As Denny says, it's not so much the weight (it's heavier than my Bounty Hunter, but I guess not that heavy) , but more the balance that is a problem, especially if you have joint or tendon problems. I have both. It seems "coil heavy" and with the cuff only a few inches from the grip position, each swing torques your wrist at an unnatural angle. The Garrett Gizmo (or similar things) adds weight behind the cuff position to ease the "coil heaviness" a bit and, more importantly, extends the cuff from the grip to lessen the torquing of your wrist... at least that's what I've heard and what I'm hoping for. Mine should be here in a few more days.
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My AT Pro review... Honesty is the best policy...
- Thread starter fir469
- Start date
As to the weight and balance. I had a lot of down time last year and early in the winter and my arm was just weak so when I first got the At Pro in December I thought that it was real coil heavy. I made my own extension and that helped some. But what really did it for me was some good old physical training.
I went to physical therapist in January and was started out with zero weight just doing light isometric exercises. A week later real exercises were added with a one pound weight. Even that seemed heavy at the time but when I got so I could handle one pound, was put on two, a week later three, etc.
To make a long story short, I can now swing the At Pro for three hours or more and not even switch arms. It was a bother doing exercises three times a day for almost three months but it was well worth it. There is no way I would be doing other than very short hunts otherwise. I just do not bounce back as quick as I used to when I was younger.
The At Pro is not a heavy detector. I bought it because it is nearly two pound lighter than what I was swinging.
Jerry
I went to physical therapist in January and was started out with zero weight just doing light isometric exercises. A week later real exercises were added with a one pound weight. Even that seemed heavy at the time but when I got so I could handle one pound, was put on two, a week later three, etc.
To make a long story short, I can now swing the At Pro for three hours or more and not even switch arms. It was a bother doing exercises three times a day for almost three months but it was well worth it. There is no way I would be doing other than very short hunts otherwise. I just do not bounce back as quick as I used to when I was younger.
The At Pro is not a heavy detector. I bought it because it is nearly two pound lighter than what I was swinging.
Jerry
A lot of you guys don't have a clue about light weight , balanced , detectors ........I happen to know Max, and he has built more detectors than most of you have owned in your lifetime !!.......As we get older , we strive to continue this wonderful sport and as we age , we are not as strong as we use to be ......When you are use to swinging a 12" coil on a carbon fiber rod and the entire assembly weighs in at less than 2 lbs, a detector that is the slightest bit heavier and unbalanced or short cuffed is a BIG DEAL !!..... I have been talking all along about coil wire extensions, and headphone extenstions as they and longer arm cuffs too ......It has fallen on deaf ears it seems .... All of these items will make it easier to chest mount , or hip mount, to make it easier for whoever needs to mount this detector this way for ease of use ........ We are ALL getting older and every little bit helps to keep us in the sport and moving around doing one of the things that we love best ....DETECTING !!...... There are a LOT of things that you can do better when you are much younger !!!...... So my advise to you younger guys ....DON'T GET OLD !!......... Jim
fir,
I own a lot of the machines that you speak of and also own an AT Pro .....I thought your report on the AT Pro was as close as I could have come to writing ........ You will always have folks here who will defend the AT Pro tooth and nail no matter what if you mention ANYTHING bad about it ....... Ask me how many guys I had jumping down my throat when the AT Pro first came out because I made it known that there was a problem with the AT Pro falsing too much !!...... Don't back down to ANYBODY !!.....Stick to yur guns !!.....You know what you are talking about !!....... Jim
fir,
I own a lot of the machines that you speak of and also own an AT Pro .....I thought your report on the AT Pro was as close as I could have come to writing ........ You will always have folks here who will defend the AT Pro tooth and nail no matter what if you mention ANYTHING bad about it ....... Ask me how many guys I had jumping down my throat when the AT Pro first came out because I made it known that there was a problem with the AT Pro falsing too much !!...... Don't back down to ANYBODY !!.....Stick to yur guns !!.....You know what you are talking about !!....... Jim
Southwind
Well-known member
You know, just possibly, not everyone experiences the same um... experience with the AT Pro, or any detector, that you do.
I've been detecting the same areas for over 30 years now and swung a whole lot of different detectors in that 30+ years over the same spots. When I swing a detector over the same spot I've been hunting for 30+ years and I pull a lot of goodies, I really couldn't care less what someone else claims, for me that says this detector is above the normal detectors I have used. Very few detectors have every done this. The E-Trac is one, thSovereigngn GT and the AT Pro. I am still pulling coins from beneath thwood chipsps and in the dirt of my tot lots. Not just any detector has been able to do this.
So you see the problem here. While I understand John1956 may have not done well with the AT Pro, and of course will report a less tfavorableoble review, all that means is John1956 didn't do well with the AT Pro it doesn't mean I will.
This goes for any detector.
I've been detecting the same areas for over 30 years now and swung a whole lot of different detectors in that 30+ years over the same spots. When I swing a detector over the same spot I've been hunting for 30+ years and I pull a lot of goodies, I really couldn't care less what someone else claims, for me that says this detector is above the normal detectors I have used. Very few detectors have every done this. The E-Trac is one, thSovereigngn GT and the AT Pro. I am still pulling coins from beneath thwood chipsps and in the dirt of my tot lots. Not just any detector has been able to do this.
So you see the problem here. While I understand John1956 may have not done well with the AT Pro, and of course will report a less tfavorableoble review, all that means is John1956 didn't do well with the AT Pro it doesn't mean I will.
This goes for any detector.
Cant wait to get out with it. I hunt with alot of diffrent machines and like them all. This is another tool for my box. I love the versatility of this machine, it is lightweight and pretty well built. I do wish it had cam locks on the shaft, but I can live with it like it is. From what I have seen and read, it would be hard to beat this machine for the price. I am mainly a relic hunter and bought this machine to get into the creeks around here with, but i also want to do some coin shooting and a little beach hunting in July so the AT Pro seemed like a good choice. I will post up my thoughts when I get to use it.
Van
Van
Dennis Harbour
New member
I find when the ground is soft, AT pro finds coins deeper, but when the ground is brick hard, it has deeper falses, After a good rain, i went back and dug up these 'false' hits and found the targets. Guess I gave up on them when digging was 'too hard'
High Desert Jim
New member
Nice break down, I will be following your future posts.
HDJ
HDJ
High Desert Jim
New member
Thanks, Grate review, I will be following your post to see how the beach works out. I too like the beach and wish I coulod spend more time there.
HDJ
HDJ
High Desert Jim
New member
Read all the post, Thanks to one and all enjoyable reading.
After using the AT pro for over 20 hours on the machine. I find this review not as accurate atleast in my case in depth. I am getting solid VDI down to 9" and hitting my deepest coin at 12". I am very active person and workout and do agree with balance issue as it does let me know its there after awhile. Does not bother me but it could use improvement. The rest of the review is great but my numbers would be as follows
Assembly (ease): 7/10 Headphone and coil hookups terrible
Construction: 8/10
Depth: 8.5/10
Target ID: 8/10
Weight and Balance: 7/10
Recovery Speed: 9/10
Target Separation: 10/10
Versatility: 9/10
Features (Bells and Whistles): 8/10 (Iron audio/disc is amazing)
Tones: 7/10
Headphones: 2/10
Coinshooting: 9/10
Relic/Old Coin Hunting: 8/10 (Needs more depth and loves hot rocks)
Freshwater Hunting: 7/10 (Somewhat chattery in our iron mineralized creeks and lakes)
Price: 9/10 (great price for all you get)
Overall: 8/10
Target ID: 7/10
Assembly (ease): 7/10 Headphone and coil hookups terrible
Construction: 8/10
Depth: 8.5/10
Target ID: 8/10
Weight and Balance: 7/10
Recovery Speed: 9/10
Target Separation: 10/10
Versatility: 9/10
Features (Bells and Whistles): 8/10 (Iron audio/disc is amazing)
Tones: 7/10
Headphones: 2/10
Coinshooting: 9/10
Relic/Old Coin Hunting: 8/10 (Needs more depth and loves hot rocks)
Freshwater Hunting: 7/10 (Somewhat chattery in our iron mineralized creeks and lakes)
Price: 9/10 (great price for all you get)
Overall: 8/10
Target ID: 7/10
triplehooked
Member
I appreciate ALL the views on this thread. I'm seriously considering the AT Pro to replace my MXT as my go to machine until I can save up for either a V3i or Etrac. Then it will become my beach machine/backup/ loaner..... The main thing is to realize that these opinions are just that. I take ALL reviews into perspective and make a decision based on data from them and what first hand observation I can gather. It's not quite the scientific method, but as close as I care to get for a hobby. Views vary and variety is good. Otherwise everyone would be driving the same car, playing the same guitar, using the same MD. If you have an issue about this MD I want to hear it, but respectfully please. Personally, I don't think there is a machine out there that has proven as versatile as this one in this price range....
Thank you fir469 for your time to post an honest opinion on this machine.
Thank you fir469 for your time to post an honest opinion on this machine.
Dennis Harbour
New member
Weight is not as bad as some 'chines I've had- Garrett Deep-Seeker, White 6000D, 6000 Di#3, Garrett Grand Master- those would tire-out Superman
Silverbackbob
Active member
Dealers carry them, they are on the bay, etc... Hope you find lots of keepers with it. HH. Bob.
triplehooked
Member
Bob/Nebr said:
Do you think the cam locks are a worthwhile purchase? Are the shafts that loose?
Silverbackbob
Active member
I just like to be able to lock out my sections so there is no wiggle at all. Some don't care. It's not a big deal or deal breaker I don't think. Now, I think I'd like to get a headphone adapter as I like my killer B's best. And maybe a gizmo?? Bob.
Well time for some updates to my review now that I'm 3 sets of batteries in...
Saltwater beach: I hit a few beaches this weekend and the AT is very chattery on our beaches in NJ, Having to GB everytime you move from dry to wet to saturated sand is a pain when you do a wide W pattern like I do. Seems like it will be a nice fast recovery dry sander but will not replace my Sovereign in the wet. Passed through an area with the AT and received no signals, got the Sov out of the car and went through the same area and dug over 100 targets including a 14K ring and 2 silver dimes all at depths ranging from 6" to 18". Most signals were just whispers on the Sovereign and were all greenies really really deep. The AT didn't sound off on any. The AT hit a quarter at 12" in the dry but couldn't manage past 6" in the wet, could just be our beaches + only having a single frequency.
Freshwater lake: Spent 4 hours in the water at a local lake, cedar water, high acidity. Balanced around a 45 and off I went. Conditions were ideal with hardpan showing in most of the lake, nabbed $4 in clad but no jewelry to be found. Only dug a handful of trash, pulltabs and crown caps, but I knew they were crown caps before scooping em. The AT really shines in IDing crown caps, screw caps, and zinc pennies. I found pinpointing on land to be easy, but pinpointing in the murky water a real pain with most recoveries taking 3-5 scoops and constantly pushing my targets around. After a while I switched to toe edge PP and it helped knocking recovery to 1-2 scoops. I place my right toes just to the back right corner of the coil and set scoop beside my heel and scoop forward.
Local park: Spent an hour or 2 in the park just digging anything to get used to tones hoping to nab gold. Found a very tiny pair of silver hearst on a silver chain (2 grams) at 4" with a very very clear and stable 80 VDI. Canslaw is easy to ID at this point with most average pieces hitting 48-60 with a scratchy entry and exit from the signal. Pulltabs hit very solid tone wise and VDI around 59-61. Nickels hit hard and smooth at a 53-55. I now am pretty sure I'll recognize gold when I hear it, should be smooth and even tone with a fairly stable VDI like nickels.
The modulation of this unit is a bit lopsided it seems, with most signals in the 1-8" range all very strong but after 8" it drops sharp and at 10"+ its very hard to distinguish target tones as they tend to bounce a lot. I dug a memorial at 9" today that bounced both in tone and VDI from 53 to 78, with a very very faint signal. However it hit a brass lantern head about the size of a Morgan dollar with a solid smooth tone at 18", go figure...
My PP button has already begun to stick... anyone else having this issue?? It's quite frustrating especially in the water. I'm loathing having to send it out and might just stick with it till after summer.
Iron audio still never ceases to amaze me, I truly love it and it is quite possibly my favorite feature on any detector thus far. I love that machine gun iron tone and this thing surely speaks through it when you hit a non ferrous target.
The Gizmo is a nice addition, definitely helps with the ergonomics. The AT still feels nose heavy though and I may add a counterbalance weight to the back of the Gizmo.
I'm very very impressed with battery life!! A set seems to last around 40 hours which is just awesome.
Well I will keep you all posted with more updates!! Thanks for reading!!
-Jason
Saltwater beach: I hit a few beaches this weekend and the AT is very chattery on our beaches in NJ, Having to GB everytime you move from dry to wet to saturated sand is a pain when you do a wide W pattern like I do. Seems like it will be a nice fast recovery dry sander but will not replace my Sovereign in the wet. Passed through an area with the AT and received no signals, got the Sov out of the car and went through the same area and dug over 100 targets including a 14K ring and 2 silver dimes all at depths ranging from 6" to 18". Most signals were just whispers on the Sovereign and were all greenies really really deep. The AT didn't sound off on any. The AT hit a quarter at 12" in the dry but couldn't manage past 6" in the wet, could just be our beaches + only having a single frequency.
Freshwater lake: Spent 4 hours in the water at a local lake, cedar water, high acidity. Balanced around a 45 and off I went. Conditions were ideal with hardpan showing in most of the lake, nabbed $4 in clad but no jewelry to be found. Only dug a handful of trash, pulltabs and crown caps, but I knew they were crown caps before scooping em. The AT really shines in IDing crown caps, screw caps, and zinc pennies. I found pinpointing on land to be easy, but pinpointing in the murky water a real pain with most recoveries taking 3-5 scoops and constantly pushing my targets around. After a while I switched to toe edge PP and it helped knocking recovery to 1-2 scoops. I place my right toes just to the back right corner of the coil and set scoop beside my heel and scoop forward.
Local park: Spent an hour or 2 in the park just digging anything to get used to tones hoping to nab gold. Found a very tiny pair of silver hearst on a silver chain (2 grams) at 4" with a very very clear and stable 80 VDI. Canslaw is easy to ID at this point with most average pieces hitting 48-60 with a scratchy entry and exit from the signal. Pulltabs hit very solid tone wise and VDI around 59-61. Nickels hit hard and smooth at a 53-55. I now am pretty sure I'll recognize gold when I hear it, should be smooth and even tone with a fairly stable VDI like nickels.
The modulation of this unit is a bit lopsided it seems, with most signals in the 1-8" range all very strong but after 8" it drops sharp and at 10"+ its very hard to distinguish target tones as they tend to bounce a lot. I dug a memorial at 9" today that bounced both in tone and VDI from 53 to 78, with a very very faint signal. However it hit a brass lantern head about the size of a Morgan dollar with a solid smooth tone at 18", go figure...
My PP button has already begun to stick... anyone else having this issue?? It's quite frustrating especially in the water. I'm loathing having to send it out and might just stick with it till after summer.
Iron audio still never ceases to amaze me, I truly love it and it is quite possibly my favorite feature on any detector thus far. I love that machine gun iron tone and this thing surely speaks through it when you hit a non ferrous target.
The Gizmo is a nice addition, definitely helps with the ergonomics. The AT still feels nose heavy though and I may add a counterbalance weight to the back of the Gizmo.
I'm very very impressed with battery life!! A set seems to last around 40 hours which is just awesome.
Well I will keep you all posted with more updates!! Thanks for reading!!
-Jason
OL' Mountain man
New member
fir,
Good update on your AT!
OMM
Good update on your AT!
OMM
Fir your report on the wet sand is very very telling. Probably the information I was looking for more than any I have read to date. I love the AT Pro for what it can do. I am very glad I purchased it. But I need a wet sand hunter. So I'll leave the At Pro at home and stick with the Sovereign. I also hunt from wet to dry and back again. I can't be ground balancing every time I make the switch. And yes my pinpoint button sticks. I thought it was just me. The beach is a 2 hr drive for me. We are at the time when parking fees, parking spots, beach fees, turnpike fees, gas money are becoming a major pain in the butt. I can not afford to be down at the beach right now comparing detectors. I will have my vacation at the beach later when I can do some of that. But for now I need to know which detector I can use for a quick day trip or night hunt. I appreciate your time and report. Thank You.