Is the AT-Pro really this easy?

[bbells]

I recently upgraded from my ACE 250 to the AT-Pro.
Ok, I am testing my new AT-Pro indoors since it is about 10 degrees outside and the world is covered with ice. Yes ice, not snow. I am testing it with gold, bottle caps, old iron, silver coins, clad coins, copper coins, jewelry, iron next to all of these, two coins together, etc. Hey, it is winter and too cold and windy to do anything outside. After the rain yesterday the lake is too unsafe for ice fishing. So, what the heck, why not play with my new toy.
Am I fooling myself into thinking that this is pretty easy in the pro mode? By reading dozens of posts and reviews I expected to have to relearn everything. But, the coins, etc., have much clearer tones and are definitely much more identifiable when compared to my 250. Even the gold I am using has a nice tone (probably will be confused with pull tabs outside, though). I feel like there is almost no learning curve here. I was kind of looking forward to spending numerous hours learning about it and trying to recognize the tones so I would be ready when the world thaws out in the spring.
So, I really don't think it can be this easy. Will I discover it is much harder outdoors? Are there some harder tests I should practice at? Thanks!

 

[Johnny Cache]

If you started with the 250, the Pro should be no problem. Start using the pro mode, it's the best!

 

[blade310]

Hi BBells, I went from the Ace250 to the Atpro and found it a very,very easy transition. I could brag on my Atpro all day long and not fill I have said enough. You wont have a problem learning the Pro,and your gonna love it!!
Johnny Cache is right,the standard mode is good,(kinda like a souped up Ace250) but the Pro mode is where the action is. Best of luck to you!!

 

[widebody]

[size=large]as already pointed out, you started with the 250 and the ATP is a 250 on steroids. you just up-graded to better, in my opinion, indicators.
i've learned that the other machines have an over abundance of hype attached. in the long run they have nothing over the ATP ecept when they have larger coils to chose from. if you want a learning curve then you need the Whites V3i or the Minelab Explorer series including the new CTX. get the coils for the ATP and figure out which one you need for your days hunt. if you hunt in pro mode and zero all you have to learn is the sounds and if you want the iron audio on or off. this machine is great for sounding off on targets surrounded with iron. you can fiddle with the air test but they will be differant once you try to find the underground treasure. if you want indoor thrills to pass the time do some serious research while you're waiting for spring.
try testing how to dics out bottle caps. the 15 khz freq seems to really like them regardless of the machine you use.

HH[/size]

 

[MikeLab]

SInce you have time to burn, try working the iron discrimination level with a nail or whatever next to a coin. Also try with the coil several inches away from the target, so you get a faint response to simulate a deep target. Also try sweeping at different speeds on the deep target. Really listen to the sounds. I assume you have watched the videos on the Garrett website for any tips. At least with the AT Gold, Steve Moore says the iron audio gives a slight sound over pull tabs. However, it is a good idea to dig all iffy targets. I went to a tot lot and checked everything with Iron Audio then dug it anyway. About an hour of that and you should have a good idea of your targets. I don't know what your climate is like, but under evergreens sometimes it is dry ground and is not frozen.

 

[grumpysrb]

I started with the ACE 350 and find Standard mode on the ATP very easy. I am challenged by the pro mode. and it will take me some time to get it.

 

[gordygroover]

I only had knowledge of the 250. I am on my fifth one and love everything about it (ok..the color sucks) but I cashed in some of my gold finds and bought the A.T Pro.
I have three hunts under by belt and am in no way comfortable with the unit. Comfortable as in knowing what 90 per-cent of the targets under my coil are.
Can/t pinpoint nearly as well as with the Ace. That is me folks...not the machine. I love the de-tuning feature of the Ace. Could get that final tone under the same spot of my coil most every time. Not so with the Pro. But once again folks, that is me and not the machine.
Can't really find a setting that gives me a tone on a small gold ring that would make me want to dig. That binary bell-tone of the Ace made every target sound good.
I have found deeper coins than with the Ace. Found them in trashier spots too so the knowledge is coming.
If Widebody gets a burst of energy I am gonna drag him along on a teaching-hunt where he can give me some learnin'.
Hopefully in a year I will be rockin and rollin with the Pro like I was with the Ace.
Back to watching U-Tube detecting videos I guess.

 

[fongu]

I hope it's easy to learn, because I sure do want the AT/Pro to work the river with. I found 28 cents yesterday in about 2 hours and so many junk targets and cans. But, I cleaned it up for the next time I get out in the water. I want to send my 2500 in for some r & r, repair and restoration at the factory and I can't turn it loose until I get another detector. Good luck with your AT/Pro and HH.

 

[WildOutdoorAddict]

It's not bad going from the 250 up to that, but listen to the volume levels as faint tones mean deeper targets, You'll learn the sweet sounding signals in not time at all. Good luck with it!

 

[John-Edmonton]

Learn the tones well in Pro Mode and dig those quite whispers.

 

[widebody]

[size=large]Gordy, went to Cloney Park today and scraped $0.70 out it. i could not believe the amount of iron and trash in that park but the ATP picked up the coins very well. i was running Pro Mode and zero with 40 disc and iron audio on.with that discription it may show i don't understand the machine all that well but i sure understood the tones. you'll pick up the ATP and do as well as you do with the 250. maybe ya need to run that french nickel by it so you don't miss any of them. suppose to be clear and cold this next week and i'm retired. those who are concerned about buying the ATP need to really try one out before you do. don't over think this machine. it's very easy to learn.

HH[/size]

 

[gordygroover]

I ran the same as you yesterday Earl but iron audio off.
Did a test on a park lawn where I strung out a 50 foot rope and swung my Ace down and back the length of the rope. Found one dime. I then grabbed the Pro and followed the same line just to see if the Ace had cleaned that stretch out. I found another dime walking in my own footsteps.
Ended up with 1.37 total finds with the Pro. A bit too muddy to be digging much in a public park so I called it a day early.

 

[widebody]

[size=large]can't say enough on how easy the ATP is to learn. the only limit is the coil sizes. i feel it can match the big boys coil for coil. once enough folks learn about it then it too will be rated up there with the big boys.

HH [/size]

 

[teleman2525]

i already rate the at pro with the big boys as i,ve done side by side test with my high end explorer the at does very well when i head out the door if i only bring one detector most the time its the explorer that sits at home hot days i can take the at pro swimming or hunt in the rain also the main reason the pro is with me so often is it,s so dam fun to hunt with stated out in pro zero never looked back don,t even like the standard mode pro zero gets it done nice sounding sort quiet signal,s that don,t show a vid always dig these signals many good things may come good hunting all may spring come fast winters are to long here in northern vermont

 

[Big Boys Hobbies]

It is an AWESOME machine! The Garrett AT Pro is hard to beat in its price range!