To Garrett, from a want to be At Pro Owner:help:

[2 Much Trash]

Hey folks, I'm new posting on the Garrett Forum, so bare with me. This post is directed to Garrett, but also, to anyone else who would like to chime in. I am not a brand loyal hunter, just a fellow who wants. to find as much as I can for what I'm looking for whenever I get a chance to go detecting. i realize that a ton of guys on these forums are coin hunters, thats cool., but I'm a relic hunter, an ole fart relic hunter searching for civil war relics. But , when I dig a coin it's the same excitement. So I know we all share the same feelings in this hobby, no matter what we're searching for. iI have spent the past 18 months searching for a detector that would do all the things I needed it to do. I have viewed countless videos, read countless reviews, only to come up short. i've been relic hunting since the late 70's. I've owned only 3 detectors in all that time, and still use them all. But , on so many occasions I've thought to myself "I wish I had a machine that would do this or that". i'm sure we all have done that. After viewing the Garret videos of the AT Pro and watching the many out in the field videos of this detector I'm am sold. I want one, really bad. The guys on the instructional videos spoke my language.
.But, with all the issues, defective coils, so many other issues, so many folks sending it back for this or that I'd like to know From Garrett when will it be safe to order this unit without all those issues.


.

 

[lusitania]

it seems Garrett has the problems beet I would be shocked to hear of the newer model that will need to go back for Repairs. at lease very few. I do now Garrett is a top Company and stands behind what they sell.

 

[goodmore]

i don't think you will get a date or any extra promises. What you will get is a two year warranty from a stand up company. If you decide to purchase one soon make sure it is one with thw upgrades to the shaft. At least you will know you have the most current version. Take it out and put it through it's paces. The leak issue is the only problem that I am currently hearing about. Good luck to you. I am not a brand loyal customer either. I buy certain detectors like they are tools. My AT Pro fits a need of mine very well.

 

[Johnny Cache]

It's true I have had a few issues with my Pro, it's an early model. I got my coil fixed and it's awesome. I will send it in for the upgrades as well. HOWEVER, fundamentally this machine really performs extremely well. It provides so much information in the Pro Mode, that it took a lot of practice (FUN Practice) to get used to it. Now that I'm comfortable with it, I can't imagine going back to my old detector on a regular basis. I have found five little 5 cent "fish scales" this year...in areas I thought were picked CLEAN! This detector finds the goods.

Even with these issues, I love the technology of the Pro Mode. Most people have no problems at all, especially with the newer models...

 

[Elton]

n/t

 

[sasquache]

Well too 2 much trash i own one of the first sent out units and i have had the faulty coil issue as well and Garrett has given be the best service i have seen in a long time from any detector company but ever since i have had nothing but FUN lol and lots and lots of relic and coil finds with excellent depth as well. So check out my post and you will see the AT-PRO is a top contender P.S. I owned a GTI 1500 and 2500 and i would buy another AT-PRO if i had the cash for a back up unit lol

 

[Mike Hillis]

Will probably need to wait about 2.5 years from introduction for everything to settle down and get a worry free, most up to date unit right off a dealer's shelf, and even then you might want to buy factory direct to make sure you get something from the latest production run. Its only been out for about 8-9 months now, so it is getting there.

Running through the repeatable issues:
falsing coil - this is most likely fixed on the lastest production runs
memory failure - this is most likely fixed on the latest production runs
leaking control box - this seems to be an ongoing issue that they are getting a handle on, however, how do you tell if you got a good one or not? So this bears waiting out until the reports level out.

Then look at annouced upgrades:
shafts
locks
and potential software updates.

Then accessories:
headphone adapter

So if you want to guarantee that you got the most reliable version, I'd wait 2.5 years.

But with all that said, I traded for a used one that had already been in the water with no leaks, but had a falsing coil, and when I sent it in, Garrett fixed me right up, with a new coil and giving it a full check up and taking care of problems I wasn't aware of (which I would expect). Only cost me the price of shipping it to them. Sometime between now and December I'll round up the 40 bucks and send it in for the upgrade and have the latest and greatest, and a warrenty on a used detector to boot and I'll still be waaayyy below the cost of a new one.

HH
Mike

 

[Mark652]

You raise a very good question 2 Much Trash, but I think you will never see what you are looking for. At some point you just have to make the leap. Like you I am an old fart detectorist and I focus more on the relics than the coins. I've been enjoying this hobby for a bit over 25 years. For many years I happily used a Garrett GTI-2500. It was, and still is, the flagship of the Garrett line but I still had to send it in on several occasions for service and repairs. I replaced that 2500 with the AT Pro about 8 months ago and for many reasons it was the right decision for me. I have sent my AT Pro in for a repair once and I may send it in again for the upgrade, but when I did send it in Garrett was great about turning it around quickly and sending me a very nice gift for my troubles. I am very happy with my AT Pro. I also use a Teknetic T2. It is a terrific detector, but it too had to go back to Teknetics not once but twice. Like Garrett they have a super customer service and I got it back quickly, but the fact is, I had to send it in and was without it for the time it was being serviced. There is no detector that is so perfect for every situation and so perfect that it never needs service or repairs. What you can hope for is to get good customer insights on forums like this that help you make an informed decision. Garrett has one of the very best customer service reputations in the industry. This forum should be telling you that while the AT Pro is not perfect, it is one of the absolute best detectors for the money on the market today and it comes from one of the very best companies. Bottom line, take the leap, get the AT Pro, you will not regret your decision. Good luck! Mark

 

[Cal_Cobra]

Will probably need to wait about 2.5 years from introduction for everything to settle down and get a worry free, most up to date unit right off a dealer's shelf, and even then you might want to buy factory direct to make sure you get something from the latest production run.
So if you want to guarantee that you got the most reliable version, I'd wait 2.5 years...

HH
Mike

2.5 years eh? I bet the AT Pro Ultimate 3.0 will be out by then

 

[Jerry-Wi]

Will probably need to wait about 2.5 years from introduction for everything to settle down and get a worry free, most up to date unit right off a dealer's shelf, and even then you might want to buy factory direct to make sure you get something from the latest production run.
So if you want to guarantee that you got the most reliable version, I'd wait 2.5 years...

HH
Mike

2.5 years eh? I bet the AT Pro Ultimate 3.0 will be out by then

Then you would have to wait another 2.5 years?

Just kidding...... I would and did jump in very early (An October pre-order) with the At Pro because I had a lot of confidence that Garrett would take care of any problems. I would have no hesitation in doing the same thing again.

Jerry

 

[Pyledriver]

If you're waiting for the perfect something, you'll never have anything! I've had a couple hiccups with my AT like everybody else. I've had class A support from Garrett and I know that can't be said for other manufacturers...who have had problems with their detectors too. The only guarantee you have is that the AT will do what no others will and that Garrett will stand behind it. Go for it!

 

[wheath22]

I have had mine since February and never had a minutes trouble with it. I waited until they had the coil issue squared away before I bought mine. I did a lot of research before I bought it and I think it is a great machine for the money. I paid 500.00 for mine brand new and that included a coil cover. I use the AT Pro strictly for relic hunting and haven't been disappointed. It has all the features you could ask for and decent depth. The DD coil works great in trashy areas and allows you to pick out the goodies from the iron. The ATP was a vast improvement over my ACE 250 and my Compass Relic Magnum. I would like to see Garrett come out with a larger coil so the AT Pro would get a little more depth and then I would say it would be the perfect relic machine. I don't think you will regret buying this machine.

 

[Mike Hillis]

HA.
Hi Brian,
Yes, about 2.5 years. Speaking from experience with other mfg's.

HH
Mike

 

[John-Edmonton]

I am not sure where you got the 2.5 year waiting period from for the reliable version to come out? That sounds a little perhaps...... "exaggerated"......As serious issues come come up which need attention, Garrett is dealing with them "stat" and can be rectified quickly. They don't have to collaborate with a Chinese or Mexican farmed out manufacturer to fix the problem. It is done in-house in Garland Texas. To validate the resolved issues for the recent changes as a successful upgrade for the machines which get one, Garrett is resetting the 2 year warranty from the date of the upgrades. Kudos for Garrett for again, setting an excellent standard in warranty service. Garrett has always backed up their products. Metal detectors, regardless of make, will unfortunately have to be sent in for repairs. They are not a static piece of electronic equipment sitting on a shelf like a radio, but are used in the field, constantly in motion, under different temperatures, humidity and sometimes under water. And they physical abuse from banking into trees, rocks etc also adds to probable issues down the road.

If you own a Garrett and have some issues, please call Garrett. They will look after you.

 

[John-Edmonton]

I still don't understand where you get 2.5 years for a metal detector which is designed and manufactured in USA, not farmed out like some others?

 

[Mike Hillis]

Well John,

I'm not talking down the AT Pro. The very fact that I still have one speaks volumes as I dump the ones that don't work really quick. In fact it is the only Garrett I like.

And Garrett Service IS great. And it is great that they are making all these changes and extending a warrenty.

I'm just saying if you want to buy a AT Pro with perfect confidence that it will work flawlessly out of the box, you would want to wait. I used 2.5 years. I should clarify that is 2.5 years from release date.

You yourself stated that Garrett is making thousands of these.
The AT was released, what, the first of November of last year. The first of November is only 3 months away. That will make 1 year.
Today, 9 months after release, folks are still buying NEW waterproof AT pros that leak in shallow water or rain.
Today, 9 months after release, Garrett has decided to make physical changes (to the better).
At some point they will do something to address some of the other headaches they have with it, such as the inability for the operator to thoroughly and reliably tighten by hand the headphone and coil connectors.
Once they get all the fixes and changes made, then you have all that susposedly thousands of units of inventory that have to be sold before you can be assured of getting new stock with all the changes.

HH
Mike

 

[2 Much Trash]

-- moved topic --

 

[Lake Hunter]

Well John,

I'm not talking down the AT Pro. The very fact that I still have one speaks volumes as I dump the ones that don't work really quick. In fact it is the only Garrett I like.

And Garrett Service IS great. And it is great that they are making all these changes and extending a warrenty.

I'm just saying if you want to buy a AT Pro with perfect confidence that it will work flawlessly out of the box, you would want to wait. I used 2.5 years. I should clarify that is 2.5 years from release date.

You yourself stated that Garrett is making thousands of these.
The AT was released, what, the first of November of last year. The first of November is only 3 months away. That will make 1 year.
Today, 9 months after release, folks are still buying NEW waterproof AT pros that leak in shallow water or rain.
Today, 9 months after release, Garrett has decided to make physical changes (to the better).
At some point they will do something to address some of the other headaches they have with it, such as the inability for the operator to thoroughly and reliably tighten by hand the headphone and coil connectors.
Once they get all the fixes and changes made, then you have all that susposedly thousands of units of inventory that have to be sold before you can be assured of getting new stock with all the changes.

HH
Mike

Perfectly stated sir.

 

[Ray-Mo.]

The E-Trac was and is right from first issue date with no issues to speak of