F75 or AT Pro?

[rmm911]

I am retired now and have the time to do some things that I would like to do. I live in Charleston, SC and am interested in learning more about detecting. I have no experience, I am a beginner. I have been reading a lot but I am ready to move forward.

I have been reading about the Fisher F75 and the Garrett AT Pro. I believe that I have narrowed my focus down to these two machines. As is the case with just about anything, the reviews I see are varied. I am aware of the price difference but I am more interested in knowing whether the F75 is worth the extra cost? If it is, I don't have a problem paying a little more. That said, I also can't afford to be wasting my money.

I have seen different claims about what each machine can do but I expect that either machine can do what I will need it to do, at least for now. I guess I am more concerned about quality. Is the quality of the F75 worth the extra money?
Is it even fair to compare these two machines or does Garrett have a model that is closer in comparison to the F75?
Is the F75 made in the USA?

I read comments about the learning curve being greater for the F75 than the AT Pro. Some even said "the F75 is not for beginners".
I am not technically challenged but I remember I once bought a very nice telescope that was so complicated, I became discouraged and ended up selling it.
I have also wasted money on something cheaper only to later wish I had bought the better and more expensive item.

I will most likely end up using my detector at the beach but I don't want to be confined to just the beach. I would like to search for older things as well.

I live close to Folly Beach, which is periodically renourished with several feet of sand. I don't know how that affects targets but aside from recently lost items, it makes me wonder what to expect.

I like that the AT Pro is water proof but I question if that should that be a deciding factor for me. I can search the beach without getting in the water. What about salt air and corrosion?

Based on what I am reading, it sounds like a pin pointer is a good tool to have. I assume most everyone agrees with this? Some say start with a cheap one. It seems like a good one will cost about $100.00.

I can see that there are many experienced detectors visiting this forum and I would appreciate your time and advice.

 

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[pgfhgs]

I would go with the AT Pro just make one mistake on the beach with the F75 in the water and its dead! Love the 75 great machine but the learning curve is much greater than the AT Pro. The AT Pro is as close to a turn on and go, type of machine you can get for the money. My At Pro is what I always end up going to when I am not sure what kind of conditions I am going to see when I travel!

 

[Loco-Digger]

Either detector will serve you well in the dry sand. I run the F75LTD and have about 180 hours on it. I bought it used and had it upgraded last winter. It does have many bells and whistles, but is not too hard to learn. As for a pinpointer, I hate the cheaper ones. Bought a BH pinpointer last summer, it has a range of maybe 1/2 inch, I could find coins faster by hand. It sits in the van unused, were as the Garrett Pro-Pointer has a range of about 3 inches. I won't leave home without it. I am thinking of upgrading to the Garret Carrot and keeping the Pro-Pointer as a back-up/loaner.

In my opinion, one of the best bangs for the buck is the T2. You can get one for $499 new off the shelf. It's similar to the F75. Last year these were priced at $899.00

 

[Fletch88]

I would probably go with the AT because it is waterproof and it will resale quickly if you decide it's not for you. It is a single freq vlf which is not the best in wet salt, but it will ground balance down to salt and run ok.

 

[OWK]

I swing an F70 (the F75's cousin)

Great machine on land. As is the F75 (they share the same basic technology)

I think the F75 is deeper than the AT Pro

If you're interested in water hunting the AT Pro is a better machine because it is waterproof. (Although I would argue that its water superiority is probably better used in fresh water like rivers, creeks, and lakes.)

If you want to hunt the surf, I don't think you really want either of these machines.

 

[Enginefitter]

Welcome from NE Ohio.

Engine

 

[vpnavy]

Welcome Aboard! Take a look at Sub-Forums: South Carolina for information (i.e., clubs, etc.) directly related to your state. Also, you might browse Forum: Garrett and Forum: Fisher Research Labs...

 

[Sandman]

The AT Pro sucks at saltwater beaches in the wet sand it being a single freq. detector. There are much better detectors out there. The Whites Beach Hunter ID has two freq. to handle the saltwater and Black sand where the AT Pro can not. The F75 is not hard to learn at all an is much better as to identifying targets. The ATP has been dumbed down from when it first came out, but there are many newbies that like the cause they don't have experience with other detectors. Heck, I have one which I won't use.

 

[DirtWarrior]

Wel-come aboard ...

 

[bootybandit]

Welcome to TNET!

 

[rmm911]

Thanks for all of the replies.

If I have my way, I will be going to the beach only when I have nowhere else to go.

I am interested in the quality difference between the F75 and the AT Pro. Why does the F75 cost so much more?

I will be taking a look at the T2.

 

[Fletch88]

Because its 4 times the detector than the ATPRO! A good portion of the cost of the ATP goes into the waterproofing

If you don't need a backlight I would go with the T2 personally.

 

[G.A.P.metal]

I use both the T2 and F-75 DST models, i`m more of a relic hunter so the expanded Iron Range 1-40 of the T2 is very helpful,always dig 35 in iron or higher,maybe a trade ax .
The F-75 Iron Range is 1-15,but the Static All Metal Mode of the 75 is real good finding deeper/ larger relics,similar to the Pin Point Mode.
The F-75 has the Tones and the Process separate, T2 combines them somewhat,so with the F-75 in the high iron areas i can use the FA Process in Delta pitch and that really talks my language.
The back light only in F-75 is always on,and also helpful in the deep wood on a cloudy/dusk day.
You can`t go wrong,lite weight,long battery life, very deep,separation is great with the F-75 or T2.
As to the At Pro,i haven`t used one enough the have an opinion on it .
Gary

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

When you buy a detector it's not just the housing, shaft and coil. You're buying the engineering, software and programming and lots of other internals.

Another thing to consider is aftermarket options. Sunray probes, other brand coils, etc.

The F75 is two seperate detectors - the video is distinct from the audio. When you get into more difficult spots that gives you more information to base your decisions on.

I own an F-75 (one of the first that I have returned & and upgraded twice - and that's a NICE policy from Fisher) and it can use used by a beginner. You just have to leave it at the defaults and ground balance. I do a factory reset every time I turn mine on. It's very easy to program and all the functions are shown right on the display.

I don't beach hunt so I don't know if the F-75 is good or bad there. It's a great coin shooter. I haven't been inclined to find another since i bought mine in 2007. There's always something new to try or learn.

 

[Metal Detecting Stuff]

They are both capable detectors. The Fisher F75LTD is deeper, more sensitive and has a longer learning curve. More tone options, boost and cache modes, backlight, etc. On the saltwater beach, you will need to manually ground balance it.

The Garrett AT Pro is easy to learn and waterproof. You will loose some depth on a black sand beach.

Call me if I can answer any questions for you.

Wayne

(832) 928-9135

Metal Detector Sales Rental | Treasure Hunting | Metal Detecting Stuff

 

[smalltowngirl13]

Welcome aboard and happy hunting ...

 

[xr7ator]

I started metal detecting in the mid 1980's. I have the at pro and other more expensive machines.
I like my at pro and use it almost exclusively. It's a great machine and is not that easy to fully learn and understand as some that never gave it the time to learn how to use it claim.
The at pro has been upgraded since it initially came out, not "dumbed down".