Garrett Master Hunter ADS III

[diggummup]

I just bought this model from a thrift store.I couldn't help myself,it was only 10 bucks and looks brand new.Does anybody own or is anybody familiar with this unit? It seems like it works on air tests,I haven't actually used it in the field yet though.How old is this unit? I'd like to try it out on the beach in wet sand.Any info. will be appreciated as far as general settings or anything else goes.

 

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[diggummup]

Not too many old Garrett users out there I guess.Everyone's using the ACE 250.Not to worry,I found the manual for this older model online.

 

[jeff of pa]

I have an old Garrett Master hunter Groundhog,
with a 10" coil.

I air tested it when I bought it on EBay.
it's actually Pretty deep.

But the meter never worked.

I just keep it around, even though I'll never actually use it.

 

[diggerodell]

Say, I just bought a Garrett ADS deepseeker at a yard sale for $15. I have been using a Bounty Hunter Tracker IV. So this VLF/TR oldie is very different. I was able to download the handbook from the Garrett website. I've been out once coinshooting in the park, for about 1/2 hour and found a quarter and a brass drawer pull. I also noticed that I could pass over a pull tab without a hint of a peep from the detector. This ADS deepseeker dates from 1980, when it was a $500 top-of-the-line detector. It still works on all modes and with all functions. But it will take me a while to master it. There is a lot of machine, here, and it seems to hold its own against today's models. It makes my Tracker IV seem like a toy. I feel real lucky to have come across this machine.

 

[Real de Tayopa Tropical Tramp]

HI, I have two, they are mostly for deep seeking, but do nicely for coin hunting. I will not trade mine for a more modern detector. they work!

Don Jose de la Mancha

 

[hsjrev]

You'll spend enough on 9V batteries trying to feed those dinosaurs to buy a newer detector. My ADS III lives in my attic.

 

[Casull]

I bought an ACE 250 earlier this year (thanks to recommendations from TNet members ). However, I can't bear to let go of my ADS III (which I bought for about $450 in 1981, with an extra 12" coil). I also bought the two box attachment. The machine still works fine, and I will keep it should I ever do any cache or relic hunting. It does like those nine volt batteries though.

 

[Dave N Japan]

Loved the old machine and have found most of my old bronze coins with them!

 

[bigscrub]

hi diggummup, i have an ads as well as an ads 2 or 3 as well , these were very deep machines back in the 80,s and hate to say this...but a friend has a dfx and out at a park awhile back he was pissed about the depth he was getting from the dfx ...so i offered him one of the old garretts to use(my back up machines) from my trunk...he loved it, and said it was way deeper than his dfx....he only used it a short time though...complaining it was too heavy for him to use for very long!I loved these deep seekers and used to use them at old forts and schools here in fla...i think you will be suprised at the depth they get ...and i cant believe you guys are finding these units so cheap....think ill look around ...lol

 

[kdismuke1]

I have a master hunter ADS 111. I got in 1981. I still use it when you have a good clean site to hunt. I hunt around 3 on the disc. mode. It still is a good dector. Lot's of luck.

 

[EDDE]

I have an old Garrett Master hunter Groundhog,
with a 10" coil.

I air tested it when I bought it on EBay.
it's actually Pretty deep.

But the meter never worked.

I just keep it around, even though I'll never actually use it.

its got a lamp shade on it and sits in the corner were the bong used to be

 

[gallileo60]

Honestly, I cant see that the new detectors are much deeper than the older ones...My 5900D does about the same as my Friends new 1350....You got a good deal thats for sure....

 

[Michigander2005]

I have that machine bought new , also for water hunting back then bought a weighted coil with extra long cable on it. When water hunting I left the control box in rubber raft , used the removable arm rest as rest of the shaft for water hunting works great

 

[Alikhan]

Hello,
Just saw your comment. I was wondering if the coil could be trailed behind a boat with a 30 foot cable, with the control box in the boat. Would that work?
Alikhan

 

[Metal Detecting Stuff]

It is a great older machine, lots of guys still use it and the Groundhog. A bit on the heavy side, but still sniffs out good "stuff".

Wayne

www.metaldetectingstuff.com