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Is AT Pro a good choice for me?

Z

zonee

New member
I only have an entry level detector and not a lot of experience. I live in Miami-Ft. Lauderdale and work on Miami Beach. I have only detected on the dry part of the beach but did find a 14K gold ring on my first outing, and it wasn't even near the water but along the path to the parking lot.

I am itching to get into the water.... not looking to snorkel just waist-shoulder deep. I know that is where most of the lost jewelry ends up.

I have my eyes set on an AT Pro and adding waterproof headphones after watching the on-line videos and numerous posts regarding this machine. It seems like the most versatile and I will be able to use it all conditions. I also like the digital information.

I am concerned however about a few posts here and there that say this particular machine is not good for the east coast of Florida, or for saltwater.

I thought the sensitivity could be adjusted for salt water conditions.

I must make the right choice as this is a significant investment for me. I need this detector to last for years.

Anyone used the AT Pro on south Florida beaches? Should I get the 2 coil set? What is the smaller coil for? I thought the larger the coil the more area you cover.
 
Might want to pass on the ATRO in your part of the Florida. I live in northwest florida and have had the AT in the Gulf and it worked great, ground balance at 21 in the dry sand and around 11 in the water and wet sand. I'm not a water hunter but I think you might want a more dedicated salt water machine for yout area. The ATPRO is the bang for the buck in single frequency vlf, waterproof, I/m lucky where I live , but if I took My machine to the East coast and it wouldnt work , I might get a little POFF. Good Luck on your decision:thumbup:
 
Thanks for your input. You are right; I don't want to buy one and not have it work. But I need one that will work in salt water AND dry land.

There is no black sand in my area. Very shallow and some days the water is like glass...

What is a good alternative in the same price range as the AT Pro?

Any other digital models?
 
AT-Pro works fine on texas gulf beaches. Like you said jusy lower sensitivity some.
 
Mine works just fine on the Daytona beach area. Sometimes I do have to lower the sens sligtly (down 2 bars from max) and increase the iron descrim to 40 to lower noise but always works.
 
Johnho said:
Mine works just fine on the Daytona beach area. Sometimes I do have to lower the sens sligtly (down 2 bars from max) and increase the iron descrim to 40 to lower noise but always works.
Click to expand...

Good to hear. Thank you so much. .:clap:

I have been researching other detectors and AT Pro seems like the most bang for the buck for that price range. I thought that was the whole point of the three modes- to be able to adjust to the conditions.

My beaches are very white sandy and I have yet to see any tar balls. I find mostly beer bottle caps, and pennies. No black sand.
 
I have one of the first at pro to come to south florida and i love it ,at first just about all the pros had coil problems but garrett stood behind there products and sent me a new coil and it fixed the problem.i have a box full of rings and chains, silver and gold to show for it and jars of coins,all came from the teasure coast beaches in wet and dry sand.garrett stands by its warranty if you have a problem send it back and it will be returned to you in two weeks.good luck and happy hunting.:thumb up:
 
:super: Thanks!

I'm going to go ahead and order one.

Worst case: I know I can sell resell it. Everyone wants one it seems.

Best case... it my pay for itself.

Happy Hunting!
 
I don't live near the ocean, no beaches or surf gold here, but mine has easily paid for itself in a few months. A silver coin here, a gold ring there, lots of clad and the joy of finding cool odds and ends and learning a ton of local history, what a great hobby! Working on filling the piggy bank up for an AT Gold next (yes, from you, Bart). I was just going to get a 5" x 8" coil, since I hunt a lot of trashy areas, but then I thought: 'wouldn't it be nice if there was an AT GOLD attached to that 5x8 ??' There's still some gold in them thar hills. .
Enjoy the new machine, the more you use it the better you'll like it!
 
Thanks William-NM! I'm from Arizona and may be moving back in a few years. Maybe to Prescott-Sedona-Flagstaff or maybe just Phoenix. I'll miss the beach but I miss my grandson more...

It is good to know my investment will work anywhere. I know where the historical sites are out there.

I grew up in Tucson and my Dad had an old 1948 Willy's Jeep. We sometimes hit the dry Pantano Wash near or house and just go exploring. Once we had one of their friends who had a metal detector and we went to some old adobe homesite where they found all kinds of relics. Not "historical" just old tools, stove parts, old coffeepot, spoons, ornamental iron parts, etc. I couldn't tell you where this was just somewhere out in the desert somewhere. I remember there were adobe stairs going up a side of a wall.

My Mom had that stuff hanging from the beams on our back porch for years.

Maybe I'll be able to get an AT-Gold buy then too.

What is the purpose of a smaller coil? Doesn't it cover a smaller area?
 
The 5x8 coil is great in high trash environments for separating the good targets from the junk.

If you're going to spend lots of time in the water with it remember to do the right post hunt maintenance. Take the rods apart and flush them out with fresh water, keep the o rings and battery door seal clean and sand free and apply a little fresh silicone grease. Keep the connectors clean. Just casually hosing it off will get you problems. The salt environment is hard on materials and good maintenance will preserve your investment!

I've used mine on some east FL beaches with black sand and when ground balanced right it works well. Not as deep as my Etrac but water proof!
 
WOW thank you for the info Sailorman!

I could learn a lot from you guys.

My sand scoop just came in yesterday, one with two handles.

My AT-Pro ships today; don't think I will have it by weekend. Probably a good thing; I have some chores that need/should to be done before I turn into a sand weasel.

There is a beach here next to condos, a hotel and a city beach park. About 20-30 ft out in waist to shoulder deep water is a sandbar that is only knee-hip deep, but goes about 30-50 parallel to shoreline and is 10-20 feet wide. People playing in the water hang out on this sand bar; and I can't wait to mine it.

There is also beach restoration commencing in some other areas in Miami Beach. I suppose it would be better to get those areas ahead of the sand dumping.

I still have a lot to learn. I ordered three books with my machine at least two are specifically about md-ing Florida and the Treasure Coast.

Happy Hunting!
 
Zones, better get those chores done, I have a feeling that you're going to very busy for a while!
:detecting:​
We don't have the beach bling or Colonial history of the east, but with a bit of research, there are some interesting areas to detect out here!
 
Too bad I didn't see this sooner. I have a new AT Pro with the 5X8 DD coil for sale with backpack, hat, all the goodies.

This is the latest model of the AT Pro, 2 months old.
I used it twice in the park, works perfectly.
Comes with the 5X8" DD Coil and cover, lower rod, hardware, cam lock stem,
excellent Relic Quest book, hat. New warranty card, never filled out.
Garrett headphones and new Garrett backpack in plastic.

Absolutely like new!!

$565.00 Shipped via Paypal (preferred)
Please call Steve at 817 three two six 3238


Paypal address is ba5online@yahoo.com
IMG_0809.jpg
 
Thanks but you're too late. My new AT Pro arrived today. I'm sure you'll find a buyer; this is a popular model.

So much for getting those chores done....


I'll be :detecting: en la manana!
 
Just read all the revieuws on the AT PRO........Its the best choice for a midclass detector,The best in the Garret line for under 1000 Dollars/Euros.Together with the AT Gold.
Exelent voor fresh/Salt water,And for detecting in the Woods,Or even on Farmlands.(AT ALL TERRAIN)
 
I did my research and chose the AT Pro because it seemed to be the most bang for the buck. I need one that I can use ANYWHERE. I'm not planning on going underwater, but in the wading depth.

The ocean by me is sometimes calmer than a lake.

I am amazed at the quality of this machine out of the box. It looks like a heavy machine in the pictures but it is sooooo lightweight,

I have an appointment this morning that prevented me getting out there at dawn but I will definitely be in the sand at daybreak tomorrow. Will go this afternoon too.
 
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