Which Garrett...

[wayne_etc]

Hey folks,
I've had alot of detectors, and am now looking for another. I've yet to swing a Garrett though.
My question: Which Garrett model/s offer manual (or auto) ground balance in discrim mode to cut through mineralized ground, fast response to pick out the coins among iron, tone ID, and good depth?

I seriously haven't looked closely enough at the Garrett line, so if you could point me in the right direction I'd appreciate it.

BTW...I have a minelab Musky I'm looking to trade in the classifieds, so if you have something let me know!


w

 

[dahut]

All Garretts offer fast response, tone ID, good depth and good target separation. On your other point, I'm certain the upper three units in the line are all auto ground balance instruments in the DISC mode.

 

[John-Edmonton]

Hi Wayne. Garrett has a good variety of machines available for different applications and price. Below is a link to a comparison chart, showing which machines have automatic ground tracking, true all metal mode, Tid etc.

http://www.garrett.com/hobby/techsupport/compare.asp

If you have any further questions about any of the Garrett models, please ask.

 

[Uncle Willy]

The GTI's and the GTP offer automatic ground tracking and Scan Track which adjusts the detector to your particular scanning technique. The GTI 2500 offers the above plus fast track ground balance or manual ground balance and in this mode is about the deepest seeker on the planet. All have a bit of a learning curve but are exceptional machines.

Bill

 

[wayne_etc]

The current machines with manual or auto ground balancing are priced pretty steep. How are the used prices? Any older models have these feature?


w

 

[John-Edmonton]

The prices from the website are manufacturers suggested retail prices....the dealers sell them for less.

 

[Uncle Willy]

Try the classifieds on this web site and the others and you may scare up one.

Bill

 

[dahut]

The current machines with manual or auto ground balancing are priced pretty steep. How are the used prices? Any older models have these feature?


w

You can normally expect to pay around 60% of selling price when buying used.
I got my GTP1350 used, and paid $375 for it.
Also, I will be getting a Grand Master Hunter CXIII soon. That is last generations top of the line model and sccording to some was Charles Garretts favorite. Lets just say I didn't pay too much for it, so if that one interests you, I can make you a good deal. PM me if you are interested.

 

[wayne_etc]

Isn't the GB on the CXIII manually adjustable in no-motion all metal only? I think it reverts back to preset when you go to discrim.


w

 

[dahut]

Isn't the GB on the CXIII manually adjustable in no-motion all metal only? I think it reverts back to preset when you go to discrim.


w

Heck, I dont even have it yet and you know more than me! You may be right, so let me double check - be right back....

Okay, the manual indicates that..."In the motion (Discriminate) mode the CX lll functions as a slow-motion detector with precise ground balance" for regular searching. For the deepest of coins, say after you've cleared out the surface clutter, use the Motion All-Metal mode, which uses auto tracking ground balance.

I know this: I used a CX II for some time, the unit below the CX III in the Garrett line. I found some super finds with it; strong, solid signals at depths that only made my manual GB (Bandido II) Tesoro whimper.

I remember one faint signal I passed over with my Tesoro, as not worth digging. My son came behind me with the CX II and shouted... "Hey, Dad! Should this thing be bonging so loudly and pointing at dime all the time?" I figured he had messed with the controls.

He hadn't; they were as I left them. The Garrett had it right... it was a deep dime at 5" - an 1842-O in XF condition. Say what you want about GB, but that Garrett could hack it.

 

[wayne_etc]

I found This Comparison Test that mentioned the GB on the CXIII.
Normally having the manual GB wouldn't be a big deal, but I live in an area of Alabama that has REALLY tough red clay. My backyard is full of the so-called-dirt. Machines that have preset GB just don't punch down as hard. JMHO of course.

But tell me about the GTP1350. I might have to look out for one of them in the classifieds!


w

 

[Uncle Willy]

If you have the red clay you might be better off with a machine that has fast track and manual ground balance. Since the test you posted was written Garrett ( at the request of the boys in Australia ) has added a mineral chip to their high end detectors to cut through heavy mineralization so the 1350 may do the trick for you. You might inquire on the forum as to who has a 1350 that lives in areas containing your kind of soil and see what results they are getting. Here in Oregon we have volcanic soil which is tough on detectors and the 1350 performs well here.

Bill.

 

[dahut]

The 1350 has automatic ground tracking, according to their website. Last I knew, Garrett will also do the Aussie "harsh conditions" chip set Bill mentions as an upgrade to any 1350 that needs it - for $40. I have never made the upgrade - I turn it on, it works and thats it. I also do not suffer much from severe mineralization. The 1350 is about as close to a genuine turn and go design as you can get. Is it the ultimate in depth under your conditions? I can't answer that.

I read that report, too, and found it interesting. I wonder if any detector would be a 'magic bullet' under those conditions, and it seemed as much as an insight into detector design pholosophy as a performance review. The GMH CX III was the deepest in the "Fast Track" all-metal mode, that much was certain. That's a Garrett feature to this day, reflecting their philosophy which says that is the way to get the most depth from any detector. As I mentioned earlier, this means you clear out the surface clutter and then dig everything that is deep.**

It was noteworthy that none of the tested units in motion DISC really shined in the red clay test; and one of them is still in producion!
There was one that combined ease of use and adequate DISC performance "in the gumbo," but sadly, it wasn't the GMH CXIII.
I think BIll is right when he said, "If you have the red clay, you might be better off with a machine that has fast track and manual ground balance."

The three Garretts at the top end all have auto ground tracking in the DISC mode, including the 1350. They are also dead easy to use. Other units from other makers have also adopted a similar format and claim to get excruciating depth under any conditions... blah, blah, blah. I might add that this is predicated on whether you can live with them or not.


** A detectorist from years back, Lucille Bowen, I believe, made the claim that you should dig everything that repeats and indicates at 3" or more.

 

[bearkat4160]

And I always go for a detector that has the All Metal Mode. In disc mode in Ga. and Ala. in the red clay I always got hit with less depth using disc mode. The clay kinda chokes a detector with preset disc. But it handle the ground fine it just effected the depth. Then I switch over to all metal mode (GTI 2500) and it adjust to the ground and gets way better depth than disc mode. So I would sugest a CXIII or GTI 2500. As you might want to use the all metal mode for xtra depth. The other detectors are fine also as they are auto grnd trac...but because it has a preset from the factory for disc mode it is handy capped off the bat for kick butt depth. In thick red clay one time I got a signal at 6 in in all metal mode but couldnt get it in disc mode. Was a strong signal in all metal, but no signal in disc mode, almost didnt dig it but I did and it was a quarter at six inches laying flat...go figure. The groung balance was was tracking at 11 on the scale. (12.5) max. So was thick hot red clay.

Alan