AT Pro acting erratically all the sudden?!?

[Birky]

So I haven't had the chance to hit any great spots with my new AT Pro yet, though I have spent about 10-15hrs in my own yard getting to know this great detector and am really falling in love with it. So far I've found about $3 in clad, a merc dime, a war nickel and a small sterling ring ..not to mention the loads of junk that come with the territory..

Which brings me to today... I arrived home from work and decided to take the machine out to check a couple areas in the yard that I haven't hit yet and when as soon as I powered it on it started going crazy..tones and Id's all over the place even while holding it still in mid air. I couldn't get it to shut up no matter what I tried (short of powering it off) I checked my coil connection, replaced the batteries and switched coils to no avail.

I've been very careful with it so far as I am with most things and cannot see any reason why it would start acting this way out of nowhere.

I'm gonna contact Garrett tomorrow but I wanted to get some input first as it's got me pretty bummed


Chris

 

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[gleaner1]

Definitely needs hospital visit. Garrett will take care of you in grand fashion.

 

[Metal Detecting Stuff]

So I haven't had the chance to hit any great spots with my new AT Pro yet, though I have spent about 10-15hrs in my own yard getting to know this great detector and am really falling in love with it. So far I've found about $3 in clad, a merc dime, a war nickel, a small sterling ring and an agricultural token from the early 1900s..not to mention the loads of junk that come with the territory..

Which brings me to today... I arrived home from work and decided to take the machine out to check a couple areas in the yard that I haven't hit yet and when as soon as I powered it on it started going crazy..tones and Id's all over the place even while holding it still in mid air. I couldn't get it to shut up no matter what I tried (short of powering it off) I checked my coil connection, replaced the batteries and switched coils to no avail.

I've been very careful with it so far as I am with most things and cannot see any reason why it would start acting this way out of nowhere.

I'm gonna contact Garrett tomorrow but I wanted to get some input first as it's got me pretty bummed

Chris

Chris, Garrett will take care of you. Just for reference, you can do a factory reset by holding down the power button for approximately 10 seconds until you hear a double beep.

Wayne

www.metaldetectingstuff.com

 

[Birky]

Thanks for the replies gentlemen and it's great to know that they will resolve the problem.
I was gonna try that factory reset earlier Wayne but I couldn't remember how Thanks, I'll try that tomorrow.

Did I just get a defective unit or is this known to happen?

I know they had issues in the beginning but this one was made this year

 

[badpenny]

Gremlins, do the factory reset and if that doesn't resolve your problem call Garrett, their CS is second to none.

 

[Rawhide]

I dont see the problem? You are finding a lot of stuff.

 

[EODsweeper]

You weren't by chance close to a power line or generator? They put of electro magnetic radiation that can cause interference with your machine. Mine does it sometimes if I'm under a power line and hold my coil up. Just a thought.

 

[Birky]

I tried the factory reset and it continues to go spastic when I power it on.

I've made sure to test it far from any electrical interference, the machine just goes crazy and it's completely unusable anywhere.

I'm awaiting a reply from Garrett now, thanks for the comments and suggestions.

 

[EODsweeper]

I'm sure Garrett will get her back up and running in no time.

 

[Sandman]

Do your self a favor by turning off your dang cell phone. Other things can affect any detectors performance, not just the AT PRO. Most likely if you send it in they will just dumb it down. Electiical Interference

 

[Birky]

Sandman: I never keep my cell in my pocket when I go MD'ing, I like to eliminate all possible variables for interference in my hunting Thanks for the suggestion though I'm sure many of us don't consider these things.

Now when you say Garrett will probably just "dumb it down" that concerns me..what exactly do you mean by this?

 

[Birky]

I'm sure Garrett will get her back up and running in no time.

I sure hope you're right sir, as of now I can't even get them to call or email me back. I suppose I'm being a bit impatient though

 

[firemac]

have you tried changing the frequency its on? and i always have the phone in my pocket, never had a problem with either of my machines from it, is your pro pointer acting up too, had a problem with mine going crazy and took it over to garrett and they replaced it.

 

[Downstream]

My machine did the same thing, I was really worried. I couldn't get it to stop. Then I realized I was moderately close (300 yds) to some major power lines. I took my machine to a different location and it was fine.

Is there any chance that there was a large power source near by? They are very sensitive. Either way Garrett will take care of you. Good luck in getting back out there ASAP.

Let us know how it turns out.

 

[Sandman]

Sandman: I never keep my cell in my pocket when I go MD'ing, I like to eliminate all possible variables for interference in my hunting Thanks for the suggestion though I'm sure many of us don't consider these things.

Now when you say Garrett will probably just "dumb it down" that concerns me..what exactly do you mean by this?

Birky, when someone sends in a detector that is unstable, like from picking up EMI signals, any company tests the machine to make sure a solder join didn't break, or a component didn't fail. If none of these are the cause of the thing being unstable, they could turn down the sens inside to make it less sensitive to the receiving signal. Hence, "dumbing it down." But finding why the detector is unstable in the customer's hands is a problem as most hunters don't know how they work. The hunter describes something that means something else to the Tech.

 

[BJ in Okla.]

I would try going to some different places and check it there..
If you have another coil,, try it..
If you have a coil cover, make sure to take it off and clean it and the coil..
I have had 2 bad coils, a stock coil and a 4.5" super sniper coil that were bad,,that happens with any brand..
Now day's there are so many kind's of EMI..
Good Luck.
BJ

 

[signal_line]

Sounds like you tried about everything. I recall a guy said his coil connection was loose and he got water inside the connection. He unhooked the coil wire and let it dry out. Never had another problem. So, it's worth a try.

 

[Birky]

Birky, when someone sends in a detector that is unstable, like from picking up EMI signals, any company tests the machine to make sure a solder join didn't break, or a component didn't fail. If none of these are the cause of the thing being unstable, they could turn down the sens inside to make it less sensitive to the receiving signal. Hence, "dumbing it down." But finding why the detector is unstable in the customer's hands is a problem as most hunters don't know how they work. The hunter describes something that means something else to the Tech.

That's what I was afraid you were implying..it's seems to me like that would have to seriously lower it's performance?? I've turned the sensitivity all the way down and it still behaves the same way..

However, I'm 100% confident that it will be blindingly obvious to any Tech who powers on this unit that there's something seriously wrong.

 

[Birky]

Sounds like you tried about everything. I recall a guy said his coil connection was loose and he got water inside the connection. He unhooked the coil wire and let it dry out. Never had another problem. So, it's worth a try.

Thank you for your input and suggestion, I'll file that for future reference. But I checked my coil connection frequently and the only moisture that has been near this detector is the lightly damp rag I use to wipe it down occasionally.

I just can't fathom how it goes from functioning beautifully one day and within 24rs of no change in condition it is completely unusable

That really hurts my confidence about this detector..I guess we'll see.

 

[Metal Detecting Stuff]

Birky, Garrett will take good care of you. If its a new unit, be sure and tell them when you call. Most times, they will send you a prepaid shipping label on a new detector. Electronics, all types, generally have an initial failure in the early hours of use.

As far as "dumbing down" , I doubt seriously that Garrett would adjust a detector below specifications.

Wayne

www.metaldetectingstuff.com