AT Pro on the Beach

[HunterMF]

I have read a lot about how the AT Pro does not do very well on the beach and people telling me the Equinox does much better. I went for a day trip to a well known detecting beach and tested my AT Pro on dry sand, wet sand and even in the water. I did take the cover off my coil before doing this. I also had very limited time because of my recovering shoulder and because it's mid summer.
For the most part, after grounding the detector and then taking it down about 2-3 notches afterwards, it worked decently.
Every now and then I would get a solid 80s-90s signal but could not find anything. (detector said 6-8" down)
I did find a Harley Davidson strap clip, and some garbage, but nothing to hype about. This was my very first time on a beach with my detector so it was strictly a test run.
Is it possible that my detector was picking up solid signals much deeper than expected? (Stock 8.5x11 coil attached) Or is it most likely false reading down to the salt water deep in the sand at some points? On one signal, I dug about the length of my arm before stopping. Is it worth looking into the Equinox 600/800 for beach visits?
Overall, not a lot of chatter in my detector, transitioned fairly easy between dry and wet sand after grounding it out. I walked maybe 1/4 mile before my arm started to feel it. and didn't detect back to my spot.
Thanks for the read,
Cheers!

 

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[xr7ator]

When at the beach are you in pro mode or standard? (concerning false signals) I assume standard, and notching down sensitivity hurts depth so, yes, I think you are getting tricked to dig.

Otherwise, yes, the AT Pro is not going to perform like a multi frequency machine like the Equinox in salt water. The at pro should be fine in dry sand, wet not so much.

 

[gunsil]

Hi Matt, it is a fact that the ATP stinks in wet salt sand, no way around it. No single frequency VLF can efficiently handle wet salt sand, it is a conductor itself. My buddy in MA who is a real ATP ace is loving his Nox 800 as it has opened up efficient beach hunting to him and he does live on an island. There are some people who say they do OK with their ATPs in wet salt, but they have just never tried a PI or multi frequency machine there.

 

[HunterMF]

When at the beach are you in pro mode or standard? (concerning false signals) I assume standard, and notching down sensitivity hurts depth so, yes, I think you are getting tricked to dig.

Otherwise, yes, the AT Pro is not going to perform like a multi frequency machine like the Equinox in salt water. The at pro should be fine in dry sand, wet not so much.

Hi xr7, I had it in Pro mode. I appreciate the input!

Hi Matt, it is a fact that the ATP stinks in wet salt sand, no way around it. No single frequency VLF can efficiently handle wet salt sand, it is a conductor itself. My buddy in MA who is a real ATP ace is loving his Nox 800 as it has opened up efficient beach hunting to him and he does live on an island. There are some people who say they do OK with their ATPs in wet salt, but they have just never tried a PI or multi frequency machine there.

Gunsil, awesome input. I appreciate the way you just explained everything. I guess I see myself moving forward into buying either the 600 or 800 for the beaches! Thank you!

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

I have an AT Gold and they are not for the wet at all at the coast, I do fine in the dry sand, Your machine could have been falsing on a build up of black sands in the areas you got those strong 80-90 numbers at. They are not a saltwater machine at all, but they do great in fresh water. I am in the same boat as you, I am thinking of an Equinox but I don't get to the coast enough to justify buying one, so I am looking more towards a vanquish as they are cheaper in price but seem pretty close in all other aspects.

 

[HunterMF]

I have an AT Gold and they are not for the wet at all at the coast, I do fine in the dry sand, Your machine could have been falsing on a build up of black sands in the areas you got those strong 80-90 numbers at. They are not a saltwater machine at all, but they do great in fresh water. I am in the same boat as you, I am thinking of an Equinox but I don't get to the coast enough to justify buying one, so I am looking more towards a vanquish as they are cheaper in price but seem pretty close in all other aspects.

I don't go to the coast that often either. I will definitely look into the vanquish and look up comparisons. I saw the prices of the Nox 800 and the price is steep considering I may hit the shore 1-4 times a year. I also think about the aspect of possibly selling rings if I find them until I pay myself back for the cost. I appreciate the advice!

 

[RustyGold]

I used my Deus today over damp and dry sand set to “Wet Beach” and did excellent.

 

[cudamark]

I don't go to the coast that often either. I will definitely look into the vanquish and look up comparisons. I saw the prices of the Nox 800 and the price is steep considering I may hit the shore 1-4 times a year. I also think about the aspect of possibly selling rings if I find them until I pay myself back for the cost. I appreciate the advice!

Sell the AT Pro to help fund the Equinox. IMO, the Nox is superior over the AT in all aspects of detecting.

 

[Megalodon]

I don't go to the coast that often either. I will definitely look into the vanquish and look up comparisons. I saw the prices of the Nox 800 and the price is steep considering I may hit the shore 1-4 times a year. I also think about the aspect of possibly selling rings if I find them until I pay myself back for the cost. I appreciate the advice!

The Nox 600 is $300 less than the 800 and Minelab is including free wireless Bluetooth Minelab ML80 headphones with the 600. I don't know how long that promotion will last. I just got one, charged both the detector and phone and will try it at the beach tomorrow. I've hunted beaches with single frequency machines for 40 years and looking forward to now being able to get into the wet sand.

 

[Shakakka]

AT-Pro on the dry sand? GOOD.

At-Pro in the wet sand/water? It's going to false like crazy.

 

[xr7ator]

I used my Deus today over damp and dry sand set to ?Wet Beach? and did excellent.

I put my truck into drive and let off the brake and started moving forward. Now, where's that Einstein quote I wanted to relate to...

 

[HunterMF]

The Nox 600 is $300 less than the 800 and Minelab is including free wireless Bluetooth Minelab ML80 headphones with the 600. I don't know how long that promotion will last. I just got one, charged both the detector and phone and will try it at the beach tomorrow. I've hunted beaches with single frequency machines for 40 years and looking forward to now being able to get into the wet sand.

Thanks Meg, I have been checking some equipment in the range of the Nox 600 and 800. Apparently, the Minelab Vanquish 540 is a fairly good machine. Almost as good as the 800.

 

[Terry Soloman]

I have read a lot about how the AT Pro does not do very well on the beach and people telling me the Equinox does much better. I went for a day trip to a well known detecting beach and tested my AT Pro on dry sand, wet sand and even in the water. I did take the cover off my coil before doing this. I also had very limited time because of my recovering shoulder and because it's mid summer.
For the most part, after grounding the detector and then taking it down about 2-3 notches afterwards, it worked decently.
Every now and then I would get a solid 80s-90s signal but could not find anything. (detector said 6-8" down)
I did find a Harley Davidson strap clip, and some garbage, but nothing to hype about. This was my very first time on a beach with my detector so it was strictly a test run.
Is it possible that my detector was picking up solid signals much deeper than expected? (Stock 8.5x11 coil attached) Or is it most likely false reading down to the salt water deep in the sand at some points? On one signal, I dug about the length of my arm before stopping. Is it worth looking into the Equinox 600/800 for beach visits?
Overall, not a lot of chatter in my detector, transitioned fairly easy between dry and wet sand after grounding it out. I walked maybe 1/4 mile before my arm started to feel it. and didn't detect back to my spot.
Thanks for the read,
Cheers!

Don't blow a lot of money for hunting the wet sand and knee-deep water. Just get a Minelab Vanquish, and hold onto the AT Pro for dirt and dry sand. OR, sell the Pro and get a an Equinox 600.

 

[cudamark]

If you plan on getting in the water at all, I wouldn't get the Vanquish. It's not waterproof, so, one accidental drop and it's done.