Anyone Have/Had Both The AT Pro & GTI 2500

[Ronzie]

The first 12 years I detected I used a Garrett GTAx Ultra 1000. Great starter machine and had a ton of fun with.
Then I got both the GTI 2500 & Explorer SE w/pro coil in the same year. I had been looking at the GTI for quite some time before getting it. Pretty much drooling for one. When I got it I liked it, but it just wasn't the leap up from the GTAx I was expecting. More like a step up. Then I got the Explorer and hardly used it after that. Now 5 years later I sold all 3 machines.

What really makes the AT Pro attractive to me is the shallow water proofing and a machine you could use in the rain even though I don't really detect in the rain. LOL
So the waterproofing aside, is the AT Pro a lot better than the GTI 2500 which was a let down for me? It's been about 12 or so years between these 2 machines being released.
One of the dad's on my daughters soccer team has a friend who is looking to sell one at a good price. Still on it's original batteries from being bought new in May. The problem is he lives 5 hours away so I can't just go check it out.

 

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[hoosierguy]

I've got both, and for me I prefer the 2500, but the ATP seems to be more of a coin centric machine. The ATP is also lighter. I switch back and forth depending on my mood. Probably not the firm opinion you're looking for, but if you can afford the ATP and keeping your 2500, I would highly recommend it. It's also nice if the wife or a buddy who doesn't have a detector wants to come along on a hunt.

 

[1%er]

Semper Fi Hoosier.. 96-04 pendleton here.. 3531 motor t and 5811 MP secondary mos...

I found a gti2500 used once (or so he says) for $500 on CL... needless to say im gonna snatch it up. Some say its a dinosaur and some say its still garretts flagship machine. Regardless no one has said it sucks. Im not planning on going underwater.. maybe the edge of the water but thats about it. I think most people with an atp like to come up with reasons its better while spending less money but the fact remains that theres not much it wont do.

 

[Ronzie]

Semper Fi Hoosier.. 96-04 pendleton here.. 3531 motor t and 5811 MP secondary mos...

I found a gti2500 used once (or so he says) for $500 on CL... needless to say im gonna snatch it up. Some say its a dinosaur and some say its still garretts flagship machine. Regardless no one has said it sucks. Im not planning on going underwater.. maybe the edge of the water but thats about it. I think most people with an atp like to come up with reasons its better while spending less money but the fact remains that theres not much it wont do.

I was just really disappointed with the GTI. It's the machine I wanted for a long time and when I got it and used it I was disappointed. I wouldn't say it sucks, but considering new it was $950 when I got it, imo it should be a $500 machine right from the start.
I think I'm going to hold off of buying the guys AT Pro.

 

[John-Edmonton]

I have both, and love them both. The GTI is a great coins and jewelery machine. Once the sizing feature is learned and used properly, it really gives one an edge for increased coin finds/hour by leaving a lot of junk in the ground. The true all metal mode with the sniper coil is one great combination also.

The AT Pro is more of an audio machine compared to the GTI series, great for coins also. Utilizing the iron audio helps ID a lot of junk, saving time by leaving it in the ground. The water proofing issue is icing on the cake!

 

[wayfas4u]

I agree with Hoosierguy, I also own both. I bought the GTI 2500 for $500 used, and it was barely used! Got a great deal on it. The 2500 has a lot of bells & whistles, but spend some time with it and you'll get to know it in different settings. After a few hours, it does get heavy. I've learned to detach the (8) battery compartment and clip it to my belt, which free's up some weight. The AT Pro I am still learning, it's definitely lighter in weight and I love the waterproofing. Just like Hoosierguy said, having an extra one to share is a bonus.

 

[Metal Detecting Stuff]

Don't forget that the GTI 2500 can be used with the Treasurehound Depth Multiplier. We used one last Saturday to dig this cache: 500 silver halves buried in a plastic bucket were dug at a depth of 32". Wayne www.metaldetectingstuff.com

 

[Kodiak43351]

Don't forget that the GTI 2500 can be used with the Treasurehound Depth Multiplier. We used one last Saturday to dig this cache: <img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=874023"/> 500 silver halves buried in a plastic bucket were dug at a depth of 32". Wayne www.metaldetectingstuff.com

wow

 

[califteacher]

Glad to see someone mentioning the Garrett Treasurehound Depth Multiplier option for the GTI 2500. I just got my TreasureHound this week. I have had a Minelab CTX 3030 for a year and thought it was silly to keep my GTI 2500, which I hardly used. I was just getting ready to put it on CL, when I changed my mind--partially so that I could order this crazy deep seeking coil. Although it was stuck on the train derailment in Texas for a few days (UPS), the TreasureHound arrived a few days ago. I also upgraded the original white plastic coil to the new black design, so I am looking forward to getting back into the GTI 2500 and see how it compliments the CTX 3030.

 

[Mohave Sam]

I own both. I prefer the GTI over the AT for coin hunting. The imaging works great still find some junk but nothings fool proof. I do like the AT for water hunting but unless your detecting in sand its a lot of work. I also like the iron audio and iron discriminate feature when in an area with a lot of junk iron. I have detected for 32 years and I think that the technology has advanced enough that in any of the better detectors that there is a marginal difference in their performance. Once you have really used a machine for a while you can learn the difference between a lot of good stuff and junk by the hits they make. I especially like the imaging of the GTI when I get a very solid hit with the b scale I usually know its a coin. It fools me once in a while but not often. One thing that I don't like about the 2500 is that it does not have good iron discrimination. If it had that it would be almost perfect. It is heavy but as mentioned the battery pack can be belt mounted. I have also picked up a sling that goes over the shoulders and attaches to it. Its adjustable so you can make it feel very light in the hand. I use it because I have RA and it dosnt hurt as bad on my hands and shoulders when the weight is transferred to the sling. I bought the AT after the 2500 and am a bit disappointed in its performance. I have had some coil issues which Garrett took care of right away but no wow factor to me. I would like to have any ones opinion if there if they know of a machine out there that is phenominal
I would actually like an objective opinion from somebody who has used different brands and found one to be much better.