Need advice on the AT Pro

[Johncoho]

I just purchased an AT Pro a month ago and am gradually getting used to it. I used a Whites XLT for 14 years with good success so the AT pro is a little different. The question I have is what are good settings to use when in fresh water? I have tried the factory settings for Pro Coin mode, but I am getting a lot of false signals when in shallow water when it bumps the bottom or bumps rocks or goes in and out of the water. I have used the XLT with no problems in shallow water, but can't seem to get the Pro to perform as well in fresh water. When on land I use Pro Mode, Zero and put around 25 to 27 in for iron discrimination. Those work well when not in the water. Any help would be appreciated.

 

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[s.c.shooter]

Pro zero and the 5x8 coil would be a great addition. Good luck!

 

[Dr. Witty]

I had the same issue, and I couldn't figure it out and it drove me nuts, but all you do is reduce the sensitivity until it stops chattering don't worry that it's below what you would normally use on land. I agree that the 5x8 is a great coil but in the water you wont really need it since it's not as trashy as many on land areas. It will however reduce drag in the water as well as arm fatigue. Good luck.

 

[jerryp49]

Johncoho,
Have you tried doing a Very good ground balance in the water? Also try running the sensitivity down a bit.

The 5x8 coil is good advise when having to work in tight areas or very trashy bottom.

When using my AT Pro in saltwater, I use the Pro/Custom mode.

HTH,
Jerry

 

[OldJerseyGirl]

I don't hunt in water, but, my AT Pro gives a high short beep when I hit a twig and even a blade of grass. It is a short high beep and I have learned to just ignore it. Still drives me nuts sometimes. If I go back over the spot usually there is no real signal. I hunt in Pro coin. Cannot take the chatter in Pro Zero.

 

[Johncoho]

I will try that and I may look into the 5x8 coil as well. Thank you.

Johncoho,
Have you tried doing a Very good ground balance in the water? Also try running the sensitivity down a bit.

The 5x8 coil is good advise when having to work in tight areas or very trashy bottom.

When using my AT Pro in saltwater, I use the Pro/Custom mode.

HTH,
Jerry

 

[gleaner1]

I dont think your problems are because of settings. I run pro, zero scrim, zero iron, max sense a lot. Atpro is a very stable machine. It sounds like you have a bad coil. I can bang my coil all around a creek bed or in the woods and I cant remember a time my pro has falsed from mild banging on stuff. Even at max sense. Double check gb, and double check that you dont have a mess of hot rocks in the area. Make sure the connection are good and tight.

 

[PAScott]

I would suggest ground balancing and reducing sensitivity. There is one area of the lake I hunt that chatters constantly. Reducing the sensitivity helps but wont stop all the chatter. If you can stand the noise though you can still pick out some targets. Found a tungsten wedding band in this small chattery area. Not gold but it could have been.

Good luck! It definitely takes some getting used to.

 

[RustyGold]

When I put the 6" coil on my AT Pro I never took it off. It balanced the detector and there was less fatigue after a day swinging it. Also gets around the trash far better than a larger coil.
There is a good video on YouTube where a guy is using his at pro in the water and where he reduces the sensitivity!
Best of luck out there!

 

[Johncoho]

Thank you. from what everyone has said, reducing sensitivity and good ground balancing in the water should work.

I would suggest ground balancing and reducing sensitivity. There is one area of the lake I hunt that chatters constantly. Reducing the sensitivity helps but wont stop all the chatter. If you can stand the noise though you can still pick out some targets. Found a tungsten wedding band in this small chattery area. Not gold but it could have been.

Good luck! It definitely takes some getting used to.

 

[Johncoho]

Thank you for the advice.

When I put the 6" coil on my AT Pro I never took it off. It balanced the detector and there was less fatigue after a day swinging it. Also gets around the trash far better than a larger coil.
There is a good video on YouTube where a guy is using his at pro in the water and where he reduces the sensitivity!
Best of luck out there!

 

[gleaner1]

John, just to be sure, lightly bang the coil against the sole of your shoe on good clean turf. It should not false. Even at max sense.

 

[flgliderpilot]

My coil will false if I bang it hard... I would hunt pro zero and learn the sounds of trash. It's noisy but once you learn the language you can discriminate well... one tip, if you get a good high tone sweep with the front tip of the coil.. if you get a low iron hit, move on!

 

[against the wind]

John,
I have recovered numerous coins and other metal objects from fresh water. I use the Pro / Zero setting and leave my ground balance at 84. My sensitivity is set, 2 bars down.
I recovered and returned two women's 14kt gold wedding bands at a 65 VDI reading. I also recovered and returned a man's chunky 14kt gold wedding band that came in at 63.
The one thing that everyone who wants to use the AT PRO in water has to remember to do, is waterproof the 3 connection / ports. Apply a thin coat of silicone grease to the headphones and coil "o" rings. Also coat the battery compartment cover "o" ring. You can pick up a small tin of silicone grease at any dive shop.

 

[Johncoho]

It doesn't false on land, just in the water.

John, just to be sure, lightly bang the coil against the sole of your shoe on good clean turf. It should not false. Even at max sense.

 

[Johncoho]

Thank you for the info. I will give your advice a try. Happy New Year my friend.

John,
I have recovered numerous coins and other metal objects from fresh water. I use the Pro / Zero setting and leave my ground balance at 84. My sensitivity is set, 2 bars down.
I recovered and returned two women's 14kt gold wedding bands at a 65 VDI reading. I also recovered and returned a man's chunky 14kt gold wedding band that came in at 63.
The one thing that everyone who wants to use the AT PRO in water has to remember to do, is waterproof the 3 connection / ports. Apply a thin coat of silicone grease to the headphones and coil "o" rings. Also coat the battery compartment cover "o" ring. You can pick up a small tin of silicone grease at any dive shop.

 

[flgliderpilot]

You will get some "chatter" in the water... this is why you need to use pro mode. You can sometimes notch out the bar with the most chatter.

 

[toddbbq]

Small bits of rusty Iron will also cause a lot of falseing. I dont know why but that is what I have seen with my AT Pro at the beach.

 

[Johncoho]

Just a follow up on your advice. I used your settings and it worked much better in the water Thank you.

John,
I have recovered numerous coins and other metal objects from fresh water. I use the Pro / Zero setting and leave my ground balance at 84. My sensitivity is set, 2 bars down.
I recovered and returned two women's 14kt gold wedding bands at a 65 VDI reading. I also recovered and returned a man's chunky 14kt gold wedding band that came in at 63.
The one thing that everyone who wants to use the AT PRO in water has to remember to do, is waterproof the 3 connection / ports. Apply a thin coat of silicone grease to the headphones and coil "o" rings. Also coat the battery compartment cover "o" ring. You can pick up a small tin of silicone grease at any dive shop.