A very common theme with beginners

[Normsel]

I have noticed over and over that when a guy gets into metal detecting they start with an Ace series detector and within a month they order an AT Pro. I did the same thing. I started with an ACE 250 and within 90 days I bought an AT Pro. It would seem a guy should just jump to the ATP in the beginning but I think everyone should start with an Ace series detector to learn. It's also nice to have a spare detector in case someone wants to go out with you.

We all tell the guys to move up to the ATP but I think you should be hooked on detecting before you spend the bucks on the ATP. For the money i don't think there is a better detector out there.

 

[cntrydncr1]

I've been at this 6 years. Started with the ACE and moved up to an etrac. quite a learning curve but glad I did it. I still have an ACE that I keep for my newbie friends to try out.

 

[Sandman]

All newbies think the AT Pro is the best because they haven't had the opportunity to use other detectors that far surpass the AT Pro in performance. But it is a fair MD for the price provided you aren't trying to use it at a saltwater beach in the wet sand.

 

[fella]

Yeah, then there are some that have a fair bit of experience with detectors that supposedly "far surpass the AT Pro in performance" that still prefer the ATP because of how well it works in 99% of situations.
If the AT Pro had been made by ANY other manufacturer, fans of that manufacturer would be calling it the best detector in their lineup. It's a fact not an opinion!

As for the OP - it kinda depends on the person. When I got back into detecting after many many years away, I started with what I consider an entry level $300 unit. It took me about a day to realize I just threw money away. Wish I had just ponied up for the higher end detector right away!

 

[Jay In NewKen]

I did the same (Ace to ATP) BUT would have loved to have tried another brand and/or machine ie. etrac, excal, F75, sand shark. However, this wasn't an option for me. I'm happy with my purchase, but the curiosity remains.

 

[christo000]

Everyone is gonna have there own opinión on what works for them the pro is definetly a great middle grade detector with high end capability Ive got many hours with mine still have & will not get rid of it its just to capable of situations that my other high end machines cant do ( water & land 1 machine) they all excell in different áreas like another person had said already the Atpro is the iphone of detectors seems like it anyway. Either way its good for beguinners & good fot the novice u can run it anywhere & not have to have 2 machines or have to skip a day of detecting cuz its rainy out its not affraid

 

[knightsquad]

Hey Debb!
Now you , I envy with that E-Trac! I love that machine! hahha
I'm over near Vero Beach! We should hook up some time and hunt! LOL
That storm out in the ocean might just churn up some stuff over here
on the Treasure Coast!
Pete

I've been at this 6 years. Started with the ACE and moved up to an etrac. quite a learning curve but glad I did it. I still have an ACE that I keep for my newbie friends to try out.

 

[diggummup]

And what FAR SURPASSES it for $600


OH and another thing! What's up with the HUGE
NRA symbol? I mean.... REALLY?
Some of you guys take up a whole da^%& page with all your Political *&^% and slogans and stuff!
Even some of he moderators do it! I'm a member too! So what, who else cares?

"And what FAR SURPASSES it for $600 " -------------- Sand Shark for one.



As for the rest of your opinions, back at ya-

Who cares? I mean... Really?

 

[christo000]

Yes but there 2 totaly different machines ones meant for beaches the other is a go any where so it has abilities to go anywhere so ya it may not b perfect in every área but u can still use it I dont c many people taking a sand shark.out for relic hunting out in the Woods or out to the farm feilds so it kinda doesnt surpass the Atpro pro still has more abilities to go more places. Now if I were only hunting water/ sand then ya sand shark all the way but these newer guys like the pro cuz it works & works well in all environments not just 1

 

[knightsquad]

Exactly Christo!
Don't waste your time with Sonny.
I don't think he gets it anyway...
Watch, he'll be back tryin to start some stuff with me, Just watch!
I wasn't startin anything just making a comment but NOooooo
Sonny has to chime in and it had nothing to do with him..

Matter of fact, I'm adding him to my Ignore list right away, I can't be bothered
with these types of people.

Yes but there 2 totaly different machines ones meant for beaches the other is a go any where so it has abilities to go anywhere so ya it may not b perfect in every área but u can still use it I dont c many people taking a sand shark.out for relic hunting out in the Woods or out to the farm feilds so it kinda doesnt surpass the Atpro pro still has more abilities to go more places. Now if I were only hunting water/ sand then ya sand shark all the way but these newer guys like the pro cuz it works & works well in all environments not just 1

 

[Kodiak43351]

Well I can't wait to get my at pro. I don't live anywhere near the ocean. Lake Erie is only a short drive from me. I don't go on other brands forums and bash their detectors. Sounds to me like someone is jealous of Garrett's popularity. Give it to Garrett for building a machine that people want.

 

[christo000]

Well I can't wait to get my at pro. I don't live anywhere near the ocean. Lake Erie is only a short drive from me. I don't go on other brands forums and bash their detectors. Sounds to me like someone is jealous of Garrett's popularity. Give it to Garrett for building a machine that people want.

Hands down great detector ull b happy bud

 

[diggummup]

Yes but there 2 totaly different machines ones meant for beaches the other is a go any where so it has abilities to go anywhere so ya it may not b perfect in every área but u can still use it I dont c many people taking a sand shark.out for relic hunting out in the Woods or out to the farm feilds so it kinda doesnt surpass the Atpro pro still has more abilities to go more places. Now if I were only hunting water/ sand then ya sand shark all the way but these newer guys like the pro cuz it works & works well in all environments not just 1

Since the condescending and disrespectful newbie, Knightsquad was talking about his own experiences in wet salt sand with the AT Pro, that is what my response was aimed at.
Of course the AT Pro would be a better dry land detector when it comes to discriminating and target id. That being said, if you have an area in which you are digging all signals, then the Sandshark will still work just fine and go deeper than the AT Pro.

 

[Kodiak43351]

Hands down great detector ull b happy bud

Thanks christo

 

[LifeNRA]

Back to the OP, yes. Ill be buying one as well. Not right now, maybe next year. My daughter wants to play as well with this 350. I bought my 350 because I was not 100% whether I would have stayed with it. But enjoying my time with it so far has me thinking about the AT Pro. It would suit me just fine here in the state of PA. The AT Pro would have about 80% land use with a 20% water use. Why should I buy anything else. Sure a $1200 MD is nice, and I am sure it will be better. Its my choice as to what kind of money I wish to spend.

 

[John-Edmonton]

What I noticed the most about newbies, isn't what detector they use, as they all go beep. (It's the grey matter that really counts) But the repeating scenarios of hunting with a newby, and the beginner's luck kicks in. They seem to get the best find....ie Gold ring, oldest silver coin, best relic. Perhaps it's because they haven't really learned discrimination and dig it all.

Ask anyone who has been detecting a long time and knows how to use his grey matter. They will tell you flat out that the one that digs the most targets, gets the best finds no matter which detector you use. My comments on the ACE Series? Excellent value for your money. You learn tones, notching, how a VLF operates in salt and how to set it up for maximum benefit in different environments. Will it find a lot of good targets?

It depends on how you use your grey matter. Please stop all your bickering over a metal detector. They all go beep!

And the ring below was found a year ago with my AT Pro in the water.

Metal detecting is a hobby and hobbies are meant to be enjoyed! Please Garrett users, keep posting your great finds. That's what counts!

 

[christo000]

I like what u last said the hobby is meant to b enjoyed, exactly its no fun bickering on what someone uses we r all having fun finding things if u come across a post on a detector u dont like dont post simple I hear people day oh dont get this & dont get that start with a,600+ machine y get what u can afford its not a job ur not goin for an.income ur out to have fun with family & friends leave the bs at home

 

[Normsel]

I didn't mean to start a discussion on whether any Garrett detector was better than another brand. I just found it interesting that so many newbies like myself want to upgrade from a beginner detector to a mid range detector or better shortly after buying an entry grade detector. I know a guy the bought an $1100 detector 60 after buying his ACE 250. I had my 250 for 3 months before i bought my ATP. Yep they all beep and squeak but as I have noticed most anyone into detecting for any length of time has a detector equal to an ATP or better. I am sure there are a few guys that been detecting a long time still use and entry level detector and do well with them. Like the old saying goes he who digs the most finds the most.

Judging by all the posts in this forum everyone is very passionate about this hobby and i think that's what makes interesting discussion. I am almost as addicted to Treasure Net as i am to detecting. It's rained so much this year near where i live I haven't been able to go out as much as I would like to.

 

[christo000]

I had my Atpro for awhile only reason upgraded I just wanted more more options to play with make my own deep programs hence the v3i & the deus cams in cuz well thats s story but still a hell of deal Ive never seen on any machine

 

[christo000]

I also think another reason y people upgrade so fast as they figure out ok yes i do like the hobby so im gonna now get a good machine instead of do i like it or do i not & spending 600 on a detector hobby they may not like