This is probably bad form

[Nickledigger]

This is probably the wrong place to put this but I am kinda having a hard time making up my mind on which new machine I am going to buy.I think I have it narrowed down to the Fisher F5 or the Garrett A/T Pro.

 

[D&P-OR]

Wouldn't take me long to tell ya which of those two detectors I would pick.------Hint, the first letter starts with "F"!!

 

[dring219]

and a complete novice here loves the F5 also . It is my first detector , but was really sold on the features it offered .

 

[D&P-OR]

You made a good choice pardner!-----If you don't think so, ask Mike Hillis (or MANY others).-----The F-5 is a great little machine. ---------Del

 

[autopilot42]

I have had the F5 since they came out and find it to be a very capable machine. It has plenty of depth and works well in the ground I hunt in VA. I like the real time read out of the ground you are in and all you have to do is pump the coil every once in a while to see if you need to ground balance again. It also has a 4 bar dirt meter which can help you determine your settings with the gain and threshold and also determine if you have a good target or not. I like having the auto tune mode and switch back and forth between it and disc for checking some targets. The unit also has tid in auto tune. The one thing I really like about the AT Pro is being water proof. I have had my F5 at the Atlantic it works well in the wet sand but you do loose depth due to the ground balance balance being so low but that is probably part of being a VLF. It is a very versatile machine with the units separate gain and threshold settings. A very good all around mid priced machine. I still like the the At Pro being water proof and is definitely a plus. No one machine is a do it all so good luck in your choice. The AT Pro is seems to be getting great reviews also.

Take care
Bob

 

[AUDuke]

Ask the same question on the Garrett forum, you may get a different response.
PS don't drop the F5 in the water

 

[Elton]

I would think between the two..The Garrett has the advantage because you can wade with it.. I am A Fisher man myself but I have to be honest. The Garrett has some great features with a couple small issues.. If you had said the F75 or T2 then I would have said no Garrett.

 

[Mike Hillis]

The buy and try is the only way to really tell what will float your boat. You read and ask questions and think hard about it, but in the end it is just a personal decision. If it doesn't work out, you sell it and go again.

Good luck!
HH
Mike

 

[Big Boys Hobbies]

Sometimes you just have to pick what you think is best and go for it. You wont make a wrong decision either way. Both great machines.
HH

 

[SteveP(NH)]

both of the machines you mention are top quality machines, built by reputable companies with long histories in the business and I am sure you will do well with either one. The Fisher is better balanced, has a richer user interface that will give you more control over the way it operates. The Garrett is waterproof and has some interesting iron handling features plus it has a normal mode which is good for someone without a lot of detecting experience and then a pro mode for when you get more experience under your belt.

However in the end one will probably just have more appeal to you than the other and the only way to find that out is to try each one and see what it is like to hunt with each. The way to do that is to go to a local multi-line dealer who handles both Fisher and Garrett (most dealers do) and try out their demo machines in their test garden. That way you can see which you like the best before you buy. If you do take up a dealer's time and use his demo machines then be sure to buy your detector from him. Most local dealers will meet (and even beat) online prices if you give them the chance. One other benefit of doing business with your local dealer is that most of them are well involved with the local metal detecting scene and can hook you up with clubs, other detectorists, and hunts in your area.