When it comes to treasure hunting a metal detector is must needed equipment. Two of the most leading brands in metal detector making are Minelab and Garrett.
There are many detectors that are made by these two brands and the most popular metal detector model in each brand is the Minelab CTX 3030 and the Garrett AT Pro.
These two models in the two brands have been dominating the market and are having a neck to neck competition amongst the customers.
At a glance the two units seems to have the similar looks but when gone in detail it will be clear that there is more to each product and the CTX 3030 will have the upper hand. The main concern that the CTX 3030 have is concerning the price.
However, it should be clear that a quality product with a lot of feature will cost more than a basic one. This CTX 3030 vs. AT Pro head-to-head comparison will hopefully help you make a better and informed decision of which metal detector to go with.
Main Features
This first part looks at the main features of these two metal detectors – these main features are often the deciding factors when it comes to selecting a hosting provider.
Appearance
Both the Minelab CTX 3030 and the Garrett AT Pro will have the similar appearance. With the adjustable strap which can be connected to the forearm and the sleek lightweight design for easy handling.
Both the detectors can be seen as all terrain detectors. Both the systems will be using headphones so that the user has complete focus on the work at hand. Each system has its own ergonomic design which makes them unique.
Features
When coming to the features the Minelab CTX 3030 will have features like being waterproof (up- to 10 feet), PC mapping using Google maps which is a very valuable feature, wireless audio, quick menus, Multi-language and GPS locating.
The features that the Garrett AT Pro will have are high resolution iron discrimination, waterproof (Can be used in water up to 10-foot depth), digital target, pro mode audio, versatility, ground balance, 15 KHz frequency and graphic target analyzer. It is usable in humid, wet or dry conditions with all terrain versatility.
The coil that is used in the Minelab CTX 3030 is an 11-inch Double-D smart coil which is waterproof.
The coil in the Garrett AT Pro is also the same making the added features and the price the tie breaker of the two systems.
Price
When it comes to the pricing the Garrett AT Pro is priced at a price range of $550 to $700 considering the other accessories that you buy with the unit. AT PRO is a lower mid range machine.
However, the price of the Minelab CTX 3030 has a price of around $2500 for a brand new metal detector, almost 2-3 times more than the AT Pro.
Read detailed Review of Minelab CTX 3030
Additional and Attractive Features
The main reason for the big price difference between the two metal detectors are due to advance features CTX3030 owns and missing in the AT PRO – features like GPS tracking, wireless headphones, multiple frequency selection, LCD color display.
With Target Trace and Target Separation, you can identify multiple targets simultaneously for accurate detecting results. Smartfind 2 provides digital signal processing and precision FeCo (Ferrous (Fe) and Conductivity (Co)) discrimination, with color target information, for the best target identification results.
Replacement Parts
There are many replacement parts for both the detectors at affordable prices. However, the replacement parts for the Minelab CTX 3030 will be a bit more expensive than the Garrett AT Pro.
Conclusion
In conclusion if the price is not a huge burden for you the best choice that a pro treasure enthusiast can go for is the Minelab CTX 3030 due to the vast amount of features the unit will have over the Garrett AT Pro.
If the price is a big issue the best option is to go for a Garrett AT Pro even though it has only the basic features. It is probably the best machine in its price range.
The AT Pro is a great detector for the money but the CTX is a much better detector.
However, both the units are up to standard. In the end it comes down to where you hunt and what for, and actually how much you want to spend.
Read our Review of Garrett AT PRO
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