Garrett AT Pro problems

[Stash]

Hi folks . Looking for advice . Just got a Garrett AT Pro and I cant get this thing figured out . Im diggin holes like a 300 pd squirel on Redbull . Im trying to set it up to locate
just coins . But Im getting readings on the Standard / coin setting all over the place . In a single sweep I might get 5 or 6 hits in the 50 to 70 s . Seems to just go off for no
reason most of the time . Any suggestions from the experts ?

 

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[vpnavy]

Welcome aboard! Take a look at Sub-Forums: Illinois for information (i.e., clubs, etc.) directly related to your state.

 

[Rookster]

There might be money down there. Reduce you sens. till the machine goes quite put the machine pro coin mode. Adjust the sens. till you hear just a small bit of chirp. Carry on soldier.

 

[tcornel]

1. Factory reset
2. Ground balance often
3. Reduce sensitivity....I usually run 2 notches from full
4. Change the frequency as you may be picking up interference

If these don't work then call Garrett and ask for help.

 

[dustytrails123]

I run on full sensitivity and havent had my machine more then 30 ish hours of use....yesterday i dug 2 indian heads at about 5 or 6 inches both gave off terrible 40-70 tones wouldnt lock onto anything was very jumpy the soil is very wet and the at pro doesnt seem to like wet ground ...hoping signals get little more stable once the ground is dry

 

[smalltowngirl13]

Welcome aboard and hopefully you are able to get your issue resolved ...

 

[PeteCook]

Welcome aboard and I just got a new ATP as well, my 1st real detector. The first few days I was diggin like a ferret on meth too, you can watch video till your eyes are bleeding but as soon as you flick it on and start swinging it's like a whole new world. I was really confused at 1st, so many possible hits the thing was singing like mad everywhere, but it gets better.
Even though I'm no pro I am trying to run in Pro open mode, or pro custom with some iron discrimination, but mostly pro open. I want to learn the sounds and what they mean, plus the signal volume tells a story too that you don't get in standard. The recovery time is good on the machine but don't sweep too fast, I think I was more guilty of that at 1st.
But the one best thing you can possibly do for yourself is to buy the Garrett 5x8 DD coil for it, the ATP becomes a completely different machine with this little gem on the end of it, so much easier to differentiate sounds, way less chatter and far more accurate than the 8.5x11 stock coil. I never would have believed it but so many guys were adamant, experienced guys that say they would never run another coil on the machine again so I ordered one and holy crap! It's like night and day. It's been said before and not by me but it's true, its the coil they should ship with.

Good luck bud - Pete

 

[Jarl]

Do some bench testing with it...not on the ground either. That will maybe tell you if something is faulty with the coil or circuitry...because if it goes bonkers by just passing a single coin in front of it...rather than just sounding off a solid and consistent 'coin' tone, something might be wrong with it. But don't fear, just do some air testing with it using a wide variety of metal objects around your home. The ground you are swinging over might just be severely trashy. Sometimes, if there is a newer coin spill, say one that is on or very shallow to the surface...the machine will go all over...tones and ID#'s.

'tcornel's' suggestions are good too, certainly back off the sensitivity...change positions in the yard to see if anything changes with the machines operation...again, you may have a really trash infested area.

I use pro zero mode...I don't care for the dingy bell tones in standard mode. Anyway, you must must must bench test everything, coins, nails, pull tabs, bottle caps etc...to really know what what the machine is telling you.

 

[Jarl]

There are a host of other things too: Are your shoes or boots steel toed? Change them to non steel toe if they are. Do you have a protective cover on the coil bottom? If so, take it off and make sure nothing metal is stuck in it. Is your cord coming from the coil sloppy or secured to the detector shaft? If the cord is flopping at all..even a little...this can cause a lot of false signals. Tape or velcro strap that thing down.

 

[MichiganMan]

A concentration of utilities could possibly make your detector go berserk.. It did mine here in town. I have not played with it or tried to adjust it yet so I do not know a solution to this problem. Maybe try ground balancing... switching channels....(?)

 

[Diggin-N-Dumps]

I had those same issues when i got my ATP...enough to were i put it back in the car and pulled out the ACE, because that machine i DID understand.

But after some time, i started to understand what it was telling me....I can say first off...Standard Mode is Garbage....You have to use PRO mode.

Just give it a little time, and you will start seeing what its telling you.

Best of Luck!

 

[Metal Detecting Stuff]

Use Pro mode, iron discrimination 36-40. Coins mode is Ok, but will miss small gold. Dig only repeatable signals until you get to know the machine in trashy areas. If the numbers jump more than 1-2 numbers, save those targets for when you get some experience under your belt.

Wayne

www.metaldetectingstuff.com

 

[hamiddetecting]

Welcome aboard