Garrett AT Pro - Not Impressed

[Matt1344]

[I know that this is generally considered the most beloved detector which is why I couldn’t wait to use it.]

So I’ve put about 10 hours on the AT Pro (I know that’s not a lot), but so far I’m not impressed with anything it does that the cheaper detectors don’t (if that makes sense).

Maybe I just need a little more time on it or need to adjust some of the settings.

The search coil being larger than the one on my White’s which I had previously used, makes digging a nightmare. Each object rings in, in an area that is about a square foot. The pin pointer (on the detector) is useless when there are multiple objects in one area. With the AT Pro I’m digging holes three times the size and spending 5 to 10 x more time searching for the object.

The thing is all over the place with the sensitivity set higher, but the sensitivity seems to directly affect the search depth. You can’t take advantage of the deeper search depth (over 6 inches) if you don’t have the sensitivity up, but if you keep it up there seems to be too many false positives. I get coin range signals that go away. I get coin range signals when the detector is sitting still. There seems to be so many random signals that go away with this thing as well.

Speaking of depth, I laid a quarter on the surface of the ground and took the detector directly over it. It rang in at 2 inches (which is what it should do)…but then at 4 and 6 inches with the exact same motion going over the same spot. So basically the depth indicator means nothing.

Now on to the numeric metal values. The same coin could ring in (and does) at 7 different values or more. So what’s the point? Is a specific number from 70-99 really going to keep you from digging? The numeric values seem useless when there is so much inconsistency and such a wide range of values the exact same coin can ring.

WIT reminded me below, I've also found more bottle caps than EVER! Which has translated to probably 5 x more trash digs.

To me, every bell and every whistle on this thing isn’t worth the hassle…at least so far.

What are your thoughts, feel free to put me in my place/tell me what I’m doing wrong. So far using it, for me, has been very frustrating.

 

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[BcuttinPlugs]

I admit that I completely hear ya.. We had such a deep freeze also this year. Could be many things that contributed to the nice finds I recently had success with. I'm def leaning towards the at pro is picking up things my f2 missed tho. Especially considering the price diff. I'd at least hope so. Like I said the f2 is extremely good IMO. I swing very slow and am very thorough. ATP just sees through all the iron better.

 

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[Diggin-N-Dumps]

I admit that I completely hear ya.. We had such a deep freeze also this year. Could be many things that contributed to the nice finds I recently had success with. I'm def leaning towards the at pro is picking up things my f2 missed tho. Especially considering the price diff. I'd at least hope so. Like I said the f2 is extremely good IMO. I swing very slow and am very thorough. ATP just sees through all the iron better.

I just wish I would have leanred the IRON AUDIO when i got the machine. I was stubborn and didnt get it, Now this year i use it when i need it, and its helped ALOT!!!..lol

 

[deadzoo]

Pinpointer

The pinpoint for me has worked very well. Sometimes depth is off. Deeper than says. There has been a couple times where I couldn't find my target though. Frustrating after digging a foot. That's where having a good pinpointer helps to use in the hole. .
Happy hunting

Three words, "Garrett Pinpointer Pro'

 

[bowser]

switching and twitching

get yourself a turn on and go detector, instead of trying setups and menues ,get yourself a machine with knobs, turn it on and when it beeps, dig. Don't worry how deep it is your first plug should be 4 inches or more,go from there.I have a beep and dig machine. has no expensive features, I bring something home every time. Proud member of the church of the """"""""" HH jim

 

[FragFox]

[I know that this is generally considered the most beloved detector which is why I couldn’t wait to use it.]

So I’ve put about 10 hours on the AT Pro (I know that’s not a lot), but so far I’m not impressed with anything it does that the cheaper detectors don’t (if that makes sense).

Maybe I just need a little more time on it or need to adjust some of the settings.

The search coil being larger than the one on my White’s which I had previously used, makes digging a nightmare. Each object rings in, in an area that is about a square foot. The pin pointer (on the detector) is useless when there are multiple objects in one area. With the AT Pro I’m digging holes three times the size and spending 5 to 10 x more time searching for the object.

The thing is all over the place with the sensitivity set higher, but the sensitivity seems to directly affect the search depth. You can’t take advantage of the deeper search depth (over 6 inches) if you don’t have the sensitivity up, but if you keep it up there seems to be too many false positives. I get coin range signals that go away. I get coin range signals when the detector is sitting still. There seems to be so many random signals that go away with this thing as well.

Speaking of depth, I laid a quarter on the surface of the ground and took the detector directly over it. It rang in at 2 inches (which is what it should do)…but then at 4 and 6 inches with the exact same motion going over the same spot. So basically the depth indicator means nothing.

Now on to the numeric metal values. The same coin could ring in (and does) at 7 different values or more. So what’s the point? Is a specific number from 70-99 really going to keep you from digging? The numeric values seem useless when there is so much inconsistency and such a wide range of values the exact same coin can ring.

WIT reminded me below, I've also found more bottle caps than EVER! Which has translated to probably 5 x more trash digs.

To me, every bell and every whistle on this thing isn’t worth the hassle…at least so far.

What are your thoughts, feel free to put me in my place/tell me what I’m doing wrong. So far using it, for me, has been very frustrating.

What you are describing is exactly what I am going through with my new White's Coinmaster. I am green and still learning the machine. I do know that the path I take out of my house to the park took me a half hour longer because now I am picking up everything compared to the ole "Daytona". I had fun in doing it today. Areas I had been over several times were now having concentrated areas of trash and coins. It was hard in areas to distinguish what the hell was going on but in the end I tried some different things and just realized it is all about knowing the MD. All in all I am ready for some fine tuning tomorrow.

 

[jeepGold]

I have an AT Gold. No experience with the Pro but can tell you that I've followed after many a detectorist and pulled stuff that they have missed. Give it some time. 10 hrs is nothing. Ive put probably 130 hrs so far and I can pretty much tell you what every target is before I pull it and I pull LOTS. Two 10k rings, one 14k ring, 1 silver ring, 1 silver bracelet, 4 costume type rings, 103.00 in clad and yes, alot of tabs. If you can pull tabs and nickels then you'll find gold.. Dont forget that! Keep at it and you'll improve.

 

[Higgy]

I have an AT Pro. I have about 200 hours on it. I think it sucks. Does this lend credibility? For what its worth, I dont think any detector is worth putting 100+ hours into just to figure out how it works. All the bells and whistles on the ATP are superfluous, and really do not add much utility to the function of the detector. I should have purchased a Vaquero.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

The search coil being larger than the one on my White’s which I had previously used, makes digging a nightmare. Each object rings in, in an area that is about a square foot. The pin pointer (on the detector) is useless when there are multiple objects in one area. With the AT Pro I’m digging holes three times the size and spending 5 to 10 x more time searching for the object.

With the DD coil, you don't pinpoint the way you do with a smaller coil. Use the Garrett name at the top of the coil to pinpoint. In other words, 12 o'clock on the coil is where the signal should be. As you run the coil over the target, keep your eyes glued to the Garrett name on the coil. When the signal disappears, the target will be right at the top of the coil, above the Garrett name. Hard to explain, but try it. Or you can fork over another $125 to Garrett for a pinpointer.

 

[JR in Hohenwald TN.]

I too have the ATP and am not super impressed with it but not completely disappointed in it. Its not bad but I've used better that cost less. The plus is the waterproof to 10'. I've dug musket balls at 10"-11" in the dirt below the leaves which is tough for many detectors since balls are a harder target to hit than minnies. I really miss my G2. I got the ATP for the water but the trip was canceled I planned to use it on. I may just flip mine and go back to a Fisher GBpro or G2. Since I'm not hitting the water.

 

[rkuzel]

I had two Garrett AT Pro MD and I can only say good things about this MD. What you describing it looks like a ground balancing issue, and this can be easily fixed by doing... yes... ground balancing. Changing frequencies can help as well but this - in my opinion - is far form being an issue... is more like a setting tune-up. If you try behind some power lines you'll have a bit of noise... but manufacturer mentions this MD is sensible to power lines.

Just my 2c..

[I know that this is generally considered the most beloved detector which is why I couldn’t wait to use it.]

So I’ve put about 10 hours on the AT Pro (I know that’s not a lot), but so far I’m not impressed with anything it does that the cheaper detectors don’t (if that makes sense).

Maybe I just need a little more time on it or need to adjust some of the settings.

The search coil being larger than the one on my White’s which I had previously used, makes digging a nightmare. Each object rings in, in an area that is about a square foot. The pin pointer (on the detector) is useless when there are multiple objects in one area. With the AT Pro I’m digging holes three times the size and spending 5 to 10 x more time searching for the object.

The thing is all over the place with the sensitivity set higher, but the sensitivity seems to directly affect the search depth. You can’t take advantage of the deeper search depth (over 6 inches) if you don’t have the sensitivity up, but if you keep it up there seems to be too many false positives. I get coin range signals that go away. I get coin range signals when the detector is sitting still. There seems to be so many random signals that go away with this thing as well.

Speaking of depth, I laid a quarter on the surface of the ground and took the detector directly over it. It rang in at 2 inches (which is what it should do)…but then at 4 and 6 inches with the exact same motion going over the same spot. So basically the depth indicator means nothing.

Now on to the numeric metal values. The same coin could ring in (and does) at 7 different values or more. So what’s the point? Is a specific number from 70-99 really going to keep you from digging? The numeric values seem useless when there is so much inconsistency and such a wide range of values the exact same coin can ring.

WIT reminded me below, I've also found more bottle caps than EVER! Which has translated to probably 5 x more trash digs.

To me, every bell and every whistle on this thing isn’t worth the hassle…at least so far.

What are your thoughts, feel free to put me in my place/tell me what I’m doing wrong. So far using it, for me, has been very frustrating.

 

[The Urban Prospector]

I had two Garrett AT Pro MD and I can only say good things about this MD. What you describing it looks like a ground balancing issue, and this can be easily fixed by doing... yes... ground balancing. Changing frequencies can help as well but this - in my opinion - is far form being an issue... is more like a setting tune-up. If you try behind some power lines you'll have a bit of noise... but manufacturer mentions this MD is sensible to power lines.

Just my 2c..

Now that's a unique avatar! You have good taste though.

 

[The Urban Prospector]

My AT Pro paid for itself within the first two weeks of owning it. Paid for a couple more within the next couple of months. Bought an Excalibur II a month ago and it also is well on its way to paying for itself. I can't complain about that.

Only complaint about the ATP is that it didn't notify me that the coil had gone bad when it began to false. Instead I had to use my pea size brain to troubleshoot it. Once I figured it out, the customer service at Garrett wasted zero time in getting a replacement coil sent....problem solved.

I will finish by adding that the location that one decides to hunt is of paramount importance to one's success.

 

[MasonRoberson]

I love my AT Pro I can only say good things about it you clearly dont understand the detector and need to learn it a lot better

 

[Rawhide]

Sounds like the Whites detector spoiled you into one frame of mind. I'm not sure I could duplicate your experience on my AT Pro. Can I ask, did you use the head phones supplied with AT Pro? Also sensitivity is something you will have to run as high as you can if your going for deep target's. Taking the AT Pro into a trash area will produce bottle caps. That's a sure sign mo one else is hunting there. You are looking at the ATP all wrong. My main detector is a F75, LTD2. The ATP compliments my F75. There are hunts I don't need depth or sensitivity to small items. It comes down to confidence in your detector. Just have to trust it or just don't go detecting. I wish you the best of luck.

Sent from my XT1031 using Tapatalk

 

[el padron]

Ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous.
Garret makes two good detectors (actually maybe just 1). The AT pro is not one of them.

It takes 50 hours to complete pilot training. PILOT training. That includes ground school. It includes mastering complex control and emergency procedures. It also includes tool and instrument skills, atmospheric orientation, complex airport runway and taxi procedures and ham radio operation.
An AT pro is not a Mcdonnell Douglas MD 11. It's a gimmick ridden cheaply built overpriced under innovated product that benefits from very clever advertising targeted toward consumers who want more then anything to be part of "something".

Is the aluminum can you found with it yesterday going to turn into an 18 k rolex after you get a little more experience on the AT Pro?
These things cost nothing to produce. They sell by the tens of thousands for over $500 a piece by a huge dealer network that is unique to just about any other existing mass produced modern consumer electronic product.
It's absolutely ridiculous how many people advise you to get over a hundred hours "experience" to justify a general lack of quality and effectiveness.

 

[BcuttinPlugs]

I do like the comparison of pilot training haha.. I say ur absolutely right. I feel I had a good grasp after a few outings. I also feel u r wrong on the point that it's crap. I have found extremely deep coins w mine in the 10-11" range. To each his own

 

[MasonRoberson]

The AT Pro is not a cheap detector... If it was as bad as some of you fools make it out to be then why do Metal Detecting YouTubers use it Like Beau Ottimite That guy has been in the hobby for 40 plus years.... And he loves the AT Pro as well as I do. I feel like you guys say its bad or you dont like it because you are not taking the time to learn it and get to know the detecor.....

 

[el padron]

The AT Pro is not a cheap detector... If it was as bad as some of you fools make it out to be then why do Metal Detecting YouTubers use it Like Beau Ottimite That guy has been in the hobby for 40 plus years.... And he loves the AT Pro as well as I do. I feel like you guys say its bad or you dont like it because you are not taking the time to learn it and get to know the detecor.....

Because they are well paid promoters, If they are truly interested in treasure hunting they use one or more of only about 4 options, and under no circumstance do they publish videos or disclose their finds.

 

[MasonRoberson]

Buea Ottmite does not get paid by Garrett or any company. He has used Minelabs and Fishers...

 

[el padron]

I do like the comparison of pilot training haha.. I say ur absolutely right. I feel I had a good grasp after a few outings. I also feel u r wrong on the point that it's crap. I have found extremely deep coins w mine in the 10-11" range. To each his own

And I respect that, but if it takes 200 hours of use to "learn" how to use it, that is in itself another reason its crap (sorry)