F5 vs AT Pro

[sqwaby]

I mostly hunt using tones for target ID. I like the F5 I'm currently using, but was wondering if anyone here could compare it against the new AT, depth, stability on salt beaches, etc. I like to X the target when pinpointing, does it have fast retune like the Tesoros or the F5, or is it like the Ace machines.. Previuosly owned a Tesoro Golden, not much depth, didn't like the tones freq seperation. Owned a Ace 250 but pinpointing was lousy, poor depth and target accuracy was iffy most times. Thanks

 

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[liftloop]

yea ...that ace 2fiddy is not a great detector...

 

[Bart@Big Boys Hobbies]

The At is turning out to be a AWESOME machine. Might be my go to detector very shortly! Making some great deals on them!
Bart

 

[liftloop]

I won't put my money on an atpro...

 

[khouse]

The ATpro has had some growing pains for sure. But Garrett is ironing those issues out. The major US machine manufacturers are all tops in customer service.

 

[liftloop]

You think Garret would of iron them out before it went on the market..sound like White's and their vision or v3 or v3i...

 

[U.K. Brian]

I've now tried a third AT Pro and none have cut it on wet sand or in salt water. They also didn't outperform my land machines either, though its true that they cost more and are not waterproof which would be a real advantage where I live where it rarely seems to stop raining.

In air performance between the three AT's varied with one providing a inch more depth than the others. Price is rather high in Britain and the build/design quality that was O.K. in the 150/250 is just not acceptable in a detector at three times the price.

Its got a faster recovery speed than the 250 but I have yet to try the F5 so can't help with that comparison. Unfortunately many forums will not allow comparison reports now. If you want a balanced opinion of the new Garrett you might be best looking as the French or German forums.

 

[dahut]

The AT-P can go swimming if I want to. That is the clincher.

 

[Sandman]

The AT-P can go swimming if I want to. That is the clincher.

Since Garrett sent me a completely new ATP I have had to troubles. It has a fast retune speed and you can swing it fairly fast on dry land and in the water is where it shines. I am having trouble breaking the new habit of looking at the screen to see the numbers as I will scoop it anyway. Tone id is on the money and I like the weight.

 

[dahut]

The AT-P can go swimming if I want to. That is the clincher.

Since Garrett sent me a completely new ATP I have had to troubles. It has a fast retune speed and you can swing it fairly fast on dry land and in the water is where it shines. I am having trouble breaking the new habit of looking at the screen to see the numbers as I will scoop it anyway. Tone id is on the money and I like the weight.

The skinny I got was this: the company was pressured by the detector buying public to release it before it was ready. It was being tested in Europe, and was working, but wasn't perfected yet. But the outcry reached the ultimatum phase - "Sell it to us or we'll buy something else!"
It was relayed to me that it became a genuine concern, not just a few of the usual whiny folks, crybabying.
You know how them danged detectorists are!

So we've seen this spate of problems with it. The ergonomics and general "plastic-y-ness" of the unit were gonna happen, regardless... that is the New Garrett. I mean, Mr Garrett, how much can a lower shaft cam-lok cost, for goodness sake?!
But the leaking and falsing were development issues, not completely ironed out.

To Garretts credit, they have enough cash and resources to make good on it. They say there is nothing like the last minute to get things done.
So Garrett got the waterproofing problems and microphonic coil faults ironed out right away. I've not heard of anybody that failed to have their faulty detectors replaced outright, as you did, or repaired. Usually there is a token of appreciation thrown in for good measure.

SO all that said, the ability to just leave the sand and walk right out into the water is a cinch - Score! for Garrett.
Here's a 15 khz detector that has iron ID, tone ID, selectable ground balance, fast response, manageable weight, AND is as good on land as it is in the water?! It's a no brainer.

 

[George (MN)]

If you like the F5, you'll love the AT Pro! Deep with stable accurate IDs. Got a 7" dime that IDed correctly in my bad ground, after only 5 hours of use!. The stock DD coil separates great. I'm also getting the 9x12 concentric coil John-Edmonton
recommends. No worries about rain, can go into water to 10', not too heavy.

If you get one made in the last 3 months it shouldn't have any problems. Best wishes, George (MN)