Garrett Ace 350 Review

Garrett Ace 350 Overview

Garrett Ace 350 is one of the metal detectors created within the huge ACE lineage. To be honest, it is not a recent machine, and many detectorists tend to mistake it for other models. And yet, Ace 350 has a set of nice functions and features that would make any beginner level metal detectorist happy.

In this detailed Garrett Ace 350 reviews, you will find out everything about Ace 350, including its features, problems, and user tricks with settings. Ace 350 is powered by 4 AA batteries, and has 2 years warranty. Additional accessories make it more flexible and versatile in performance.

Control Box

Being pretty simple in setting and operation, Ace 350 also features LCD display which makes tuning the machine and signals interpretation even easier. The control box has the following buttons: On\Off Power, Search Mode (Discrimination pattern), Sensitivity, Pinpoint, and Discrimination. As you can see, the controls are easy to understand and simple to use, there are no secondary controls, making the operation very comprehensive even for complete newbies.

The Display has the following indicators: Battery level, Coin Depth, Notch Discrimination indicator, Target ID cursor, Sensitivity setting, Target ID metal types legend, and Search mode indicator. These indicators are very easy to understand, and with some theoretical knowledge and some practice, even beginners will successfully interpret the signals.

Garrett Ace 350 Features

Garrett Ace lineage is generally created with the newbie detectorists’ needs in mind, so the majority of Ace machines by Garrett are beginner-friendly (unless stated otherwise by the manufacturer). Ace 350 is newbie-friendly for sure, offering simple and comprehensive controls, and rid of any unnecessary fluff.

At the same time, you can’t call Ace 350 too simple, or suggest it will not be efficient in the field, because there is a list of features that make this metal detector effective and flexible in operation. The full list of features includes:

• fixed Ground Balance – while for more advanced search, fixed Ground balance is a disadvantage, beginner treasure hunters will most likely benefit from this solution in Garrett Ace 350, because to tune the Ground Balance correctly, knowledge and experience are needed
• 5 Search modes, Custom mode included – search modes suggest preset combinations of features most fit for different types of targets or locations. Having more modes than less modes is always beneficial for the user. Custom mode, on the other hand, leaves space for unique situations and some creative approach
• LCD screen – this is always an advantage as LCD display is convenient for signals interpretation
• DD search coil – DD configuration is one of the most versatile options possible
• waterproof coil – allows wet dirt, wet grass, wet sand search and even some shallow water metal detecting
• Pinpoint mode – while included mode of Pinpoint cannot substitute Pinpointer tool for accurate target detection, the Pinpoint mode is still a very effective tool for locating the target more exactly underground
• Notch Discrimination – this feature enables the user to focus on, or cut off, signals from very specific metals when metal detecting
• Enhanced Iron Resolution – this feature offers more segments for Iron Discrimination. Due to it, Iron Discrimination can be applied in a more selective way

Notch Discrimination

Notch Discrimination feature is activated by the combination of Discrimination and Accept\Reject buttons. This feature allows the operator either to cut off certain types of metals, or to focus on certain types of metals. To modify the Notch Discrimination, the detectorist should Accept or Reject each pixel in the Lower Scale. Any combination of these pixels can be cut off or activated, depending on the user’s considerations. One of the best methods of using Notch Discrimination effectively is to reject a specific metal or type of item, while allowing all other metals.

Enhanced Iron Resolution

Enhanced Iron Resolution means that the Iron Discrimination is given more pixels. In this way, more accurate and selective Iron Discrimination can be applied, and the user has less chances of missing other objects. The worst thing about ferrous objects is that they often give a powerful electromagnetic response which masks signals from other targets nearby, which can actually be valuable. Therefore, the user can select enough Discrimination pixels to reject iron, but still allow the detector to spot other targets.

Garrett Ace 350 Search Coils

The default search coil that comes in the basic package is the elliptic DD 8.5×11 inches coil. Due to the combination of its size, shape, and configuration, this is a universal search coil that makes the machine pretty much versatile and effective for many types of targets. Moreover, this search coil is waterproof, enabling wet surface and shallow water treasure hunting.

There are several compatible coils that work with Ace 350. The first is 4.5 inches ACE Super Sniper™ coil. This is a round concentric waterproof search coil, around 1 pound of weight, fit for shallow targets or for really trashy areas. Smaller Super Sniper coil allows to search in narrow places. The second is elliptic 5×8 inches PROformance DD search coil, waterproof and efficient on highly mineralized soils. The third one is a big 9×12 concentric PROformance coil, proper for covering large patches and providing additional depth.

Garrett Ace 350 Settings

The majority of settings in Garrett metal detector Ace 350 are managed by choosing the Search mode. Other settings are adjusting the Sensitivity, Discrimination, and Notch Discrimination. Sensitivity should be lowered if the area is very trashy, or if the soils are highly mineralized. Discrimination should be manipulated when the user has to deal with ferrous soils or items. The Ground Balance feature is fixed, so no action is needed from the detectorist.

Garrett metal detectors Ace 350 settings are rather simple and easy to manage. You will find all the details and smaller nuances in the User’s manual.

Garrett Ace 350 Problems

Ace 350 Garrett metal detector is a simple and usable workhorse, and while it is totally perfect for beginners, there are some problems that should be considered at all times. Generally, the more nuances you know about the machine, even if these nuances are negative, the better user experience you can get.

Firstly, Garrett Ace 350 is far from being a recent machine, so its technologies, although totally functional, are already outdated. The metal detector will show steady and powerful performance and bring finds, but it definitely lags behind in terms of software and even some hardware.

This problem could have been managed by updatable software which is not almost a must-have for most hobby metal detectors. But Ace 350 was released when updatable software was not an option yet, and nowadays, reversing the situation is impossible.

Another obvious problem is that only the search coils compatible with Ace 350 are waterproof. While this generally means that the metal detector is only fit for land use and some wet grass/shallow water search, it also means the detectorist should be careful with wet weather and shallow water, because an accidental wave or splash, or dropping the metal detector into the water will render it inoperable. Roughly speaking, the control box is not even properly protected from heavy rain. Garrett sells additional control box covers for wet weather protection, but let’s be realistic – this is not a solution.

And eventually, another problem with Ace 350 which is not that obvious until you face it, and the problem is low Recovery Speed. Recovery Speed is the factor that allows the metal detector to read and process signals from two targets separately when these targets are located close to each other, and one of them can mask the other one (usually less valuable masking more valuable). The higher the Recovery Speed, the faster the metal detector can process one signal and move to the next one. Low Recovery Speed means that the machine only managed to read and process one of the signals, usually a more “loud” one, that is given (as a rule) by less valuable item. Unfortunately, Recovery Speed cannot be “enhanced” or “fixed”.

Tips & Tricks for Garrett Ace 350 Users

There are several Garrett Ace 350 tips and tricks for setting and using Garrett Ace 350 that beginner metal detectorists may find handy and useful. While real mastery comes with experience and time, it still makes sense to pay attention to the following methods.

If you have to cope with adjacent targets, you can use proper Discrimination, Iron Resolution, and Pinpoint mode. However, the way you move the search coil also matters. First of all, using a DD coil instead of concentric coil is a better option, since DD configuration gives better separation of targets. And secondly, swing the coil in narrow and small movements; this way, you will comb through the location thoroughly and isolate promising targets.

In case you metal detect on the field that has recently been plowed, move the search coil along the plow lines rather than across them. Uneven ground will cause a negative effect, making the signal vary despite the fact that there may be no targets beneath. Moving the search coil across causes abrupt change in the terrain and in the response given by the ground. The same story happens when you metal detect along the water edge; move the coil along the water rather than across, to get a stable signal and avoid rapid changes of response under the coil.

When you deal with unclear intermittent signals, in the majority of cases they mean that there is a deeply buried target below. Another option is that there is a target below, but it is located at an unusual angle. To understand what is the case, move around the patch and scan it from different directions.

Garrett Ace 350 Accessories

As you already know, there are three additional compatible search coils for Garrett Ace 350. They are round 4.5 inches ACE Super Sniper, elliptic 5×8 inches PROformance DD coil, and elliptic 9×12 inches concentric PROformance search coil.

Other accessories include wired headphones for land use, and please keep in mind there is no wireless audio option for this metal detector.

If you would like to protect the Control box from wet weather, please consider ACE Environmental Cover-Up that protects from dust and light rain, leaving the display uncovered so that you could continue searching.

If you would like to dig the targets out more accurately, you may want to purchase a Garrett PRO-POINTER Pinpointing Detector with 360 degrees side scan. In contrast to the search coil, you can stick the pinpointer in the dirt and identify exactly where your small target can be.

Garrett Ace 350 Kit

The package for Ace 350 is very simple, including:

• metal detector
• search coil
• headphones
• user’s manual
• warranty card

Some retailers or bigger dealer platforms can offer their own additional accessories or bundles for Ace 350. You can check out your local retailer to see if you could get accessories with a discount if added to the basic kit.

Garrett Ace 350 Manual

If you would like to find out all the smallest details about Ace 350, see if you will be able to assemble it and manage all the settings, the best idea is to check out the manual. Please review the user’s manual before you even decide on buying the machine. Also, please make sure you read the manual carefully before using the metal detector.

Download Garrett Ace 350 User’s Manual