Return of the AT Pro Audio issue

[Kapok]

Last week I posted an issue I was having with my new AT Pro. My dealer swapped it out for me and later said he saw the same behavior with it and thought it could possibly be a bad coil plug on the base unit. But even with this new unit, I am still having the same issue and really need some advice. I am new to the AT Pro but not to detecting, but can't figure this one out. Here's the issue: Pro Zero runs great, no issues. However, when I try to bump up the iron disc or notch out a level in Pro (in other words use Pro Custom or Coin), I get this scratchy, erratic sound. (See my YouTube video below.)

What I have tried:

• Lowering sensitivity to 1 bar (even though the video below shows it maxed out)
• Trying another coil
• Trying the detector far away from EMI
• Factory reset
• Installing fresh batteries

Is this normal or is there something I am missing or misunderstanding about how that mode should operate? Any advice is appreciated. I hate to give up on the AT Pro since I have heard so many good things about it.

AT Pro Audio Issues

 

[Leslie(nova scotia)]

Great machine when they are working. By the sounds of it you may have to make sure the female and male plugs for the coil and headphones are in correctly or give Myra a call at Garrett service.

Well acquainted with her as my pro has been back more than a handful of times.

One indicator for the above listed problem usually occurrs on the pro zero mode.

Good luck me bouy!

 

[Kapok]

Great machine when they are working. By the sounds of it you may have to make sure the female and male plugs for the coil and headphones are in correctly or give Myra a call at Garrett service.

Well acquainted with her as my pro has been back more than a handful of times.

One indicator for the above listed problem usually occurrs on the pro zero mode.

Good luck me bouy!

Leslie, I should have added "checked coil connections carefully" to the list. I have checked both the unit and plug end for bent prongs or receivers and all looks okay to my inexperienced eye. A call to Garrett makes sense, and I'll do that. But wanted to get collective wisdom from the group first.
Thanks for the input!

 

[Kapok]

I called Garrett and they basically told me the detector is operating normally and I should try turning Iron Audio on. I have tried this and it has no effect on the issue. So at this point I am stuck with a $600 detector with no discrimination capabilities other than the tone and ID since Standard Mode is pretty much worthless IMO. I'm going to have another person look at it this weekend who knows the AT Pro. If he thinks it's wonky, I'll have to send it in.

 

[Donb10]

I watched your video but was unable to see all your settings. I've had my AT Pro for three years and never had a problem. I saw that you did a factor reset which is good. I do a factory reset each time I change coils or put in new battery's. What can it hurt. From listening to the audio of your video it sounds like you have the iron audio feature turned on. This feature is designed to over ride any thing you have discriminated and you hear everything. I frequently use this feature and it sounds just like your audio. If not, you might send your video to Garrett. One other thing to check is your ground balance. You have probably already done all of these thing so good luck.

 

[woody]

AS some of the other hunters said, loose connections cause bad problems in the AT Pro. On mine if the coil connector is slightest bit loose everything is erratic. For some reason my AT works a little loose as I use it . I'll probably check and tighten it 3-4 times a session. It's just an automatic thing now. Good luck.

 

[Kapok]

I watched your video but was unable to see all your settings. I've had my AT Pro for three years and never had a problem. I saw that you did a factor reset which is good. I do a factory reset each time I change coils or put in new battery's. What can it hurt. From listening to the audio of your video it sounds like you have the iron audio feature turned on. This feature is designed to over ride any thing you have discriminated and you hear everything. I frequently use this feature and it sounds just like your audio. If not, you might send your video to Garrett. One other thing to check is your ground balance. You have probably already done all of these thing so good luck.

Yes, I've tried just about everything I can think of. The issue occurs with both of my coils, no matter where I am at. And I ground balance carefully. I do not have iron audio on, although I have tried it both on and off with the same effect. Tried lowering and raising sensitivity--same thing. I returned it to my dealer who gave me another one, and the same thing happens. So at this point, it must be me, although I can't conceive of what I could do differently. Frustrated with this detector for sure.

 

[Kapok]

In Pro mode, if I max out iron disc and notch out 40/50, it's much better behaved--not great, but tolerable. I've been able to pull out some wheat cents and other deep coins close to junk with the 5x8 coil. So it's getting better.

 

[Strobing_NYC]

Can you try running with no iron discrimination? I know the at will pop every now and again if you have the discrimination up since some iron targets will give a good tone now and again. If your machine is working right you should be able to hear all the iron it may sound nasty at first but I run like that all the time even in trash-filled old house sites. maybe your is to much iron or mineralization around you, have you tried a new area? or tested in the air?

 

[Kapok]

Can you try running with no iron discrimination? I know the at will pop every now and again if you have the discrimination up since some iron targets will give a good tone now and again. If your machine is working right you should be able to hear all the iron it may sound nasty at first but I run like that all the time even in trash-filled old house sites. maybe your is to much iron or mineralization around you, have you tried a new area? or tested in the air?

I can run Pro Zero just fine. But notching out 40/50 etc with no iron discrimination makes it go wonky. That being said, the soil mineralization around here is pretty high--about 85 to 90 due to the iron sand close to Lake Michigan. And add to that the fact that the old public areas I've been searching have a lot of trash of all kinds and at all levels--some deep old iron, some surface high conductivity stuff. So it's a tall order for any detector. But I think I'm learning what I can reasonably expect of it in these tough situations.