Why not the AT Pro?

[ohiodigger1950]

I used a metal detector many years ago and never got very good at as I really didn't have the time with work/raising kids/sports, etc. Now that I'm retired I'd like to get back into it but the number of models combined with the technology is overwhelming. I talked to Wayne at Metal Detecting Stuff and got some good suggestions/information, one of which is the Garrett AT Pro that seems to be very popular and it's in an acceptable price range. I've also read up on the Fishers (F5 and F75) as well as the Minelab X-Terra 705. I live in Central Ohio and want to search for coins and jewelry mostly on land in places that have probably gone over many times in the past. I'm also calling myself a beginner and want something easy to learn on that won't totally frustrate me but that can also get fairly deep. I'd like some feedback on why you would or WOULDN'T buy one of the models listed above. Looking forward to any feedback (I realize these questions have been asked a zillion times). Thanks, Steve

 

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[Terry Soloman]

Get the best machine you can easily afford, an grow into it instead of out of it. All the machines you mention are good, and of the ones on your list I would choose the Fisher F75. Good luck!

 

[markincypress]

I have both the AT Pro and F75 (among others) and ironically enough buy my machines from Wayne at Metal Detecting Stuff (small world huh?). Here are my observations on the AT Pro and F75. The AT Pro is a very easy machine to operate and easy to learn. It is water-proof to 10 feet, I know you are not water hunting with it but at least if it starts to rain you can keep on hunting. It is a good general use machine. The F75 has a much bigger display and is VERY VERY sensitive so much so that sometimes EMI (electrical interference) will force you to turn the sensitivity down (not much of a problem and can be dealt with but just be aware of it). Another nice feature with the F75 is the ability to have nickels sound with a high tone (4H mode) the F75 also has more audio options over the AT Pro. Remember VDI numbers are just the detectors best guess, you hunt listening to the audio. Kind of like you don't drive a car staring at the dashboard. In my opinion the F75 has more bells and whistles over the AT Pro and hence is more expensive. Which one should you get? That depends on your budget and how much time and effort you are willing to put in to learning your machine. If you want one that is more "turn and go" get the AT Pro. You will spend more time learning the F75 and all of its features. But it is probably better capable to get "deep targets". Wayne with Metal Detecting Stuff will help you decide what may be best suited toward your needs and budget. He is an experienced detectorist and great guy!!

 

[ohiodigger1950]

Thanks....."best I can easily afford" is my quandary. I'd like to stay under $700 and several of these fall in that category as well as a number of other models. I was hoping someone could point out shortfalls of the similarly priced 705, AT Pro and F5 and if models such as the F75 are worth the extra money for a beginner. I'm leaning towards the AT Pro, maybe with the 5x8 DD coil but have read some negative stuff but that's probable true of any models due to owner loyalty.

 

[ohiodigger1950]

Markincypress....do you know anything about the F5 (closer in price to the AT Pro)? This is really the range I'd like to stick to.....

 

[Rawhide]

Nothing wrong with any of those machines. I own a F75 and it is one noisy beast. I like running it noisy but some just cant get used to that. Mark is correct about it not being all that easy to learn. But it has options, you may want those options later. One of those options is Threshold. This is changing the sound to comfort of your ear. Everyone hears sound at different levels, this will allow you to get to deeper targets. I disagree about the VDI as I like what it tells me, and save me from digging stuff I dont want to. Yes I miss targets, but I find plenty and dig deeper than I want. The F75 is also quick and will show all the targets in a hole, not just the best signal. Lets talk about discrimination. I was detecting a area full of iron ore rocks. They were so black and you could even see the rust on them. My other detectors would not work there. Another thing, one of the test in the manual for the F75 is to raise the coil in the air and point to power source to see if it interference is gone. The machine is just too sensitive in town, but can be toned down. Now I would buy the AT-Pro because it is water proof. I wish the AT-Pro had been my first machine. But I will have a really hard time ever putting down my F75. What ever you choose, and please dont let me choose for you, just learn that machine. Any of those machines would be great machines. I do believe the Minelab has a lifetime warranty, that would be my deciding factor. Ask your sales rep.

 

[Metal Detecting Stuff]

I used the X-terra 50 (predecessor to the X505) then moved up to the X-terra 705 for a few years. It's a good machine with a three year warranty, and allows you to change frequencies by buying different frequency coils. It was a deep machine.

After that, I bought the At Pro and F75. As others have said, the F75 is extremely sensitive and can be susceptible to EMI. I compare it to a Ferrari, a car with immense power that can be hard to control if you floor it (running sensitivity to high).
It's a very deep machine, and I use it and my CTX3030 for relic sites.

Markincypress runs mostly his CTX3030 and his At Pro with 5x8 coil on homesite hunts. He digs silver almost every time he goes out these days, he is deadly with his machines.

Last comment- my brother (Dimeman) has been detecting for 40 + years and has used many different machines. He is strictly a coin shooter, and his current favorite machines are the F5 and the At Pro. He is a very meticulous hunter that grids his hunt area, and finds silver where others don't.

All your choices are good detectors. Some of us have several - a different tool from the toolbox for Each situation.

Wayne

Www.Metaldetectingstuff.com