The Garrett ATX pulse induction detector was specifically designed to overcome the most challenging prospecting and relic hunting environments, including extremely mineralized soils and saltwater. Although the ATX was designed for the extreme needs of gold prospectors, it is a highly capable instrument for many other types of searching. Its ability to overcome mineralized soils, salts and mineralized stones, bricks, terra cotta, etc., creates numerous opportunities for industrial use, historical archaeology, game wardens (detection of poachers’ bullets), etc. Relic hunters who encounter areas of highly mineralized ground will benefit from detection depths not available from conventional detectors. Scroll down to watch a video and to download the operating manual.
The ATX detector is highly recommended for Gold Prospecting, Cache Hunting, Relic Hunting, Dry Beach/Fresh Water Hunting, and Surf Hunting. Is also good for Jewelry Hunting, Coin Hunting and Ghost Town Hunting.
Key Benefits of the Garrett ATX Pulse Induction Metal Detector:
- Maximum Detection on all targets at the same time. No need to switch modes to enhance detection of one target while degrading another.
- Advanced Ground Balance means this detector has wide range to ground balance from heavily mineralized ground (ironstone) to saltwater without switching to special modes.
- Exclusive Design DD Searchcoil enhances detection of small items without having to slow down the scanning speed of the coil.
- Motion and Non-Motion Modes provides optimum performance based on your hunting preference and conditions.
- Fully Collapsible -- the ATX can be operated with its stem fully extended, fully collapsed, or anywhere in between.
- Quick Iron Check feature and adjustable Discrimination
- Ground Track with 4 settings so you can choose setting that best handles rapidly changing ground mineralization.
- LED Indicators show signal strength and current settings.
- External Speaker is built in for option to search without headphones.
- Frequency Scan is an auto function for eliminating RFI interference.
- Audio retune quickly cancels out unwanted ambient signals.
- Volume Controls can adjust to limit the response of large signals in order to better hear deep/faint signals.
- Discrimination is adjustable: 25 settings
- 2 Search Modes: Motion and Non-Motion
- Audio Threshold is adjustable: 25 settings
- Detection Frequency: 730 pulses per second, adjustable
- Submersion Depth: 10 feet
- Sensitivity/Depth Adjustments: 13
- Electronic Pinpointing: YES
- Quick Iron Check: YES
- Standard Searchcoil: 10" x 12" PROformance™ DD
- Standard Land Headphones Included: weight 16 oz.
- Length: (Adjustable) 20" to 68"
- Total Weight: 6.9 lbs., includes batteries
- Batteries: 8 AA (included); rechargeables also included
- Manufacturer Warranty: 2 Year, Limited Parts/Labor
Garrett ATX Basic Package includes FREE SHIPPING in continental USA and:
• ATX with coil and coil cover - use drop down menu to choose from 3 different coil sizes, all the same price
• Garrett MasterSound headphones
• Soft storage/travel case
• Garrett Detector Sling
• AA alkaline and rechargeable batteries and battery charger
• Owners Manual
Check out the Garrett ATX Deepseeker Package that includes a hard case and an extra 15 x 20 inch mono search coil for locating larger and more deeply buried objects.
How does PI Technology work? Unlike a VLF (very low frequenc detector) detector, PI (pulse induction) systems may use a single coil as both transmitter and receiver, or they may have two or even three coils working together. This technology sends powerful, short bursts (pulses) of current through a coil of wire. Each pulse generates a brief magnetic field. When the pulse ends, the magnetic field reverses polarity and collapses very suddenly, resulting in a sharp electrical spike. This spike lasts a few millionths of a second and causes another current to run through the coil. This current is called the reflected pulse and is extremely short, lasting only about 30 microseconds. Another pulse is then sent and the process repeats.
If your detector is over a metal object, the pulse creates an opposite magnetic field in the object. When the pulse's magnetic field collapses, causing the reflected pulse, the magnetic field of the object makes it take longer for the reflected pulse to completely disappear. This process works something like echoes: If you yell in a room with only a few hard surfaces, you probably hear only a very brief echo, or you may not hear one at all; but if you yell in a room with a lot of hard surfaces, the echo lasts longer. In a PI metal detector, the magnetic fields from target objects add their "echo" to the reflected pulse, making it last a fraction longer than it would without them.
A sampling circuit in the metal detector is set to monitor the length of the reflected pulse. By comparing it to the expected length, the circuit can determine if another magnetic field has caused the reflected pulse to take longer to decay. If the decay of the reflected pulse takes more than a few microseconds longer than normal, there is probably a metal object interfering with it. The sampling circuit sends the tiny, weak signals that it monitors to a device call an integrator. The integrator reads the signals from the sampling circuit, amplifying and converting them to direct current (DC). The direct current's voltage is connected to an audio circuit, where it is changed into a tone that the metal detector uses to indicate that a target object has been found.
PI-based detectors are not as good at discrimination as the more common VLF detectors because the reflected pulse length of various metals are not easily separated. However, they are useful in areas that have highly mineralized soils, and in salt water situations. Pulse Induction detectors also can often detect metal much deeper in the ground than VLF machines.
Download the Garrett ATX Metal Detector Operating Manual here.
