The Garrett AT Pro metal detector is an innovative, versatile, and powerful tool for hobbyists and treasure hunters. It is a top-notch, all-terrain detector that can be used in wet and dry environments and is adept at locating coins, relics, and jewelry.
With its high-performance features, the Garrett AT Pro metal detector is perfect for amateurs and professionals. This comprehensive guide will help you get the most out of your Garrett AT Pro metal detector to make the most of your treasure-hunting adventures.
From setting up the detector to recognizing different types of signals and understanding the operation of the machine, you’ll find all the information you need to be an effective and successful metal detector user. So, let’s get started and explore the amazing world of metal detecting with the Garrett AT Pro!
Setting Up the Garrett AT Pro Metal Detector
The first step in using the Garrett AT Pro metal detector is setting it up. You’ll want to follow a few simple steps to ensure the machine is in good working order and set up to meet your requirements. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
– Pick the Right Location – First, you’ll want to pick out a great location to detect metal. Find an area with a good amount of land and plenty of space around it. This will help you avoid disturbances from other people, animals, or machines. You can use online or paper maps to find a good location.
– Charge the Battery – The Garrett AT Pro is powered by two 9-volt alkaline batteries. You should use brand-new, fresh batteries when turning on your detector. This will ensure the best performance and longest life for your detector. When you first receive your detector, charge the batteries for at least 24 hours to charge them fully.
Understanding the Operation of the Garrett AT Pro Metal Detector
The Garrett AT Pro metal detector works by sending out a signal and then listening for changes in that signal. A pulsed audio (PA) search mode is a common operation for most modern metal detectors.
This mode is great for locating objects buried in mineralized ground, such as iron. For example, if you were searching for gold nuggets in an area with a lot of iron in the ground, the gold nuggets would not significantly change the detector’s signal to be picked up.
This is because gold is a very soft metal, so it will not produce a strong enough signal to be picked up by a metal detector. However, iron is a much harder metal so it will create a much stronger signal. When the Garrett AT Pro metal detector is in this mode, an audio tone will sound that gradually increases in frequency as you get closer to the target.
Tips and Techniques for Using the Garrett AT Pro Metal Detector
Here are a few helpful tips and techniques for using the Garrett AT Pro metal detector.
– Try Using Different Discrimination Modes – You may want to try adjusting the discrimination mode to suit your search. There are three main discrimination modes on the Garrett AT Pro: iron audio, iron visual, and non-iron audio.
Iron audio mode will silence the audio tone when you pass over iron objects, the iron visual mode will display iron objects on the screen, and the non-iron audio mode will sound an audio tone when you pass over non-iron objects. Each mode has advantages and can help you find certain items more effectively.
– Use Natural PA – If you’re having trouble picking up the faint signals of small, deep targets, you can use natural PA. Natural PA will turn your detector’s volume down, so you won’t be able to hear the faint audio tone produced when you pass over a target.
Then, you can slowly turn up the volume as you get closer to the target until the faint audio tone becomes louder. Natural PA mode is especially useful for older people and young people who have less hearing ability.
Recognizing Different Types of Signals
As you start to use your Garrett AT Pro metal detector, you’ll notice that it produces different audio tones and visual signals depending on what it has detected. Here are a few types of signals you may come across while using your detector:
– Strong Audio Tone – A strong audio tone means the detector has found a large target, such as gold, silver, or a large coin. The audio tone will be a steady sound that doesn’t change in frequency.
– Weak Audio Tone – A weak audio tone means that the detector has found a target smaller than a piece of gold or silver. A weak audio tone indicates that you have found a nickel, dime, penny, or another coin.
– Solid Signal Bar – A solid signal bar means your detector has found a ferrous (iron) object. You may also see a box on your screen if you are using the iron audio or visual discrimination mode.
– Flashing Signal Bar – A flashing signal bar means your detector has found a non-ferrous (non-iron) object. You may also see a box on your screen if you are using the iron audio or visual discrimination mode.
Learning How to Interpret the Signals
As you become more familiar with using the Garrett AT Pro metal detector, you’ll discover that certain signals are associated with specific types of metals. Here are a few examples.
– A strong signal with a steady audio tone indicates that the detector has found a large piece of gold or a silver coin.
– A weak audio tone with a solid signal bar indicates that the detector has found a silver coin.
– A weak audio tone with a flashing signal bar indicates that the detector has found a nickel, dime, or penny.
– A solid signal bar with a weak audio tone indicates that the detector has found a piece of iron.
Understanding the Types of Metal Objects You Can Find
The Garrett AT Pro is a versatile machine that detects various metal objects, including coins, jewelry, relics, and other valuable finds. However, each type of object has its unique characteristics.
Here are a few examples of what you might find using the Garrett AT Pro metal detector.
– Coins – Coins are the most common type of find you will encounter while using your detector. It is important to note that not all coins are valuable, but it can be fun to collect them all the same. Notable coins you will likely find include pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and gold coins such as gold dollars, half-dollars, and gold sovereigns.
– Jewelry – Both gold and silver jewelry are possible finds when using the Garrett AT Pro. Examples include rings, earrings, and necklaces. – Relics – Relics are pieces of historical items buried in the ground. They can be anything from old coins, to parts of machines, to pieces of pottery, and more.
Tips for Effectively Using the Garrett AT Pro Metal Detector
Here are a few tips for effectively using the Garrett AT Pro metal detector to find the best items.
– Start out with a Few Easy Targets – When you first start with your detector, you may want to start with some easy targets. You can find plenty of great advice on what metal objects to look for and where to find them online. Once you have a feel for the machine, you can move on to more difficult targets.
– Try Using a Different Coil – When starting with your detector, you may want to use a different coil. The coil is part of the machine in contact with the ground, and it can greatly affect the type of signals produced. There are several different types of coils that you can use with your Garrett AT Pro, such as the standard 9-inch elliptical coil, the 9-inch round coil, the 12-inch round coil, and the 12-inch XL round coil.
– Avoid Mineralized Ground – If you are searching in an area with a lot of iron in the soil, such as a beach or a desert, your detector may pick up many false signals. This can make finding the items you are searching for more difficult, so you may want to avoid these areas.
