Digging big holes with the AT Pro

[RobSFRD]

I have found some deep targets with the AT. I have watched the pinpointing videos, and have spent alot of time with my AT, but I still dig huge holes at times to have my buddy come over with a Whites and say u r an inch or two off. Very frustrating . But my AT found things way deeper than the Whites, just not as good finding THE hole. Anyone else had this problem?

 

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[Vladio]

I got an AT Pro in May and use it a couple times a week and am about 95% with pin pointing. When I get a hit I want to dig I do a small swing left to right where the beeps are tight together then hit the PP button, swing tightly left to right and stop when the PP scale's maxed. Without moving off the spot I turn 90* then swing tightly left to right and stop when I get a max PP again. I then dig under the first hole infront of the pole. This is with the big DD coil too. The coil field is big front to back and narrow left to right. Once I started turning 90* and PPing it worked very well.

Btw, I used the Pro setting. It seems to be faster reacting.

 

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[RobSFRD]

Vladio, I also started using this technique a few weeks ago and my PP has been spot on. Don't know why it took me so long to figure it out.

 

[Alan Applegate]

Exact pinpointing is always an issue with DD coils. Fact is, two identical MDs can have a different hot spot. This is the exact reason a decent pinpointer is a Godsend!

By the way, this pinpointing issue is why I didn't buy an AT Pro. I did borrow one, and it reminded me of the Ace 250 I once owned, when using an aftermarket DD coil. It was a waste of $100!

 

[mntnflyr4fun]

Best to figure out how to pinpoint in your front yard. Big holes in public property are the bane of this hobby.

 

[Diggin-N-Dumps]

Great Post man!...I too have the same issue that you are having..Glad some people are chiming in with tips!

 

[JASinBTCT]

Fantastic video-tutorial, skip_a_loo! It's definitely going to help me with my new AT Pro. Thanks so much for posting it!

 

[Alan Applegate]

As I posted elsewhere, DD coils are a mess to pinpoint with. Due to manufacturing differences, two otherwise identical coils will have different hot spots. Points out the need (excuse the pun) for a really good handheld pinpointer.

 

[CoilyGirl]

Funny enough,I just watched a video my husband sent me about pinpointing with the DD AT-pro coil and it helped me to understand a little better.

 

[firefighter281]

Just find your hotspot by swinging side to side, the hold that hotspot and back your coil up slowly until you lose the signal (it will be at the very front our your coil) thats where you dig. My GTI 2500 was a pain to pinpoint with when using the DD, the Minelab SE is a champ! I enjoy the 2500, but have hit places (including my own front yard) with the 2500 OVER and OVER and my Minelab is picking up a few thing the 2500 missed. Time to hit all my spots over with the Minelab!

 

[Rawhide]

Get a bigger shovel, works every time.

 

[tcornel]

2 things to recommend. First is to get the 6x8 coil. Pinpointing is a breeze with it. I struggled for over a year with the 9x12.

Second is to get a pistol probe pinpointer. When the pro shows an target run the probed along the ground and it will show EXACTLY where the target is
if is is with 3 to 4" deep. I mean spot on...you could use a screwdriver to dig if you wished. For determining where to dig this pulse pinpointer
runs circles around the propointer. Once the hold is opened the propoints shines.....it is just that it cannot get the range of the probe.

 

[Rookster]

I was out yesterday with mine and worked a lot harder to understand this problem. I too was having problems but then I started watching the PP scale across the top of the screen and what a difference it made. Hold the PP bottom out side the target, Sweep from the side slowly and watch the scale. When it reaches the longest limit it will go, you are on the target. Now continue holding the PP button and barely move away from you. The scale should just move very little. You should be PP at this point. It worked for me and I started digging smaller holes(5"around) and the coins were right in the middle. Again, move the PP slowly across the target. It works great with practice. I'm going to order the 5X8 coil, I've had good reviews on it too. Good Luck

 

[Normsel]

My ATP has been off about 2" since I put my 8x5 coil on it. I am so used to it I know where to look when i pin point. With out a doubt you need a pro pointer to scan the ground after you pin point to see if the coin is within a cpl inches deep. All you need is practice. With the stock coil on my atp I had problems at 1st but once you get a 100 hrs or so you will be spot on. Metal detecting is all about practice and knowing your detector. The more you hunt the more you become attuned to what your detector is telling you.

When i 1st bought my atp I was frustrated as heck because I didn't find anymore with it than my ace 250. Now i average over $5 every time I go out.

PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE

 

[hus4154]

Initially, I had the same problem, but you are correct. The problem us understanding the difference between the shape of the two fields. On a related note, I recently got a ProPointer and that thing is incredible. If you don't have one, get one.

 

[rbhammer]

I bought my ATP last spring. The machine and I are not really producing the number of targets I expected. The pinpointing video was extremely interesting and will be a big help the next time I'm out (if I can remember it then)! The differences between pro and normal were very enlightening. (I had not noticed the meter behavior in pro mode.) Thank you very much!