Muddyshoes
New member
Oh yeah... I'm within earshot of my front door and won't miss the knock...
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Muddyshoes is doing the AT Pro Happy Dance!
- Thread starter Muddyshoes
- Start date
Muddyshoes
New member
Hey now, no need to hate. This is a Garrett forum, after all. Tell me you weren't feeling just a little giddy on the inside on those days when YOU got your new box... 
12:20... No UPS man...
- Muddyshoes
12:20... No UPS man...
- Muddyshoes
I also waited for mine with great anticipation. When it did arrive, I did not hear the UPS guy knock if he did and the wife discovered the package when she was going out to do something. She brought the box in and said "You were expecting something?" 
I hope you enjoy your At Pro as much as I have.
Jerry
I hope you enjoy your At Pro as much as I have.
Jerry
Muddyshoes
New member
Well, it finally arrived! The UPS guy didn't knock, just put it on my doorstep and took off. I heard his brakes squeal.
I was a bit mystified that they would just drop off a detector at someone's door without requiring a signature. If I wasn't home, it would have sat out there facing my busy street for hours and hours and we get LOTS of foot traffic. I'd rather have gotten a door tag and have to drive down to the terminal than have it swiped. Consider paying for, or asking for signature confirmation if you may not be home when your mail-order purchased detector is delivered. At any rate it's here!
My first impressions:
Honestly? I'm used to old Garretts, GTA and GTI Boxes...Green, somewhat sturdy and a bit heavy. This, frankly, seems like a toy. Plastic lower stem. Plastic control housing. Plastic coil nut and bolt. Two small screws holding the control housing to the upper shaft. Even the plastic display squeaks when I press it with only minimum pressure.
Headphones:
The headphones seem very solid and sturdy...and heavy. They seal around the ears well. The screw-on connector that connects the phone plug to the housing is hard to grasp and tighten because of how close the connector is to the upper shaft, so I'm not sure if I got it on all the way or not.
The Display:
I'm over 40, folks. That means my vision is starting to go. It's a pretty small display, but I'm assuming I'll get used to it and rely more on the larger digital number display and tones than on some of the smaller LCD stuff that I can't really see that well. If you're an older hunter or have vision problems, this is something to consider. Garrett should consider that if they have to enlarge a picture of the display to use in their advertising, then it's probably too small to begin with.
Balance:
Doesn't seem as well balanced as other detectors. The GTAs and GTI that I have, you can hold and balance the detector at the grip. The arm rest seems too short for my taste and I'm not sure how I'm gonna like the velcro strap. Also, the base stand that keeps the detector upright when you set it down seems really small. I'm guessing this thing will knock over easily on unsteady ground. And then there's this weird foam grip. I don't get it. Maybe I'll grow to love it, like a one-eyed cat.. defective, but you kind of feel sorry for it.
Noisy:
Criminy, this thing is noisy. Granted I don't know what any of all the tones mean yet, but I just turned it on with its factory settings without reading anything in the manual and walked about 20 feet in my yard. Holy moly that thing was all over the place with at least 3 or 4 different tones, numbers all over the place and the LCD display showing all ranges of targets.
I can see this will take a while...
So now that I'm done whining like a little girl, I can't wait to read the manual, watch some videos and get out to some of the places here in town and see how this baby can fly!
Thanks to all of you who've posted tips on this detector. I'm gonna read through the AT Pro forums again and see if I can't tear up my local parks and swimming holes!
See you in the field!
- Muddyshoes
I was a bit mystified that they would just drop off a detector at someone's door without requiring a signature. If I wasn't home, it would have sat out there facing my busy street for hours and hours and we get LOTS of foot traffic. I'd rather have gotten a door tag and have to drive down to the terminal than have it swiped. Consider paying for, or asking for signature confirmation if you may not be home when your mail-order purchased detector is delivered. At any rate it's here!
My first impressions:
Honestly? I'm used to old Garretts, GTA and GTI Boxes...Green, somewhat sturdy and a bit heavy. This, frankly, seems like a toy. Plastic lower stem. Plastic control housing. Plastic coil nut and bolt. Two small screws holding the control housing to the upper shaft. Even the plastic display squeaks when I press it with only minimum pressure.
Headphones:
The headphones seem very solid and sturdy...and heavy. They seal around the ears well. The screw-on connector that connects the phone plug to the housing is hard to grasp and tighten because of how close the connector is to the upper shaft, so I'm not sure if I got it on all the way or not.
The Display:
I'm over 40, folks. That means my vision is starting to go. It's a pretty small display, but I'm assuming I'll get used to it and rely more on the larger digital number display and tones than on some of the smaller LCD stuff that I can't really see that well. If you're an older hunter or have vision problems, this is something to consider. Garrett should consider that if they have to enlarge a picture of the display to use in their advertising, then it's probably too small to begin with.
Balance:
Doesn't seem as well balanced as other detectors. The GTAs and GTI that I have, you can hold and balance the detector at the grip. The arm rest seems too short for my taste and I'm not sure how I'm gonna like the velcro strap. Also, the base stand that keeps the detector upright when you set it down seems really small. I'm guessing this thing will knock over easily on unsteady ground. And then there's this weird foam grip. I don't get it. Maybe I'll grow to love it, like a one-eyed cat.. defective, but you kind of feel sorry for it.
Noisy:
Criminy, this thing is noisy. Granted I don't know what any of all the tones mean yet, but I just turned it on with its factory settings without reading anything in the manual and walked about 20 feet in my yard. Holy moly that thing was all over the place with at least 3 or 4 different tones, numbers all over the place and the LCD display showing all ranges of targets.
I can see this will take a while...
So now that I'm done whining like a little girl, I can't wait to read the manual, watch some videos and get out to some of the places here in town and see how this baby can fly!
Thanks to all of you who've posted tips on this detector. I'm gonna read through the AT Pro forums again and see if I can't tear up my local parks and swimming holes!
See you in the field!
- Muddyshoes
blade310
Member
Best of luck to you muddyshoes.I have five other detectors besides my Atpro but I'll be darned if i can use any one of them and let the Atpro sit. lol guess I better take the batterys out of the others til I am ready to give the Atpro a rest.Look foreward to hearing your progress with your new detector.
Now wake up and smell it.Great comments.
Honestly? I'm used to old Garretts, GTA and GTI Boxes...Green, somewhat sturdy and a bit heavy. This, frankly, seems like a toy. Plastic lower stem. Plastic control housing. Plastic coil nut and bolt. Two small screws holding the control housing to the upper shaft. Even the plastic display squeaks when I press it with only minimum pressure.
When I first got the ACE 250 I felt the same way. "What a cheap plastic toy," I said. After using it for awhile, I changed that to, "What a lot of manufacturing compromises are in this thing...." Granted the ACE was designed to be a lot of detector in a $200 package. But the lessons learned with that model have been carried over. That is obvious.
I prefer the older S handle, too.
The headphones seem very solid and sturdy...and heavy. They seal around the ears well. The screw-on connector that connects the phone plug to the housing is hard to grasp and tighten because of how close the connector is to the upper shaft, so I'm not sure if I got it on all the way or not.
Such headphones have got to go - I will absolutely go with the adapter. I have a set of modified around-the-ear phones that are not only comfortable, but which remain out of the way when in use... no dangly @ss cord right in front of you as you work. They also utilize a 1/4" connector, so an adapter will be obtained.
In South Carolina those bulky headphones are known as "ear ovens."
It's a pretty small display... I'm assuming I'll get used to it and rely more on the larger digital number display and tones than on some of the smaller LCD stuff that I can't really see that well. If you're an older hunter or have vision problems, this is something to consider. Garrett should consider that if they have to enlarge a picture of the display to use in their advertising, then it's probably too small to begin with. \
I have found that as I get older, this is a common problem with many detectors. It has to do with the size of available LCD display components. To use a larger display is possible - they exist. But that would mean an enlarged housing. If the goal is to keep things small and compact, well... there is no trade off. But you adapt.
You will soon come to love the central VDI display... mark my words.
(and lets be honest, Garrett is no longer targeting the "old retired guy" market any more.Younger users with New Money aren't as conscious of the visuals)
Doesn't seem as well balanced as other detectors. The GTAs and GTI that I have, you can hold and balance the detector at the grip. The arm rest seems too short for my taste and I'm not sure how I'm gonna like the velcro strap. Also, the base stand that keeps the detector upright when you set it down seems really small. I'm guessing this thing will knock over easily on unsteady ground. And then there's this weird foam grip. I don't get it. Maybe I'll grow to love it, like a one-eyed cat.. defective, but you kind of feel sorry for it.
Most of the balance issues are because of the large coil. When you get the smaller 6 x 9 concentric coil, you will see the difference. Note I said "when," not "if." Run dont walk to make that coil your next purchase.
Going to the large DD coils has advantages, but one of the compromises is in the balance. The arm length IS too short; I think Garrett hired some Indonesian to do the ergonomics on these new models... and you will HATE the Velcro strap, in time. The base stand is also too small and foam grips are a cheap affectation.
On my Ace 250 I moved the arm cup, added wing extensions to the stand and wrapped tennis racket tape around the grip. On others I have replaced the foam grip with a bicycle hand grip. Fortunately, the market responds and products to improve all these things exist. Its a shame that they are needed, but they are there.
Criminy, this thing is noisy. Granted I don't know what any of all the tones mean yet, but I just turned it on with its factory settings without reading anything in the manual and walked about 20 feet in my yard. Holy moly that thing was all over the place with at least 3 or 4 different tones, numbers all over the place and the LCD display showing all ranges of targets.
The trend to enriched audio these days requires a shift in thinking on your part. Think of it as a positive - we don't have mere beeps anymore, we have "response suites."
And for the record, if you want a busy (noisy) response suite, try a Tesoro Golden or Whites M6. Both of these are favorites of mine, by the way.
In truth, Garrett is only catching up to this stuff. Another truth is that three tones are all that are really needed... but people expect more these days.
Fortunately, more nuance can be wrung out of the audio with the new thinking. Just stick with it and learn it. In the end you will come out ahead.
PS Listening to music will become more enjoyable, as the ear you develop for the new detector will have you hearing new things in your favorite music. I've been a musician for years; trust me on this.
Honestly? I'm used to old Garretts, GTA and GTI Boxes...Green, somewhat sturdy and a bit heavy. This, frankly, seems like a toy. Plastic lower stem. Plastic control housing. Plastic coil nut and bolt. Two small screws holding the control housing to the upper shaft. Even the plastic display squeaks when I press it with only minimum pressure.
When I first got the ACE 250 I felt the same way. "What a cheap plastic toy," I said. After using it for awhile, I changed that to, "What a lot of manufacturing compromises are in this thing...." Granted the ACE was designed to be a lot of detector in a $200 package. But the lessons learned with that model have been carried over. That is obvious.
I prefer the older S handle, too.
The headphones seem very solid and sturdy...and heavy. They seal around the ears well. The screw-on connector that connects the phone plug to the housing is hard to grasp and tighten because of how close the connector is to the upper shaft, so I'm not sure if I got it on all the way or not.
Such headphones have got to go - I will absolutely go with the adapter. I have a set of modified around-the-ear phones that are not only comfortable, but which remain out of the way when in use... no dangly @ss cord right in front of you as you work. They also utilize a 1/4" connector, so an adapter will be obtained.
In South Carolina those bulky headphones are known as "ear ovens."
It's a pretty small display... I'm assuming I'll get used to it and rely more on the larger digital number display and tones than on some of the smaller LCD stuff that I can't really see that well. If you're an older hunter or have vision problems, this is something to consider. Garrett should consider that if they have to enlarge a picture of the display to use in their advertising, then it's probably too small to begin with. \
I have found that as I get older, this is a common problem with many detectors. It has to do with the size of available LCD display components. To use a larger display is possible - they exist. But that would mean an enlarged housing. If the goal is to keep things small and compact, well... there is no trade off. But you adapt.
You will soon come to love the central VDI display... mark my words.
(and lets be honest, Garrett is no longer targeting the "old retired guy" market any more.Younger users with New Money aren't as conscious of the visuals)
Doesn't seem as well balanced as other detectors. The GTAs and GTI that I have, you can hold and balance the detector at the grip. The arm rest seems too short for my taste and I'm not sure how I'm gonna like the velcro strap. Also, the base stand that keeps the detector upright when you set it down seems really small. I'm guessing this thing will knock over easily on unsteady ground. And then there's this weird foam grip. I don't get it. Maybe I'll grow to love it, like a one-eyed cat.. defective, but you kind of feel sorry for it.
Most of the balance issues are because of the large coil. When you get the smaller 6 x 9 concentric coil, you will see the difference. Note I said "when," not "if." Run dont walk to make that coil your next purchase.
Going to the large DD coils has advantages, but one of the compromises is in the balance. The arm length IS too short; I think Garrett hired some Indonesian to do the ergonomics on these new models... and you will HATE the Velcro strap, in time. The base stand is also too small and foam grips are a cheap affectation.
On my Ace 250 I moved the arm cup, added wing extensions to the stand and wrapped tennis racket tape around the grip. On others I have replaced the foam grip with a bicycle hand grip. Fortunately, the market responds and products to improve all these things exist. Its a shame that they are needed, but they are there.
Criminy, this thing is noisy. Granted I don't know what any of all the tones mean yet, but I just turned it on with its factory settings without reading anything in the manual and walked about 20 feet in my yard. Holy moly that thing was all over the place with at least 3 or 4 different tones, numbers all over the place and the LCD display showing all ranges of targets.
The trend to enriched audio these days requires a shift in thinking on your part. Think of it as a positive - we don't have mere beeps anymore, we have "response suites."
And for the record, if you want a busy (noisy) response suite, try a Tesoro Golden or Whites M6. Both of these are favorites of mine, by the way.
In truth, Garrett is only catching up to this stuff. Another truth is that three tones are all that are really needed... but people expect more these days.
Fortunately, more nuance can be wrung out of the audio with the new thinking. Just stick with it and learn it. In the end you will come out ahead.
PS Listening to music will become more enjoyable, as the ear you develop for the new detector will have you hearing new things in your favorite music. I've been a musician for years; trust me on this.