Bev said:
The question I'm having is how much time would I spend as a middle of the road detectorist before I realized it was my machine and not me?
I have been borrowing an At Pro. I like it for the most part though it doesnt pinpoint very well at all to the point where I dont use it. It's a crap shoot when attempting to ground balance and it hates when the sand goes from dry to wet.
The serial number I'm hearing is something to consider when purchasing used. This one Im using starts with #50 which seems to be the earlier batch with the issues. I met up with another detectorist that has one that's in the #50 lot also and he was having difficulties too.
One friend has the new model and scores left and right with it. He fooled with mine and said it was having issues and told me about the serial number coinciding with the faulty ones.
Since I've been thinking of buying I said to him, "Hey, say I take your At Pro and throw it off a cliff. What would you buy to replace it?" Without a thought he said another At Pro. Not only for the machine, price and capabilities but for the Garrett customer service.
Any thoughts?
Bev... I really don't know how to answer your original question other than to say if you are not confident with your detector, then you probably won't make the finds you desire. You've also got to get in the right spot, work slow... patience and persistance pays off...
The AT-Pro has a two year warranty, and has been out for less than a year. They were released around the end of October of 2010. If the one you are using is having some issues, it needs to be sent in for the warranty work. The serial number should be #505 or less. The upgrade that Garrett is offering is $40, you get a new shaft, a complete detector check and a new 2 year full warranty from the time of the upgrade. With the issues some have had, including complete failure in the water, I feel its a "no brainer" to get this done. I've got a #504 unit and fortunately for me, mine has worked fine, but I'll be sending it in within a week or so for the upgrade, check and warranty extension.
I honestly think a lot of folks think the same way as your friend, the AT-Pro when it works is hard to beat for the money, but the big thing it has going for it is Garrett's customer service. Example: I broke the coil mounting bolt on mine by being a bit heavy handed, twisted it into. I went home, called Garrett and expained that I broke it and that it was my fault. I offered to pay the $6 or so that they sell for, but was told no, they would send me a new mounting bolt kit. In three days I received a package from Garrett with 2 complete bolt kits. They could have easily charged me for the kit + shipping, but they didn't.
As I mentioned on another forum when somebody said they would wait for all the kinks to be worked out of any future Garrett detectors (refering to Garrett's new Fall detector introduction teaser), I said I wouldn't hesitate to buy whatever is in the bag, because if there is an issue with the detector, I know that Garrett will stand behind it and make it right.
. i had the usual problems,but garrett took care of it quick andd i love it, have'nt tried it out in the water yet, but ive found some cool stuff and loads of clad, in fact i think if i went out more it could pay its self off in the first year. its like a coin magnet, have'nt really got to hunt any farms or stuff like that just parks and totlots for the most part, i will keep it and use it as long as i can. my other detector just sits in storage now, but if i ever need it ill use it. AT PRO rocks.
