People opening the thread are looking for the information, and do not yet own the MAX. Evidently either the Max owners are all out detecting and too busy digging to reply, or they have nothing to say.
Personally, I don't think I could have even answered the OP. "Is it worth the extra money" is almost always a qualitative response, not a quantitative one.
Is it more expensive? Quantifiable.
Does it hit deeper? Quantifiable.
Does the backlight increase visibility of the screen at dusk/night? Quantifiable.
Does the Z-Lync reduce catching on your headset cable? Quantifiable.
Is it "worth" it?
That's like asking a used car owner if a new car purchase was "worth it." Unless there's something WRONG with the new car, then the investment is a moot point.
Most folks who already sold off their AT Pros for an AT Max, the answer is a silly one. Why? Because they already paid that piper. Not much to add to that conversation.
If they said, "Yes." what then? Would someone have sold their equipment and gone and purchased an AT Max? Unlikely.
So... not many responses seems a rather reasonable approach.
Attempting to read negative reasons into people not responding is a bit silly.
That's my 2 cents.
For me, I've decided NOT to upgrade to the AT Max. Why? Because I have a Z-lync transmitter set already, and I wear a cap light at night, and 99% of my targets are less than 4" anyway. No point to the upgrade. If I had an extra $600, that couldn't be better put somewhere else, sure! But I'm not flush with cash. As a point of note, many AT Pro users didn't buy their rigs new. I didn't. So, why would I go buy an AT Max new? If I was in the market for a new rig, sure I'd be all over it, with the coils I already have... but I'm not, so I won't. But when I do, it'll be "worth it," because I will have spent the money already.
LOL
Skippy