The AT Pro is a 15 kHz detector that features full notch discrimination. The lower frequency plus the notch discrimination means that it can be used in salt water. It also allows for custom discrimination, such as tuning out coins to concentrate on likely jewelry targets. The AT Pro lacks a true threshold based all metal mode and so is less suitable for nugget detecting, although it can and will find gold nuggets.
The AT Gold runs at a hotter 18 kHz and has a true threshold based all metal mode. This makes it a better nugget detector than the AT Gold. However, it is too hot to run on wet salt sand or in salt water. It also has only a couple preset discrimination patterns and so lacks the custom discrimination ability the the AT Pro has.
For many people the less expensive AT Pro is possibly the better unit. If you do not know what a true threshold based all metal mode is nor do you care, then get the AT Pro. If having that extra edge when prospecting is very important, then go for the AT Gold but do understand there are a couple trades you are making for that ability.
I use then both. I prefer the At Pro.
The AT Pro is a 15 kHz detector that features full notch discrimination. The lower frequency plus the notch discrimination means that it can be used in salt water. It also allows for custom discrimination, such as tuning out coins to concentrate on likely jewelry targets. The AT Pro lacks a true threshold based all metal mode and so is less suitable for nugget detecting, although it can and will find gold nuggets.
The AT Gold runs at a hotter 18 kHz and has a true threshold based all metal mode. This makes it a better nugget detector than the AT Gold. However, it is too hot to run on wet salt sand or in salt water. It also has only a couple preset discrimination patterns and so lacks the custom discrimination ability the the AT Pro has.
For many people the less expensive AT Pro is possibly the better unit. If you do not know what a true threshold based all metal mode is nor do you care, then get the AT Pro. If having that extra edge when prospecting is very important, then go for the AT Gold but do understand there are a couple trades you are making for that ability.
I use then both. I prefer the At Pro.
Hi all, this is my first post here!
I have yet to own a metal detector but have always been a fan of digging things up and hopefully finding treasures! I've been a big fan of "Diggers" on Nat Geo and noticed they use AT Gold detectors. I am now in the market for my first detector and I'm torn between the Pro and Gold. Some background and interests of me:
1. I would like to find coins, jewelry and relics.
2. I live in SE MN (areas with clay).
3. I'm a quick learner so I'm not too worried about the learning curve for one or the other.
4. Being I'm in MN I doubt I would ever go gold prospecting being there's not much around here for gold (other than gold coins or jewelry).
Based on the above criteria, what would you experienced users recommend I go with? I've read tons of reviews and posts on forums - mainly about the differences between the two - but I would really like to know how you all feel about one or the other based on your hands on experience!
We're still buried under an incredible amount of snow so I do have some time before I would purchase a detector but hope to do so within a few months.
Thanks in advance for any information/experience you can provide!
Jason
Thanks for the feedback! So essentially the Gold will do everything the Pro does and more?
Curbdog, can you tell me the differences that led you to the Gold? I'm on the fence right now between the two. Thanks
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Do your research. There are many threads here on this forum that have already addressed this question. There are differences, but those differences may not have an impact on the style of hunting you do (what/where you hunt).
The ATG was great for all around hunting coins/relics/gold, but when i went to the beach the only place i could hunt was in the dry sand at least 6ft from the waters edged. Garrett said the machine was not made to hunt in the wet sand or salt water
Now there is one difference that I do respect in the 2 units. The Pro can hunt over wet, salty sand. If you plan on doing that, the Pro would be the way to go.
Thanks for the reply, and this is why I'm here, I've done plenty of research but based on where I live and what I'm looking for (as mentioned in my first post) I would like to know what you experienced hunters would recommend. Will the Pro work better than the Gold when clay is present or vice versa? I'm hearing the Gold will detect deeper than the Pro, is this true based on your experience?
What I gathered from Garrett's website is that the Gold cannot be used in salt water but can be used in shallow fresh water. I would only be dealing with fresh water in MN and I doubt I would be doing a whole lot with submerging the coil. Now, fresh water wet sand can be problematic with the Gold or only if it's wet with salt water? I could see myself going over wet sand at some point...again it would be fresh water though. Sorry that I'm getting picky with the details.
Thanks again for the responses!