You’ll maximize the AT Pro’s capabilities by mastering its dual-audio architecture—Standard mode for simplified tonal responses and Pro mode for proportional target intelligence based on depth and conductivity. Configure your iron discrimination between 20-35 after establishing ground balance over clean soil, then cross-reference the 0-99 Digital Target ID with the Graphic Target Analyzer‘s illuminated cursor for accurate target separation. Adjust sensitivity and discrimination mapping based on your environment’s mineralization levels, whether you’re hunting beaches, inland sites, or underwater conditions. The sections below reveal environment-specific techniques that transform this detector’s advanced features into consistent finds.
Key Takeaways
- Pro Mode provides proportional audio for target analysis, while Standard Mode offers three simplified tones for casual detecting.
- Ground balance over clean soil first, then incrementally raise iron discrimination to 20-35 to silence trash without masking targets.
- Cross-reference the 0-99 Digital Target ID with the Graphic Target Analyzer cursor to improve conductivity interpretation and target identification.
- Beach hunting requires sensitivity reduction to 5-6 bars in wet sand with frequent ground balance updates and slow swings.
- Maintain waterproof integrity by rinsing after saltwater use, inspecting O-rings annually, and storing components disassembled in ventilated conditions.
Understanding the AT Pro’s Operating Modes and Search Capabilities
The AT Pro’s dual-audio architecture—Standard versus Pro mode—fundamentally alters how you process targets in the field.
Standard mode delivers three simplified tonal responses that accelerate target classification during casual hunts, while Pro mode employs proportional audio that modulates volume and tone duration based on target size, depth, and coil proximity.
Standard mode simplifies tone classification for casual detection, while Pro mode delivers proportional audio that reveals target size, depth, and proximity.
You’ll leverage six detection modes total: three Standard Mode and three Pro Mode variants, each offering Zero, Coins, or Custom discrimination patterns.
Zero mode runs true all-metal with no rejected segments, maximizing information density. Coins mode eliminates iron and select foil ranges while preserving typical currency conductivity bands. Custom mode retains your user-defined discrimination after power-off—critical for site-specific strategies.
Target ID numerics (0–99) and Audio Tones combine to profile conductivity, letting you make faster dig/no-dig decisions without visual confirmation.
The detector’s high-resolution iron discrimination ranges from 0 to 40, allowing precise rejection of ferrous targets while preserving non-ferrous signals.
To power up the unit, press the mode button located in the bottom left corner; holding it for one second powers down the detector with a confirming beep.
Configuring Iron Discrimination and Ground Balance Settings
Mastering iron discrimination and ground balance on the AT Pro requires understanding how these two critical settings interact to preserve target separation in challenging soil conditions.
You’ll achieve peak performance by first establishing correct ground balance over clean ground, then incrementally raising iron discrimination only high enough to silence known trash—typically between 20–35 depending on site conditions.
This coordinated approach prevents the compounding masking effect that occurs when aggressive iron discrimination meets improperly calibrated ground balance, especially in mineralized or relic-rich environments.
Pump the coil up and down while holding it one to two inches above the soil to allow the detector to automatically adjust and lock in the optimal ground balance setting.
Regularly test your discrimination settings by scanning known trash targets to verify your configuration effectively eliminates unwanted signals without sacrificing good target detection.
Adjusting Iron Discrimination Levels
When you dial in the AT Pro’s iron discrimination, you’re walking a tightrope between noise reduction and target loss—the 0–40 scale controls how aggressively the detector rejects low-conductive ferrous signals, with each increment silencing progressively higher iron IDs.
Effective iron rejection techniques start by scanning a known nail, noting its peak ID (typically high 20s), then setting discrimination just above that threshold. Field operators keep settings in the low-to-mid 20s for most hunts, reserving higher values only for extreme trash density. For most scenarios, discrimination level 30 provides the sweet spot where bottle caps and common iron refuse register as discriminated targets without sacrificing too many borderline signals.
Excessive discrimination introduces target masking—deep coins and relics in mineralized soil often pull down into iron range, vanishing completely at aggressive settings. Low-conductivity metals like iron and steel produce erratic signals that discrimination filters out, while high-conductivity targets such as gold and silver yield the consistent responses detectorists seek.
The winning approach is minimum necessary discrimination: enough to cut common junk without bleeding legitimate targets. Single-press adjustments allow precise tuning; press-and-hold scrolls rapidly through the scale.
Optimizing Ground Balance Performance
Ground balance serves as the AT Pro’s foundation for clean target signals—without it, mineralized soil floods the detector with false positives, masks genuine targets, and drags depth performance down by 30–50%.
Execute auto GB by pumping the coil 2–20 cm over clean ground until soil responses vanish. Advanced ground balance techniques demand audio-based manual adjustment: high-pitched downstroke signals mean your GB’s set too high; low booming indicates it’s too low.
The mineralization impact shows directly in your GB number—readings toward 90 reveal ferrous-heavy soil requiring close sweep heights, while saltwater zones perform better with slightly negative bias.
Rebalance constantly across changeover zones where soil composition shifts. In iron-contaminated patches, stable GB eliminates ghost signals at depth, letting legitimate non-ferrous targets break through the trash field with authority. Proper ground balance calibration enables the detector to respond equally to targets at any depth, preventing shallow targets from dominating while deep signals fade into noise. Setting the IRON DISC level at 35 helps discriminate unwanted signals while maintaining detection of valuable targets in mineralized ground.
Mastering Audio Features for Target Identification
Understanding the audio nuances of the Garrett AT Pro separates casual hobbyists from detectorists who can pull masked targets from iron-littered sites and interpret borderline signals with confidence.
Pro Mode delivers proportional audio interpretation—volume and sharpness scale with target strength, revealing depth, size, and shape variations that Standard Mode’s binary tones completely miss. You’ll detect deeper targets beyond visual Target ID range while achieving superior signal differentiation in trashy ground.
Tone Roll Audio exposes bottle caps and flat iron through multi-component tones that shift from mid-high to low grunting iron signatures.
Activate Iron Audio to audibilize discriminated ferrous junk, confirming whether that iffy signal is actually a coin or masked trash. This combination transforms ghost signals into readable intelligence, letting you make dig-or-pass decisions based on complete target characterization rather than guesswork.
The detector’s Fast Recovery Speed enables you to distinguish between closely spaced targets in cluttered areas where multiple signals would otherwise blend together. The included MS-2 Headphones feature high fidelity speakers with a padded headband and full-ear muffs that reduce environmental noise, allowing you to focus on subtle audio signals.
Utilizing the Digital Target ID and Graphic Target Analyzer
Every successful target recovery begins with accurate conductivity interpretation—something the AT Pro’s 0–99 Digital Target ID scale delivers with exceptional granularity.
You’ll observe how each numeric value corresponds to a specific segment on the Graphic Target Analyzer‘s upper scale, creating dual confirmation of target class. Target ID accuracy improves dramatically when you cross-reference the digital readout with the illuminated GTA cursor position against the control-face legend.
Ground mineralization and depth will challenge stable readings, so watch for numeric jumping between sweeps—it signals mixed targets or borderline conductivity.
The GTA analysis continues displaying discriminated items visually on the upper scale, enabling you to assess rejected iron without audio distraction.
Master this visual-numeric pairing and you’ll confidently separate valuable coins from pull-tabs occupying adjacent conductivity ranges, maximizing recovery efficiency in trashy environments.
Optimizing Performance in Different Hunting Environments
Your AT Pro’s performance depends critically on environment-specific configuration adjustments that address each location’s unique interference signatures.
Beach and waterside detection requires salt mineralization compensation through specialized ground balance protocols, while heavily mineralized inland soils demand multi-frequency engagement to penetrate ferrous ground matrices.
Trashy urban sites necessitate aggressive discrimination mapping and reduced sensitivity thresholds to isolate valuable targets from overwhelming iron contamination that would otherwise mask deeper signals.
Beach and Water Hunting
Beach and water hunting with the AT Pro demands environment-specific adjustments because saltwater conductivity, mineralization gradients, and submersion conditions create challenges absent in typical inland detecting.
In dry sand above the high tide line, you’ll run Pro Mode with iron discrimination around 30 and sensitivity near maximum (7–8 bars) for ideal depth on coins and jewelry.
Shifting to wet sand and surf zones requires immediate sensitivity reduction to 5–6 bars and frequent ground balance updates to counter salt effects and false signals.
Keep your coil hovering approximately one inch above wet sand rather than scrubbing to minimize chatter.
When wading or submerged to the AT Pro’s 10-foot depth limit, maintain slow, controlled swings with level coil orientation—critical for distinguishing actual targets from wave-induced interference.
Mineralized Soil Adjustments
When detecting in mineralized soil, you’re battling electromagnetic interference from the ground itself—an X-signal component that often exceeds target responses due to the sheer volume of iron oxides, magnetite, and conductive salts surrounding your coil.
The AT Pro’s automatic ground balance neutralizes these mineralization effects by tracking random signal variations across your hunting zone.
Press and hold the ground balance button while pumping your coil 2-20 centimeters above ground until audio stabilizes. For manual fine-tuning, use NOTCH DISC buttons to shift values—lower settings enhance target separation in trashy conditions, while higher settings maximize sensitivity and depth penetration.
In extreme mineralization like Australian goldfields, you’ll need aggressive adjustments beyond factory defaults. Remember: reducing sensitivity in heavy iron environments prevents false signals that compromise legitimate target identification.
Trashy Urban Site Strategies
Urban parks, schoolyards, and tot lots concentrate decades of coin spills alongside bottle caps, foil, and pull tabs—creating signal densities that overwhelm standard discrimination patterns and mask desirable targets beneath layers of junk.
Deploy Pro Zero mode for faster recovery and retain full audio detail when hunting dense urban treasure zones. Set iron discrimination between 30–35 initially, increasing to 40–44 only in extreme contamination. Equip smaller DD or 5″×8″ coils to isolate closely spaced targets.
Maintain slow, controlled sweeps with short overlapping passes around benches and sidewalks. Activate Iron Audio to identify deceptive ferrous signals and outline activity zones.
Prioritize signal stability—dig tight, repeatable Target IDs while ignoring jumpy responses. Re-scan productive patches from multiple directions to unmask coins hidden by adjacent trash.
Maintenance and Care for Waterproof Components
Maintaining the AT Pro’s waterproof integrity requires vigilant attention to five critical seal points: the coil connector O-ring, control housing seals, headphone connector threads, battery compartment gasket, and cable entry grommets.
Your waterproof maintenance protocol determines whether your detector survives years of immersion or fails catastrophically mid-hunt.
Consistent seal maintenance separates decades of reliable underwater detection from premature failure during critical hunts.
Post-dive corrosion prevention checklist:
- Rinse all submerged components with clean fresh water immediately after saltwater exposure—waiting accelerates electrochemical degradation
- Inspect O-rings for compression set, cracking, or debris embedding; replace annually regardless of appearance
- Dry battery compartment and connector threads completely before storage to prevent galvanic corrosion
- Never exceed the 10 ft depth rating—pressure compromises seals progressively with each over-depth session
- Store disassembled in ventilated conditions to eliminate trapped moisture pockets
Field-proven longevity demands disciplined post-hunt protocols, not occasional attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Batteries Does the at Pro Use and How Long Do They Last?
The AT Pro runs on four AA-size battery types—alkaline, NiMH rechargeable, or 1.5V lithium cells. You’ll get roughly 20–40 hours of battery life depending on cell quality, volume settings, and field conditions you encounter.
Can I Use Third-Party Search Coils With the at Pro Detector?
Yes, you can use third-party search coils with your AT Pro. Aftermarket options like Detech’s 15″ Ultimate offer search coil compatibility specifically engineered for AT series detectors, expanding your depth capabilities beyond factory limitations.
What Accessories Are Included in the Standard at Pro Package?
Right out of the box, your AT Pro package contents deliver the essentials: detector housing, 8.5″ x 11″ DD coil, MS-2 headphones, battery holder, shaft assembly, and mounting hardware—everything you’ll need for this accessory overview.
Is the at Pro Suitable for Complete Beginners to Metal Detecting?
Yes, you’ll find the AT Pro suitable if you’re motivated. Start with Standard Mode for simplified metal detecting, then apply beginner tips to master ground balance and discrimination as your field-tested skills progress toward advanced techniques.
How Does the at Pro Compare to Other Garrett Detector Models?
The AT Pro features mid-range positioning in Garrett detector comparisons: it surpasses ACE-series models with waterproofing and manual ground balance, matches AT Max’s depth capability, but lacks wireless Z-Lynk integration found on higher-tier units.
References
- https://seriousdetecting.com/products/garrett-at-pro-metal-detector
- https://www.metaldetector.com/products/garrett-at-pro-metal-detector
- https://www.mysurveyingdirect.com/products/garrett-at-pro-metal-detector
- https://kellycodetectors.com/blog/garrett-at-pro-vs-garrett-at-max/
- https://detectorpower.com/products/garrett-at-pro-waterproof-metal-detector
- https://www.towerhobbies.com/product/at-pro-metal-detector/GAR1140460.html
- https://garrett.com/garrett-at-pro-w-ms-2-headphones/
- https://garrett.com/index.php/sport/at-all-terrain/at-pro?field_country_intl_target_id=100
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buxjNWjETSk
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWwfQn43F9A
