Thinking About Buying the AT Max

markmcknight

Tenderfoot
Jan 20, 2020
6
3
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
I'm totally new to metal detecting. Been doing a lot of research lately and it is def something I want to get into. Was originally looking at the Garrett AT Pro, but after doing some research I discovered the AT Max. It seems to be a lot better than the Pro just by looking at this comparison chart.

(Deleted by mod for rule infraction)

I'm not going to be doing any Gold type prospecting so don't need any Gold specific detectors. I don't want to go with a total beginner model, because I want something that can grow along with me as I get better at using it. That's why I choose the Garrett AT Max.

Although when I check out the reviews of the AT Max, nobody seems to be recommending it.

https://www.smarterhobby.com/metal-detecting/best-metal-detector/
https://hobbyhelp.com/metal-detecting/best-metal-detector/

Has anyone here used a AT Max and is it much better than a Pro?
Also is there a similar model I should be looking for from a different brand that might be better that I don't know about yet?. ie. Whites, Fisher or Minelabs?

Regards,
Mark
 

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Treasure_Hunter

Administrator
Staff member
Jul 27, 2006
48,472
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Minelab_Equinox_ 800 Minelab_CTX-3030 Minelab_Excal_1000 Minelab_Sovereign_GT Minelab_Safari Minelab_ETrac Whites_Beach_Hunter_ID Fisher_1235_X
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Check out the Minab equinox 600 or 800, they are multi freq detectors, both pro and max is single freq detectors.
 

Treasure_Hunter

Administrator
Staff member
Jul 27, 2006
48,472
54,929
Florida
Detector(s) used
Minelab_Equinox_ 800 Minelab_CTX-3030 Minelab_Excal_1000 Minelab_Sovereign_GT Minelab_Safari Minelab_ETrac Whites_Beach_Hunter_ID Fisher_1235_X
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Welcome to TreasureNet, sorry, I deleted your detector link, we do not allow links to non supporting vendors.

Check out the Minab equinox 600 or 800, they are multi freq detectors, both pro and max is single freq detectors.
 

Treasureman25

Sr. Member
May 30, 2013
257
374
Wisconsin
Detector(s) used
Mxt pro, coinmaster gt, bounty hunter
Primary Interest:
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I believe joe dirt has an at max for sale in the charter member forum.. think it was like a year old barely used for 425$ or something along those lines.
 

cudamark

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Top Banner Poster
Mar 16, 2011
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14,557
San Diego
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XP Deus 2, Equinox 800/900, Fisher Impulse AQ, E-Trac, 3 Excal 1000's, White's TM808, VibraProbe, 15" NEL Attack, Mi6, Steath 920ix and 720i scoops, TRX, etc....
Primary Interest:
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Welcome to TreasureNet, sorry, I deleted your detector link, we do not allow links to non supporting vendors.

Check out the Minab equinox 600 or 800, they are multi freq detectors, both pro and max is single freq detectors.

Agree, for about the same money, the Equinox is superior in every aspect. If you plan on doing any salt water beach hunting, there is no comparison.....NOX!
 

HighVDI

Silver Member
Feb 16, 2017
2,765
4,594
Pa
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The tones of the AT Max are harsh. My vote is an Equinox 600 or a Simplex.
 

Tom Slick

Sr. Member
Jul 21, 2012
428
338
Mesa AZ
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XP Deus & Deus II, Makro Multi Kruzer, White's DFX w/18" Arrow Coil
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Stop thinking about it. Think about the Equinox instead.
 

pulltabfelix

Bronze Member
Jan 29, 2018
1,011
1,631
North Atlanta
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Currently have CTX3030 and Vanquish 440.
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Relic Hunting
I vote Equinox 600 or 800. One thing we forget in the US is the ability of the Equinox to find small gold mixed in with coke. Which is a problem in UK, Ireland & Europe were coke was more hundred of years ago.
 

OP
OP
M

markmcknight

Tenderfoot
Jan 20, 2020
6
3
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Welcome to TreasureNet, sorry, I deleted your detector link, we do not allow links to non supporting vendors.

Check out the Minab equinox 600 or 800, they are multi freq detectors, both pro and max is single freq detectors.

No problem about the link. It was just a chart comparing the Garrett AT's. I'm sure most people on here probably know the differences already.

Thanks everyone for the fast replies. It seems the Equinox 600 and 800 are the popular choices. I will continue my research in this direction.
 

pa-dirt_nc-sand

Silver Member
Apr 18, 2016
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South Western PA
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Detector(s) used
ACE 250 with DD coil
Equinox 600
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No problem about the link. It was just a chart comparing the Garrett AT's. I'm sure most people on here probably know the differences already.

Thanks everyone for the fast replies. It seems the Equinox 600 and 800 are the popular choices. I will continue my research in this direction.

Both the Equinox and AT Max are great machines, just not what I would consider beginner models. You definitely will need to grow into these as your skills advance. These detectors have tons of modes and features that can provide overwhelming amounts of audible and visual information or they can be dumbed down somewhat. Depending on your level of patience, amount of time you are willing to study the manual and watch videos (and participate in TNets brand forums), jumping into one of these may work. If you want to buy a detector and hit an old spot or beach and look for immediate treasure with minimal learning curve, I would look at an entry level machine.
 

Jan 24, 2020
10
15
Nj
Detector(s) used
Main: nokta anfibio multi
Backup: se pro
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Nokta macro anfibio multi lot of guys like the nox 800 on this forum form my experience regardless of the multi frequency the nokta is head to head with more customization in my honest opinion unless your going to be doing a lot of beach hunting or nugget prospecting both detectors will throughouly out do the max though
 

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