Just made the transition!!!

collectorchris · Dec 9, 2016

Hello all,

I have been metal detecting for about a year now and started out with a Bounty Hunter Lone Star. I knew this was an entry level detector when I purchased it, but quickly felt like I outgrew the ability of it and became frustrated. Well, I had been dropping subtle hints to my wife about wanting a new detector and she agreed after I persistently complained :dontknow:

about the BH. I was reviewing several different one, the Garret ATP, White's MX Sport SE, and one other, I cannot recall. I live near rivers and streams so I wanted a water proof detector. After agonizing research, video reviews, and hours on Youtube, I decided on the ATP which is what I initially wanted in the first place. I did get the Fall bundle special from Big Boys Hobbies and opted for the optional water proof headphones. (They are great)

I already have the lesche, carrot, and scoops to accompany the new machine.

So now I join the ranks of the ATP owners, I am thinking I made the right call, and I look forward to picking your brains, learning this new MD, and sharing what I hope to be great finds!

I am ready the manuals now, and going to get it in the yard this afternoon, are there any initial tips or recommendation any of you may have for a new Garrett user?

Also, just thought I should mention, I am in Cleveland, Tennessee if there is anybody nearby. I would like to meet other folks that enjoy this that I may be able to tag along with on some hunts, cheers!

vpnavy · Dec 9, 2016

collectorchris said:
...I am in Cleveland, Tennessee if there is anybody nearby. I would like to meet other folks that enjoy this that I may be able to tag along with on some hunts...

If you haven't already - take a look at Sub-Forums: Tennessee for information (i.e., clubs, etc.) directly related to your state.

digger460 · Dec 9, 2016

Congrats on your ATP!

Like many will say, pay attention to the sounds. There's alot of information coming from them, and the quicker your able to decipher them the better.

Add the 5 x 8 coil to your arsenal. You may not take it off. Especially good in trashy area's. And swing her slow. And when you think your slow enough, slow down some more.

Be careful with the volume :laughing7:

. You'll get a happy sound when your target is in the 80's, and it will get your attention, so maybe throw a silver on the ground, where there are some iron signals, just to get an idea of how loud the 80's are. Just don't turn it up all the way.

Good Luck!

Calabash Digger · Dec 9, 2016

your gonna love it! a solid performer tried and tested..

drenalin11 · Dec 9, 2016

I'm just a few days ahead of you so I can't recommend much but personally I want to learn the sounds so I'm doing my best to stay in Pro/Zero/Iron Descrim 35 and iron audio off until I get a target that sounds strange then cut iron audio on to see what I can hear. These are settings I found on several different sites but the iron descrim differed anywhere from straight up 0 all the way to 40 with the majority around 33-35. Now I will get tired of digging trash and swap over to a Standard setting just to get a little break from hearing everything but will swap back as much as I can. There are also several Garrett made videos about the AT Pro on YouTube that I keep watching over and over too.

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enamel7 · Dec 9, 2016

You'll absolutely love it. When I saw the title of this post I was thinking something else, just didn't know what that had to do with detectors! Lol!!!

drenalin11 · Dec 9, 2016

Hahahahaha

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Calabash Digger · Dec 9, 2016

You do know running that discrim that high can knock out good targets that are masked ? There are two camps here Im the camp that says cut the iron discrim off and let your brain do the work and lrearn the tones that way. thats just me some cant handle it.

Rogue Relic Hunter · Dec 9, 2016

congrats on the AT Pro. I still kept mine after I got the XP Deus. I use it from time to time. Great machine. Congrats!

Rogue Relic Hunter · Dec 9, 2016

calabash digger said:
You do know running that discrim that high can knock out good targets that are masked ? There are two camps here Im the camp that says cut the iron discrim off and let your brain do the work and lrearn the tones that way. thats just me some cant handle it.

I am in this camp also. hear it all. let the ground talk to you! relic hunters are not coin shooters or seed hunters. we need hear it ALL. :notworthy:

drenalin11 · Dec 9, 2016

I completely agree and that is where I plan on ending up... but being a beginner and searching my yard only I was getting so many signals and digging so much trash that I needed something to keep me going and so I put the iron descrim at 35... It's a lot to take in being a beginner, not knowing what the sounds are trying to tell you and digging a crap load of crap... I'll eventually dig it all... but baby steps

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Rogue Relic Hunter · Dec 9, 2016

a great way to learn any detector is to bury some targets, even put trash around some or near some, etc. calabash has many videos made from what he calls his "test garden." when i received my XP Deus, i buried some targets in the backyard and this really helped me learn the detector. have a long way to go with the Deus, but it gave me a great start. go Pro Mode on the AT Pro, that is my advice.

Calabash Digger · Dec 9, 2016

even if you dont make a test garden get some coins penny dime quarter etc amd listen to them. You could order some silver coins merc dime etc of ebay wore out ones which are cheap a few dollars and listen to them too.

Cletus · Dec 10, 2016

Great machine. All kinds upgrades available.
pay more attention to the tones than the VDI. A lot of the deep targets with good tones will not show a VDI.
Dig everything until you learn your machine. it is a labor of love lol

collectorchris · Dec 10, 2016

Thank you for all the suggestions and warm welcome to the Garrett club. If it warms up some today, I hope to get out to a buddies farm and get some time in on learning it. I will post my thoughts and some finds as I get used to this machine.

boxxxer · Dec 10, 2016

congrats on your at,
practice, practice, and then hunt some more. even after hitting it for a year you will still be learning. and by the way add a nel storm coil...a killer. and after that just dig it all.

Professor of Engineering · Dec 10, 2016

When learning the AT Pro (or any detector); in the beginning dig all targets until you understand the audio. Use the audio first then look at the numbers as a check, but beware the numbers tend to lie with depth and depth readings lie with target size.

GL & HH