Product Comparison: Minelab CTX 3030 vs Garrett AT Pro

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Best Pick

Minelab CTX 3030 Metal Detector with GPS

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Garrett AT Pro Metal Detector

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General Specifications

Brand

Minelab

Garrett

Model

CTX 3030

AT PRO

Origin

USA

About the Product

The waterproof all-terrain CTX 3030 is the ultimate high performance treasure detector! Discover more historical treasures with the most accurate target identification available. With Minelab’s exclusive integrated GPS, you can navigate to your favourite locations and record your finds. Transfer your detecting information onto Google Maps using the XChange 2 PC application.

This all-terrain detector offers new and exclusive Garrett technology that makes it ideal for hunting coins, relics, caches, jewelry, and even gold nuggets. Select from either Standard or Professional search modes with enhanced audio features.

Key Specs

Circuitry Type

FBS 2

VLF

Type

All Terrain

Operation Mode

All-Metal and Discriminate

Search Coil Type

Double D

Search Coil Size

11"

8.5" x 11"

Adjustment Length

37" to 55.3"

43" to 56"

Search Coil Type
Search Coil Size

What customers say about "Key Specs"

Minelab CTX 3030 Metal Detector with GPS

This is my very first review ever. The reason is not only the performance of this state-of-the-art detector that has outperformed every White’s I have ever owned but the outstanding customer support.
This item is as described. Probably the best wet/dry detector out there, and waterproof to the hilt.
An excellent machine. Very good in iron and recently updated to address a waterproof issue as well.
WONDERFUL metal detector. I would DEFINITELY not use regularly in water. I think it is okay to take in water on occasion, but I have gone through three of these detectors from water damage. I would say it is more water resistant. The detector is AWESOME on land though.

Garrett AT Pro Metal Detector

After taking it on a beach trip and watching the Garrett how to videos online I started finding some good stuff on the beach. $3.88 in various coins...and a 14k gold ring with 8 small diamonds!!!
I like this machine alot, it's a big upgrade from my old one. Found my first coin spill the other day.
Very Nice. I consistently dig way more GOOD stuff than any other person I've hunted with. Very happy with it.
This detector is great like advertised. I have ran around 100 hours with it and found several coins, relics, and trash
Mine has issue with coil. Garret sent me a new coil but it didnt fix the problem. I bought a smaller coil that works fine.

Size & Weight

Height

34 in.

21.6 in.

Width

12.2 in.

14.3 in.

Depth

5.2 in.

5.8 in.

Weight

5.2 lbs.

3 lbs.

What customers say about "Size & Weight"

Minelab CTX 3030 Metal Detector with GPS

Machine is so comfortable and light enough to walk an hours with it.
The ctx looks very nice and sleek , on looks alone it scores ten out of ten. Its not heavy and comfortable enough.

Garrett AT Pro Metal Detector

A very light weight metal detector and it was easy to assemble.

Detection

Operation Frequency

1.5 - 100 kHz

15 kHz

Detection Modes

10 fully customisable, including 5 preset, Coins, Beach, Relics, Silver, High Trash

Custom, Coins professional, Coins standard, Zero professional, Zero standard, Pinpoint

Detection Depth

Coins: up to 17 in., Big objects: up to 40 in., Up to 10 ft. in water

Coins: up to 15 in., Big objects: up to 40 in.

Sensitivity

Auto and Manual, 30 adjustments

8 adjustments

Ground Balance

Auto Compensation and Auto Ground Balance

Auto/Manual, High Resolution, 175 pts

Ground Balance
Sensitivity

What customers say about "Detection"

Minelab CTX 3030 Metal Detector with GPS

The target trace on this machine will enable you to see ferrous iron along with a good target and give you a sound decision to dig or not to dig.
With this machine and some practice, you will be able to follow behind any other machine and pull finds where they went over. The key of the CTX is to simply move the coil slow and you will hear even the most deepest targets with ease.
I have been out with my new CTX 3030 from minelab about 8 times and have found around 100 coins and a silver saint christopher. The feel of the ctx 3030 detector when swinging is very comfortable , it reminds me a lot of my old whites dfx that i used to metal detect with.
The ctx is a great detector , any one detecting behind you looking for what you missed with your ctx is going to be dissapointed , the ctx misses very little if anything!
The ctx 3030 sounds off much differently than the explorers do and i miss those flutey type sounds that my explorer had.

Garrett AT Pro Metal Detector

This detector works great! Was able to find lost survey pins as well as a number of other objects like coins and jewelry.
Very pleased with this metal detector, we live in FLORIDA so we go hunting on the beaches often. With the automatic ground balance this is a superior tool for the job!
Saltwater took a bit of getting used to, but ended up with a gold ring and more than 70 coins in a single day!
This is perfect for beginners who are curious/ interested in metal detecting, it is not expensive and the screen shows how deep the object is, and what it is.
The depth is fantastic even on standard mode and the discriminator although not entirely foolproof is a lot better as I don't have to waste a lot of time digging for junk.

Features

Display

Full colour LCD with backlight and adjustable brightness

LCD screen with backlight

Audio Identification

1, 2 ferrous (Fe), 2 conductive (Co), 4 Fe, 4 Co, 35 Fe, 50 Co or Combined

3 Audio Tone ID Levels

Target Depth Indicator

Yes

Accessories Included

Wireless Audio Headphones

Garrett MS-2 headphones, Garrett 50" Travel Carry Bag, Batteries, Holder

Water Resistance

Freshwater & Saltwater (up to 10 ft.)

Extras

PC Mapping (with Google Maps), Wireless Audio, Quick Menus (and smart functions), Ultimate FeCo Discrimination, Full Colour Display, GPS Locating, Settings saved automatically while detecting and remain until changed or reset, USB Connectivity

High-Res Iron Discrimination, Iron Audio, Fast Recovery Speed, Graphic Target Analyzer

Digital Target ID

0 to 99 scale

What customers say about "Features"

Minelab CTX 3030 Metal Detector with GPS

It's one of few machines that has user upgradable software/firmware.
This is by far my most favorite machine and I have used a few. This machine has a display and features that make it easy for folks to "visualize" the targets and iron separation rather than being just tones and numbers.
You have to keep in mind, this machine is programmable to be wide open and can be adjusted to find only one specific target so it all depends on the users understanding of the machines capabilities and the ability to make useful settings work for you.
The headphones included with the unit are embarrassingly substandard for a unit in this price range. (Really Minelab?)

Garrett AT Pro Metal Detector

Easy learning curve to use this detector.
Excellent detector. Seller was very helpful with a small issue I had with an accessory.
Found a WWII button first time out! Very accurate
The reading it gives from 0-100 is extremely inaccurate ( and yes ive bought new coils and tried different sizes ).
I love the pinpointing feature and the ability to see and "hear" what's in the ground. This is one of the best values in metal detectors!
My only complaint is that the screen does not have a back-light.

Power

Batteries

Li-Ion

4 AA

Battery Indicator

Yes