Garrett AT Pro & Minelab Safari

[Keppy]

Has any one used the Garrett AT Pro and the Minelab Safari................... And if so what one do you like better and why?................ Leave out the water proof part on the AT we know about that..........

[George (MN)]

I own both of them but haven't gotten around to serious side-by-side tests yet. Both do well in air tests 11"-12" on dime. Both give a good ID on my clad dime planted 5"+ deep & somewhat tilted. After we get some rain I hope I can motivate myself to do some more comparisons.

The Safari is too heavy (5.5 lbs?) but can be used with $37.95 Swingy Thingy bungee harness. The AT Pro display is too small, but one can get arms length reading glasses at Dollar Tree or Dollar Up. Possibly the multiple freqs of the Safari could give it a slight edge in some ground. Some think the AT Pro could be better on low conductors, but Safari might be better on high conductors?

So far, more old coins are reported with the over $900 Minelabs.

I have about 5 hours on the AT Pro in actual detecting. A quarter down 4" & very tilted IDed correctly as did a clad dime at 7"-very impressive for my ground where the Ace 250 & many others can get correct ID on a dime to only 4" or so.
Those coins were likely in the heavily detected park for decades (hard ground & mineralized, too).

I was using the STD mode on AT Pro with manual ground balance, no real learning required. The weight is over 3 lbs with the 4 AAs, but should be acceptable to most. The AT Pro has only 3 tones, but zincs will alternate mid & high tone. In the Pro mode, sweeping at a normal speed, the beeps all sound the same pitch & broken, but zeroing in with a slow short sweep ("Minelab Wiggle") will get the proper tone.

Am told the Minelab visual IDs are good to 7" so that would be close to same.
I noticed air testing the Safari when I had the dime out 11"-12" it gave mostly low & mid tones, so I guess one goes by the highest tone? The AT Pro kept the high tone all the way in air test in STD, but in Pro mode had both mid & high tone when dime was out 10"+. STD mode separates pretty well but read of someone finding a silver dime under a rusty nail in Pro mode.

I should have more to report in the near future, it's been too hot & humid. Best wishes, George (MN)

[Hosensack]

The Safari is a bit deeper and tone wise easier to id by sound if that's your style. Of the two I actually preferred the AT Pro and that is probably based on how I hunted with it but it worked for me. The Pro mode audio when broken as mentioned by George is due to a poor target or possibly too deep(where the Safari would win) but on average 8" it does well. What I did is if I had a signal that was good in Pro mode I would switch to standard if I got the bell tone exclusively in standard it was a coin, if Pro mode was good and bell tone was jumpy it was not. The numbers jump a little so they were not so reliable but the method above worked so well for me I have to give it the nod. The Safari is a great machine as well (obviously) and I can't say the Pro is better it was just better for me.

[CoilFisher]

We are comparing a $1000 machine to a $600 machine? Really?

[Bart@Big Boys Hobbies]

Safari is more of a coin machine. AT Pro more of a jewelry/relic machine. Both will cross over but has advantages in their area.

[CoilFisher]

Sorry, ALL these detectors are coin machines. All will find coins, even a Bounty Hunter kiddie unit.
The difference is how and where they find them, correct IDing, and in what kinds of trash and iron, etc.
We are talking about a $1000 Minelab Safari and a $600 AT PRO.
No comparison.
That would be like comparing the Garret ACE 250 to the AT PRO.

Maybe compare the Garrett GTI 2500 and the Safari...that is fair.

[lookindown]

What is not fair is that a $600 machine can keep up with a $1000 machine.

[Keppy]

We are comparing a $1000 machine to a $600 machine? Really?

CoilFisher .. If you think that because you pay a big dollar for a detector it is better................ You are wrong and have a lot to learn........................There are a lot of detectors out there that cost around $600.00............. That will work as good and find just as much as a$1000.00 or even a $1500.00 detector....................

[CoilFisher]

LOL. Yes, price isnt everything, but these are all patented electronics and circuitry so consider that.

[Hosensack]

Coilfisher have you used both? They are mighty close in many aspects. Safari has the advantage overall as it is a dumbed down Etrac.

But the differences in most scenarios are so minimal that it doesn't warrant the extra 400 in my opinion other than preference and hunting style. I happen to prefer the AT Pro to the Safari.

If I was going to spend $1000 I would just go a little further and get the Etrac.

What you get for 600 will however in no way disappoint.

[CoilFisher]

Well, for our benefit since you are a dealer of metal detectors why dont you give us a good explanation of how similar they are? I am not an expert so I would love the advice.

[Hosensack]

First of all the initial question "have you used both" was a serious one not sarcastic in anyway. Second I have in both replies pretty much touched on the similarities.

AT Pro: Safari: Advantage:

$589 $999 AT PRO

Water No AT PRO

Signal starts to weaken Strong signal and ID at 10-12" Safari
and or only get tone and no ID on coin consistently
on coin at about 10-12"

Easy to use understand and learn Higher learning curve AT PRO
in relatively quick time

Iron Trash separation moderate Iron trash separation
Moderate Even


Pinpoint Pinpoint AT PRO


Features/capabilities once Features capabilities once Safari
mastered mastered


Summary: For an extra $400 you get a machine that will go a little deeper in some soils, will take longer to learn, will be gone for minimum of a month if you ever need it serviced, and if you want to hunt in the water and possibly get it wet you need to spend more for another machine.

This is from my experience and others may differ, that is why it's nice to have more than one member on here. But to truly form an objective conclusion you must take it all into consideration.

[CoilFisher]

Wow, thx for that summation. I really found that helpful!

[Hosensack]

You brought up the money. Comparing solely on price that's my opinion.

[CoilFisher]

No backlight on AT PRO...also their display numbers are smaller (ex. VDI #).
And, the Safari has the icon display of what the probable target is (coin, ring, etc.)
No volume control on the AT PRO either, unless you use their land headphones (special fitting to control housing) that have the volume adjuster built into that.

I will say one thing about the AT PRO it is very comfortable and well balanced, very light and the grip feels real good.

[Hosensack]

headphone adapter: 400-39.95= 360.05 closing the gap.

The backlight for the Safari will cost you $300 more..but it does include an upgrade and sticker that reads Explorer SE Pro.