any time you go through an airport, federal or state building, or the Olympics anywhere in the world - you are scanned by a Garrett security detector. Garrett also produces detection systems for the Military (mine detectors ) and for law enforcement and has their own academy to train law enforcement personnel in the use of their equipment. Are they one of the " big boys" ? I'd say they are THE BIG BOY.

Bill

 

[bearkat4160]

n/t

 

[oldranger]

Iused a Whites when i lived in Ga borrwed from
a friend sold it when i came back home to Pa

Got the ACE250 in late 2007 and love it..Now im learning
the GTI1500 and love it even MORE..
for what ist worth ill stick with

Ron
Rangers Lead The Way

 

[ThTx]

I used to have other brands of detectors. They worked, but I found that Garrett was the most reliable (for me) and I have never had any problem with their customer service. The folks at Garrett are detectorists, not just Charles. Everyone there will help and give guidance, as well as take care of your machine, should you have any trouble. What more could you ask for?

 

[JOHNMARKHAM]

i started and still use my ace 250 and propointer......been a great tool to have...

 

[dahut]

I feel compelled at this point to say that I use, and have used, detecors from every common maker on the market. Some may not care for me saying it, but there it is. Like Big John (John Edmonton), Im eclectic in that way.

I test and retest my detectors, both in the field and against each other, for performance, features and function.

I generally follow Andreas Meyer' ten point scoring system, with the key features I personally look for being the ones that matter in the field: depth over actual soil, target separation/recovery speed, TID (where applicable) and ease of use, what I like to call, "tote-ability" (hey - I live in the South... What else would I call it? )

Every new unit I get goes through this testing and I end up selling the ones that don't keep up with the others.

I currently own:

Land detectors

Fisher F70
White's XLT, the old classic
Tesoro Golden
Garrett 1350 GTP

Fresh water detector
Tesoro Tiger Shark

None of these were picked at random; they represent a distillation of 20 years of use in the field. There are a few that are missing, detectors I wish I still had - but these 4 do what is needed.

Are they the ultimate? No. But you'll notice a Garrett is there.

 

[David]

Good post John-Edmonton. Yes, Garrett helped 'win the west'!

Fraulein wrote, "In the car business there are Mercedes and BMW as the best, then there are the other cars. In camera there are Nikon and Canon then the other camera brands, in motorcycle there is Harley Davidson and the other motorbikes. Is Garrett one of the big boys or is it one of the others...?"

Sorry, but changing the subject a bit. Yes BMW is top and so is Lexus and Acura. But you are wrong on part of this about Mercedes as they have one of the very worst relability records in the car industry and I would never buy one. Pick up a copy of Consumer Reports and overall Mercedes do very terrible, and also with 'black dots' of bad reliability on individual models. Also Harley Davidson is inferior to Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and BMW bikes. Honda road bikes purr smooth and quiet and have high reliability. The California Highway Patrol went to BMW bikes.

Anyway on detectors, for entry level, the Garrett Ace 250 is a great price for what the features you get. Also look at the Minelab 305, Fisher F2-F4, Technetics Alpha-Delta, Tesoro Silver uMax-Cibola-Vaquero, and Whites Coinmaster-Prism. IMO Garrett is not better performance than other brands, pros and cons, just the same but works very well, high quality, great customer service, and something you can get use to and get to know as part of you, which is important.

 

[rockpup1]

The custmer service from garrett is very outstanding.The best I ever have delt with,covered my "used" detector by fixing on warrenty (which was long expired and paying return shipping) !Not what I expected dealing with other manufactors.I have a garrett Infinium,its by no means enty level but after the learning curve(still learning) its a great PI machine for the price and its the only water proof VLF gold detector.It does have drawbacks-coils selection is limited compared to minelab,whites TDI and no coil bigger than 14". IM not a dedicated garrett user,I dont perfer any brand,all machines have good's and bad's.Some cheaper machine are terrible but if you buy a good american made machine you should have no worries.

I think some of the white's machine's are very good,you can program alot of the machine to make it perform the way you want.This can also be a bad thing-if your unaware of what you are doing.
I have used a ace250 and must say its pretty dang fancy for the price.A freind's step dad has made some great finds-some deep 8+" relics,My buddy was truly amazed at the performance of this budget detector.He sayed it was keeping up to his minelab soverign in places.

Im looking for a new machine.I swing a ole big bud 220-D but im thinking the ace250 will blow that thing out of the water.I dont want no high end machine as I can use the infinium for deep relics/targets.I also have a old compass that hits stuff DEEP.No kidding easy 9" on a penny(ground).Deeper if yeah listen real good with good phones.

I have been told the Old garrett ads deep seeker is still one of the deepest machines on the market,very sought after and hard to find(for me at least)
Also the garrett ground hogs are amazing machines heard so much good about that 15khz cicuitry.I might just get a gold scorpion-there a very outstanding machine on rings and canadian clad.

There so many good machines out there.Some of the older machines will suprise you,sometimes simpler is better.Some of the entry level detectors these days are amazing,and the ones a step up are even better. if you get into the hobby you will find yourself buying,trading and getting yelled at by the wife cause you spend more money on detectors than her LOL.
I jumped right in with my first machines(eagle spectrum) I am glad I did,this forced me to learn a advanced machine and pretty much learn everything about detectors!
I would suggest if your serious get a mid-priced machine like the fisher f-5,goldbugpro or Garret AT Pro or Ace350. Sometimes with a budget machines guys get frustrated with the lack of deeper targets or the lack of good target ID.

 

[Jerry-Wi]

I never worry about other brands of detectors. I find as much as I am willing to dig with the Garretts I have used so that is all that matters to me. There are several very good brands on the market besides Garrett but I have not had any reason to switch. Garretts service department takes care of you very good. Last year they fixed up my 25 year old Grand Master Hunter like new and turned it around in 10 days from the day I sent it in. Good people to deal with.

Jerry

 

[coach c]

I have had nine Garrett detectors, dating back to 1969. I have lived most of my life very close to the Garrett factory in Garland, Tx. Therefore, I always thought they were the best. Recently, after much research, I purchased what I thought was the best on the market from another brand and paid over $1500 for the unit.

I have found that it takes a tremendous amount of learning and lot of changing adjustments just to get the unit close to as stable as the Garrett machines are right out of the box. I love my new machine but I also love my new AT Pro and especially the price.

 

[synthnut]

I really enjoy the machines I own for exactly what they do , and the reason I bought them for .....Each one has it's purpose ....Each one does it's own thing better than any of the other machines I own ....... This is why it's hard to say how do the Garrett detectors stack up .....You really can't say how ANY brand detector stacks up ..... They all serve thier individual purposes to each individual ..... I guess you would have to take each detector and compare them by price ...... I will modify any detector that I get my hands on to make it MINE .... I make it into what I want the detector to be for MY use ..... So many detectors , so little time ......The only Garrett products I've owned has been the Garrett Pro Pointer which I still use and like very much , and now the AT Pro which again for the money , it does very well compared to other detectors in it's price range .....It does what I bought it to do , and wilth some mods , it will be even better, and it will be a nice piece of kit ......for me anyway ....YMMV ......Jim

 

[Canine]

I've seen another metal detecting forum that says Garrett is OK, but does not have any flagship models except for maybe the AT Pro- if it proves itself. This is coming from some highly experienced, educated people. I completely disagree. Garrett makes some excellent detectors. I like what White's has done with theirs. Minelab is popular, too, for good reason. Fisher has some cool models, too.

Garrett may not be your preference, but it certainly would not be a bad choice by any stretch.

The best metal detector, though, isn't any of those brands. The best detector is your brain. If you become highly acclimated to a $300 detector, you will usually (maybe always?) beat a $1500 detector if the person behind it doesn't know how to use it.

And findmall forums have the best metal detecting forums! That is a no-brainer! I've learned the most from here and have had the best time here, too.

 

[lasergod]

I AM CURRENTLY USING THE AT PRO. I LIKE IT ALLOT. I AM IMPRESSED WITH THE FISHER F75. I THINK ITS A GOOD MACHINE. I LIKE THE ETRAC, ITS A GOOD MACHINE. THE EXCALIBUR IS GREAT. I USED TO HUNT WITH AN EXPLORER XS.. THE EXPLORES ARE DEADLY MACHINES. IN THE RIGHT HANDS THEY DO WORK. THE PRO REMINDS ME OF AN XS BUT WORKS IN A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT WAY ( OR MAYBE ITS HOW I COMPARE THEM IN MY HEAD) LOL

I THINK THE PRO IS LIGHTER, I HAVE NOT REALLY STUDIED HOW THE XS DOES ON FINDING GOLD THE PRICE POINT FOR THE PRO WAS 1/2 OF THE ETRAC. THE GOLDEN FOR ME WAS NOT AS EASY TO USE. I WAS AMAZED AT THE LITTLE CUTLASS II , I WANTED MORE. THE 250 DROVE ME NUTS. THE TONES ON THE PRO SEEM WIDER TO ME (MORE TOLERABLE). ALTHOUGH IT WORKED WELL. I HAVE NEVER USED A WHITES MACHINE BUT WHATS THE POINT. FROM WHAT I CAN TELL THEY ARE NOT CURRENTLY OFFERING THE SAME TYPE OF MACHINE

I HAVE NOT USED ALL THE MACHINES TO GIVE A FINGER POINTING ABSOLUTE "THAT'S THE ONE" BUT THE PRO SEEMS TO JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED.

ANYONE ACTUALLY COMPARING APPLES TO APPLES WOULD FIND IN THE AT PRO A CONTENDER.