Help decide on a new detector

[phs3194]

I am in the market for a new detector. Currently I am using a Garrett GTI2500. I really like this machine, but due to lumbar disk problems, I can only stand to use it for 30 to 45 minutes at a time. I would like a detector that is lite weight, easy to learn and can find coins as deep as the 2500. I have been reading about the AT-Pro, F75, G2 and others. What do you suggest?

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A Handbook of Civil War Bullets and Cartridges - Grab it through Amazon!

[A/CMan]

The G2 is cheaper and has less weight than the others mentioned.AC

 

[A/CMan]

I'm sorry I was thinking F2,

 

[norbyx]

The teknetics are very light, BUT if weight is a problem than I would consider to get a Deus, that is basically as lightweight as it can get, it has 4 frequencies and it's a very good detector from what I have read.
Now if the deus is too expensive the teknetics will be the second. Now I don't know why you posted the G2 that is basically a detector more thowards gold prospecting than coin shooting. The T2 would be the correct one for a general use.

Also many will suggest you a tesoro, that all depends if you want a screen or not. Tesoros can be very light.

Last thing I have a friend of mine that has the GTI2500 and loves it but due to the weight he was thinking of trading it for a AT-Pro since he likes the garrett brand very much, after testing the AT-Pro we talked and he told me that he was never going to trade the 2500 for the AT-Pro, that he didn't like it a bit, how it was, he found it very unstable...ecc...ecc... so easy solution he got a swingy thingy (I think that's there name) and problem solved.

 

[Bart@Big Boys Hobbies]

I am in the market for a new detector. Currently I am using a Garrett GTI2500. I really like this machine, but due to lumbar disk problems, I can only stand to use it for 30 to 45 minutes at a time. I would like a detector that is lite weight, easy to learn and can find coins as deep as the 2500. I have been reading about the AT-Pro, F75, G2 and others. What do you suggest?

PHS the AT pro is a very good machine with a awesome DD coil. It will help you with some weight issues over your 2500. The Teknetics are VERY lightweight and fast recovery. Look at the Omega as well. Holler with questions as I can tell you things about each one and get you set up right.


Thanks, Bart

 

[Hosensack]

The F75 is a definite swing all day detector. You will be more than happy with depth. Bart is right the AT Pro is a great little machine as well, it will save you some money over the F75, but it is not as light to swing as the Fisher but still much easier on the arm than the 2500 .
Have you tried the GTI 2500 hip mounted? It would be ashame to change from a machine you really like if it is a problem that can be overcome.

 

[phs3194]

Thanks to everyone who responded to this thread. I do use a "swingy thing" with my 2500, but I am still limited to about 30 minutes detecting time. The ATPro gets a lot of good press and I am considering it. 3 of my last 5 machines have been Garretts. The G2 was on my list because of the dual processors and fast recovery time. I think I will research the F75 and the Omega a little more. No decision is going to be made right away, I went to a back specialist this morning and am scheduled for a series of injections. Maybe that will remove the need for another detector. Thanks again for your responses.

 

[norbyx]

Just a question charles have you tried to go out walking with no detector and see if you can emulate the detection movements? I ask this because if you are using the swingy thing than you should be carying the weight of the detector on your upper body and not on your arm or shoulder. So if you are able to manage only 30 min of detecting time with that I am thinking that buying a new lighter detector won't solve much you problem.
Even if it sounds dumb, I would go out (or stay in the house for that matter) and simulate my detection movement with a broom or maybe with the GTI2500 with no coil or batteries, to simulate the weight of a light detector, and see if you can actually detect longer or not. It would be a pain to buy another machine just to realize that you have the same exact problem and that a 2lb detector won't solve it.

 

[Bart@Big Boys Hobbies]

Thanks to everyone who responded to this thread. I do use a "swingy thing" with my 2500, but I am still limited to about 30 minutes detecting time. The ATPro gets a lot of good press and I am considering it. 3 of my last 5 machines have been Garretts. The G2 was on my list because of the dual processors and fast recovery time. I think I will research the F75 and the Omega a little more. No decision is going to be made right away, I went to a back specialist this morning and am scheduled for a series of injections. Maybe that will remove the need for another detector. Thanks again for your responses.

Look into the Garrett AT pro spring special I have. Add the smaller 5X8 DD coil and don't look back. It is much lighter and is an extremely good coil. Mine never comes off!

 

[phs3194]

Well it looks like the problem is not really the weight of the detector. According to the doctor all the discs in my lumbar spine are suffering from degenerative disc disease. Walking is what is causing the pain, not the detector. He said the damage is too extensive to make fusion a good option, so I am going to take a series of injections to help reduce the swelling and maybe make it easier to walk. If that doesn't work there is another procedure that puts a small device between the discs to help keep them from pinching the spinal column. In any case I want to take what ever steps are needed to keep me detecting at least a little. And everyone knows any excuse for a new detector is a good excuse.

 

[Bart@Big Boys Hobbies]

And everyone knows any excuse for a new detector is a good excuse.

Tell that to a few wives from guys on this forum, then duck! Lol please don't contact my wife either! She will chase you if she misses with the right hook! Lol

 

[shortcut]

Hosensack,
I just wanted to commend you on your post, you tried to solve the mans problem instead of just trying to sell him a new detector, that is being a great dealer and sponsor!!!
Shortcut

 

[rossman85]

Tell that to a few wives from guys on this forum, then duck! Lol please don't contact my wife either! She will chase you if she misses with the right hook! Lol

Lol....im in that boat as well, but i think in the long run the right hook would be worth a new detector

 

[phs3194]

I go for my first set of injections in the morning. And in what could be called a step of faith, I ordered an F75SE from Bart. I came today so I will unpack it tomorrow after returning from the doctor. It may have been foolish to order a detector before knowing the injections will help, but it does provide incentive to do whatever is needed for a good outcome.

Again I wish to thank all who responded to this thread. There are a lot of good people here on this site.

 

[norbyx]

You got a great detector I hope you will be able to use it.

 

[Hosensack]

Yes. Very nice choice

 

[Bart@Big Boys Hobbies]

I go for my first set of injections in the morning. And in what could be called a step of faith, I ordered an F75SE from Bart. I came today so I will unpack it tomorrow after returning from the doctor. It may have been foolish to order a detector before knowing the injections will help, but it does provide incentive to do whatever is needed for a good outcome.

Again I wish to thank all who responded to this thread. There are a lot of good people here on this site.

Glad I could help Charles! Holler if you have any questions. Read this good info here as well. Fisher F75 and F75 LTD Interesting Info | Big Boys Hobbies

 

[CousinEddie]

I went from using a GTI 1500 to an AT Pro and would never go back to the GTI 1500. The AT Pro is a deep machine that is a killer in the field. Not real sure why some people have issues with this machine. It is simple...turn it on, set it the way you like, and go. The first week I had my AT Pro I found over a dozen silver coins, my first Large Cent (1798), a good handfull of musketballs, jewelry, old buttons, etc... I ALSO use a T2 SE and find myself going back to the AT Pro to re- search the area. I have been able to go back to all the spots I have hit with my ACE 350 and GTI 1500, the AT Pro found all the stuff those other machines couldn't reach. My soil is HIGHLY mineralised and the AT Pro eats through it easily as to where my T2 SE is overly sensitive to the minerals in my ground. I find the AT Pro to be a more stable machine in a good portion of the soil conditions I hunt.

Picking off silver dimes at 8"-9" is easily done. Honestly, I am stunned that people say they have issues with this machine. Anyway, the AT Pro is a great machine that will have you finding great things quickly. As with any machine it has a learning curve, but since you are already familiar with a Garrett...you'll catch on quickly.

 

[phs3194]

One last update and then I'll let this thread die. I have had my first injections and they were a big help. I went out Labor Day with the F75 and was able to hunt for almost 2 hours. I was using the 5" coil and it is so well balance it seems to weigh next to nothing. I was hunting a site that I had hit pretty hard with the GTI2500, so at the end of the hunt I had only 3 keepers. A 1981 cent, a 1964 New York Worlds Fair lapel pin, and a 3 1/2" Bryan dollar. The Bryan dollar is a piece from the 1986 McKinley campaign. I'm sure that I have passed a coil over it before, but the 2500's imaging function would have shown it to be larger than a coin, so I didn't dig. It looks like I will be digging more trash items with the F75, but as I learn what it is telling me my good targets will increase.

 

[norbyx]

Well congratulations on your first hunt with the F75. I hope you get better of your back and be able to hunt more and more. You could consider selling the garrett before is too late and no body wants it. Sure it isn't a detector that helps you out with your back problems.
Keep us posted on your progress....