ATPro vs Xterra 705

[Old Dude]

Hi all. Anyone ever used both these detectors? I want a detector that will do well in coin mode on land as well as find relics or jewelry in fresh water. Can you please give me pros and cons for each?

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[creade]

I haven't used the minelab but if you hunt in the water, the at pro is waterproof to 10 feet. Handy in case you drop it by accident.

 

[Old Dude]

Thanks. I have seen videos of people using the Minelab at the beach. Is it also waterproof, or is just the coil?

 

[creade]

Only the coil up to the control box. The connection into the box isn't waterproof. The at hasvgot a sealed connection with a o ring.

 

[Old Dude]

Thank you again. The "made in America" has pretty much sealed it along with the waterproof feature, I think.

 

[creade]

When it comes to customer service, I think garret would win. You're talking about Texas or Australia if you have a problem.

 

[Old Dude]

Not only that....I would rather support the American worker.

 

[Longhair]

When it comes to customer service, I think garret would win. You're talking about Texas or Australia if you have a problem.

Incorrect. Minelab has service facilities in Florida and Illinois.

The 705 is a much more versitile and capable machine. The ONLY thing that the ATP can do that the Xterra can't do better is play in the water.

 

[atomicscott]

When it comes to customer service, I think garret would win. You're talking about Texas or Australia if you have a problem.

Minelab usa service is in Chicago, not Australia! And the X-Terra 705 is twice the detector the AT Pro is, other than not being waterproof.

 

[creade]

Incorrect. Minelab has service facilities in Florida and Illinois.

The 705 is a much more versitile and capable machine. The ONLY thing that the ATP can do that the Xterra can't do better is play in the water.

So are you telling me if I needed a part I could get it in 2 days? Also , its got steeper learning curve. I researched these pretty long and came to the conclusion that if I would buy I minelab , the etrac was the way to go. Out of the 3 dealers in n.h. , 2 won't carry minelab BECAUSE of their service and the 3rd said the only machine better then the pro was the etrac because you could go 12 inches instead of 10. You're also talking money here. The 705 is more then the pro, but everyone has their own preference of what they want.

 

[Metal Detecting Stuff]

Minelab repair service has made dramatic improvements in their service time. Average turnaround time is less than 10 days. Ive used both the Xterra 705 and the At Pro - they are comparable in depth. The Etrac is deeper, and exceptional in iron.

Wayne

Www.metaldetectingstuff.com

 

[gerryk]

Calling minelab, you will wait sometimes up to 15 minutes to talk to someone if they are busy. Or you can leave a message and they will call you back? Being from the chicago area, they are about a half hour drive from me and they will ask you to stop in if there is a problem rather than figuring it out on the phone or shipping something.

I havent tushes the at myself but my buddy has one and is always asking to swap machines for the day. That wont happen, but i let him think it will one day.

 

[atomicscott]

So are you telling me if I needed a part I could get it in 2 days? Also , its got steeper learning curve. I researched these pretty long and came to the conclusion that if I would buy I minelab , the etrac was the way to go. Out of the 3 dealers in n.h. , 2 won't carry minelab BECAUSE of their service and the 3rd said the only machine better then the pro was the etrac because you could go 12 inches instead of 10. You're also talking money here. The 705 is more then the pro, but everyone has their own preference of what they want.

Have no idea how long it would take, but I called ML last week, and a very friendly (american not australian) fellow named John, answered on the 3rd ring. I understand the concern, but I rarely hear of any XT 705's needing to BE returned. Not the case with the AT Pro. Many have been returned for malfunctions, even some that had the control box snapped off at the shaft! I like the AT Pro alot, but have heard enough negative comments to steer me away from it. Plus the XT series has a threshold hum, which makes it better for prospecting as well. You have to buy an AT gold to get that, then you are stuck with the 19 khz frequency. The 705 (and 505) can run at 3 different frequencies depending on coil choice.

 

[gerryk]

I use the threshold hum on my705 turned down low so my wireless headphones don't power down.

 

[Longhair]

Out of the 3 dealers in n.h. , 2 won't carry minelab BECAUSE of their service and the 3rd said the only machine better then the pro was the etrac because you could go 12 inches instead of 10. You're also talking money here. The 705 is more then the pro, but everyone has their own preference of what they want.

Remember that you are talking to SALESMEN, and they are going to try to talk you into what they want to sell. Base your purchase on the features that are important to YOU.

I don't live in NJ, but if I did I would encourage you to buy the ATP so I would have lots to find even where you had already been.

 

[DiggerinVA]

I have no problem admitting that minelab makes a few md's that are 'better' than my ATP.....but the 705 is not one of them. I have a buddy with the 705 and my ATP will read a dime several inches deeper, its waterproof, MADE IN USA, and its cheaper!!! I also have personal references, but they are my own and not the same as yours. I would love to have a 3030 or even a safari if they werent so expensive....

 

[DiggerinVA]

Also the Whites Coinmaster GT or even the pro models are very nice machines for the money......picking mine up tomorrow!

 

[wv hilljack]

I just got my 705 yesterday and took it out today, I love it. I used the 250 ACE which is a very good beginers MD. The reason I got the 705 is for the versatility. You have 3 coils at different khz plus a gold hunt option. Less you plan on a lot of water hunting then I would go with the AT. The 705 is good in the water to 20"s. I hunted a place today that I hunted a lot with my 205 and found a ton of more coins at a dept of 6" to 8" right were I have hunted before. Like most tings read the owners manual and watch youtube videos. Here is and excellent owners manual on the setup of the 705.
http://radioworld.ca/product_brochures/metal_detector/xterra_understanding.pdf

 

[gerryk]

Guys each person is going to recommend their own machine. Those that want an at pro its their personal preference to leave stuff behind for others to find. Ok, just kidding had to throw a dig in there. I am not very familiar witht he at pro and the only way i think anyone can say either way is if they use both machines and become as comfortable with one as they are with another. I will say the 705 has so many options as far as tuning and coils. The 705 has more than three different coils, it has many coils that can be used with it. The 705 can change frequencies by changing coils. You can get concentric and double d coils, 3, 7.5 and 18.75 kHz coils for the 705. Also not all coils for the 705 are waterproof only a few are, he resta re water resistant. Water resistant means dew from grass or a light mist. On the 705 do not get the control head wet.
Just find one that fits what you want in a machine and get out there. I dont care if someone has a white, garrett, minelab or dousing rods, if they want a hunting buddy they are welcome to join me or invite me to go with them.

 

[Old Dude]

Thanks all for your replies. I was hoping for someone who has or currently still uses both these detectors to give me their input. I didn't want to start another brands war thread, lol. I decided on the AT Pro for reasons stated above. I believe it will suit the environments I plan to use it in. The X Terra looks like a really good candidate for my next detector if I decide to buy another as an extra. Again, thanks!