I have read this entire thread in one sitting and two cups of coffee. I doubt this thread needs another guys opinion, but I will give it anyway... My first machine was a Whites, and was the next. It took a while for me to try another brand. I have never owned a Garrett, much less even held a ATP or even seen one standing in front of me. From just my own research, it seems like a lot of machine for the price. It does have many features, and it would fall into the old "80/20" rule of buying. That being said, I am not in a position to rate the actual usages of it. Those who have one seem to love it, and that is great. That is what keeps people in this hobby. If you have one, and you find stuff, and it makes you excited enough to post your treasures, then that's what it's all about.
Now, what I have read, there seems to be people who have one (brand new) and it falses a lot and others have said to send it in and get it tweaked and it will be perfect. Really?? If I worked at Garrett and kept seeing that comment, I would have to question the quality control procedures at the factory. A new ATP should not have to be sent back in right away to make it the machine you thought you were getting in the first place.
But for a $600 machine it sure does offer a lot, and might even be considered a "gateway" detector.
Again, my disclaimer, I have never owned a Garrett, just my preferences. I see it like an Alabama/Auburn thing. If you are an Alabama fan, that is the only team that should be allowed to play football, or you are an Auburn fan that also likes Miss State, LSU, and Arkansas.
I am not bashing any machine, nor would I ever. I like what I use currently, or I wouldn't be using it. I will promote it to others. ATP users/owner like their machine and like to promote it. This argument will never die.
I would like to find a dealer who would let me try an ATP for a week or two, I might buy it, maybe not.
Did any of that make sense? Haha
