My Three Complaints with the ATX

[SoCalBeachScanner]

-
No Whining Here D-Tex, just stated my opinion on design flaws as I see them.

I do not regret my purchase of the ATX, and I am currently working on a post of what I found with it this morning.

No one forced you to read this thread, let alone make judgement comments.

 

[joemac]

Hi D-Tex
Sorry if you think the comments here are classed as whinning.
If we didn't voice our likes and dislikes for new machine then the next model would have no mods that we would like to have. I haven't had much to do with Minelab but I am sure they listened to their users of each new detector model and try to produce what the customer wants on the next model. I am sure Garrett would do the same.

I love my ATX and I am glad I bought it. I bought it knowing some of the design flaws already, just as you did with the SD2200d. I done a lot of research before signing my cheque. It doesn't mean I love the ATX so much that I can't see some things I would like changed. I am sure you bought the SD2200d after much research. I am sure you read a lot of so called whinges to know what design flaws it had. No different here. We are just letting people know what we think and they can make up their own minds whether to buy or not. As for the people who were chomping on the bit and ran out and bought the ATX. WELL BLOODY DONE! YOU HAVE A GREAT DETECTOR Flaws and all.

 

[WaterWalker]

[size=x-large]Perfectly stated![/size]
The only "flaw" that I had not read about before my purchase was the extent that silt / salt / sand would cause a minor problem with the cams.I had read the daily maintenance procedures including rinse the cams. I just did not think it would be quite as difficult to perform or time sensitive. I am very impressed as I though I would be with the detecting abilities of the ATX and I thank ALL that have posted their opinions / reviews / videos that have made my decision to purchase the ATX. Thanks!

 

[Fishers Ghost]

Why is everybody complaining about the ATX when they are trying to use it in situations that it was not designed for ie. in the surf and over wet sand.
So the coil flips up in the waves... My heart bleeds! So the coil plug is not in the right position!! So the back plate is not strong enough to take a drop from 6 foot without breaking the coil socket mount!! So it is a bit fiddly getting the coil plug on and off !! So the batterweees dun werk long enuff........You poor little diddums
You blokes are rrying to use the ATX for a purpose it was not designed for..
The ATX was initially a military mine detector, a purpose for which it was designed quite well and you can be 100% certain that any design flaws that were of significant concern to the mine disposal chaps would have been relayed to Garrett very quickly because one thing that military personal are good at is finding design flaws in their equipment. Now it has been modified to perform well in the highly iron mineralised gold fields. (I imagine there was quite a glut of Reco Pros after the troops were brought home from the middle East}.
Garrett must be having fits knowing that people are using the detector as a surf and beach machine and complaining that it is not ideally suited to that purpose?????? .
Is that why we are not getting any reports from ATX users in the gold fields ( Because there isn't any). So maybe you should get the detector out into the gold fields and see how she goes out there hey??

How many people do you bump into who are using the GPX 5000 at the beach or in the surf????..........Maybe one or two at best and they won't be complaining that it is not well designed for beach work.

There is any number of PIs designed specifically for salt beach and scuba work that will perform as well or better than the ATX on salt beaches. The TDI Pro, the Sea hunter, The sand Shark, The Surf Dual Field, The BHID (VLF). to name a few of the more prominant detectors

 

[SoCalBeachScanner]

-
Now there is a clueless Bloke on what the ATX was designed for. The Recon Housing was used for a military mine detector. The ATX used the Recon Housing and the internal components are ATX.

Fishers Ghost, maybe you should review what Garrett has marketed the used of this detector for and not spout off about what you don't know or understand.

 

[WaterWalker]

From: http://www.garrett.com/hobbysite/hbby_hunting_applications_guide.aspx

Garrett HIGHLY RECOMMENDS the ATX for:

Relic Hunting, Cache Hunting, Prospecting, Dry Beach / Fresh Water Hunting and Surf Hunting


They RECOMMEND the ATX for:

Coin Hunting, Jewelry Hunting, Ghost Town Hunting

So much for Fisher Ghost's first sentence!

 

[joemac]

I don't think people are complaining. If we just said everything is perfect with the ATX then we would be accused of sugar coating it with love and affection. We could even be accused of turning into Minelaber's where everything is perfect in Minelab land Sorry that was below the belt.

Come on are we complaining for pointing out some things we would like to have changed or pointing out some flaws. I am really glad that the sand in the cams was pointed out. Now I will take a lot more care when I come off the beach and make sure they are washed in clean running water. The same goes for the headphone connection. I take a lot more care in that area as someone "complained" I mean 'whinged" sorry I mean INFORMED" me of the potential problem.
We are all different people with different expectations and experiences. I for one learned heaps from all the people on this forum, so please keep the information flowing. It all helps to keep our hobby/profession interesting, enjoyable and safe.
Thanks to all the wingers, complainers and informants.

 

[SoCalBeachScanner]

Great post joemac,

I do agree, everyone has different uses for the ATX and they have different expectations. I am looking at it being used 90% of the time in a beach environment in highly mineralized sand and saltwater.

A grid style coil cover is what works best for the sand and water. A closed cover works best in the bush.

A more centered coil hinge works best when you are sliding the coil up and over sand drifts, sliding the coil up into high cuts in the beach and back down again. I realize inland detectorists hover the coil off the ground and rocks, and the coil is pretty much in a unchanged position. I'm constantly skimming the sand if not somewhat buried in it as I scan, and I want the coil to follow the contour of the beach terrain without having to kick the coil back down.

I think we can all agree the placement of the headphone connector is insane. Just when you stand there with the detector leaning against you while your getting ready to slid your hand in the cuff, the connector is jabbing you in the gut. Not to mention when your carrying it, you have to be careful not to swing it into a object next to you.

And a real positive improvement would be replaceable coils without having to purchase a new telescopic shaft, and offer a telescopic and regular shaft.

Everyday, electronics get smaller and smaller and plastics get lighter and stronger, so there is no excuse to have a detector to weigh almost eight pounds.

 

[joemac]

Thanks SoCalBeachScanner
I had my first go with the ATX on the beach yesterday. The info I got from the forum made me wash the shaft and cams. Also left it extended and rewashed it when I got home. If I didn't get that info from this forum I would probably packed it up and forgot about it.
I didn't find much of interest yesterday. The beach is very popular with various detectorists and clubs but used it more as a practice day.
One thing that really concerns me though is the amount of dangerous metal that is left on the beach. I picked up 2 tents spikes still in the sand. It could have ben nasty if someone stood on them. I have also picked up very large rusty fishing hooks. I suppose the unusual thing I found yesterday was a USB cable. No computer was attached.
I didn't take the ATX into the surf. I knew there would be problems with the swell.

I must admit I am getting used to the weight. I am sure I will end up with a very muscular right arm and a skinny left one

A tip on using the sling. Wear a shirt or polo shirt with a collar. Put the sling under the collar as it come across your neck.
Yesterday I wore a round neck t-shirt and put plenty of sunscreen on. I found the sling rubbed the sunscreen off and I have now got a really red and painful neck

 

[SoCalBeachScanner]

Hey joemac,

Tent Spikes & Fish Hooks, it that all! You call that Dangerous?

I find those tent spikes, dining canopy spikes, hooks & treble hooks with leaders, scoop glass, piercing's, syringes, under garments, tampons, condoms, toilet paper with what goes with it, dog and cat crap, sharp rusted iron & pipe, sheet metal, hardware, plumbing and electrical components, and I can't remember what else at the moment.

You have it easy, it's a regular battlefield in some of the places I detect

 

[joemac]

Man that ATX is bloody good to be able to detect all that
Yes I have found heap of crap too.
Seriously I think the councils should be paying us to clean up rather than putting red tape up. Take care out there especially with the syringes.
Might start another thread on this subject.
HH
Joe

 

[SoCalBeachScanner]

All those bio-hazards were with the AT Pro. I'm pretty much just getting started with the ATX since it came back form getting repaired.

Oh! And I forget to mention razor blades. I have found several of those also. This is such a hazardous hobby


[size=large]I do believe this thread has reached it's limit with my concerns. Hopefully someone at Garrett is listening to all concerns.[/size]

 

[joemac]

I agree.
Take care out there. HH
Joe

 

[ivanll]

D.I Y. is easier, faster and heaps more satisfying than complaining!

Besides being hard to get hold of over here the after sales service/repair is ? $ ?

ivanll

 

[Fishers Ghost]

Well I knew I would cop some flak over my post.
So where are all of the gold nuggies that have been found with the ATX???......... All I hear about is wittle coiny woinnies Where are all the nuggs ? ..........I feel certain that Garrett want to see the ATX finding gold nuggs in extreme iron mineralisation, after all that is what they tweeked the ATX to do. Hell any metal detector can find coins n relics but it takes more than just any metal detector to hit on gold in heavy iron mineralisation.
I don't want to read that the ATX can find coins and rings at 15 inches or even 2 foot deep in salty wet beach sand, my Sov, Infinium, Sand Shark and some other detectors can do that, I want to read about how good the detector is in the gold fields which is without question where Garrett intended the ATX to shine.
I have seen plenty of vids showing the ATX in gold field conditions but only one with it being used as a beach detector. So even though it is a do everthing metal detector (Except deep Scuba) the advertising has been heavily weighted towards gold detecting in tough ground and yet it seems that few people are using it for that purpose.

Am I trying to stir the pot?...Yes
Is everthing I have written my firm positive belief?......No.
Am I trying to find out who if anybody, is using the ATX for gold detecting?.....Yes
Do I care whether people call me Clueless?..........No not at all. Go for it if it will make you feel better.

 

[joemac]

Hey Fishers Ghost
Your doing great job
I wish I could say that I have found some goldie nuggies but I can't. I am stck here in Brisbane until March. Hopefully I will find the big one when I get to NSW and do some proper hunting.

Am I trying to stir the pot?

 

[Fishers Ghost]

G/Day Joe,
I am hoping to be up around Hillend in March but no firm plan yet...........Ut all depends on whether me testosterone supps kick in by then.

 

[Fishers Ghost]

From: http://www.garrett.com/hobbysite/hbby_hunting_applications_guide.aspx

Garrett HIGHLY RECOMMENDS the ATX for:

Relic Hunting, Cache Hunting, Prospecting, Dry Beach / Fresh Water Hunting and Surf Hunting


They RECOMMEND the ATX for:

Coin Hunting, Jewelry Hunting, Ghost Town Hunting

So much for Fisher Ghost's first sentence!

I know what the Ads say mate:
Quote:


EXTREME SENSITIVITY
LOCATES TINY GOLD NUGGETS THAT
OTHER PI DETECTORS MISS

ADVANCED NEW DD SEARCHCOIL
PROVIDES ENHANCED DETECTION OF
SMALL ITEMS & EASY PINPOINTING

ALL TERRAIN USE
WATERPROOF TO 10 FEET OR 3 METERS
The ATX ground balances to saltwater without requiring
a special mode or use of discrimination!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Highly Recommended - Prospecting, Cache Hunting, Relic Hunting, Dry Beach/Fresh Water Hunting, and Surf Hunting

Recommended - Jewelry Hunting, Coin Hunting and Ghost Town Hunting

Unquote:

But reading the many and varied complaints the ATX sounds a bit of an annoyance in the surf and is producing problems that I have yet to encounter with any of the detectors that I have used in the surf.....I have done and still do a lot of surf metal detecting that has spanned 53 years of allmost all aspects of metal detecting.

 

[SoCalBeachScanner]

-
This is Worth Repeating for the Slow Bloats

Everyone has different uses for the ATX and they have different expectations on it's performance. I will use it 90% of the time in a beach environment in highly mineralized sand and saltwater.

A grid style coil cover is what works best for the sand and water. A closed cover works best in the bush.

A more centered coil hinge works best when you are sliding the coil up and over sand drifts, riffs, sliding the coil up into high cuts in the beach and back down again.
I realize inland detectorists hover the coil off the ground and rocks and the coil is pretty much in a unchanged position. I use it constantly skimming the sand if not somewhat buried in it as I scan, and I want the coil to follow the contour of the beach terrain without having to kick the coil back down.

I think we can all agree the placement of the headphone connector is insane. Just when you stand there with the detector leaning against you while your
putting on your headphone and slid your hand in the cuff, the connector is jabbing you in the gut that will eventually cause an open circuit with the headphone wire. Not to mention when your carrying it, you have to be careful not to swing it into a object next to you.

And a real positive improvement would be replaceable coils without having to purchase a new telescopic shaft that makes the coil cost $500+ each, and offer a telescopic and regular shaft. Make a travel and standard version, just like the fishing tackle manufactures do for fishing rods.

[size=medium]Everyday, Electronics get Smaller and Smaller and Plastics get Lighter and Stronger, so there is no excuse to have a detector to weigh almost Eight Pounds. Who likes to fish with a broomstick and a winch

Hopefully someone at is listening to all that voice their concerns.[/size]

 

[bearkat4160]

Ivan always hits the nail on the head! Good job!

BK