New AT Pro, few questions...

[GoVidGo]

I just got my new AT Pro in today... about 6 hours ago...with the 8.5x11 coil and the 5x8 coil package.


I bought the AT Pro to replace my back-up unit to my ETrac, my Fisher F2. I work 2 jobs so when I get a day off and head out treasure hunting for the day, nothing stops me, not even the weather. I didn't want to fry my $1500 taking a chance in rain or drizzle, so I'd use the F2, which is a nice little detector!


Problem solved with the AT-Pro, which is waterproof! It's also fun using a different detector here and there, you know?


I have 4 good questions that I hope someone that has an AT Pro can answer, and some basic plusses and minuses I have noticed. Thanks in advance!


QUESTIONS:


#1. I got the 5x8 coil for 2 reasons... #1 for tighter spaces like some parks, and #2 with it on the AT Pro, the only difference between the AT Gold would be a 2 KHZ frequency difference and some iron discrim. Am I right?


#2. I noticed the O-rings in the headphones jack, coil jack, and battery door. They seemed to actually have came from the factory slightly greases/oiled. Just like any electronic, a little water can do a lot of damage! Do you have to do anything with the O-rings for maintenance? or not do to them?


#3. If I am going to use the unit in the rain, do I have to do anything with the detector such as putting the black caps that came with on with the AT Pro back on the the headphones port and coil port?


#4. I ask that because until I got the blue waterproof headphones, I guess I will have to use it without headphones in the rain/drizzle, right? Will the stock headphones hold up and not fry in the rain/drizzle?


If I am going to use the unit in the rain or drizzle, will the


DAY 1 THOUGHTS (1/2 hour airtesting, 1 hour in the back yard)....


GOOD STUFF:


The only thing I looked in the manual about was the difference between Standard and Pro mode. Other than that, anyone with some experience detecting can figure out the AT Pro in minutes! HUGE difference than when I got my ETrac, which was like learning brain surgery...


The depth air testing impressed me! I know... I know... air testing isn't anything special, but how far I had some coins away from the coil was sweet!...


Energizer batteries included, and installed! Classy move Garrett! It's the little things like that that make a difference.


Screen seems a little more 'scratch resistant' than the Fisher's screens. Guy I saw had an F5, and it seemed to scratch SOO easily from dirty fingers.


The stock headphones are VERY well padded around the ears and up top. Thick but still soft.


I like how you can actually save 2 custom programs without losing them when you shut the unit off.


Lighter than my ETrac! (No I am not abandoning the ETrac...LOL)


BAD STUFF:


I run a wireless AUVIO set up, with the 1/4" adapter that plugs into any detector. Can't just plug it into the AT Pro. Booooo... I am gonna get on Ebay in a few minutes and order the headphones adapter, problem solved. Too bad it didn't include it, but including the coil covers by was sweet!


Here's what I noticed so far with the AT-Pro. I airtested both coils in my house after I put it together. It seems the larger 8.5x11 coil gets more depth, by at least a few inches, than the 5x8! Am I wrong? Same mode, coins and gold items, sensitivity, etc.... any thoughts???


No backlit screen. I went out late in the day until it was getting dark. Can't have everything though on a detector under $600, you know?


No volume control on the unit. The headphones have the volume control, and I almost always wear headphones.


I'll definately have the unit out this weekend. both days off work and I am gonna find somewhere to hunt in Pittsburgh or Indiana, PA....

 

[widebody]

[size=large]i wear a hoodie evn when it rains and i still use the standard headset. you may want to visit Indian Nation Detectors ( sponcer on the Garrett Pro forum ),. they have a modified gray ghost headset for the AT PRO. can't remember if it has volume control but is water-proof and spendy.
the unit does come with the o'rings greased but is good to re-grease from time to time. recomend plummers silicone grease. can be found at lowe's.
i would agree on question #1. no real differance until you get some real higher freq. it's a matter of choice of course. i for one couldn't see spending the extra bucks for the gold.
the manual does recommend replacing the caps on the earphone plug if used with-out it..and i hunt in pro mode zero with 35 iron disc.and listen for the higher notes in with the iron.

HH [/size]

 

[marcomo]

Good observations, GoVidGo.

To answer a couple of your questions:

1. The AT Pro and Gold are similar detectors, but there are some differences. The Gold has a true all metal mode and threshold control where the Pro has a notching/discrimination control. Also the Gold has what Garrett calls a ground balance window. As I understand it, that allows you to spread out the ground balance over a range of numbers instead of just one. Not sure exactly how it works, I'm sure John our moderator could explain it better. Bottom line is the AT Gold is specifically designed to be effective as a gold prospecting unit in addition to coin shooting and relic hunting.

2. Like widebody said, silicone grease lightly applied occasionally to the O-rings to keep it waterproof. Any hardware store should have it and it's cheap.

3. Yes, if you aren't using headphones put the cap back on the headphone port. I don't think you could put the cap cover over the coil port since a searchcoil needs to be attached for the detector to work. In light rain/drizzle I've never had any problems using non-waterproof headphones. More than light rain, I wuss out. I got a headphone adapter as soon as they became available so I could use better phones. Also makes it easier to plug the phones in and out of a standard jack.

You are right about the F5 screen, it is very prone to scratching if you don't protect it. The AT screen is tougher, but it will still scratch as evidenced by some of the used ones I've seen for sale. I always use a screen protector, it's cheap and easy and will pay off at resale time.

My depth experience is similar to yours, the AT with standard coil gets excellent depth. A couple inches less with the 5X8, still fine depth for a smaller coil.

Good luck!

 

[Night Crawler]

Hi GoVidGo

I'm a newbie myself GVG, I can try to answer questions 2, 3 and 4 for you just from my personal experiences.

#2 - I use Die - Electric grease on my unit and this seems to really help keep things lubricated and water proof.

#3 - If your not going to use the headphones then I would put the caps back on.

#4 - Over half my MD time has been in snow or rain GVG using the standard headphones. I clean them, then use Armour All on mine after each outing though. Haven't had a problem yet with them, and I have been in some heavy down pours.

I'm sure others will chime in to help out more as well.

NC

 

[Thound]

I use vaseline instead of grease.

 

[Joel-Winnipeg]

I use vaseline instead of grease.

Vaseline will melt the o ring as its oil based.
Use silicon grease

 

[GoGoGopher]

I use vaseline instead of grease.

NO NO and NO...Vaseline is pretroleum based and petroleum EATS plastic....This is why WD-40 is BAD for electronics...
USE Silicon Grease!


HH,