AT PRO vs 1280-X

[CoilFisher]

Any takers on this one?

 

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[therover]

Just from reading and looking at the specs, I would think the AT Pro would be a better gold jewelry hunter due to it's frequency and sensitivity to low conductive targets, with the 1280X being a lot more sturdy and rugged. The 1280 is rated for a lot deeper water as well so it would be much more suited for a diver than the AT Pro.

AT Pro has ground balancing capabilities while the 1280X I believe has a fixed GB. Sometimes that could be the trump card if conditions are such where you have to cancel out the ground due to heavy mineralization, and the fixed GB unit is not tuned to handle those conditions.

One other point...the AT Pro, with visual ID and being much lighter, is much more suited for land hunting coins and jewelry in parks, tot lots, etc.

 

[Sandman]

Also the 1280 has a proven track record for reliablity. I've use the 1280 and never had a problem with them since they came out and I had 3 of them at one time. (long story) The 1280 also has a problem with wet saltwater sand and the surf being a set GB detector. The coil is hardwired on the 1280's so it is basically a water detector in also not having a Pinpointing Mode like the AT PRO.

AT PRO also tells the depth, sometimes accurately but still a plus. Has six modes and Iron Audio, light weight too and you can use it on land with different coils for certain jobs. AT PRO does false at some salt water beaches maybe because the sens is turned too high, same goes for other VLF's.

Only one of my 1280's can pick up on small chains and earring backs, but it was doctored to be more sensitive. An this is a two bladed sword too as it finds bird shot as well as a Super Lobo. As it stands, my AT PRO is retired on a wall.......

 

[CoilFisher]

Now, my manual states for the 1280-X it is a VF frequency detector.
Not a VLF. I read this 3 times to make sure I got this right.

After having it out some hours now I can see it really is made for the water. It definitely is not going to leak and is made to dive,
but there are no bells and whistles. It's Volume, Sensitivity, and Discrimination and that's it (battery test function as well).
It's niche appears to be for deep water diving (submersible to 250 feet), but being I am not a diver I cannot speak expertly on such.

It does find objects on land, but definitely not the same experience one would get with the land-type machines that run in this price range.
I have to say it registered bobby pins with subtle clicks at Disc=3, I would not even need to pull those, and you would not if you heard the noise. I just wanted to see what they were and I was right. I see alot of guys photoing all the bobby pins they get with the pulse induction machines. So, I have to say it is a good detector for it's purpose.

I don't know anything about the AT PRO other than what I have read on their website and the posts here.

 

[Keppy]

Looks like they for got to put the L in the vlf................. But .. L .. i don't know........ I would guess that vf is still vlf.......

 

[Sandman]

Keppy is right as always. The manual just is a misprint.

http://www.losttreasure.com/content/archives/aquanaut-fishers-1280-x

 

[CoilFisher]

Ok not only in my manual but on their web page under specifications.


http://www.fisherlab.com/hobby/specifications/1280xSpecSheet-870378.pdf


SEARCH MODE
3. The 1280-X is the world’s first slow motion discriminating metal detector to operate in the VF Frequency Range (Voice-Frequency).
VF-Discrimination, Slow Motion 6
Salt Water Operation..................................Yes
Fresh Water Operation................................Yes Land Operation..........................................Yes

I never heard of this either. But, they even spell it out. I noticed the spec sheet was dated 6/9/06 in the fine print.

This has got to be a typo dont you think? But repeatable? They even spelled it out? I cant find much info on the internet about VF detectors.?

 

[Keppy]

Ok not only in my manual but on their web page under specifications.


http://www.fisherlab.com/hobby/specifications/1280xSpecSheet-870378.pdf


SEARCH MODE
3. The 1280-X is the world’s first slow motion discriminating metal detector to operate in the VF Frequency Range (Voice-Frequency).
VF-Discrimination, Slow Motion 6
Salt Water Operation..................................Yes
Fresh Water Operation................................Yes Land Operation..........................................Yes

I never heard of this either. But, they even spell it out. I noticed the spec sheet was dated 6/9/06 in the fine print.

This has got to be a typo dont you think? But repeatable? They even spelled it out? I cant find much info on the internet about VF detectors.?

Back then if you read a lot of there manuals they call there vlf detectors vf ..why? i don't know.

 

[Jim Hemmingway]

Hi Everyone....I've owned two of the Aquanauts over 25 years. Neither has failed in any way, both have been used extensively in fresh water lakes. Without checking the manual (haven't actually looked at it in many long years) I recollect it runs at 2.5 kHz....very low frequency. It does have preset ground balance but is superb for freshwater hunting. You'd be surprised how sensitive it is to small jewelry despite the low operating frequency. It does not have tone ID which means digging all non-ferrous targets. The iron discrimination set to about "3" is superb at eliminating typical small iron trash...it gives a very "clicky" response that is unmistakable.

Sandman....hello Dennis...have not had much chance to speak with you recently. The Aquanaut is one of those rare units that seems to do better in the water than in air tests. Yes I know that doesn't make sense...maybe its the high EMI locally here. Hope all is well with you....take care....Jim.

 

[CoilFisher]

2.4KHz on mine.

Yes, got small "clicks" on bobby pins at the lake beach. You definitely would not even dig those; unmistakeable junk.

 

[CoilFisher]

I had it out the other day at a lake.
I was surprised out in chest high water as I let it go with my headphones on and it floated there. Just bobbing right before me up and down as if I was holding it.
You definitely do not feel the weight of it when the control housing is about 3" beneath the surface (like it was meant to be used). It was a pleasure to use.
And, I can say as I had it on a DISC=3.5 (between 3 and 4) the only junk I dug was because I was curious what it was (I knew it was junk from the signal).

 

[njnydigger]

Just to be upfront & honest, I've never used the AT Pro, but, HAVE used the 1280X. From all I've heard & read, the AT Pro is truly a groundbreaking detector. A land/water hybrid that's waterproof up to 10 feet AND even has a VDI readout. Most of the reviews I've seen have been quite positive on it & the users normally love the performance. Aside from the many bugs/problems that's been going on for a while now, the detector seems to be a winner. Furthermore, Garrett has already addressed most of the major issues & have fixed them within the past few months.

The 1280X is a GREAT detector. I used one that a hunting buddy lent me & found gold with it. However, it's not specifically geared towards saltwater hunting. It's more for freshwater usage. But again, I - as well as a LOT of others - have used the machine successfully on saltwater beaches Guess you just have to know how to set it up or quiet it down if & when the times comes. I like to run with the discrim knob set to 3. This setting seemed to pick-up the iron, but, it would give it a scratchy, broken signal, so, I knew not to dig it. Everything else I dug. It goes plenty deep too. Probably not as deep as an Excal or CZ-20 for sure, but, more than enough to find the good stuff. I certainly had times when I scooped out 4 or 5 scoops of wet sand...if not more. Just listen for the faint, whisper signals. The 1280X is also waterproof like the AT Pro.

I see both running just about head-to-head IMO, BUT, I'd probably give a slight edge to the AT Pro. If you can get one that doesn't have problems, you're going to do well with it