When will Garrett wise up?

[Onus]

Don't get me wrong, I love my ACE 250 but I didn't much care for my GTI 2500 as it was outmoded. The ACE is perfect for a run throught the local kiddie park or for simple coin shooting but I had a GTI 2500 for serious work. What I discovered was I could do almost as well with my ACE in most situations . The 2500 is so far behind the times it seriously needs a facelift or Garrett needs to invest in a new top of the line machine. I got tired of getting clobbered at the club hunts where deep hunts for silver quarters and silver dimes. The Minelabs and the Tesoros and Whites ate me up with their newer technology, I never could get any decent depth out of my 2500 even though I sent it in a couple of times to have it checked out. Six inches was tops for me. And the darn thing was so heavy it wore me out. I have a very bad back from an injury and the weight killed me. So I traded for a more modenized lighter weight machine and haven't looked back. But I loved the tones of the Garrett GTI 2500 and treasure talk and being able to see the size of the target was great. I miss that with my new whiz bang multi signal machines. But I can hunt all day with them without having to spend the night being packed with ice bags or hot tub surfing. So, common' Garrett, let's get some weight pared off and go multi-frequency. You're getting left behind. Do some updating and I am back in the fold. Just one man's experience and wishes. Onus

 

[Old Katz]

GTI Out Moded?
Hummmmmmmmm. Well, thats a first for me.-)
Don't think I ever heard anyone refer to the 2500 as out moded.
The Whites MXT is about as easy as you can get. Of course there
are the Prisms....not very complex at all.
Enjoy your Ace 250. It is a good machine as I have one and can
agree with you on that point......but the MXT is better and I have
that one as well.
The Katz

 

[Alan Applegate]

Just be accident, I found out I had a neighbor into metal detecting. Besides a brand-new V3 still in the box, she owned a GTI-2500. I have to agree with you, it is heavy compared with the ACE 250 I own. I expressed interest in trying it out, and was cheerfully allowed to. Well....

I have about the same thoughts you do. After about 2 hours, I thought my arm would fall off. It would be better if I used one of the various support devices on the market, but I don't have one.

I liked the display and tones, but I'm not convinced it tells me enough more to justify purchasing one for the type of detecting that I do. That amounts to two strikes.

I put brand new batteries in the 2500, was almost taken back that the battery indicator had dropped to half scale after about 8 hours of use. I don't worry about the cost of batteries, but one would think it would do better. After all, this is less than half the life I'm getting with the ACE 250. No quite three strikes.

I've purchased 3 detectors this year, all from on-line retailers. I called one to check the price on a new 2500, and told them I didn't need any of the free stuff, as I have enough cheap pin pointers and plastic spades already. Well, didn't make much difference, the price was the price no matter if I got the extras or not. This was the case at two different retailers, and I was very close to strike three at this point.

So, I decided to wait and see what Garrett would come out with by the time the main season starts (I can almost detect 12 months a year here in New Mexico).

Alan

PS: I did put that V3 together for my neighbor. My first impression? I thought the 2500 was heavy!

 

[John-Edmonton]

I have done very well using my GTI 2500, and got real good depth when I used the 12.5" coil. The 12.5" coil, with the true all metal mode using the imaging makes about a most modded machine that is available today. The "TREASURE TALK" is not available anymore, which makes the older models a collectors item. True, the GTI 2500 is heavier then the ACE & GTP Series, but not the heaviest by far for what is also available out there. It's unfortunate that you have sore back issues. I work in an orthopedics unit, and have often dealt with many such issues. Metal detecting brands aside, if you get a chance to work with an occupational therapist, go for it. They can show you how to use good body mechanics towards metal detecting to save you from lots of pain associated with metal detecting. The obvious comes to mind, such as keeping the lower rod short, and metal detecting with the machine tucked as close to your body as possible. There are also some commercial apparatuses...called the "swingy thing" (I think?) which were designed to take a lot of the weight off the machine. Lots of us older guys have used them with success.

Either way, good luck with using whatever machine. Have a good Christmas!

 

[Uncle Willy]

Ya know, I've never had any problems with depth with the 2500 and we have some of the most mineralized soil around. Plus I've owned a slew of other brands and I didn't do any better with them. In all metal the 2500 is tough to beat. The only thing I have against it is the weight but it's made to last a lifetime and take a lot of abuse that would obliterate other detectors. I've never understood these claims of " no depth ". Some years back I recovered three Barber coins under a big tree root at a measured 14 inches with the 2500 in coins mode.

Bill

 

[Alan Applegate]

This probably isn't the tread to expound on this, but it's as good as any at present.

As I mentioned above, I have three commercial detectors, and two home brew ones. All considering, I'm convinced that learning a specific model is a lot more important than the model itself. It is true, some models will find object deeper than others, but if one compares a specific type, with a specific coil size, to any other one of the same type and size, the difference between them is all but moot. Like a lot of other things in life, pundits would have you believe otherwise. It's the old Cadillac verses Chevrolet syndrome. If you paid more money, it's got to be better. Right? well, isn't that the proverbial $64 question.

When I compare the Garrett ACE 250 with the F75 I have, and trying to be as objective as I can, I prefer the ACE. It is a little lighter weight wise, and when set up in one of the preordained, factory settings, the ACE appears to work better. One might argue that I haven't used the F75 enough, but I think 100 hours is a fair test. When I go to the field, and I can only take one, it is the ACE.

One of the two I built is an old BFO type. In some of the parks here about, the BFO will outshine everything else I own. It just depends on the soil conditions.

The end result is, anyone who just insists one specific model is better than another, isn't being objective.

Alan

 

[bearkat4160]

I tell ya, I read about ALOT of other detectors and I see my Garrett catalog and see the GTI 2500 and I say, man that is a kool looking machine, even still after owning one since 1999, its about as unmodern as you can get. The design is still one of the best Ive ever seen even though its getting old. And geez, who else has Imaging? Mmm lets see, no one. Man Its hard to do without that. Whites has a version of sizeing, little different, as usual with them, its COMPLICATED. Yeh the disc mode gets less depth sometimes. Check this out though.....

Heres some tips about the disc mode on the 2500....when the ground is hotter than 9 on the ground balance scale (all metal) like in Georgia it averages 9..here in Oregon it averages around 11, (max 12.7) hot stuff here, Bill aint kiding about that. I noticed that the hotter the ground the prossesor works harder and is a little slower at responing and might even miss a target until it catches up. This is with everything is ON..like Imaging On, all tones ON, Coins mode (notching on), etc...So the other day I experimented with sensitivity in disc mode, had it on 6.5 and it was doing fine, but I wanted more depth and faster response and less false signals from the machine. So I turned OFF the Imaging while hunting, and turned the sensitivity to 10-11...AND hunted in zero mode, which also speeds up the response because the machine doesnt have to "notch" anything out, using less prosessor again. If you want Imaging, just use it in while in pinpoint mode. All tones (3) still in use, so I dont have to always look at the display.

And the result, was quite a faster machine in Disc Mode, and less false signals AND i got more depth. I used to set the machine on 11-12 sensitivity in Georgia to get more depth but it was a little erratic, these new additions to the settings seemed to help. It seem to lock in on a target faster and let me know faster what it was. Before I did this I had to swing it over the target about 10 times until it had DEFINATLY figured out what it was.Remember, these changes only seem to have a real effect on ground that is high in mineralization (9+ on grnd bal scale). Ground that is around 8 and less seems to be less hard on the prossesor and less effected by shuting things off. My conclusion: I think the Imaging + hot ground is a prossesor hog---- kinda like HD video playback on your computer. Only thing I could say is Garrett put a faster prossesor in there.

But the all metal mode is a whole different beast, no compaints there with that, got plenty of extra depth especially with the 12.5 coil. The weight doesnt bother me...if Charles can handle it, I can. Built like a tank..thats what I like. Look at a Tesoro...they work fine and are well built machines, but modern to modern they look like they came out of the seventies. Good light weight machines though with good modern ANALOG guts.. I just prefer Garrett which the 2500 disc mode is DIGITAL. 2500 all metal mode is Analog. That there explains alot to me.

Check these settings for yourselves and hope you get similar results with all you's that own the 2500.
Happy hunting and Merry Christmas!

Alan in Oregon

 

[John-Edmonton]

So often as is the case, someone will purchase a detector, and use it for a couple of months and give it a bad rating because it just didn't find much. No experimenting with other coils either, to increase depth or deal with mineralization. Yet, someone else can use the exact same detector, learn its capablities and limitations plus the usual tricks not found in a manual, and walk a way with 10 x the finds. And what I have just stated has happened many times, with all other detectors also. The GTI 2500's greatest strengths are imaging (sizing), true all metal mode with ID capabilities, numerous coils to excell in different environments and the ability to really fine tune a piece of equipment to really do the job. And it's made in USA.

 

[slingshot]

And you can always get a strap off an old computer bag or rifle sling and do this:

 

[coach c]

It's not the arrow. It's the Indian.

 

[SteveP(NH)]

The GTIs came out in 1997 which makes them 12 years old now. I held on to my GTI 1500 until last spring but it never got turned on any more after using newer and lighter technology that has much faster response and recovery time for better target separation, more accurate target ID at depth, better overall depth amd better battery life with only 4 AAs than the GTIs get with 8. I could go on but we have all heard the rumors that Garrett is already working on a replacement for the GTIs. Hope they get out the new machines for next season before they fall any farther behind at the high end. It would be nice to see Team Garrett get out of last place at the big national relic hunt for a change.

After seeing the great things they have done with the 250 and the propointer sure seems like we can expect something great from them.

 

[JASONSPAZ1]

I agree and have been complaining about this for years. You hit the nail on the head Onus.
I am surprised that no one gave you the usual solutions to secure the coil cable straight up the shaft. etc, etc, etc ....LOL

I bet Garretts next machine will be black and yellow and have a color screen. But they need better ground balance, and faster recovery.

I love the GTA interface. They need to make it lighter, faster, double, triple, or dare I say quad frequency.

take care
Jason

 

[blake_mulder]

Garrett should listen to its customers, they are by an large very loyal - yet we just never hear anything from Garrett - I think the top brass at Garrett have been shut away too long in their ivory towers - GARRETT - ARE YOU LISTENTING?...... I guess not

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

When the next detector is released, you will find that Garrett's will put out some teasers like "it's coming" eta. There seems to be something in the works that isn't too many months off, but we'll just need to be patient. It's an unknown quantity at the moment. You'll find that the whole range will be upgraded over time. Although the GTI has been around for a while now, it's still relevant and holds it's own with what's on offer. I had a bit of a smile to myself when White's released the V3. While it's a pretty flashy bit of gear, the new technology put some wind up the sails (sales) at Minelab with them making some pretty silly claims that the E-Trac was better than the V3 because.......... The E-Trac still has it's place in the market and I think that some of the early jitters have probably settle down within Minelab. (Or they got motivated to develop a better detector.)
At the end of the day, the best detector on the market, is the one that you have the most confidence/experience with.
Happy hunting.
Mick Evans.
P.S. I hope they take their time with what ever is coming as it's much better to buy a detector that works, than one that has a lot of early bugs in.

 

[Uncle Willy]

I hope they spend as much time on it as they spent on their mine detector. I'd like to see them come out with something to blow the socks off of everything else out there - but it will have to be a doozy.



Bill

 

[Uncle Willy]

I would like to see adjustable frequency from zero to a hundred so one could set it to respond to every kind of metal anywhere in the world.

Bill

 

[Uncle Willy]

Yeah or pick up a " Swingy Thingy ". Our old buddy Stan, who made and sold many accessories for Garretts, had a handle that snapped on the side of the GTI's that you held with your other hand and it made the tector light as a feather. GTI's are tough as a tank but much to heavy, especially for folks with physical impairments or old farts like me, but I can swing one for a few hours before feeling it, but I keep it close to my hip and swing it with my wrist.

Bill.

 

[Uncle Willy]

Yeah the less tasks it has to perform the better it runs. That's why I always tell folks who say it's a slow responder to slow their scan way down as the GTI's just have too much info to process in the short time some users give it If you're swinging like you're killing snakes the processor just can't keep up.

Bill

 

[Terry in PA]

Boy they have a lot of ground to cover to catch up to the newer Fisher and Teknetics detectors. If they come out with a new one with some punch I'll be the first to get one. I always been a Garrett man..But couldn't wait any longer. What is the 2500 ...15 years old ? It's a good detector but falling behind the competition.

 

[joe dirt_1]

i think most of the detector manufacturers are putting too much stuff on their new machines. i'd rather see something along the lines of the old fisher 1266 detector with 4 tones and no target id meter and with even more horsepower than the 1266 had. that would be one helluva machine. some people like all the menus and programs to mess with on their machines, but i'm just the opposite....i want to hunt, not fiddle with setting the detector..........roger