Garrett GTP-1350 - User Impressions

[morestuff!]

I have been out of the hobby for a very long time. When I was finally in a position to step back in, there was some confusion over the new models; and a bit of "sticker shock"!

Chose the new Garrett GTP-1350 because of the long standing reputation of the company and the price was in my range.. around $550 as I recall.. don't have the invoice at hand.

Since it is a newer model, and I am starting into what for me is a new era of detecting (my old machine was a late 1970's Bounty Hunter TR/VLF 840), I am starting this thread to give some user impressions of this mid-range detector.

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Over the past several weeks, the cold, snowy weather kept most of my learning indoors. Read the manual a couple times and watched the supplied instructional video repeatedly. Did a few test passes with surface planted coins, to get used to the audio I.D.

Yesterday, the weather broke for a bit and gave it a tour around my "hunted-out" backyard. There's alot of junk in the ground from house remodeling that was done around ten years ago. I did manage to find a penny near the driveway, but I had no expectations of anything more from this location.

First impressions: When on a good target, the Graphic Target Profiling worked well. Sharp tone, target size indicator was correct, and the depth reading was also correct. The detector does seem to have a bit more "recovery time" than I expected. It will give a false positive, then re-analyze and discriminate the item out as junk. It also seems to react better to a slightly faster sweeping motion than I had anticipated. At a slower coil sweep, it did not like the trashy conditions (lot of nails, scraps of aluminum, and foil).

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continued......

Target pinpointing worked well. It was accurate and centered.

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The GTP-1350 comes with a 7x10 elliptical searchcoil. The coil is the heaviest part of the unit, and it will take more field-time to find out if it feels unbalanced after long searches. But, I am considering a smaller coil for coinshooting.

The plastic nut and bolt assembly for the searchcoil holds it steady, but allows the coil to droop when placed on the ground for more than a few minutes. I did not want to tighten it further, as I feared stripping the bolt. Will have to get a coil brace. That should eliminate the problem.

Also, I'm concerned that the plastic "feet" below the battery case could crack or become badly abraided in heavy use. Can probably alleviate that potential problem with a strip of electrical tape on each edge.

We'll see what happens when I can get out for some real searching. Some of my false signal problems are probably the result of inexperience with this machine. I'll add further remarks when I get some more field time.

[warsawdaddy]

Hey, Morestuff-you can buy a better nylon bolt/nut at your local Ace store.Might hold better for you??

[morestuff!]

Hi Ron,
Considered buying another nut/bolt combination. But, I think getting a proper coil support might work out better in the long run. They don't usually cost more than $8-10.
Thanks for the suggestion though.
Ed

[Gregory]

Hi Ed,

I kinda like that mine has a stiff movement. This way when I'm detecting from flat to uneven or hilly ground I can easily move it. Never did care to have a stationary coil. What do you guys think?

[gclassen]

Hi, I was happy to see this forum on the GTP1350. I am just getting into detecting and have made a deposit on this unit. I will be picking it up in about 3 weeks. Garrett had a special that included the 10x14 DD search coil. I will be using it mostly around beach and park areas, since we are loaded with them here in MN, and old farmsteads. Is this a good choice for a beginner in MN? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Greg

gs955@msn.com

[Gregory]

Hi Greg,

Welcome to the TQ forum

I would say you made a very good choice. Take your time and slow your sweep speed down and I bet you will do great with it

[morestuff!]

Greg from Pa., Thanks for adding the individual brand forums!

Greg from MN., I think you made a good choice. Enjoy!


I had some more time to spend with the GTP-1350. I'm getting a much better handle on things now. Have to check the Garrett site and see if a smaller coil is available for this unit.

Has very good response to very small targets. Was testing it out in Zero discriminate mode. Hit on a 1/8 inch shard of foil at about 5.5 inches. That seems good to me anyway.

Just wish I had more time to get out! Very busy with work, family and antique car club commitments.