Garrett AT Pro Review | Best All-Terrain Metal Detector in 2024?

When it comes to metal detecting, having the right tools can make all the difference. The Garrett AT Pro is one such tool that stands out from all its competitors. This metal detector is designed to help you locate metal objects precisely and easily, and it doesn’t matter if you are searching on land or underwater. 

This metal detector comes with a bright orange pinpointer, which makes it hard to lose sight of it, even in dirty waters. With its advanced features, ease of use, waterproof ability, and strong build quality, the Garrett AT Pro is a solid choice for anyone serious about metal detecting.

In this detailed article, I will share my experience with this metal detector, its advanced features, its specifications, and its Pros and Cons. So stay connected!

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Before going deep into this article, let’s first discuss Garrett’s history. Garrett has been a trusted name in the metal-detecting industry for over 60 years. The company was founded by Charles Garrett in 1964. Charles Garrett was a passionate engineer who wanted to create high-quality metal detectors. 

The Garrett AT Pro is part of the AT (All-Terrain) series. The AT (All-Terrain) series is known for its durability and ability to work in various environments. Over the years, Garrett has continuously improved its products, and the AT Pro is a result of that dedication to quality and innovation.

Garrett AT Pro was launched in 2010. The AT Pro quickly became a favourite metal detector among passionate detectorists. Its all-terrain functionality sets it apart from other detectors on the market. It offers users the ability to search in a wide range of conditions. Over the years, it has maintained its reputation for quality and reliability, becoming one of Garrett’s flagship models.

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The Garrett AT Pro offers some powerful and advanced features that make it stand out in the world of metal detectors. Here’s an in-depth look at the features that make it one of the best choices for serious metal detecting.

All-Terrain Flexibility

The Garrett AT Pro is designed to cover all the areas. This means it can handle different environments with ease. It doesn’t matter if you are searching in a dry field, a muddy riverbank, or even underwater; the AT Pro is up to the task. The detector is fully waterproof up to 10 feet (3 meters). I have taken it to rivers, lakes, and even saltwater beaches, and it performs consistently well.

It allows you to search in shallow waters without worrying about damaging the machine. This feature is especially helpful for searching on the beach, exploring rivers, and even shallow diving. This pinpointer gives you access to areas that other detectors might not be able to handle.

Pro Mode Audio

One of my favourite features of the Garrett AT Pro is the Pro Mode Audio. This mode provides detailed audio information about the targets you are detecting. Unlike standard metal detectors that give a simple beep when they find something, the Pro Mode Audio allows you to hear minor distinctions in the target’s sound. 

This feature is crucial for more experienced users who want to differentiate between targets without relying only on the visual display. It gives a more detailed understanding of what is underground, helping you make the right decision before digging.

Iron Audio

Iron Audio is a feature that helps you avoid digging up trash. In many areas, especially those with a lot of human activity, iron junk like nails, bottle caps, and other debris can be a common problem. The Iron Audio feature allows you to hear the iron content of a target. 

This means you can easily distinguish between valuable targets like coins or jewellery and worthless iron junk. I have avoided many unnecessary digs by using Iron Audio, making my hunts more efficient and enjoyable.

High-Resolution Iron Discrimination

The Garrett AT Pro offers high-resolution iron discrimination with 40 different levels. This level of control allows you to fine-tune the detector’s ability to ignore iron targets. Adjusting the iron discrimination allows you to customize your search to suit the specific environment and your goals. 

For example, in a heavily mineralized area where iron junk is common, you can increase the discrimination by focusing only on more conductive metals like silver, gold, or copper. This feature is particularly useful for gold hunting in areas with a lot of historical debris.

Digital Target ID

The Digital Target ID system on the Garrett AT Pro is a valuable tool for identifying targets before you dig. It assigns a numeric value to the detected object, based on its conductivity. The Target ID scale ranges from 0 to 99, with higher numbers generally indicating more conductive metals like silver or copper.

Lower numbers might represent iron or aluminium. This feature is incredibly useful for quickly assessing about the target. Experienced users can often identify different metals just by quickly looking at the Target ID number.

Fast Recovery Speed

Fast recovery speed is another important feature of the Garrett AT Pro. When detecting in areas with a lot of targets close together, a detector’s ability to quickly “reset” after identifying one target can make a big difference. The AT Pro’s fast recovery speed ensures that you don’t miss valuable targets that might be located near junk items. 

I have used it in heavily searched parks where targets are often very close, and the AT Pro’s quick recovery allows me to pick up good targets right next to trash. It allows for a more thorough and efficient search. This increases your chances of finding something valuable.

Ground Balance

The Garrett AT Pro includes both automatic and manual ground balance options. Ground balance is a critical feature for dealing with mineralized soils, which can cause false signals. Automatic ground balance allows the detector to adjust itself to the mineral content of the soil, reducing noise and improving target detection.

Manual ground balance, on the other hand, gives you more control if you’re in a particularly tricky area where the soil conditions vary widely. This feature is particularly useful in gold detecting or when detecting in areas with high concentrations of iron-rich soil or hot rocks.

Notch Discrimination

Notch Discrimination on the Garrett AT Pro allows you to selectively ignore certain types of targets. For example, if you’re only interested in finding coins, you can set the detector to ignore other metals like aluminium. This feature is customizable, so you can choose exactly what types of targets to exclude from your search. 

Notch Discrimination helps you focus on what you want to find and ignore what you don’t, making your detecting sessions more efficient and less frustrating.

Adjustable Frequency

The Garrett AT Pro operates at a 15 kHz frequency, which is well-suited for finding small targets like coins, jewellery, and even small gold nuggets. However, the detector can also be slightly adjusted to avoid interference from other detectors or electronic devices. 

This is particularly useful when detecting in areas with multiple users or near power lines and other sources of electromagnetic interference. It ensures that your detector operates smoothly and minimizes disruption, allowing for a more productive search.

Pinpointing Mode

The Pinpointing Mode on the Garrett AT Pro helps you precisely focus on your target once you have found it. After detecting a target, you can activate Pinpoint Mode to narrow down the exact location of the object. This reduces the amount of digging needed and ensures that you recover your target quickly and efficiently. I have used it in several areas where I want to find the exact location of the metal and it never let me down.

It’s a valuable tool, especially in areas where you want to minimize ground disturbance or when working in hard-to-dig soils.

Search Coil

The search coil is a vital part of any metal detector, and the Garrett AT Pro’s 8.5″ x 11″ PROformance™ DD coil is one of the best. In my experience, its size covers large areas while still being sensitive to small targets. The DD design is great for separating targets that are close together, especially in areas with a lot of trash.

I have found coins and gold buried as deep as 10 inches or more. The coil’s sensitivity also means it can detect small items like coins and jewellery. It’s fully waterproof, and I’ve used it in shallow water and wet sand with no problems at all, making it perfect for rivers and beaches.

The shape of the coil helps cover more ground, which speeds up the search and makes it more efficient.

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One thing I can say about the Garrett AT Pro is that it’s built to last. The detector feels solid and durable in hand, which gives me confidence when I’m out in the field. The control box is well-sealed and waterproof. I have used this detector in rain, mud, and even underwater, and it has performed very well. 

The coil is solid yet light enough to swing for extended periods without causing fatigue. The overall design is excellent, and the materials used are of high quality, ensuring that the AT Pro can withstand the rigours of regular use.

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In my experience, the Garrett AT Pro delivers strong performance in a variety of settings. It operates at a 15 kHz frequency and strikes a good balance between depth and sensitivity. This makes it great for finding all kinds of targets, like coins, relics, and small jewellery.

I have found the Pro Mode Audio to be especially helpful. It provides clear feedback on the size and depth of the target. This makes it easier to decide whether to dig. The Iron Audio feature is also a big plus, helping me quickly identify and avoid junk metal in trashy areas. This saves a lot of time and effort.

The detector’s fast recovery speed has impressed me, particularly in areas where targets are close together. It’s able to pick up multiple signals quickly, which is a huge advantage when hunting in busy locations.

No matter where I am; in a park, a field, or on a beach, the AT Pro consistently performs well. It can detect objects at good depths, sometimes over 10 inches, depending on the conditions. Overall, the Garrett AT Pro has proven to be a reliable and accurate detector that I can always count on during my hunts.

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In conclusion, the Garrett AT Pro is a detector that I can confidently recommend to anyone serious about metal detecting. It’s versatile, user-friendly, and packed with features that make it a joy to use. Whether you are hunting for coins, relics, or even gold, this detector can perform well in a variety of settings.

The AT Pro’s all-terrain functionality, combined with advanced features like Pro Mode Audio, Iron Audio, and a top-notch search coil, makes it a standout in its class. From my personal experience, the AT Pro has consistently delivered results, and it’s a tool I trust in the field. If you’re looking for a reliable and effective metal detector, the Garrett AT Pro is definitely worth considering.