Garrett Ace 250 Metal Detector: Best Settings, Target IDs, and User Guide

Discover the best settings for your Garrett ACE 250, how to set it up, and tips to improve your metal detecting experience. Perfect for beginners and experienced detectorists.

TheGarrett ACE 250 is a favourite among metal detectorists for its reliability, ease of use, and affordability. Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience under your belt, the ACE 250 offers features that can make your detecting sessions more productive and enjoyable. I personally started with aGarrett ACE 150, but after realizing the potential of the hobby, I quickly upgraded to the ACE 250—unlocking a whole new level of depth and precision.

This guide will walk you through thesetup process, optimalsettings, and essentialtroubleshooting tips to ensure you get the most out of your Garrett ACE 250.

You can find the user manual for the ace 250 here.�

Getting Started: How to Set Up Your Garrett ACE 250

Setting up the Garrett ACE 250 is quick and simple, making it a great detector for users of all experience levels. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Assembly:
   • First, attach the lower shaft to the search coil. Then, connect the middle and upper shafts, adjusting them to your preferred height. Be sure to tighten the camlocks securely but don’t overtighten them.
   • Ensure the coil is level with the ground to maintain accurate detection while swinging.
2. Powering On:
   • Insert fourAA batteries into the control unit. The ACE 250 boasts an excellent battery life, offering around25-30 hours of detecting on a fresh set of batteries. Always carry a backup set, especially during long sessions.
3. Factory-Preset Ground Balance:
   • The ACE 250 comes with a factory-preset ground balance, which means it’s ready to use in most environments without needing complex adjustments. This makes it easy for beginners to focus on detecting without the need to fiddle with technical settings.
4. Turn It On:
   • Press the power button to turn on the detector. The ACE 250 will start in its default mode, and the screen will display key information such as the search mode, sensitivity level, and depth indicator.

Best Settings for Garrett ACE 250

Now that your detector is ready, let’s talk about getting the right settings. The Garrett ACE 250 comes with a range of settings that allow you to adjust based on the environment you’re detecting in. Whether you’re looking for coins, jewelry, or relics, these settings will help you get the best results.

General Settings:

• Mode: For everyday detecting in parks or fields,Coins Mode is your best bet. This mode helps filter out a lot of trash while focusing on high-value targets like coins and small relics.
• Sensitivity: Start with sensitivity set to6 or 7 bars. This provides a good balance between depth and signal stability. If you’re getting too many false signals, especially in high-trash areas, reduce the sensitivity to5 bars.

Settings for Trashy Areas:

• Mode: If you’re detecting in areas filled with a lot of metal debris, like parks or old homesteads, try usingJewelry Mode orCustom Mode. These modes allow you to discriminate between valuable targets and junk.
• Discrimination: Notch out the far-left iron icon to eliminate signals from small iron objects, such as nails and bottle caps. This will make your detecting experience more efficient, though some iron targets may still be detected.
• Sensitivity: In trash-heavy areas, reducing sensitivity to5 bars helps avoid false signals while still maintaining decent depth. For exceptionally trashy areas, lowering it further to4 bars can provide more stability, though you may lose some depth.

Beach and Wet Sand Settings:

Detecting on beaches—especially in wet sand—can be tricky due to mineralization. Here are the best settings for both dry and wet sand:

• Dry Sand Settings: For dry sand, keep sensitivity high, around6-7 bars, to maximize depth. UseJewelry Mode to target small valuable items like rings and watches.
• Wet Sand Settings: Wet sand is more conductive and can cause false signals, so lower the sensitivity to5 bars. In very mineralized sand, reduce it further to4 bars for stable performance. The ACE 250’s factory-preset ground balance works well in most beach conditions, but in highly mineralized areas, you may still pick up some interference.

Custom Settings for Garrett ACE 250

TheCustom Mode allows you to notch in or out specific targets based on your location. This is particularly useful in areas where you know certain trash items (like pull-tabs) are prevalent, and you want to avoid them.

1. To customize, press theDISCRIM button and use the+/- buttons to move the cursor across the upper scale.
2. Use theELIM button to turn off certain target ranges (e.g., iron) by removing the black squares from the lower scale.

For example, if you’re in a park with lots of pull-tabs, you can create a custom setting that eliminates these signals but still picks up coins and jewellery.

 

Understanding Search Modes on the Garrett ACE 250

TheGarrett ACE 250 offers several preset search modes that make it easy to adapt to various detecting environments. Whether you’re searching for coins, relics, or jewellery, understanding how each mode works will help you get the most out of your detecting experience.

All-Metal Mode:

• All-Metal Mode is the most comprehensive mode on the ACE 250, as it detects every type of metal. This is the best option forrelic hunting in areas where you want to dig up everything, such as old homesteads or ploughed fields. Be prepared to dig up iron and other junk, but this mode offers the best depth and sensitivity.

Coins Mode:

• Coins Mode is the go-to option for many detectorists, as it helps filter out trash and focuses on detecting high-conductivity items like coins. It’s perfect for detecting inparks,fields, andschoolyards where you’re mainly looking for coins and other valuable items. This mode is highly recommended for beginner detectorists, as it reduces the amount of trash you dig up, making your detecting more enjoyable.

Jewellery Mode:

• Jewellery Mode is specifically designed to detect valuable items likerings,bracelets, andwatches, while ignoring much of the trash. This mode is ideal forbeaches and areas where people frequently gather, as jewelry is often lost in such locations. It also avoids many iron targets, so you can focus on finding mid- to high-conductivity items.

Custom Mode:

• Custom Mode allows you to tailor the detector to your specific needs. You can notch in or out certain targets depending on your location, which is particularly helpful in areas with high levels of trash. For example, if you’re in a park with lots of aluminium pull-tabs, you can adjust the settings to ignore pull-tabs but still detect coins and jewelry.

By understanding how these modes work, you can choose the best one for your detecting environment, improving both the quantity and quality of your finds.

How to Pinpoint with the Garrett ACE 250

TheGarrett ACE 250 includes a built-inpinpointing function, which is extremely useful for narrowing down the exact location of a target. Mastering the pinpointing feature will reduce the size of the hole you need to dig, making the recovery process faster and more precise.

Steps to Use Pinpointing Mode:

1. Activate Pinpoint Mode: After a target is detected, press and hold the pinpoint button. Slowly move the coil over the target area.
2. Signal Strength: As you move the coil, the signal gets louder when you’re directly over the target. The loudest tone indicates that the target is directly under the coil’s center.
3. Wiggle Back Method: Once you’ve pinpointed the target, use thewiggle back method by moving the coil backward slowly until the signal fades. The target will be just in front of the coil, minimizing your digging area.
4. X-Pattern Method: Sweep the coil over the target from one direction, then turn 90 degrees and sweep again. The point where the two signals cross is where the target is buried. This is a great method forcoins andsmall targets.

Tip: The built-in depth indicator will also help gauge how deep the target is, giving you a good idea of how much digging you’ll need to do.

Recommended Accessories for Garrett ACE 250

While theGarrett ACE 250 is a solid performer on its own, a few well-chosen accessories can enhance your detecting experience. Here are some essential accessories that can help you get the most out of your ACE 250:

Garrett Pro-Pointer AT:

• A handheld pinpointer is a must-have for fast target recovery. TheGarrett Pro-Pointer AT is waterproof and highly sensitive, making it perfect for quickly finding targets once you’ve dug a hole. It significantly cuts down the time you spend searching for the exact location of the object.

Search Coils:

• 9” x 12” Search Coil: Upgrading to a larger coil increases depth and ground coverage, which is ideal when hunting in large, open areas like fields or beaches. The stock coil is great, but for more serious detecting, the larger coil offers improved performance.
• 4.5” Sniper Coil: For areas with heavy trash, asniper coil helps you zero in on valuable targets that may be surrounded by junk. This smaller coil is excellent for high-traffic areas where a lot of modern trash might be mixed in with valuable older finds.

Headphones:

• Using headphones while detecting helps you hear faint signals that could otherwise be missed in noisy environments. The ACE 250 has a headphone jack, so you can easily plug in your favorite headphones. Headphones also help save battery life, as the detector’s speaker won’t need to work as hard.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting for the Garrett ACE 250

Even though theGarrett ACE 250 is beginner-friendly and easy to use, like any detector, you might occasionally run into issues. Here are some common problems users face and troubleshooting steps to resolve them.

1. False Signals

• Issue: The detector gives too many false signals, especially in trashy or mineralized areas.
• Solution:
  • Lower the Sensitivity: Start by lowering the sensitivity to5 or 6 bars. High sensitivity can make the detector unstable, particularly in areas with lots of trash or high mineralization.
  • Adjust the Mode: Switch toJewelry Mode orCoins Mode, which will help filter out junk and focus on more valuable targets. If the issue persists, reduce the sensitivity further to4 bars.

2. No Signals Detected

• Issue: The detector doesn’t seem to pick up any signals, even in areas where you expect to find targets.
• Solution:
  • Check the Batteries: Make sure the batteries are fully charged and properly installed.
  • Check the Assembly: Ensure that the search coil is correctly connected and level with the ground. An incorrectly assembled detector can affect performance.
  • Factory Reset: If the problem persists, you can perform a factory reset by holding down the power button until you hear a beep. This will reset the detector to its default settings.

3. Interference from Other Detectors

• Issue: Detecting near other metal detectors can cause interference and erratic behavior.
• Solution:
  • Increase Distance: Move farther away from other detectors if possible.
  • Lower Sensitivity: Reducing the sensitivity a notch can help mitigate interference, especially in group hunts or crowded areas.

4. Target Disappears When Digging

• Issue: After digging where the detector indicated a target, the target seems to vanish.
• Solution:
  • Check the Hole with the Pinpointer: Sometimes the target can shift deeper into the hole or be pushed to the side. Using aGarrett Pro-Pointer AT can help locate the target more accurately.
  • Re-scan the Area: Swing the detector back over the hole and surrounding area to ensure the target hasn’t moved or that you aren’t digging in the wrong spot. TheWiggle Back Method andX-Pattern Method can help improve accuracy.

FAQs for the Garrett ACE 250

To further enhance your metal detecting experience with the Garrett ACE 250, here are some frequently asked questions that address key concerns detectorists often have.

1. Can the Garrett ACE 250 detect gold?

Yes, the ACE 250 can detectgold, but it is primarily suited forgold jewelry like rings and bracelets rather than natural gold nuggets. If you’re aiming to detect gold nuggets, a detector like theGarrett AT Gold would be a better choice, as it is more sensitive to the small size and mineralized soil conditions associated with gold prospecting.

2. How deep can the Garrett ACE 250 detect?

The ACE 250 can detect targets up to6-8 inches deep under ideal conditions. Depth varies depending on the size of the object, the soil’s mineral content, and whether the target is a coin, relic, or larger object. Larger items can be detected at even greater depths, but for small objects, 6-8 inches is a reliable estimate.

3. Is the Garrett ACE 250 waterproof?

Thesearch coil on the Garrett ACE 250 iswaterproof, allowing you to use it in shallow water such as creeks, rivers, or at the beach. However, thecontrol box is not waterproof and must be kept dry at all times. If you plan to do a lot of water detecting, consider a fully waterproof detector like theGarrett AT Pro.

4. What’s the best mode for finding coins?

TheCoins Mode is specifically designed to detect high-conductivity targets like coins while filtering out much of the trash, such as small iron objects and foil. This mode is ideal for parks, fields, and other areas where coins are likely to be found.

5. How do I reset the Garrett ACE 250 to factory settings?

If you’ve been experimenting with different settings and want to return to the default factory settings, simplyhold down the power button until you hear a beep. This will reset the detector and return it to its original state, perfect for when you’re starting fresh or troubleshooting.

6. What headphones can I use with the Garrett ACE 250?

The ACE 250 comes with aheadphone jack that supports standard ¼” headphone plugs. Any quality headphones with this connection will work. Using headphones allows you to hear faint signals more clearly, especially in noisy environments, and also helps save battery life.

 

TheGarrett ACE 250 is, without a doubt, one of the best metal detectors for both beginners and intermediate detectorists. It offers a combination of simplicity, effectiveness, and affordability that makes it a go-to option for those starting out or looking to upgrade from a more basic model like the ACE 150.

Its preset modes allow you to get started right out of the box, while theCustom Mode provides flexibility for more advanced users who want to fine-tune their settings. Whether you’re searching forcoins,jewelry, orrelics, the ACE 250’s adaptability across different environments ensures it will meet your needs in the field.

Thepinpointing feature is a valuable addition, allowing for more precise target identification, which reduces the amount of time spent digging. Combined with accessories like theGarrett Pro-Pointer AT andadditional search coils, this detector is a reliable tool for a variety of detecting scenarios.

Why Choose the Garrett ACE 250?

1. Ease of Use: Its user-friendly interface and lightweight design make it perfect for beginners or anyone looking for a simple, effective detector.
2. Affordability: The ACE 250 offers excellent performance at a fraction of the cost of high-end detectors, making it accessible to hobbyists on a budget.
3. Versatility: Fromparks andfields tobeaches, the ACE 250 performs well in a variety of terrains and conditions.
4. Customization: With preset modes andCustom Mode, you have the flexibility to adjust the detector to suit your specific detecting goals and environment.

Looking for more tips on mastering metal detecting? Check out our detailed guides ondigging proper holes for metal detecting orhow to swing a metal detector. Or read our Garrett ACE 250 Review here.