AT Pro on depth

[hihosilver]

Well I am still researching various MDs, I like the AT Pro and was hoping some owners could post on how the Pro does on depth. I know depth is not everything, it may not even be the most important factor, but at the same time, I don't want to invest in a machine that cannot hit 8 or 9 inches on a dime. As I read some posts on this and other forums, the Pro seems to be getting a bad rap on depth, at the same time, I read how some users to are reporting depths as deep as 13 inches on a nickle. So if some actual AT Pro users could offer some real depth experience here, I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[widebody]

[size=large]if ya been at it for a while then you probly know how many factors are involved. in texas ya might get 11" cause of mild mineralization. here in the S.W. corner of WA. state we have high mineralization so our depth will be less. using the same coil from the same machine with the same settings.
it also depends on what has been your deepest target found. some may have found a dime at 10" elsewhere but won't get a whisper here cause there aren't any deep targets being found. the atp is reputed to get at least 10" but one has to ask where'd that happen? how often? how deep have your targets been? and i mean good targets. the iron don't count cause of the halo.there are machines that will go deeper cause they can mount bigger coils from a wider selection. most targets are less than 6" down. the very old and getting harder to find are deeper. give yourself a reality check and see if you really need to worry about depth. figure out what you're hunting for. some of us now have 3-4 months to think of our targets. if you're in the sun belt you're wasting time. be sure the machine you get has the newer stuff on it. at least the second or third generation. most problems were solved by the time they came out. jmo

HH [/size]

 

[AngelicStorm]

It maxes out with the stock coil at around 6 inches for everything silver up to half dollar size including dimes. It maxes between 4-6 inches on pennies with 4 inches max being the most common. From 4-6 inches the penny signals start becoming iffy most of the time. I've done multiple field tests proving this and not even doing the field tests, this has been proven to me. The depth on this machine is a big disappointment for me, but I still like it because of it does and can find significant things for you. The oldest coin I have found with it is an 1829 Half Dime in excellent condition and lots of relics. If it doesn't have to much interference and is not to deep, then the AT Pro will find it.

 

[grumpysrb]

I found 7 quarters, 4 dimes and 5 pennies today. The deepest was a penny at about 6 inches. I have found them all at 6 to 8 inches. I've found other targets a little deeper.

 

[nugget71]

I have owned and used a few detectors over the years and will say the AT Pro is up there in regards to price and abilities. I agree with "Widebody" in regards to different types of ground (minerals) for sure, a big factor when it comes to VLF machines. You can talk all day about depth and this and that but when its all said and done the proof is about finding targets. Its quite obvious from this forum and others that the AT finds good targets, I would be more worried if everyone wasn't finding anything, that would be a concern . From my own experiences thus far I have no complaints in regards to depth.
Cheers!

 

[DonVitoD]

The minerals in the ground totally account for depth. Here in Northern Cal by the Oregon border, we have high mineralized ground. I can get about 7" on a silver dime, and even then it's difficult. Here it bounces vdi numbers in the 80s down in to the 30s. It is definently a task on deep coins but if it is compara le or better than other machines in your area you'll be ok.

 

[Southwind]

I chose to make the AT Pro my main detector based on my experience with depth ability compared to some of my other detectors. While without a doubt for flat out depth on coins the E-Trac easily beat the AT Pro, nothing came close when it came to overall performance. The only other detector I've owned that came close was the MXT.

 

[AngelicStorm]

It maxes out with the stock coil at around 6 inches for everything silver up to half dollar size including dimes. It maxes between 4-6 inches on pennies with 4 inches max being the most common. From 4-6 inches the penny signals start becoming iffy most of the time. I've done multiple field tests proving this and not even doing the field tests, this has been proven to me. The depth on this machine is a big disappointment for me, but I still like it because of it does and can find significant things for you. The oldest coin I have found with it is an 1829 Half Dime in excellent condition and lots of relics. If it doesn't have to much interference and is not to deep, then the AT Pro will find it.

The minerals in the ground totally account for depth. Here in Northern Cal by the Oregon border, we have high mineralized ground. I can get about 7" on a silver dime, and even then it's difficult. Here it bounces vdi numbers in the 80s down in to the 30s. It is definently a task on deep coins but if it is compara le or better than other machines in your area you'll be ok.

Yeah, the minerals are a big factor in that and to make it clear, the dirt in this area is highly mineralized which explains the 4-6 inch range here. There is plenty to find even at that range though. Great machine for the money.

 

[WildOutdoorAddict]

I've hit memorials and indian heads 8"+ deep and silver that deep also. Depends on ground minerals and moisture in my area..

 

[John-Edmonton]

I think a lot is going to depend on how you set it up, type of coil and soil (mineralization) conditions. If you are willing to dig those quiet whispers which are deep, then you will get the depth you are seeking. Deep targets usually don't ID properly, so many people avoid digging them and miss out on a lot of good targets. Nobody can accurately say that a detector gets 8" on a dime, as it just depends on soooooo many variables. Because I might only get 6" on a dime, doesn't mean that someone else at another location is getting the same. He may be getting the 10" you are seeking, or perhaps only 5". If someone is telling you outright that a machine will get 10" on a dime, then that person is perhaps quite new to the hobby, or they are doing a sales pitch to you. Ask a lot of questions to people in your area where you live to get more accurate data.

Hope this helps.

I am including a graph with different depth readings. Please....these are only air tests and the true depth you will get depends on your settings, type of coil, mineralization just to name a few.

 

[panama rich]

Depth is way less than most everyone says. And that is on all detectors! How many finds have actually been
measured before being removed from the hole? Well if it looks like 8 inches deep, better measure it. Horizontal
and vertical measurements of 8 inches look a lot different. Was it as deep as the size of your coil? Was it as
deep as the length of your shoe? How was it measured? Eyeballed with enthusiasm?
I am not knocking any detector, just the operators SWAG (Scientific Wild As Guess) That include Les my own
estimates, it is amazing the difference a ruler makes. A cloth tape measure is easy to carry, try it out some time.
Have fun, that is the main thing and if possible let's see some photos of finds with rulers before coming out of
the ground. Let's not disappoint new members with unrealistic expectations of their detectors.
Rich

 

[John LA]

I am not a dig everything person but if you are then there are at least 3 detectors that go much deeper than the ATPro.
I find that the ATPro and one of the FT detectors to give accurate readings on coins to 7 or 8 inches deep. This in in soil
of SE Louisiana.

 

[WildOutdoorAddict]

Yes, as John also said it depends on how you have it set up. I've been running mine in pro zero with sensativity full or one notch below and iron disc as low as I can keep it. I've dug deep targets barely auditable with no vid, just a real light blip.

 

[grumpysrb]

I dug a dime, with a piece of metal fence, that was deeper than my Lesche hand digger. Hand to finish digging by hand.

 

[ajaj]

I recovered an 1893-O Barber dime here in NY at a measured depth of 10" this summer. The soil was some what wet and sandy; auto ground balancing yielded 94. The VDI only occasionally displayed an 81-82 and iron was grunted about 8" from where I dug. The AT Pro is an excellent machine, especially in the rain! I believe it's best machine for the money based on the following qualities (in descending order of priority):

1. recovery time
2. waterproof(ness)
3. depth

aj

 

[teleman2525]

all replys ive read here on this are right on excellent i,ve dug deep dimes and pennys at 8 inchs est. but soil condition plays alot into this after couble days rain good moist conditions damp not excessively wet the at does great ive done side by side,s with my explorer se locating a deep signal with my explorer se then before digging go over the same spot with the at pro both detectors picked up the signal fine spent couple days doing this most my grounds here in northern vt ground balance at 90 ,91 and i still get great depth with the at pro plus not afraid to get it wet in a rain it,s a blast in the local lakes up to my neck in the water on a hot day a lot more comfy then 90 degrees in a open field i find i now leave my minelab explorer at home alot just because the at is so much fun to use well worth the price

 

[Dign-nbama]

Before I decided to purchase My AT I had to figure what I could get for around $600 bucks, I looked at dozens of detectors in this price range, the next thing was dependability, performance, ease of use. I read where the AT in it's early years was a pain to some, then seemingly the bugs were worked out and where there was a lot of satisfied customers out there. The depth question was what was asked in the beginning of this thread and I did the same thing, in the beginning, but just as it has been already addressed, you'll never get the same results @ the same park, lake, tot lot that you get on any particular day.. Everyone here if honest can tell you they all have hunted places over and over again, and just when you think there is not anything left "bingo" you find another good target deep,, You just have to decided if the AT is your kinda detector or not.. I don't expect it to do what a detector twice the cost can do, but can it find good targets, "Yes" and that's good enough for me. Are there other brands just as good "sure", can they out perform the AT,, sure in some situation,, just as the AT can out perform them on some days and situations. There are a lot of good detectors out there for around $600 bucks plus or minus, and they all will fill your pockets with good finds,, good luck with your decision, it's like going to the toothpaste aisle, many colors, and flavors, shapes and sizes, you just gotta figure out what's best for you and what suits the area you hunt. Most of us own more than one for a reason...

 

[Old California]

Thanks John for posting the depth air test chart, you just convinced me to order the 8.5"X11" DD coil for my AT Gold. Already have the smaller DD and smaller elipcial concentric so now with the 8.5"X11" DD I'll go after deep nickels.

Used to have the AT Pro, that was a deep machine but traded it for a Sovereign GT. Now, with the getting the AT Gold will never sell her due to the all metal feature its great for fresh water.

Thanks again for posting the chart,
Paul (Ca)

 

[upnorth]

Depth is important to me, but not the only important factor. I have a Tesoro Tejon and I used to pull up fur trade rings at serious depth. I only have patience to use that machine wide open, full throttle on certain sites though. I have found depth to be a pain at times closer to town. It can be real work making deep holes, and tiresome. If my arriving AT gets 5-7 inches on coins, as I suspect that it will, AND it has all of its other features, I will be satisfied. Late last fall I dusted off the ACE 250 just to hear the tones again and pulled a standing liberty and a 1900 victorian quarter from a local field. I loved it because I didn't have to concentrate on the one beep/tone nuances. The multi tones were kind of freeing. So if the ACE can do that, l really look forward to the Pro. Realisticly for myself I'd bet that most of my older coins are six inches and under. I know how to ground ballance, I go a hair pos., and I know what whispers sound like on maxed headphones. I have no worries and real anticipation for the AT. My expectations are simply a stronger and more sophisticated ACE 250, so I know that I will not be disappointed.

 

[bigboar]

you will like the 8.5x11 on the gold ca. I get noticeably better depth on my gold with the 8.5x11 then i did with the pro i had with the same coil. depending whee you are at mineralization could make a difference like john said but in my area the gold is definately a keeper for me...