Garrett AT MAX Detector with Z-Link Pinpointer Special!*

Garrett AT Max Best Settings

The Garrett At max comes with notch discrimination, iron discrimination, iron audio feature, ground balance, and EMI frequency shift.

The all-metal mode features a continuous audio response with no discrimination. You will hear the Garrett AT Max report every piece of metal in the ground in one tone, with an iron audio option. All-metal mode is the deepest mode on the Garrett AT Max and should be used in less trashy sites where max depth is desired. This mode is best used with the threshold set up a little to hear small faint targets. Custom, coins, and zero modes will be quieter and more stable than all metal modes.

Custom Mode is set up to save your customized discrimination pattern even after the detector is turned off.

Coins Mode is a pre-set mode to help you discriminate out the most trash if you prefer not to customize your own discrimination pattern.

Zero Mode is a pre-set mode in which no metal targets have been notched out--including iron. This mode can provide more tone ID information and can be useful for cross-checking when targets are masked by trash.

Garrett AT Max Tips

Users who start looking for a new detector naturally want to compare the product they’re interested into other machines. They ask, how the AT Max vs. Equinox 800 or 600 compare, or AT Max vs Makro Kruzer, AT Max vs. Etrac, etc..

The truth is that every detector has an edge over another in certain ways, and the important thing is putting the time and dedication into learning the machine.

The Garrett AT Max will not let you down, it has a unique audio that helps the user discern exactly what is beneath the coil. Experts will tell you, the best way to learn is to train your ear. Well, the Garrett AT Max uses a special roll tone, double tone, and volume modulation to help you begin to understand the difference between a bottle cap or tin foil, and a good target.

Users report the Garrett AT Max's best settings are to not run it too high in sensitivity, or you will lose targets from being overwhelmed by ground noise.

User AT Max reviews suggest running in zero mode and cross-checking with all metal modes. Users also suggest not to run with iron audio on until you want to cross-check a target you might believe is being masked by iron. Running with iron audio on all the time you run the risk of missing a target with too much auditory feedback coming through.

Garrett AT Max VDI Numbers and Target ID

As a disclaimer, it is not wise to rely entirely on the AT Max VDI numbers to dig a target. Target ID numbers on the AT Max are only a fraction of the information that will help you decide to dig or not. If the At Max’s VDI numbers are unstable, that doesn’t mean the machine is bad. The machine is just giving you information, it’s up to you to decipher what that information means.

For instance, if the VDI numbers are jumping, and the audio is very faint, that might mean you have a deeper target under the coil. In another situation the VDI numbers are jumping, but the audio is medium to loud, this could mean you have more than one target under the coil, or that the target is not pure in its molecular makeup. In the real world of detecting, (when it’s not just an air test), target VDI numbers are rarely consistent because of influences from ground mineralization, target decay, and surrounding targets.

By putting time on your machine you will begin to learn to differentiate these sounds and what they mean and you will rely only partially on the VDI to help give you the entire picture of what is under your coil.

VDI Numbers for gold can range anywhere from 35-58 possibly even lower. Beware that trash like aluminum, pull-tabs, aluminum cans, foil, bottle caps, and certain nails can range from the 30’s all the way up to 90’s if they are large enough (like a whole aluminum can for instance).

Silver jewelry can range anywhere from 29 to 84 depending on the size.

AT Max Coins Target ID (VDI) Chart

AT MAX's other features include:

Iron Audio™ - Hear discriminated iron (normally silenced) to avoid digging tricky, undesired flat iron items.

All Metal Iron Audio™ - Garrett Exclusive feature that audibly identifies discriminated iron while operating in a True All-Metal Mode.

Adjustable Frequency Small frequency shifts to eliminate interference.

All Terrain Versatility Fully submersible to 10-foot (3 meter) depth. Weatherproof design also protects against dusty and humid environments. For underwater use, optional wired headphones must be used.

Digital Target ID-0 to 99 scale.

High-Res Iron Discrimination™ 44 points of iron resolution.

Adjustable Threshold User can manually adjust the audio threshold (the constant background sound or "hum") to better hear faint targets.

Pulse Width Modulation Audio Proportional PWM audio response and Tone Roll Audio provide more target information and sharp, responsive target signals.

Four Search Modes:

True All-Metal, Custom, Coins, and Zero Discrim Modes.

Fast Recovery Speed

Notch Discrimination

Coin Depth Indicator

Battery Condition Indicator

All Garrett AT searchcoils are compatible: