Garrett AT Pro Metal Detector Review

Written By: Marc McDermott
Last Updated:

Imagine a fully waterproof metal detector packed with expert-level features – all at an affordable price. Imagine a detector that can be used in all terrains and can uncover targets ranging from platinum rings on a saltwater beach, to gold nuggets on a claim out West. I give you, our review of the Garrett AT Pro.

What we like:

  • Fully waterproof and submersible
  • Manual and auto ground balance
  • Proportional audio
  • Iron Audio

What we don’t like:

  • Single-frequency
  • Waterproof headphones sold separately
  • No back-lit display

Now let’s dive deep into the features of the AT Pro!

Waterproof & submersible

The AT Pro is waterproof up to 10 feet which is perfect for hunting around ponds, lakes, creeks, rivers, and even the ocean. Having a detector that’s completely waterproof is unique in that the only other waterproof machines on the market are built specifically for water hunting and shouldn’t be used on land (except the AT Gold and CTX 3030).

AT Pro in water

Even if you just want to hunt in a shallow creek, it’s too easy to slip on a rock or drop your detector by accident. If that happens and your machine is NOT waterproof, you just lost your machine. If you have any desire to hunt in or near a water source, you should take a closer look at the AT Pro.

It’s worth noting that the stock headphones are NOT waterproof and should not be used near water. Garrett sells the waterproof headphones separately and can be found here. There’s also a great aftermarket brand of waterproof headphones which I find more comfortable. They are the DetectorPro Gray Ghost Amphibians and can be found here.

Proportional audio (Pro Audio)

Proportional audio or “Pro Mode” audio is an advanced feature that emits way more than a single tone when over a target. You’ll hear many simultaneous tones (snapping and popping) which represent the characteristics of the target including things like conductivity, shape, and depth.

Proportional audio can be turned on and off depending on user preference, experience, and skill level. When turned off, the machine audio will sound much like the monotones of the ACE series. Once you master this audio mode, you’ll find yourself digging less trash and more treasure.

Iron audio

Iron audio is an advanced audio feature that allows you to hear discriminated iron in a way where you KNOW there’s iron in the ground. Your detector will emit very low, grunting tones that indicate the target has iron (ferrous) content and is likely trash (unless you are relic hunting for iron targets).

This feature is extremely useful for all types of hunters, but especially coin shooters. Coin shooters will typically hunt with iron totally discriminated (or notched out).

But when a coin shooter hits a questionable signal and can’t decide whether to dig, they can flip on Iron Audio and instantly determine if any iron exists in the target. This feature saves you from digging trash so you can spend more time digging good targets.

Automatic & manual ground balance

The AT Pro has both manual and automatic ground balance capabilities. Ground balancing is a feature that allows the detector to ignore signals from the ground like iron and salt. Not only does ground balancing cut down on the chatter of ground signals, but it also allows your detector to find targets at deeper depths and with better target ID accuracy.

So if you live in areas of the country with highly mineralized soil (or hot ground), you’re going to want a metal detector with this feature for sure.

Frequency

The AT Pro frequency is 15 kHz and can be adjusted to four slightly different frequencies if there is interference from EMI or other nearby detectors. This frequency is great for finding targets of all sizes.

The reason I list this as a con is that it is only a single frequency machine – as is almost every machine on the market apart from high-end Minelabs and other specialty machines. With single frequency, detecting on saltwater beaches is not ideal. So if you live by the coast, this can be a problem.

Even though Garrett’s marketing material says the AT Pro can be used on saltwater beaches, this just isn’t the case. Don’t get me wrong; you can certainly use the AT Pro on saltwater beaches. But if you plan to get in the water or wet sand, you’re going to get a lot of chatter even with ground balancing and the DD coil. All that chatter is going to mask good targets but more importantly, limit your depth capabilities.

It’s important to note that this will be the case with ANY single frequency machine – not just the AT Pro. It’s simply the nature of the technology.

Digital Target ID

The AT Pro’s Digital Target ID system helps you find the target more precisely. Targets are shown on the LCD by number, with items near 1 being ferrous and those closer to 99 being highly conductive. When used in conjunction with audio signals, this system provides you with more information about the quality of the target.

Search Modes

The AT Pro has six search modes. Three are standard modes and three Pro modes. The standard mode is the default setting when you turn on your detector. I recommend starting with the standard mode and then trying the pro modes as you become more familiar with how your detector works.

In Standard Mode, a single tone indicates the target’s dominant conductivity. This mode is quieter and more consistent in operation, and it is popular among novices.

For those who want to learn more about the target, use the Pro Mode. The ability to hear a target’s size and depth through Proportional Audio is only one of the advantages of working in Pro Mode. Pro Mode’s more sophisticated audio features are intended for more experienced users who want to hear the actual signature of targets rather than the simplified target response available in STD Mode.

Notch Discrimination

The NOTCH discrimination function of the AT Pro is used in conjunction with the ELIM button to remove trash items from detection, such as foil or pull tabs. There are 12 discrimination notches (in addition to the 40 points of High-Res Iron Discrimination) available. Based on your preference, any combination of these pixels may be turned on or off. Each Mode’s discrimination pattern may be modified with the notch discrimination function.

High-Res Iron Discrimination

The AT Pro has a high-resolution iron discrimination adjustment. This extra resolution enables more precise control over the amount of iron discrimination applied. The level may be varied from 0 (no iron discrimination) to 40 (maximum iron discrimination).

When too much iron discrimination is applied, an iron object might frequently “mask” the signal of a good target. This feature allows the detector will identify the combined conductivity of the coin and iron object, therefore overcoming the possibility of “masking.”

AT Pro coils

Serious metal detectorists know that to be effective in your hunts; you need to use different search coils for various applications. Here are the accessory coils that Garrett makes for the AT Pro:

  • 4” DD sniper for getting into tight spaces as well as hunting in high trash areas.
  • 5 x 8” DD for high trash areas and better target separation.
  • 6.5 x 9” concentric for neutral ground in low trash areas.
  • 9 x 12” concentric for neutral ground in wide-open areas to cover more ground faster.

Each coil has its function. No coil is better than the other. It’s all about where you intend to use it.

Warranty

The AT Pro has a two-year limited warranty on parts and labor. It does not cover damage caused by negligence, carelessness, accident, or misuse. This warranty will be invalid if the AT Pro is used at depths of more than 10 feet underwater.

FAQs

Here are some of the more commonly asked questions about the AT Pro.

Is the AT Pro good for beginners?

The AT Pro is the perfect detector for beginners of all ages. It’s easy to learn, inexpensive, and performs very well in a variety of terrains. It can be used to find coins, jewelry, and relics.

How deep does the AT Pro detect?

The AT Pro has a maximum depth of around 10″ for a quarter-sized object with the stock 8.5×11″ search coil. Maximum depth in any metal detector is affected by ground mineralization, target size, coil size as well as other factors.

What is the best search coil?

The best search coil for the AT Pro is the 8.5×11″ stock coil which comes in the box. While this is best for general hunting, different conditions make your choice of coil different. A smaller coil should be used in high trash areas like tot lots whereas a larger coil can be used in large open areas such as beaches and fields.

Does the AT Pro detect gold?

Yes, the AT Pro will detect gold. However, it’s not a gold hunting detector. The Garrett AT Gold is better for gold nuggets than the AT Pro.

All metal detectors detect gold; the only question is can the machine handle the types of environments and terrains where gold is most typically found? (i.e., high levels of mineralization).

Can the AT Pro go underwater?

Yes, the AT Pro can go underwater and is fully submersible to 10 feet. While the entire detector can be submerged, the stock headphones are not waterproof. You’ll need to purchase separate headphones for the water.

Is the AT Pro good for saltwater and wet sand?

The AT Pro does not perform well in saltwater or wet sand on saltwater beaches. It’s 15 kHz single frequency technology is not made to handle the high mineralization of saltwater.

How much does the AT Pro weigh?

The AT Pro weight is 3.03 lbs (1.4 kgs). The total weight can change based on which coil you’re detecting with.

What comes in the box?

The AT Pro comes with the following items:

  • 8.5×11” DD coil
  • Land headphones
  • Instruction manual
  • Instruction DVD
  • Two Year Warranty card

You can also find some great bundles online that also include items like coil covers, pinpointers, pouches, bags, etc.

When did the AT Pro come out?

The AT Pro was released by Garrett in the fall of 2010.

Where to buy the AT Pro?

You can buy the AT Pro from any authorized Garrett dealer as well as Amazon.

How does the AT Gold compare?

See my complete article comparing AT Pro vs AT Gold.

Which is better Garrett AT Pro or AT Max?

See my complete article comparing Garrett AT Pro vs AT Max.

Are Garrett Metal Detectors Made in China?

Garrett metal detectors are not manufactured in China. Parts and components may be sourced globally but all products are designed, tested and assembled in the USA to the highest standards of quality control so you can rely on a Garrett detector. The company requires a very high level of customer satisfaction and support from its distributors around the world.

Does the AT Pro have a back-lit display?

No it does not have a backlit display, making it difficult to stay out detecting after sunset.

Final Thoughts

The Garrett AT Pro is a powerful metal detector that provides the user with an impressive range of features. With its waterproof and submersible design, it can be used in all conditions to find any type of metal object. I hope this article has helped you narrow down your search and find the perfect machine that will meet all of your needs. Happy hunting!

See all our Garrett metal detector reviews.