A question about Groundhogs

[WHADIFIND]

I'm thinking about upgrading from my trusty ole Garrett Groundhog. After all, it's only about 35 years old. I was thinking that just maybe the technology might have added some to the hobby in that length of time.

Trouble is, someone might need to be pretty old to understand what I mean about my Groundhog.

Anyway, to that end, I tried a buddies AT-PRO for a while the other day. It's a very simple machine to use and it do shoot pretty deep! I gotta admit.

But, one difference between the Groundhog and his was that when I hunt I usually have a very slight tone all the time. Very low but usually pretty steady. Especially, in the VLF mode. I have grown very accustomed to this sound. However, I couldn't make the AT-PRO do that. I either had sound, or silence. Is this normal nowadays? It may help in hearing the signals but I've got the difference in tones down to an art on my machine.

Might just be me learning a new machine but is that the way they're meant to work? Silence unless you go over a signal?

Thanks!
HH

 

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[dale68]

Check out the AT Gold, it has a threshold mode, runs at 18khz just 3khz higher than the groundhog. Also is good for coins & is waterproof to 10 ft.

 

[gleaner1]

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? Atpro is a silent search unit, but if there is a target under the coil, it will make noise. Dale offers a good option, if you like threshold, go for the gold. It has true all metal mode too.

 

[WHADIFIND]

Thanks for the info folks. So, the AT-PRO is a silent searcher eh. that would explain things. The AT Gold is more a level hunter like the Groundhog.

Well, I'm not sure that having the tone in my ear is all that beneficial these days. The hearing's not quite what it used to be. You know.

I liked the AT-PRO's ease of use and it's depth was pretty good. Anything the AT-GOLD can do that the AT-PRO can't? Except be a lil quieter?

Thanks again!

HH

 

[Tom_in_CA]

gleaner is right, the at-pro is a silent search (no threshold) machine. And a lot of folks prefer a threshold, and thus shun silent search units.

 

[WHADIFIND]

I've been experimenting with a friend's AT-PRO and I like it pretty much. But, I may not be able to afford.

If someone would be so kind, I have a few questions.

1.) I don't quite understand the id numbers yet. I was using the AT-PRO set for, (I think this is what my friend said), iron disc 40 and only notched from 80 and up. He said I was probably missing some gold rings but that should get most of the silver and larger coins. Now, when I used my groundhog, the higher the pitch, it seemed, the better the metal. So, with the AT-PRO, silver might hit from 80 and up, but, let's say a medium man's gold wedding band might only hit at a "LOWER" number!?!?
2.) For money sake I'm considering the ACE 350. Is this much lower on the scale than the AT-PRO? Does it have a similar ID reference? Is it a no threshold machine too?
3.) On either machine, do they lose depth the higher the notched disc? Do their all metal modes shoot deeper?

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?

Thanks in advance.

HH

 

[dustytrails123]

I dont know anything about the at pro from personal experience but i do own the ace 350 and i have only been detecting for a month now....so im pretty new but so far im at 66.9 grams of silver 1 old hand made silver ring and the rest are coins its been a real good unit so far but id still like to try the at pro or my friends minelab se

 

[Lakemonster]

The Groundhog was my second machine and I wish I still had it....I have a AT pro now.


I set up my AT for 40 Iron disc

I open up 45-55 on the notches for nickels and gold bands and dig 48-53
I open 60-65 for the small silver half dimes... I dig low 60-62
I open 75 and up for small silver rings dimes and better (you still get penny tones that way too.)

Pro mode used.

 

[WHADIFIND]

The Groundhog was my second machine and I wish I still had it....I have a AT pro now.


I set up my AT for 40 Iron disc

I open up 45-55 on the notches for nickels and gold bands and dig 48-53
I open 60-65 for the small silver half dimes... I dig low 60-62
I open 75 and up for small silver rings dimes and better (you still get penny tones that way too.)

Pro mode used.

So, my friend was right? That gold shows up at lower than 75? I guess, thicker rings might would show up above 75, right? Like school rings? Or would they still register at the lower number?

How about high mineralization, does it affect the ID's a lot? Especially deeper?

And you're right about the Groundhog. I lucked into it when I started. It is a truly sweet machine once it's learned. The one I have is over 30 years old and STILL works very well. The meter's gone, but I hunted by tone anyway.

Thanks for your help!

HH

 

[lastleg]

I lost a good friend over a Groundhog.