Garrett AT Pro Relic Hunting Settings

Set your Garrett AT Pro to Pro Zero Mode with discrimination between 0-35 to maximize depth while maintaining target separation in iron-laden relic sites. Start sensitivity at maximum (8) and reduce only if interference occurs—you’ll lose roughly 0.5 inches of depth dropping to 6. Enable Iron Audio to hear rejected ferrous targets as low tones, helping you distinguish good signals from trash. Perform ground balance calibration when changing sites, using automatic mode for speed or manual for precision. The sections below reveal specific adjustments for Civil War camps, colonial homesteads, and mineralized ground conditions.

Table of Contents hide

1 Key Takeaways

2 Choosing the Right Detection Mode for Relics

3 Setting Iron Discrimination Levels

4 Adjusting Sensitivity and Audio Features

5 Performing Ground Balance Calibration

6 Fine-Tuning Settings for Different Hunting Sites

7 Frequently Asked Questions

7.1 Can I Use My Garrett at Pro for Underwater Relic Hunting?

7.2 How Often Should I Replace the Search Coil on My Detector?

7.3 What Is the Typical Battery Life During Extended Relic Hunting Sessions?

7.4 Should I Purchase Additional Coils for Different Relic Hunting Scenarios?

7.5 How Do I Properly Clean and Maintain My Detector After Muddy Hunts?

8 References

Key Takeaways

Use Pro mode with maximum sensitivity (8) and zero discrimination for enhanced depth and target separation in relic-dense environments.
Set discrimination at 35 in Custom mode to filter iron trash while preventing masking of nearby valuable targets.

Enable Iron Audio to hear rejected ferrous targets as low tones, maintaining awareness of site conditions and contamination.
Ground balance manually in mineralized soil, pumping coil 6-12 inches and adjusting based on audio feedback with headphones.
Lower discrimination to 30-40 in iron-infested zones and use notching for precise filtering of trash signals.

Choosing the Right Detection Mode for Relics

The Garrett AT Pro’s detection modes form the foundation of your relic hunting strategy, with each offering distinct advantages depending on site conditions and your experience level.

Standard Modes deliver full-strength beeps regardless of target depth, providing straightforward target identification for beginners. Standard mode produces a crisp, one-tone audio signal that offers consistent output for valid signals, making it suitable for straightforward detection scenarios. Professional Modes employ proportional audio and advanced signal processing, letting you judge target size and depth through varied loudness. PRO’s faster recovery speed separates adjacent relics from trash in iron-contaminated sites.

Professional Mode’s proportional audio transforms detection into an art—louder signals reveal shallow targets while softer tones indicate greater depth and smaller relics.

Start with STD Modes to master basic responses, then graduate to PRO for nuanced target assessment. Pro Zero Mode with zero discrimination unleashes maximum freedom—detecting every metal type without filtering. Pro Zero Mode provides clearer signals with discernible depth information compared to Standard Mode’s limited feedback on difficult relic targets.

This approach reveals inconsistent signals that discriminating modes reject, giving you complete autonomy to investigate all potential finds in relic-dense environments.

Setting Iron Discrimination Levels

How much iron should you filter out when pursuing historical relics? Set your AT Pro’s iron discrimination just high enough to silence specific trash targets—not a threshold higher. The 0-40 scale gives you precise control: test on rusty nails or shell casings, then dial to that ID plus one.

For relic sites, Custom mode‘s factory preset at 35 works well, retaining your setting after power-off.

Lower discrimination prevents masking good targets near iron junk—critical for target separation in dense debris fields. Enable Iron Audio to hear what you’re rejecting as low tones, maintaining full situational awareness. The detector provides twelve segments of discrimination that allow you to modify notch settings for more precise target filtering.

In heavy iron requiring aggressive mineralization management, target conductivity 60+ for coins, lower for relics. Start moderate, adjust to field conditions, and combine with Pro audio for enhanced separation. Sweep the coil in smooth, overlapping side-to-side motions about 1 inch above ground to ensure complete coverage and prevent missed targets.

Adjusting Sensitivity and Audio Features

Once you’ve dialed in your discrimination settings, sensitivity calibration determines whether you’ll detect that Civil War button at eight inches or miss it entirely. Start at maximum (8) and decrease only when interference compromises signal stability.

Sensitivity calibration makes the difference between finding that deep relic or walking right over it—start high, adjust only when necessary.

You’ll sacrifice roughly 0.5 inches target depth dropping from 8 to 6, and 1.5-2 inches at setting 5. In mineralized ground, run 5-8 based on conditions—lower in wet sand where interference spikes.

Use headphones during adjustment for precision feedback.

Iron Audio in Custom Mode gives ferrous targets distinct tones, letting you cherry-pick non-ferrous relics efficiently.

Combine it with Pro Zero mode (discrimination at 0) for all-metal detection, which increases detection depth for faint or deep targets. Pro mode’s tone roll audio signals changes in target conductivity, helping you distinguish between trash and valuable relics based on audio variations.

When detecting near others, hold PINPOINT and press SENSITIVITY buttons to shift frequencies (F1-F4), eliminating chatter without affecting performance.

Performing Ground Balance Calibration

Ground balance calibration neutralizes mineralization interference that masks deep targets and creates false signals—transforming your AT Pro from a surface-skimming noisemaker into a depth-capable relic machine.

Calibration Protocol:

Automatic Mode: Hold GB button while pumping coil 1-8 inches above clean ground until LCD numbers stabilize—typically completing in seconds when calibrating environmental variables.

Manual Mode: Press GB once, then pump 6-12 inches while adjusting coil height with +/- buttons based on audio feedback—louder on lower increases value, louder on raise decreases it. Use headphones to detect subtle audio changes during the balancing process for more precise calibration.
Soil Reading Interpretation: Values 0-20 indicate conductive soil; high numbers signal ferrous mineralization requiring adjusted sensitivity.
Field Adjustments: Rebalance when changing locations. Bias slightly positive for small relics, negative for hot rocks—this single setting dramatically improves depth and target separation. If signals disappear unexpectedly, press the pinpoint button to exit a stuck ground balance mode that the GB button sometimes fails to resolve.

Fine-Tuning Settings for Different Hunting Sites

Different hunting environments demand distinct detector configurations—what pulls relics from mineralized field will flood your headphones with chatter on wet sand beaches.

You’ll maximize target depth in water sites by cranking sensitivity to tolerable limits while keeping discrimination below 40.

Beach hunters need Pro mode’s single-tone response with iron discrimination set 0-30 and sensitivity dropped to 5-8 for mineralization management.

Mineralized fields require custom mode with discrimination around 30 and sensitivity at 7—adjust based on ground feedback.

Iron-infested areas demand high-resolution discrimination 0-40 with iron audio enabled for separation.

Your coil selection impacts penetration; stock coils balance depth and discrimination in most conditions.

General relic sites perform best with zero discrimination and maximum sensitivity, letting you hear everything before filtering targets through experience.

The digital target ID provides a specific numeric value that helps confirm your finds before digging questionable signals.

Always ground balance at search height to avoid false signals that occur when terrain variations like divots or gullies disrupt your detector’s response.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use My Garrett at Pro for Underwater Relic Hunting?

Yes, you’ll crush underwater relic hunting with your AT Pro’s waterproof features—submersible to 10 feet in freshwater and saltwater. Its underwater durability, Pro Mode Audio, and iron discrimination let you freely hunt submerged sites for relics and coins.

How Often Should I Replace the Search Coil on My Detector?

You’ll replace your search coil when performance degrades or physical damage occurs, not on fixed schedules. Monitor coil compatibility with your detector, inspect after heavy use, and upgrade every 1-2 years for best depth and reliability in demanding conditions.

What Is the Typical Battery Life During Extended Relic Hunting Sessions?

You’ll get 12-20 hours of battery longevity with alkalines during extended relic hunting sessions. Power management improves considerably using headphones instead of the loudspeaker, while aftermarket lithium packs deliver 40+ hours for serious hunts.

Should I Purchase Additional Coils for Different Relic Hunting Scenarios?

While the stock coil performs well universally, you’ll gain significant advantages purchasing additional coils for specialized scenarios. Consider search coil options matching your terrain—smaller coils for trash, larger for fields—ensuring coil compatibility with AT Pro’s 15kHz frequency.

How Do I Properly Clean and Maintain My Detector After Muddy Hunts?

Rinse your detector thoroughly using its waterproof capabilities, then dry all components completely. Wipe the coil, shaft, and control box with microfiber cloths. Clean connectors with compressed air. Proper maintenance extends coil replacement frequency considerably.