Minelab Safari vs Garrett AT PRO. Comparison

I know both detectors in practice and they both get finds. The Minelab Safari has a perfect construction. The Garrett AT PRO is easier to master and isn’t afraid of water. Here’s a comparison: the Minelab Safari vs the Garrett AT PRO.

I check everything the manufacturers say in their ads and often don’t find an expected result. For example, Minelab announces that the Safari is powered by multiple frequency technology with a lower range from 1.5 kHz… Make such an experiment. Take 6 or 7 copper coins and stack them up. Turn the coins round so that they are perpendicular to the horizon and pass them over the coil. My Minelab Safari has identified this target as iron. As a matter of fact, it’s a challenging task for many metal detectors: the Garrett AT PRO also “sees” this target as iron. But the Minelab X-Terra 705 with a 3 kHz coil easily copes with this task (VDI 44-45). Why then does the multi-frequency Minelab Safari see these coins as iron? Its frequency starts from 1.5 kHz, you see.

minelab-safari-vs-garrett-at-pro-comparison-01

That’s why I perceive only the result. Practically, the Minelab Safari and the Garrett AT PRO are mid-level metal detectors. Both have a collapsible S-shaped shaft (classical for ground search), with the control box located atop.

minelab-safari-vs-garrett-at-pro-comparison-02

But the Garrett AT PRO has a mono control box which includes all things: a screen, controls, power supply (4 AA batteries) and a headphone jack. In the Minelab Safari, a power supply (8 AA usual batteries or rechargeable ones) and a headphone socket are located separately – at the upper part of the shaft.

minelab-safari-vs-garrett-at-pro-comparison-03

minelab-safari-vs-garrett-at-pro-comparison-04

The Garrett AT PRO armrest is not the most comfortable one. For instance, if you wear warm clothes while hunting, the AT PRO armrest doesn’t fix your arm (thickened with clothes) good enough. Also, the AT PRO armrest is unreliable and can be broken down (a usual one, not strengthened, like this one in my photo). Although the Minelab Safari armrest differs externally, it is at the same level in terms of usability.

minelab-safari-vs-garrett-at-pro-comparison-05

Who had an idea to place a pinpoint button for the Minelab Safari aside? A central button switching Pinpoint mode in all the detectors is Menu mode for the Minelab Safari. The main buttons are accessible for control with the same hand holding the metal detector.

minelab-safari-vs-garrett-at-pro-comparison-06

But I can completely control the Garrett AT PRO using just one hand (in which I hold the detector).

minelab-safari-vs-garrett-at-pro-comparison-07

A hidden coil cable inside the shaft and smooth adjustment of total detector length – for me it’s the biggest advantage of the Minelab Safari. It’s very convenient! If the terrain allows, the detector length can be made greater and, in doing so, you will increase the overall search speed.

minelab-safari-vs-garrett-at-pro-comparison-08

If the terrain has a relief or there appeared the closely spaced targets, you can reduce the length with one sweep and continue searching. It is not accessible to the Garrett AT PRO: in order to change the detector length, it will be necessary to wrap the coil cable around the shaft all over again.
The coils of the Minelab Safari and the Garrett AT PRO are equal in type and size (11 inches, DD), but different in shape (ellipse and round).

minelab-safari-vs-garrett-at-pro-comparison-09

There must be a difference between these coils in theory (to which the manufacturers like to refer). The elliptical coil is more lightweight and works better with the closely spaced targets. The round coil must have greater depth than the ellipse. But it’s just a theory.

minelab-safari-vs-garrett-at-pro-comparison-10

In practice, both coils behave alike, it’s impossible to notice any difference. And if you use an automatic sensitivity setting in the Minelab Safari, the depth will be even less.

minelab-safari-vs-garrett-at-pro-comparison-11

minelab-safari-vs-garrett-at-pro-comparison-12

Maybe the fact that the Minelab Safari comes equipped with a coil cover will be an advantage for someone. But I, personally, don’t consider it to be a problem (if there is a cover – it’s ok; if not – I will hunt without it).

minelab-safari-vs-garrett-at-pro-comparison-13

Would I choose the Minelab Safari for myself? No. It’s expensive, slow and even lower than the Minelab X-Terra 705 in its practical abilities.

All about the Minelab Safari is collected here (news, tests, comparisons with other devices, different reviews and opinions). Plus, on Knowledgebase pages there is additional information you should know before buying the Minelab Safari. The experience of others will help you save your time and money. Happy hunting to everyone!

9 Responses to Minelab Safari vs Garrett AT PRO. Comparison

  • Yep, The Garrett AT Pro is a good beginners machine for sure. I dug more rusty bottle caps than i did with my Whites MXT All Pro. I keep telling you guys, 10 yr old technology doesn’t get it anymore. My money finally went with the Aussies machines. But hey, 40yrs of chasing metal with every major brand doesn’t mean that my opinion is any better than yours. Show me the money……………

  • Now that Whites has released the MX Sport the AT Pro is no longer enjoying a monopoly as the only waterproof to 10 ft. land machine. It had it’s time and was an ok machine, but the competition will soon make it look a lot less capable. Comparing the AT Pro to the Safari is really apples to oranges. The AT Pro is totally out-classed by the Safari, when reviewed by a non-AT Pro using reviewer this is just a plain fact. Why didnt you compare the AT Pro to the Minelab CTX3030 water machine? Don’t bother answering… everyone already knows the answer to that one. :)

  • I’m a diehard at pro fan,but no way will it hit coins like a safari,I have both,and a at gold.At pro is good,but for 8 plus inch coins,safari all day.

  • How does the Garrett AT Pro compare to the F4

  • I am new to detecting and trying to decide which detector to buy. Almost went for the X-Terra 705 but still haven’t made the purchase. The reviews all seem quite biased depending which machine the reviewer owns. Will probably buy the 705 unless anyone has a convincing argument for something else.

    • The 705 is amazing, but it lacks the depth of the E-Trac, or the Explorers. Those things are DEEEEP. Haven’t tried the Safari.

  • 705 vs Safari? No contest! Safari is deeper, has better ID and easier to setup. Camlock and hidden cable adds to the convenience.

    • Had the Safari for many moons now. This machine is rude especially for deep silver, it loves silver. Grated recovery speed isn’t good when compared to other machines so just slow down the sweep – sorted!

      Had the 705 and it really isn’t a fair comparison. The 705 doesn’t have the stones, not to say its bad – just not as good as the Safari.

Leave a Reply to Graz Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *