AT PRO VERSUS AT MAX

WHADIFIND

WHADIFIND

Gold Member
Apr 9, 2012
12,302
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South of the Mason-Dixon Line
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Detector(s) used
Garrett AT-MAX
Garrett AT-PRO,
Garrett Groundhog,
Pro-Pointer,

Jack Hammer!
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Gary, I made the switch, and happy I did.
I bought the Max as a backup/upgrade for when the Pro got tired....but a funny thing happened.
The Pro has over a thousand hours on it, but it’s stronger than ever.

The Max is just like the Pro, but it’s a little deeper, and I’ve noticed it’s a bit more sensitive to EMI.

As far as battery life, headphones, weight....it’s pretty much the same. Yes headphones and speaker options.

If you’ve pounded your mansion permission to the point that you’ve gotten bored....the Max will be like look what you missed.

One thing though....the deepest targets VDI will be jumpy and not-so-consistent. Dig them.
 

BigWaveDave, I think that is true with most machines. I found a wonderful Civil War watch winder at 11", it had a repeatable signal but no VDI. Saturday I got a large flat button at 12", maybe a little less, but again, repeatable "pop" but no VDI.
 

True that Smokey, but the Pro’s VDI’s are more consistent, especially on deep silvers.
 

BigWaveDave said:
Gary, I made the switch, and happy I did.
I bought the Max as a backup/upgrade for when the Pro got tired....but a funny thing happened.
The Pro has over a thousand hours on it, but it’s stronger than ever.

The Max is just like the Pro, but it’s a little deeper, and I’ve noticed it’s a bit more sensitive to EMI.

As far as battery life, headphones, weight....it’s pretty much the same. Yes headphones and speaker options.

If you’ve pounded your mansion permission to the point that you’ve gotten bored....the Max will be like look what you missed.

One thing though....the deepest targets VDI will be jumpy and not-so-consistent. Dig them.
Click to expand...

I am partial to Garrett's stuff. My first was a Groundhog and I still have it and....it *still* works!!! Its from 1976!! LOL!

I went with the AT PRO this time. I don't know how many hours I have on it but it is about 10 years old now! Still kicking! I just want a new "toy" with which to play.

So....you're happy. Think it was worth the move?
 

smokeythecat said:
BigWaveDave, I think that is true with most machines. I found a wonderful Civil War watch winder at 11", it had a repeatable signal but no VDI. Saturday I got a large flat button at 12", maybe a little less, but again, repeatable "pop" but no VDI.
Click to expand...

But, Ms Cat? You don't swing an AT, do you?
 

Yes Gary, my profile speaks for itself.
 

BigWaveDave said:
Yes Gary, my profile speaks for itself.
Click to expand...

Yep, I'd seen it but it just says you've had both. Not if you've noticed much difference. Is it really a deeper machine or is it the aspect that anyone will pay closer attention to a new machine? Any different controls?
 

The Max does get deeper, but not by much.
It is more sensitive to deeper targets for sure....
The controls are about the same, the max has a few more frequency options, and the threshold can be tinkered with.
Best features are the built in Z-lynk, and all metal mode...that’s where the depth is best.
 

BigWaveDave said:
The Max does get deeper, but not by much.
It is more sensitive to deeper targets for sure....
The controls are about the same, the max has a few more frequency options, and the threshold can be tinkered with.
Best features are the built in Z-lynk, and all metal mode...that’s where the depth is best.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the great information, BWD! It is helping to bolster my decision to move.

One thing I'm hoping for is that technology that's less than the decade old one, I'm currently using will help. At least...it will make my walks more interesting while learning a new machine.

Do you think that a detector gets "out of tune" over time?

Thanks again!
 

Hmm. I'd wait either for a new Garrett or think about the EQ600 or another multi. Unless you can snag the at max for like $350 or so...
 

Oh, I see I need to add that I own the AT Max as well.
 

I think detectorists get lazy, machines stay on point,
 

BigWaveDave said:
I think detectorists get lazy, machines stay on point,
Click to expand...

Then, I take it, that you've never sent a machine back for an annual maintenance? Never had the specs checked? See if it might have been detuned over time? :icon_scratch:

I only ask because I have worked with electronics and sometimes components have their tolerances shift over time/use.

Although....I do still have my original "Groundhog" that I purchased in the '70s and it still works! How well? I dunno :dontknow: ;)


Just curious, thanks!
 

I love my AT Max. I hunt Seminole war forts in Florida and initially detected them about 7 years ago with the AT Pro. When the Max came out I purchased one and went back over the same hunted out spots and it was nearly like hitting a brand new spot. My first detector was a new bought Early 70s Garret BFO.
 

Florida Finder said:
I love my AT Max. I hunt Seminole war forts in Florida and initially detected them about 7 years ago with the AT Pro. When the Max came out I purchased one and went back over the same hunted out spots and it was nearly like hitting a brand new spot. My first detector was a new bought Early 70s Garret BFO.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info FF!


I wonder though, what made the place seem new again? I can go back to any place I've been before and still find. Conditions, ground movements over seasons, or even just getting over a find missed in a former sweep all play a part.

Were your new finds all just deeper? Like the AT-PRO couldn't reach?
Still, just curious in the differences.
Thanks again!
 

My AT Max seems to hit on deep silver harder than my AT Pro did.
 

Well I can tell you from experience I used both of them and when I was using the max I remember thinking I wish I had my AT Pro. And I think the max was too sensitive and more scratching on targets but that’s just me
 

BigWaveDave said:
The Max is just like the Pro, but it’s a little deeper, and I’ve noticed it’s a bit more sensitive to EMI.
Click to expand...
Good post here! It also adds wireless phones, a nice backlight, and a threshold which is nice for the real deep ones!
 

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