Garrett AT Pro vs ACE Apex: Which Should You Choose? (October 2026)

On this page (7 sections)

1. Garrett AT Pro vs ACE Apex: which should you choose?
2. What does the ACE Apex offer that the AT Pro comparison highlights?
3. When does submersible operation matter most?
4. Does Multi-Salt make the ACE Apex better for beach hunting?
5. Which detector is easier to set up for your style?
6. Is the ACE Apex bundle worth considering?
7. Which Garrett should you pick?

Choose the AT Pro if submersible operation is your priority; choose the ACE Apex if you want selectable frequencies and Multi-Salt mode. In the Garrett AT Pro vs ACE Apex comparison, the main question is whether water use or frequency choice better fits the places you hunt.

The AT Pro is the fit for a buyer whose decision centers on submersible operation. The ACE Apex offers 5, 10, 15 and 20 kHz choices, along with Multi-Frequency and Multi-Salt modes.

The available details here don't guarantee a submersion depth for the AT Pro or underwater use for the ACE Apex control housing. Check each model's manual and manufacturer guidance before taking either detector underwater.

Garrett AT Pro vs ACE Apex: which should you choose?

Choose the AT Pro for submersible operation; choose the ACE Apex for its frequency options and Multi-Salt mode. Neither feature set is automatically better for every hunt.

The AT Pro's stated advantage in this comparison is submersible operation. That may matter if your plans include searching in water, but you should confirm the exact model's permitted depth and conditions before entering.

The ACE Apex provides more detail about frequency choices: 5, 10, 15 and 20 kHz, Multi-Frequency, and Multi-Salt. It also includes iron volume control and a rechargeable battery rated for up to 15 hours.

If beach conditions are part of your decision, distinguish wet sand from submersion. Multi-Salt is a selectable mode, but the details don't explain how it performs in a particular location or guarantee a result.

What does the ACE Apex offer that the AT Pro comparison highlights?

The ACE Apex lets you choose among four listed single frequencies, Multi-Frequency, and Multi-Salt. That range gives you more listed frequency modes to consider when matching settings to a hunt.

The ACE Apex's Multi-Flex technology offers 5, 10, 15 and 20 kHz, plus Multi-Frequency and Multi-Salt. Its iron volume control lets you adjust iron target volume independently while keeping desirable signals clear.

The ACE Apex also has a 6 x 11 in DD Viper searchcoil, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery rated for up to 15 hours, and a listed weight of 2.5 lb. These details can help with your choice if you value frequency flexibility and a lighter setup.

For a closer look at the Apex itself, read our Garrett ACE Apex review. If you already own one, our guide to how to use the Garrett ACE Apex metal detector covers getting started.

When does submersible operation matter most?

Submersible operation matters when you plan to search in water, but confirm the exact depth rating and instructions for the model you buy. Don't assume that a detector's searchcoil and control housing share the same water limits.

Think about where you'll hunt most often: dry ground, damp shoreline, shallow water, or a riverbank. The more time you plan to spend with equipment in water, the more important it is to verify the manufacturer’s limits and follow them.

The ACE Apex details here identify its searchcoil as waterproof, but don't mean the whole detector is submersible. Treat those as different claims when comparing it with the AT Pro.

A separate waterproof pinpointer can help with target recovery, but it doesn't make the detector itself safe to submerge.

The Minelab PRO-FIND 35 is waterproof to 10 ft and has Ferrous Tone ID; the Garrett Pro-Pointer AT is submersible to 20 ft. Check your detector's instructions separately.

Does Multi-Salt make the ACE Apex better for beach hunting?

Multi-Salt gives the ACE Apex a named mode to consider for salt conditions, but it doesn't by itself tell you how well it will perform on your beach. Ground, moisture and target conditions vary, so match your choice to the places you visit.

The ACE Apex offers Multi-Salt alongside Multi-Frequency and four single-frequency options. If you hunt in different settings, those choices may appeal to you more than a comparison focused mainly on submersible operation.

Before buying, look for the manufacturer's guidance on the specific beach conditions you expect. Don't treat a mode name as a promise that every saltwater location will behave the same way.

Which detector is easier to set up for your style?

The ACE Apex offers specific settings to consider; choose the detector whose controls and instructions suit the way you hunt. Familiarity can matter when you want to make adjustments in the field.

If you are comparing Garrett models, our Garrett AT Pro vs AT Max comparison can help put the AT Pro in context. For setup questions, start with how to use a Garrett AT Pro and review the Garrett AT Pro best settings guide.

The Apex's iron volume control is a feature to weigh if you want to adjust iron signal volume independently. The available details don't describe every menu or give a step-by-step settings comparison with the AT Pro, so check the manuals before choosing based on control layout.

Is the ACE Apex bundle worth considering?

Consider the bundle if you want its included MS-3 wireless headphones and Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk with the ACE Apex. If you already have suitable accessories, compare the standalone ACE Apex configuration instead.

The bundle includes the ACE Apex, MS-3 wireless headphones, and a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk. Its frequency options and Multi-Salt mode are the same features to weigh against the AT Pro's submersible operation.

The standalone ACE Apex configuration also lists Multi-Frequency, Multi-Salt and iron volume control. Compare what comes with each option before deciding which setup fits your needs.

Which Garrett should you pick?

Pick the AT Pro if submersible operation is the deciding feature; pick the ACE Apex if frequency options and Multi-Salt better match your hunting conditions. Verify water limits for the exact model before you hunt in or near water.

Choose based on your usual locations rather than the longest feature list. For a different Garrett comparison, see Garrett AT Pro vs Nokta Legend; if your priority is a broader multi-frequency comparison, read Minelab Manticore vs Equinox 800.

The ACE Apex fits buyers who value selectable frequencies and Multi-Salt. The AT Pro fits buyers who put submersible operation first, provided the model's manual confirms it suits the water conditions they have in mind.