Advise for a friend

[graybeard]

Honestly, that's kind of how I feel about the AT PRO, and pretty much how I feel about detecting in general I look at all of us that detect as scrap hunters and collector's, because that is what most all of us find, yes there are some detectorist make some good recoveries but most finds are trash finds, especially if you dig every good tone which is the way I detect, the trash to good find ratio's are probably 90% trash to10% good finds, even though I detect for gold nugget's the trash to gold nugget finds are still around 90-10

and honestly the Simplex is better than the price point would suggest, if someone takes the time to learn what it is capable of, just like any detector out there it takes time to learn and cannot be done in one or two hunts and then thrown in a corner and ignored, when I purchased the AT Pro in 2009 i gave it around 4-5 months which is what it took me to figure out it was all hype with the ATP, and the ATP dang sure was not worth what I paid for it in 2009 I chalk it up to lessen learned the Simplex is almost half the price of the ATP still today and from my experience in comparisons between the simplex and the ATP the Simplex wins hands down.

I am not talking about smaller pieces of trash. I am talking about bigger pieces of scrap metal around 1/4" to 1 1/2" thick 2" to 7" wide and 10" long that most detectors give an iron grunt on. The Simplex gives a good tone for and also gives good ID numbers for.

 

[DFX-Gregg]

Have him go with you... let him try yours... That way he can make sure he actually likes the hobby. Also, physically this is definitely not for everyone...before he buys let him try...

As someone else mentioned I woul suggest something like the nox 600...

 

[oldkoot]

scrap metal around 1/4" to 1 1/2" thick 2" to 7" wide and 10" long that most detectors give an iron grunt on. The Simplex gives a good tone for and also gives good ID numbers for.[/QUOTE]


I do not even know how to respond to your statement about the above, tell me what detector you have used that does not give a big booming sound on a piece of metal the sizes you are stating, there are none that I know of and there are ways to size an object in the ground with a detector, you can raise your coil and if still getting a big signal its obviously a large target, use the edge of the coil, and a few other techniques that can be performed to tell you if a target is larger than a coin or ring or even a piece of aluminum foil, you can even use those techniques to tell if you are over a soda can or a car door

 

[jmaclen]

I have this friend in NY that wants to get into MDing. He says he wants to get a really good metal detector. Now I known this guy (50 yrs.) and I know that he is extremely busy with work and just stuff. I told him he should get an AT Pro because its a good detector, good price and so far has done me very well. I'm thinking it would be 90%+ dirt hunting. What are your thoughts???

I have lots of experience with the AT Pro and AT Gold……great single frequency detectors on par with the Whites MXT in many ways but waterproof.

I also have lots of experience with the Equinox 600, 800 and now the 900 and the Nokta Legend.

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the AT Pro but I also wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Equinox 700 over the 600 and 800 all day everyday. Same goes for the Nokta Legend over the 600 and 800.

Now that the Equinox 700 and 900 have a -19 to +99 target ID scale the numbers are not that different from the Garrett AT series. The addition of the great collapsible shaft system, better armrest, IP 68 rating for waterproofing, wireless headphones included with the 700, the 11” coil ears have been beefed up and it has Pitch tones in all of its search modes…..just the 700 is way better than the 600 or 800.

 

[graybeard]

scrap metal around 1/4" to 1 1/2" thick 2" to 7" wide and 10" long that most detectors give an iron grunt on. The Simplex gives a good tone for and also gives good ID numbers for.

I do not even know how to respond to your statement about the above, tell me what detector you have used that does not give a big booming sound on a piece of metal the sizes you are stating, there are none that I know of and there are ways to size an object in the ground with a detector, you can raise your coil and if still getting a big signal its obviously a large target, use the edge of the coil, and a few other techniques that can be performed to tell you if a target is larger than a coin or ring or even a piece of aluminum foil, you can even use those techniques to tell if you are over a soda can or a car door[/QUOTE]

All the things that you tell me to do for telling what the target might be, for me that is just a waste of time. I use detectors that work so I don't have to do as you suggest and waste time. Buy a good detector so you can see what an iron grunt sounds like on a big piece of scrap metal.

 

[aviationgale]

Thanks for all your responses. I wish I could have him go with me to try it out and even see if he likes it. I'm in Tn. he's NY so a little challenging.I think he would but he's a truck driver and time is limited, and he always seems to have something in the fire. But I will let him know about all your ideas. Im thinking the Exqinox would be a good one for him.

 

[metaladdict]

I would recommend a vanquish detector for your friend.

 

[Princess]

The AT Pro is a good machine. From your friend's perspective, purchasing the AT Pro would give him the advantage of having someone who can advise him on operating his specific model (since that's the detector you use, as well) - and that could be really helpful.

Another option, if you want to stick with the company you're familiar with, could be the Apex. From what I understand, the Apex (despite being introduced as a Garrett Ace) is actually superior to the AT Pro, and it has the advantage of newer technology & multi-frequency detection. Please understand that I haven't operated it myself; however, several of the other members here have posted good reports on it.