Garrett metal detectors are popular detectors across the world courtesy of their high-quality and solid design. It is these kinds of features and many more that make them the best values on the market today. Currently, the two most popular metal detectors from the Garrett brand are the AT Pro and the AT Gold models.
The Garrett AT Pro and AT Gold come with almost similar features which make most people struggle to decide which is best to buy between the two? If you are in this situation, then you have come to the right place. Here we do a thorough review of these two metal detectors and find the difference between them and know which is best for you to buy.
Garrett AT Pro Vs AT Gold Comparision
Garrett AT Pro
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Frequency: 15 kHz
- Discrimination patterns: Coins, Custom, and Zero.
- 40 levels of iron discrimination
- Manual and automatic ground balancing
- Submersible coils
- Suitable for salt water hunting
- LCD screens do not have a backlight
- 8.5 x 11 inches DD PROformance search coil
Garrett AT Gold
- Frequency: 18 kHz
- Search modes: All-metal, Discrim-1, and Discrim-2.
- 40 levels of iron discrimination
- Manual and automatic balancing
- Submersible coil
- Not suitable salt water hunting
- LCD screens does not have backlight
- 5 x 8 inches DD PROformance search coil.
IN THIS POST
Basic Features Comparision of Garrett AT Pro Vs AT Gold
1. Operating Frequency
The Garrett AT Pro comes with an operating frequency of 15 kHz while the AT Gold has a slightly higher 18 kHz operating frequency. The difference in operating frequency between these two detectors affects much in terms of each detector’s performance.
The 15 kHz frequency of the AT Pro makes it perfect for detecting coins and relics in different ground conditions. For this reason, the AT Pro is such a popular metal detector. Contrary, the lower frequency means the detector has less sensitivity to smaller items compared to the higher frequency of the AT Gold. Nonetheless, it delivers a better depth and does a great job of detecting higher conductivity targets.
The 18 kHz operating frequency makes the AT Gold more sensitive to smaller targets and gold pieces. It also makes the detector better in detecting lower conductors such as bullets and buttons. However, the higher frequency delivers less in terms of depth detection compared to the AT Pro.
2. Target Identification and Discrimination
Both detectors have a digital target ID. Whereas this is a standard feature for mid-level metal detectors, it is important since it saves you the time to dig up undesired targets. Both detectors’ displays show numbers between 0-99 depending on the target’s conductivity.
The AT Pro metal detector has three discrimination patterns that include Coins, Custom, and Zero. Unlike the AT Gold, each of these discrimination patterns can be used in both standard and professional modes. The AT Pro doesn’t have the true all-metal mode, but comes with a “Zero” mode that plays a similar role but when discrimination is not used.
The AT Gold has three search modes that include True All-Metal, Discrim 1, and Discrim 2. All these modes use “Pro” audio mode. The True All-Metal mode helps the detector to maximize detection depth and sensitivity, especially for the gold pieces. It doesn’t have adjustable notch discrimination like the AT Pro.
Both detectors come with an electric pinpointing mode that ensures you get a precise target location.
3. Iron Audio and High-Resolution Iron Discrimination
Both detectors have up to 40 levels of iron discrimination which allows for greater control over the targets to be filtered. They also have an Iron Audio system that enables you to audibly pick out trash objects like bottle caps next to iron. This feature can save you a lot of time and frustration whenever hunting.
4. Ground Balance
Both AT Pro and AT Gold have a manual and automatic ground balance which provides more control over how the detectors handle mineralization. The manual ground balance is essential, especially when hunting in poor terrain conditions mostly where gold can be gotten. Therefore, it is a manual ground balance essential feature to check out when purchasing a detector for gold hunting.
5. Suitability for Underwater Hunting
If you intend to hunt in shallow streams, rivers, creeks, or lakes, both the AT Gold and AT Pro have submersible coils and waterproof control boxes that will enable you to hunt without worry. Both detectors work well up to 10 feet underwater.
However, the AT Gold is not suitable for hunting in saltwater since it doesn’t ground balance to salt. On the other hand, the AT Pro has a perfect ground balancing on salt to make it a better choice for hunting in saltwater.
6. Display
Both detectors feature similar LED displays and controls. The screens are clear and easy to see. However, both lack backlight that may make it a challenge to hunt in low-light conditions. The following is the information provided on the LED screen:
- Mode: At the left portion of the screen, you will get different search modes displayed. You can switch the modes by using the “MODE” button.
- Depth Indicator: Both detectors come with a coin depth indicator with a maximum of 10-inches.
- Target ID: Both detectors display a larger numerical target ID at the center while the estimate of the type of metal detected is displayed as a segment depending on the metal conductivity.
- Battery Level: Both always display the current battery level.
- Sensitivity: Both detectors’ sensitivity is displayed at the bottom of the screen and can be easily adjusted.
Although the screens of AT Pro and AT Gold display the same information, there have some differences in button configuration.
7. Coil
The AT Pro has an 8.5 x 11 inches DD PROformance search coil that delivers a better depth while covering ground quickly. On the other hand, AT Gold is better for searching smaller objects and therefore comes with a small 5 x 8 inches DD PROformance search coil. Although it doesn’t deliver the same depth as the AT Pro search coil, it is more sensitive to smaller targets and performs better in target separation.
8. Headphones
Both detectors come with basic headphones that are ideal for hunting on land. These headphones are not waterproof, hence cannot be submerged in water. If you intend to hunt in water, you will need to buy a waterproof pair.
9. Performance in the Field
With the high-end features that these two metal detectors come with, you will be surprised to find out that both provide excellent performance in metal detecting. They are relatively lightweight and easy to use. Equally, they deliver better sensitivity that you will need in the field.
The AT Gold is a great performer in hunting smaller gold pieces, jewelry, relics when paired with the standard 5 x 8 inches DD PROformance search coil. Contrary, the AT Pro isn’t perfect for small targets as well as an all-round detector that provides excellent performance.
These two metal detectors have excellent recovery time. So if you want a metal detector that picks out real targets that are next to trash items, the AT series can be perfect.
Final Thought
Both Garrett’s AT Pro and AT Gold are top-performing metal detectors. They allow for easy use, lightweight, and come with plenty of other features that both newbie and veteran detectorists will want to have in a metal detector.
Choosing between these two metal detectors will entirely depend on what your needs are. If you are planning to hunt gold nuggets and other smaller items, the AT Gold comes with excellent sensitivity and higher operating frequency that is ideal for detecting smaller items.
If you are interested in an all-round metal detector that can help you hunt for jewelry, coins and relics, the AT Pro is a better choice. Besides being affordable, it comes with better sensitivity, suitable in saltwater hunting, provides greater depth, adjustable notch discrimination, and a larger coil to help you sweep larger ground area without a hassle.
We hope this post has put straight the differences at similarities that exist between the Garrett AT Pro and Garrett AT Gold. Now, you can confidently make an informed decision on which one to buy.
