Beach Test - Garrett ATX Pulse Induction

As most of the readers of Treasure Hunting magazine will know, I use Pulse Induction detectors approximately 85% of my detecting time; the other 15% is done with a VLF discriminator detector.

- Willie the Wizard

The reason for this is that some parts of the beach have too much metallic rubbish on them and therefore a certain amount of discrimination is necessary to overcome this trash. The Disc mode on the ATX was one very small but important reason why I purchased the detector. The main reason was that I needed a good back up machine for the PI detector that I use now and with a bit of luck, who knows, it might become the number one machine? The main reason for using a PI on the beach without doubt is the depth that can be achieved in wet sand.

Discrimination would be nice to have, but PI machines love iron. So, let’s see how we get on. Another thing to bear in mind is that I have been using a PI machine for 30 years and I have got to know all the quirks of the Pulse Induction format. However I read the instruction manual from front to back and digested it fully.

The PI detector I use is non-motion; the ATX has both motion and nonmotion so you have a choice. My advice is start on motion and let the detector do the work for you. When you have had a few outings with the motion mode, try a session with the non-motion mode. This mode will bring you out of your comfort zone, but it goes deeper and once mastered you will rarely go back. I received the ATX from Regton a short while ago and was surprised at the thickness of the adjustable stems.

This detector appeared ‘military spec’ in terms of the colour, strength and the weight; it looked to be a well-made detector to say the least. I was taken back a bit when I felt the weight, but with the sling fitted the weight just disappears and you have nicely balanced detector to use.