You’ll find the AT Gold’s 18 kHz frequency excels at detecting sub-gram gold nuggets in mineralized soil, while the AT Pro’s 15 kHz prioritizes depth on coin-sized targets across diverse terrain. The AT Gold offers 44 iron discrimination levels and can’t ground balance to salt, making it ideal for inland prospecting. Conversely, the AT Pro’s salt-specific calibration and 10-foot waterproofing suit beach hunting and general treasure recovery. The sections below break down how each detector’s technical specifications translate to real-world performance advantages.
Key Takeaways
- AT Gold’s 18 kHz frequency excels at detecting small gold nuggets, while AT Pro’s 15 kHz prioritizes depth for coins and relics.
- AT Gold features 44 iron discrimination levels and specialized ground balance for highly mineralized gold prospecting sites.
- AT Pro offers saltwater compatibility and beach-specific calibration, making it ideal for general treasure hunting in varied environments.
- AT Gold includes true all-metal mode and adjustable audio threshold for challenging mineralized soil conditions during gold prospecting.
- AT Pro emphasizes coin-shooting with depth indicators and multi-tone discrimination; AT Gold focuses on nugget detection with enhanced iron rejection.
Operating Frequency and Target Detection Capabilities
Operating frequency fundamentally dictates what a metal detector excels at finding, and the Garrett AT series demonstrates this principle through distinct specialization strategies.
Higher frequencies detect smaller targets like gold nuggets, while lower frequencies penetrate deeper for coins and relics in mineralized ground.
The AT Gold‘s 18 kHz delivers superior sensitivity to small gold nuggets and low-conductivity targets, while the AT Pro‘s 15 kHz and the AT Max‘s 13.6 kHz prioritize depth and versatility.
You’ll find the higher frequency excels at jewelry and coins beyond its gold-prospecting design.
Lower frequencies penetrate deeper for larger targets, though coil sizes and battery life remain consistent across models.
The AT Max’s saltwater optimization complements its frequency selection.
The minimal 1.4 kHz difference between AT Pro and AT Max results in noticeable but modest variations in detection depth performance.
Both the AT Gold and AT Pro feature Fast Recovery Speed for efficient target detection in trashy environments.
Your choice hinges on whether you’re pursuing tiny nuggets requiring 18 kHz sensitivity or maximizing detection depth across diverse target types with all-purpose frequencies.
Ground Balance Systems for Challenging Soil Conditions
Frequency selection means little when mineralized soil masks targets beneath false signals and ground noise. You’ll need robust ground balance systems to punch through iron-laden earth.
The AT Pro delivers automatic and manual ground balance with salt-specific calibration for beach hunting.
The AT Gold adds a ground balance window that spreads your setting across varying mineral concentrations. This window—defaulted at 2—lets you maintain coil sensitivity in Australia’s notorious goldfields where mineralization readings spike to 85.
Press the ground balance button with your coil flat on the ground, not hovering inches above.
The AT Gold’s user interface displays numerical readings for precise adjustments, whereas the AT Pro prioritizes versatility over specialized prospecting performance in extreme mineralized conditions. The AT Gold cannot ground balance to salt, making it unsuitable for saltwater environments despite its superior performance in freshwater mineral-rich soils. Both detectors feature high resolution iron discrimination that separates ferrous trash from valuable targets in heavily contaminated sites.
Search Modes and Customization Options
Why does search mode architecture matter when both detectors share similar user interfaces? The AT Pro’s discrimination-based operation limits you to multi-tone modes without true all-metal capability, restricting maximum depth potential.
Conversely, the AT Gold’s true all-metal mode delivers deepest detection and superior pinpointing accuracy for nuggets in mineralized ground. You’ll sacrifice some discrimination, but gain single-tone audio clarity for faint targets.
Both offer 4-tone target ID across a 0-99 conductivity scale, yet the AT Gold’s adjustable audio threshold gives you manual control over sensitivity in challenging conditions. The AT Pro’s 15 KHz frequency makes it versatile for general treasure hunting, while the AT Gold operates at 18 KHz for enhanced gold sensitivity.
The AT Pro emphasizes coin-shooting discrimination modes with depth indicators, while the AT Gold prioritizes relic and nugget sensitivity through its all-metal architecture. Many detectorists share photos of their finds in online communities to compare results from different search modes and equipment configurations.
This fundamental difference shapes your entire hunting strategy and target recovery efficiency.
Iron Discrimination and Target Separation Technology
Though both detectors employ patented high-resolution iron discrimination systems, their implementation reveals critical performance differences for field conditions.
The AT Gold delivers 44 adjustable iron discrimination levels versus the AT Pro’s 40, providing enhanced iron rejection in heavily contaminated sites. This expanded range proves invaluable when coin hunting in trashy parks or conducting jewelry identification at crowded beaches.
Both units feature Iron Audio for audibly detecting flat iron objects, letting you distinguish ferrous targets without visual confirmation.
Their quick recovery time enables superior target separation in dense debris fields.
The AT Pro’s Standard and Pro audio modes offer versatility for saltwater jewelry identification, while the AT Gold’s higher frequency (18 kHz) and expanded discrimination window excel at isolating small gold nuggets from mineralized soil interference. The AT Pro’s 40 adjustable iron discrimination levels allow hunters to filter out the worst iron signals while maintaining sensitivity to valuable targets with similar conductivity ranges. Field testing demonstrated that both machines read targets at similar VDI levels, regardless of the specific model being used.
Practical Applications and Ideal Hunting Scenarios
Understanding detector-specific strengths transforms field performance when you match equipment capabilities to hunting environments.
You’ll leverage the AT Pro’s 15 kHz frequency and conductive salt handling for beach conditions, where its waterproof construction excels in wet sand and 10-foot snorkeling depths.
The AT Gold’s 18 kHz frequency dominates in highly mineralized gold fields, delivering superior sensitivity to sub-gram nuggets when mineralization levels reach extreme thresholds.
For coin shooting parks and general treasure hunting, you’re selecting the AT Pro’s four-tone ID and 0-100 conductivity scale.
When prospecting hot ground with mineralization readings at 85, you’re deploying the AT Gold’s true all-metal mode and compact 5×8 coil.
Beach hunters and generalists gain versatility with the Pro, while specialized prospectors targeting natural gold require the Gold’s enhanced frequency and ground balance window.
The AT Gold operates with iron discrimination settings from 0-75 in zero mode, producing low tones specifically tailored for detecting small gold targets that might otherwise be masked by standard discrimination patterns.
Both models feature electronic pinpointing capability that enables precise target location once you’ve identified a promising signal, streamlining recovery efforts in challenging terrain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Price Difference Between the at Gold and at Pro?
Ironically, you’ll find no transparent pricing for the AT Gold anywhere—manufacturers love mystery! The AT Pro costs $552-$710, while AT Gold’s undisclosed premium reflects specialized metal detecting capabilities and exclusive coil compatibility for gold prospecting. You’re paying for targeted freedom.
How Do Battery Life and Power Consumption Compare Between Both Models?
Battery efficiency remains identical between both models—you’ll get 20-24 hours with AAs or 35-40 hours with lithium packs. Power usage mirrors each other since they share the same battery compartment design and consumption rate.
Are the Search Coils Interchangeable Between at Gold and at Pro?
You’ll find limited coil compatibility between these models—AT Gold’s 5×8 DD won’t work on AT Pro. However, you’ve got excellent upgrade options through aftermarket choices like Detech Ultimate and Garrett PROformance coils, which deliver enhanced performance across both detectors.
Which Detector Is Lighter and More Comfortable for Extended Hunting Sessions?
Weight comparison data isn’t definitively available, but you’ll find the AT Pro’s documented 3-pound design and superior ergonomic features deliver greater comfort factors for extended sessions, while AT Gold’s specialized hunting focus prioritizes different performance characteristics.
Do Both Models Offer Equal Waterproof Depth Ratings for Underwater Detection?
You’ll find both detectors coincidentally share identical 10-foot waterproof depth ratings, granting you equal underwater performance freedom. However, the AT Pro’s waterproof features extend to saltwater environments, while the AT Gold’s design targets freshwater detection exclusively.
References
- https://kellycodetectors.com/blog/garrett-at-gold-review/
- https://kellycodetectors.com/blog/garrett-at-pro-vs-garrett-at-max/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrjueW3K0Yw
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTomN-uXrR8
- https://www.detectorprospector.com/magazine/steves-guides/steve-guide-gold-nugget-detectors/
- https://www.metaldetector.com/blogs/new_blog/comparing-metal-detector-specs-gold-multi-purpose-commercial
- https://metaldetectingforum.com/index.php
- https://garrett.com/store/privacy-policy/?page=11
- https://www.highplainsprospectors.com/blogs/news/what-is-the-difference-between-the-garrett-at-pro-and-ace-400-metal-detectors
- https://www.treasurenet.com/threads/at-pro-vs-at-max-vs-gti-2500.562907/
