New AT-Pro owner and have never used Garrett detectors before!!

[88junior]

Guys I just got an AT-Pro and have never tried any Garrett products before! I got it to complete my collection of detectors so now I have a CZ-5 for coin and jewelry hunting on land and a Tejon for relic hunting and a AT-PRO for wading and shallow water hunting! So if you guys have any advice or tips for the AT let me know! Thanks Morgan

 

[quarterhorse]

The AT platform detectors really shine in heavy trashy areas, you might want to try your AT Pro on land when and if you encounter such a place.

Good luck & have fun with your

HH
QH

 

[88junior]

In trashy areas? Do you use your ears more or your eyes when using the at-pro? When I use my CZ-5 I listen more than I look at the meter! Also how's the depth on these AT'S?

 

[quarterhorse]

In trashy areas? Do you use your ears more or your eyes when using the at-pro? When I use my CZ-5 I listen more than I look at the meter! Also how's the depth on these AT'S?

I normally run the AT Pro in Pro Mode Zero with nothing disc-ed out if the ground conditions allow.......but I ain't normal.......

Trashy areas, under bleachers, iron nail infested old house sites, around picnic pavilions, places where you get a dozen or more targets per swing. Places where you walked away from in the past as "no way"

I am an ear sort of guy with an occasional glance at the VDI to verify my suspicions on a target of interest.

The depth of the AT depends on your type of soil conditions and of course having the machine's sensitivity and GB in sync. When I refer to depth it's to coins as that is what I do mostly coin/jewelery-shoot. 90%+ of which I find here are < 6 inches, but I have dug 9+ inch silver quarters, too. Lots of guys on this forum hunt civil relics with their machine and post their bullets and brass buttons, Joe in MD and Jason are two that instantly come to mind. I would just start at the front of the forum and work my way back reading their posts, I think you would find it interesting. John-E the moderator does a weekly relic hunt in Alberta and comes up with a smorgasbord of "relics"..........the At Pro is really a very versatile tool, with many applications.


HH
QH

 

[ralph]

The audio on the atp goes deeper than the meter can id. a deep faint hit (in pro mode) ,no vid # dig it.

 

[Big Boys Hobbies]

Get out and swing it and come here to learn! Great choice on machine!

 

[TerraDigger]

The depth is quite good for a detector in its price range. Lots of variables effect depth...primarily how much mineralization is in your soil where you search. The best thing to learn for getting good depth is mastering the ground balance technique(s). Both in automatic and manual ground balance. If you can give the forum a general idea (city/state) where you detect, there is possibly a member(s) here who can give you a idea of the depth they get in your area.

 

[Sailorman]

This is a great machine for someone who hunts by ear. I also am a Pro Audio kind of guy. I disc out iron below 25 to 30 listen to everything else. Trash signals often have a distinctive scratchy sound and kicking in iron audio can give you more info on a borderline sound as to whether it might be junk or not.

On my best ground I hit coins as deep as 8". Don't even get trash deeper there so i doubt the targets are even there. In another spot with great soil I hit a lead sinker at 11". At my local beach I've chased junk a foot.

It really does well in the trash. Like any good trash weeder you need to slow way down and listen. It's surprising how well it does when you begin to learn the language.

 

[88junior]

I am in N.Georgia red clay and slate!! The ground balances at 83 on the AT is that pretty bad soil? I know it's going to take some getting used to this detector it's got quite a few nice features I like though! What's the typical learning time on it? Also where's the best place to take it to get the learning curve down on it?

 

[jsgarvin]

Hello everyone,
I just made the upgrade from the ACE 250 to the AT Pro. loving the new machine but have a question about the sensitivity and ground balance. A statement was made above about mastering those features. How does one do that? Is there a technique I should be using? Any help is greatly appreciated.....

 

[GoGoGopher]

I GB my machine at full SENS in Pro ZERO mode...Once GBed, I start swinging while standing still, and turn down the SENS until the detector stops falsing...If the falsing is not bad, I turn it up one more notch (I can only take so much false chatter in my ears)...I usually set the Iron DISC to 30 (I do not normally hunt for relics, but if I did, I would lower this to the point of DISCing out nails only). If I come across a iffy signal, I check it with the Iron Audio...If it makes a loud and constant grunt, I walk on...If the signal is still iffy, I dig...If I get a strong 80-82 VDI I Pinpoint the target, then lift the coil...If I can lift the coil more than 6 inches and still have the Pinpoint audio...It is usually a can or large junk item. Scratchy 75-78 VDI is usually a screw cap. Scratchy 53-60 VDI is usually a pull tab...40-45 VDI is usually foil or small shredded aluminum...I dig these most of the time, as I do not want to pass up any gold...A clean 50-52 is usually a nickel.


HH,

 

[jsgarvin]

Thanks,
Those sound like great tips that i will use the next time out. Hopefully they will help me find the deep silver...