Its gonna be the AT-PRO for sure!

[WHADIFIND]

It's gonna be the AT-PRO for sure!

That's what I said out loud today, when this HUGE silver colored disc first showed itself in the hole, on edge. LOL

I borrowed my friend's AT-PRO again today and although it seemed to be on a pretty good coin shooting binge, I noticed something. ALL of the clad was coming from depths down to 7 inches. I'm totally convinced that this place, even though hunted, absolutely has to have silver or at the VERY least Wheat cents. But, none were showing.

The AT-PRO auto-ground tuned to about 85. Is that typical mineralization or am I just lucky?

Anyway, I tried an experiment. I took my sample silver quarter out and cleared a hole of any targets. Then I placed the quarter, flat at the bottom at about 7 inches. I left the hole open and checked. The detector could "see" it fine. BUT, I moved the coin down to about 8 inches and it disappeared from the detector. Could not get a signal at all.

Now, I know that a coin freshly laid in an open hole is not the best test. A coin that has sunken naturally, leaves an oxidation trail that can help a detector to find. But, my theory is that the AT-PRO with the standard DD coil can not punch deeper than 7 inches in this soil. Which, all in all isn't that bad. But, of course, I want more.

My question to any AT-PRO experts is whether another coil would help? I'm thinking this site probably has better coins, they're just a bit out of range.

Any thoughts would be helpful. Anyone know how long it takes a coin to sink? The answer - no. Still any thoughts would be welcomed.

I'm still thinking the AT-PRO is my next machine, but since I have to deal with high mineralization, I'd like to know if maybe a larger coil or concentric might help get a bit more depth.

Here are my finds from the day, including the HUGE silver thing.

Thanks for peeking.

HH!

 

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[cahil_2]

I have an AT Pro and an e-trac and the AT does not even compare to the etrac. Spend the extra money and get an etrac. My AT works well in the water and that is the only reason I kept it. I went into a yard two nights ago that I had done with a Whites M6 and my AT and found no silver. Found a silver washington, and a merc that I missed with both other detectors. Also found a dollar coin that was missed by the others. I also have a coin garden in my back yard with a sample of silver and copper coins. I have an Indian head at about 5 inches and a silver washington at about 6 inches and the AT will not hit on the Indian head and just barely squeak on the silver quarter, while it does good on the others, they are only between 3 and 4 inches deep. My AT ground balances at around 81 around here in west michigan. Maybe I just have a junk AT. You can take that info for what it is worth. Good luck on your decision.

 

[WHADIFIND]

I have an Indian head at about 5 inches and a silver washington at about 6 inches and the AT will not hit on the Indian head and just barely squeak on the silver quarter, while it does good on the others, they are only between 3 and 4 inches deep. My AT ground balances at around 81 around here in west michigan. Maybe I just have a junk AT. You can take that info for what it is worth. Good luck on your decision.

All very good info, Thanks!

It sort of points up my dilemma though. The one I used would indeed hit a coin at 7 inches, (clad or silver), AND it did this in ground that is apparently more mineralized than yours. 81 as opposed to 85. (I know, they're just numbers. )

The thing I like about the AT-PRO is it's flexibility. I cannot afford to have a cupboard full of detectors to use for different conditions. LOL So, I need to upgrade to something, so far the AT seems to fit most of the "bills".

What I'm unsure of is if it might be worth it to get a larger coil. It comes with the DD, but, I'm thinking that maybe the concentric coil might be better over all for my conditions.

What coil are you using? Have you tried pinpointing over the targets it won't hit to see if it sees them that way? I assume you're using the PRO mode?

Thanks again for the feedback. Etrac isn't eliminated from my thoughts, just haven't tried one and I have had pretty good luck with Garrett. After all, 30 plus years and the Groundhog still works! LOL

HH!

 

[HomeGuardDan]

I have an AT Pro and an e-trac and the AT does not even compare to the etrac. Spend the extra money and get an etrac. My AT works well in the water and that is the only reason I kept it. I went into a yard two nights ago that I had done with a Whites M6 and my AT and found no silver. Found a silver washington, and a merc that I missed with both other detectors. Also found a dollar coin that was missed by the others. I also have a coin garden in my back yard with a sample of silver and copper coins. I have an Indian head at about 5 inches and a silver washington at about 6 inches and the AT will not hit on the Indian head and just barely squeak on the silver quarter, while it does good on the others, they are only between 3 and 4 inches deep. My AT ground balances at around 81 around here in west michigan. Maybe I just have a junk AT. You can take that info for what it is worth. Good luck on your decision.

I have hunted with a fella using an Etrac. The settup I use the AT pro (would not recommend for in a house site or heavy trashy areas) has kept up in depth with the Etrac and First TX products. (would average 10"+ on flat buttons, 12" on large cents, 12"+ on bullets). You just have to ignore the meter at times and look for trends. That being said, it is still not as deep as my old relic machine and I will probably move on to a T2 this year. if only the AT pro had a solid threshold that could be adjusted, I think the machine would be the ticket...without the threshold you lose depth IMHO.

However, I would put the Pro at the top shelf with other top shelf relic machines.

For wondering:
I actually GB at 95+ and deal with it being a little chirpy, max the sensativity out, run the Discrim at 20-25 and what I found was that the majority of the softer tones reading in the high 20's-low 30's were deep buttons, coins, etc. Once I figured that out, my depth went from a confident 8" to where they are now. Run it in all metal.

Dan

 

[gordonquixote]

To get more depth, lower the discrimination. I run my MXT Pro at 1.5 disc (out of 10). The added metals make more noise, but it still chirps just fine on coins/jewelery.

 

[WHADIFIND]

if only the AT pro had a solid threshold that could be adjusted, I think the machine would be the ticket...without the threshold you lose depth IMHO.
Dan

Thanks for the feedback!

I understand the missing solid threshold all too well. You see, my Groundhog doesn't even have a meter anymore. I do it all by ear. I also hunted in all metal mode and occasionally flip to TR mode to discriminate. In highly mineralized ground that doesn't work very well. But, I have noticed the softer/harder hitting sounds and have gotten pretty good at identifying.

The solid threshold is something I do miss in the AT-PRO but the electronics do seem to be compensating fairly well. (A good thing! My hearing is not what it once had been.)

Are you using the DD coil or the larger one? Do you know if it makes much difference in mineralized ground?

Thanks again!

HH!

 

[HomeGuardDan]

Use the DD coil that it came with. I have run the discrim as low as 15 on it, but honestly anything between 15-low 20's does not make a difference. At 20-23 you still mis most nails and small iron, but you begin to hear the deeper items. What I found was that through testing, a button or coin will get as low as high 20's-low 30's and then will just not read. Even with no discrim, therefore that is the max depth/detection.

Goodluck. I switched to the AT Pro after 20 years of using the same machine due to the raw depth I had with it (Whites Blue & Gray). I was switching to the T2, when I tried the Pro for water hunting. I figured I would give it a whirl on land and was happy enough that I hunted with it all last year. I did quite well with it and was not too worried about missing many targets. However, I still crave for a threshold when land hunting.

Dan

 

[WHADIFIND]

That's another reason why I'm thinking to go with the AT-PRO. I have hunted in the water with the Groundhog (using a 10 inch coil no less! ) I intend to do some more water hunting in the future and the AT seems like a good machine for that too.

I'd like to hear from someone on what differences they've found in using the DD coil as opposed to the large concentric coil.

In any case, thanks for the feedback, it helps!

HH!

Maybe we'll meet up one day.

 

[cahil_2]

I use the standard coil on my AT. There is a video on u-tube that is a comparison of the AT and the etrac. You should watch it, it may help you make up your mind. Also, since the ctx 3030 came out, there are plenty of etrac's on ebay for a little more than you would pay for an AT.

 

[WHADIFIND]

I use the standard coil on my AT. There is a video on u-tube that is a comparison of the AT and the etrac. You should watch it, it may help you make up your mind. Also, since the ctx 3030 came out, there are plenty of etrac's on ebay for a little more than you would pay for an AT.

Oh I've been doing my research as well. I've been gathering info from all sources ever since I got back into the game. As much as I like a bargain, I won't be buying my next detector from "EPAY" or any other site. U-Tube has a LOT of info on it.....too much. Makes it difficult at best to determine who's posting with an agenda and who's trying to help.

From everything I've seen/heard so far, the AT-PRO is winning. But, remember, I'm a fan of Garretts and have been for a very long time. I didn't buy a White's detector back 30 years ago for one reason, I didn't like the tone of their machine. It hurt my ears. LOL. The tones Garret uses are simply easier on me.

I want to find a good overall detector, (my last - probably). So, I'm going for the best I can get THAT fits in my budget/desires/functionality. It needs to be brand new. The rest, I'll just have to trust in my knack for turning up stuff. (Which, I've been told, is considerable. )

I'd still like to know though, if there's much purpose to having the larger coil.

My Groundhog came with something like a six inch coil. I opted for the 10 incher. Once I tried it, it has never been off the machine. For ALL the types of hunting I did. Worked well for me.

I appreciate all the help and hope all your hunts are pleasurable.

HH!

 

[Beans11]

At pro may be winning when it comes to water or relic hunting but minelab etrac/explorer is winning when it comes to coin hunting. Just my opinion, no offense

 

[tparker805]

At pro may be winning when it comes to water or relic hunting but minelab etrac/explorer is winning when it comes to coin hunting. Just my opinion, no offense

how differnt is exploror to a 705??

 

[U.K. Brian]

If you have mineralisation problems then a concentric or a larger coil will only make things worse. One other thing a coin doesn't leave a trail as it sinks deeper and though a coin in the bottom of an open hole doesn't provide a true test of depth on mineralised ground it can happen that the hole will provide the signal not the item you place in it as the soil matrix is disturbed.
I think in the conditions at this site you would be better going for a deeper seeking detector that can deal with higher levels of mineralisation.

 

[WHADIFIND]

If you have mineralisation problems then a concentric or a larger coil will only make things worse. One other thing a coin doesn't leave a trail as it sinks deeper and though a coin in the bottom of an open hole doesn't provide a true test of depth on mineralised ground it can happen that the hole will provide the signal not the item you place in it as the soil matrix is disturbed.
I think in the conditions at this site you would be better going for a deeper seeking detector that can deal with higher levels of mineralisation.

Oh, but I must beg to differ. A coin will indeed leave an oxidation trail as it leaches out into the soil. One can see this when digging down to a coin. Notice how the soil gets a bit darker and more flaky in consistency. It can tend to make the target be a bit bigger to the detector. that's why a coin can be found at unusually deep depths sometimes.

The open hole can indeed add a wrinkle to the test, I allowed for that, but, noticed that all conditions being the same, except the coin was sunk another inch, showed me a limit. In the particular ground and hole I was testing, the detector could pick up a silver quarter at 6-7 inches, but disappeared at 8!

My take on the concentric coils being more of a problem in mineralized ground was that I agree with you. I think that the DD does it's job fine. I just found a limit. ALL detectors have them.

Although the AT-PRO has it's drawbacks, I'm still pretty convinced that it will fill enough of my needs to satisfy. After all, once I truly learn the machine, I'll be able to find well enough. The grounds, conditions will be always changing. If I have a detector that is strong enough and consistent enough, I'm confident that I'll turn my fair share.

I am curious about if anyone has actually tried the larger coils, but, I believe I've gathered enough info over the many years to have a pretty good idea what's going to work. For me. That's all anyone can ask.

Thanks for your input! It has been helpful!

HH!

 

[WHADIFIND]

At pro may be winning when it comes to water or relic hunting but minelab etrac/explorer is winning when it comes to coin hunting. Just my opinion, no offense

None taken. But, you may have missed my point. The "winning" the AT-PRO is doing is winning "ME" over. I have compared the 2 machines side by side as an OVERALL machine, (you see, I can't afford a golf bag full of detectors so I can just pull out a 1 wood for the deep ones. )

I will be doing relic as well as water as well as coin hunting with it and the AT-PRO simply offers a broader spectrum of services with a "strong enough" platform for "ME". So, again, sorry but the AT-PRO is still winning, "me".

Thanks for your input!

HH!

 

[cahil_2]

well I'm getting ready to take my at pro to the beach right now. I sincerely hope you are happy with your new at. Garrett offers a package called the at pro sport where you get two coils plus a book and a hat etc. That is what I have. Let us know when you get it. The only problem I have with my AT at the beach is that it homes in on Bikini's instead of jewelry. lol. Mark