AT Pro does it again! More silver and small pin

[ModernMiner]

Yesterday I returned to an early 1900’s farmhouse that I had detected once with my Tesoro Vaquero. On that visit I had dug a modern half dollar, and a Barber dime.
On this visit I brought along my new AT Pro which I am still getting used to. Mainly the pinpointing has been my biggest learning curve. I concentrated my search in the front yard to see what I had missed on my first outing.
I was pleasantly surprised with the results of the AT Pro. After digging a few wheat pennies I got a mixed signal in a bit of a trashy area, but there was a high “fluty” tone mixed in too. I decided to dig it and I’m glad I did. I pulled out a 1937 Quarter and a no date Buff nickel in the same hole! A bit later I dug a small pin at about 8” which reads “VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURE – FFA”. Not sure how old it is yet? Any ideas on this one?
My favorite find of the day though was just before I was getting ready to go due to the mosquitoes draining my blood. I got a faint signal reading only “45” but it had a high “fluty” tone too. At about 8-9” I saw @@ silver in the hole! I thought for sure it was going to be another Merc dime, but was very excited to see it was a Barber dime. It was really worn down on the front, but I can see the date is 1899. Yaba daba doo, I’ll take it!
I have yet to be able to cross a Barber quarter off of my wish list, so I am hoping this farmhouse and my AT Pro will be the answer.
Thanks for looking,
MM

P.S. I also found some lead (a sinker). I couldn’t have my buddy Quindy being the only one to find lead (CW).

 

[rlc1940]

Read and reread the manual. It explains resetting the pp after getting close to the target....works! Also a trick I learned 30 years ago with the analog units still works on today's units, such as my atpro. Once you get close, almost on top of your target, lift the coil up slowly, move it in an X pattern, and notice the target center... the tone will diminish and will be easier to center... if need be, go a little higher and repeat. Just try to keep your coil parallel to the ground terrain and it'll work!! It really helps to bury a coin, mark the location and practice till you're confident I really pay very little notice to the depth except on weak signals. On weak signals, I will dig a bigger diameter plug so as to go deeper. Most louder signals require no more than a 3-4" plug. The modulated audio on the atpro pro zero mode is worth getting used to for sure.

 

[Diggin-N-Dumps]

If you are using the DD coil, which I think you are from reading your previous posts, this might be of help to pinpoint more accurately.

So you find a target you want to dig:

1) Scan around it and try to find a clean spot, this is where you will press the "Pinpoint" button.
2) Make sure you have the coil close to the ground. (If you have some electromagnetic interference (powerlines)) nothing will really help to pint point, the machine will read nothing in the ground and will go nuts once you lift it off the ground, happens but its rare so whatever.
3) Swing the coil all around the area, once you "kind of" locate the target do a slow "+" on it, listen to when the sound is the loudest.
4) Watch your depth meter, wherever the target is the most shallow and the sound is the loudest is where you have to dig.
5) Now you are saying, "OK idiot, but the coil is 5x8 so do I have to dig a plug 1sq.ft. large?
6) The answer is "NO, and you are the idiot"
7) Look at the coil, there are 3 "windows" right down the center of it, your target is underneath the window that is closest to the shaft, the 3rd window counting from the front (figure its there or +1 inch around there)
8) Now the key step is: DIG DIG DIG !!!!

Hope this helps, if not, feel free to make fun of me

EDIT: Another trick I learned that works like freaking MAGIC is to press the pinpoint button close enough to the target, but not on it, and not too far away from it, if you press it right on that sweet spot the ATP will pick up ONLY your target and NOTHING around it, I have no clue why that happens but it really helps in trashy areas! AND the target will be the size of a penny so it pin points so accurately its really frightening!

Very Good!!...Ive actually been able to pinpoint my targets by just sweeping over them without the Pinpoint button...im about 90% on the spot, makes recovery much quicker

 

[ModernMiner]

"Mainly the pinpointing has been my biggest learning curve."

Perhaps you already know, but there are some great instructional videos at Garrett's website, including pinpointing. Personally, I've found the smaller 5x8 DD coil works great for me. I've dug coins and buttons at 8" with it. I also found pinpointing with it is much easier (for me anyway), than with the stock coil. I love my AT Pro so much, I'm getting ready to purchase another one as my back up.

Great finds!!

Thanks Stoney. I rewatched the video and started using the method where you hold the pinpoint button in an zeroing in by the sound as it gets louder as it gets closer to the target. A few crosses back and forth with that method and I can narrow it down within a few inches now.
-Doug-

 

[ModernMiner]

Hello Nice finds. I received an identical FFA Vocational Agriculture pin during my 1st year of vo-ag in 1984.

Very cool. I stopped by tonight and gave the pin to the old man. He's about 85 yrs old. He remembered it clearly and was very happy when I gave it back to him.
-MM-

 

[ModernMiner]

Read and reread the manual. It explains resetting the pp after getting close to the target....works! Also a trick I learned 30 years ago with the analog units still works on today's units, such as my atpro. Once you get close, almost on top of your target, lift the coil up slowly, move it in an X pattern, and notice the target center... the tone will diminish and will be easier to center... if need be, go a little higher and repeat. Just try to keep your coil parallel to the ground terrain and it'll work!! It really helps to bury a coin, mark the location and practice till you're confident I really pay very little notice to the depth except on weak signals. On weak signals, I will dig a bigger diameter plug so as to go deeper. Most louder signals require no more than a 3-4" plug. The modulated audio on the atpro pro zero mode is worth getting used to for sure.

Great tips Ric. I'll give it a try. I am very happy with the target depth. I went back there tonight to return the pin I had dug and detected a bit. I dug a few faint signals to see what there where. At over 7" I was picking up small 22 cal shells. Not great finds but it sure proved to me that the AT Pro was doing it's job.
-MM-

 

[DiggerinVA]

Hey Miner ...are you using a 5x8 dd coil or the big factory coil on your AT Pro? Big coil seems a little much to me in some of my old iron infested areas...

 

[ModernMiner]

Hey Miner ...are you using a 5x8 dd coil or the big factory coil on your AT Pro? Big coil seems a little much to me in some of my old iron infested areas...

Digger,
Been using the big factory coil that came with it. Maybe I need to downsize? I agree with you on the iron. These two farmhouses are full of it.
Thanks,
MM

 

[MUD(S.W.A.T)]

People can't really appreciate the AT Pro until they get out and use one and... Really see what they are capable of !
Awesome machines !!

Great digs !!
Keep @ it and HH !!

 

[ModernMiner]

People can't really appreciate the AT Pro until they get out and use one and... Really see what they are capable of !
Awesome machines !!

Great digs !!
Keep @ it and HH !!

Thanks MUD. I am really loving this machine. Its been ages since I dug a nickel with my old machine. I've dug two Buffs already this week with the AT Pro.
-MM-