Garrett GTI 2500 Review (May 2023)

Garrett GTI 2500 Metal Detector Review

Garrett’s GTI 2500 is a fantastic metal detector with imaging capability. If you only want the good stuff and aren’t bothered by the thrill of digging up ‘who knows what’ this is the machine for you.

It’ll tell you what’s beneath the ground before you dig in true ‘Skynet Rise of the Machines’ style.

Many metal detectors give you an idea of your find based on size but the GTI 2500’s microprocessor powers Graphic Target Imaging (GTI) to display the size and depth on its LCD screen.

This tech is strong enough to tell the difference between a penny, a dime and a quarter at 12 inches deep.

Now, this is a professional machine. If you’re a beginner I’d say look elsewhere in the Garrett range because this one will confuse you unless you’re willing to read the handbook several times.

Features and Benefits of the GTI 2500

Controls

This control box is something else. I’ve not seen a display this tech-heavy before. It has a massive LCD screen with a backlight (so important on sunny days) that tells you the size, depth and metal type of your find.

The vertical graph indicates the depth of your target in inches and the horizontal indicates how big it is. Garret has called this tech ‘Treasure Vision’

Garrett’s true imaging size is a winner here. Size A means a find that’s smaller than a coin such as a small piece of gold, and size D is Coke can size. Size E is all the larger stuff.

This means you can tell if there’s a coin buried at three inches for example, or a drink can at 10 inches.

The control box also has 10 buttons under the user-friendly screen that control its other functions including ground balancing, audio and its various hunting modes.

The LCD screen looks intimidating but it’s easy to navigate once you’ve used it a few times.

Frequency

The GTI 2500 is a VLF and works on an adjustable 7.2 frequency so you can search out silver on low deeper frequencies or gold on the higher end.

This machine has a no-motion pinpoint function that’s automatic. Yep – a built-in automatic pinpointer – that’s a nice touch Garrett. Just press the pinpoint button and hone in.

Modes

The GTI 2500 has motion and no-motion modes plus six operating modes. These are jewelry, coins, relics, zero, all-metal, and custom.

Custom mode is easy to adjust to your exact requirements and there’s clever ‘Last Mode Switching’ so you can swing from true all-metal mode to your last-used custom mode with a tap of the touchscreen.

Waterproofing

The GTI 2500 has a waterproof search coil but the control box isn’t waterproof, so take care around water. One accidental drop and this machine is history.

Watch out for rain and wet grass too – keep the GTI 2500 dry at all times. The touchscreen is waterproof though, so if you have wet hands you can still work the controls.

Audio

Top-notch audio here – the detector will give you a multi-tone response based on the depth and size of your target. It’s adjustable so you can really hone in on the noises and only take occasional glances at the screen.

If audio gets on your nerves you can hit the silence button. The audio threshold is adjustable though so you can adjust that background hum to a pleasant volume.

The basic package comes with noise-canceling headphones which are a must unless you want an audience. The headphones are good quality picking up subtle audio and they have a 6.35 mm jack.

Ground Balance

Manual and automatic ground balancing are important in an advanced level machine and the GTI 2500 has both as you’d expect.

The manual set up is easy to adjust with sensitivity settings between 1 – 24 and it deals well with mineralized grounds on its ‘fast track’ auto setting too.

Where Is Best To Use The Garrett GTI 2500?

VLF machines are popular because they can tackle most grounds. You’ll do well on the majority of soils because the ground balancing is excellent and you can adjust your frequency.

I’d avoid wet sand and seawater though as it’ll sing a bit and you might drop the machine – remember its search coil is waterproof not the control box.

What Will The GTI 2500 Find?

Anything metal! And it’ll accurately tell you how big it is from targets smaller than a coin.

You can search for gold, silver, coins, relics, and jewelry on pre-set modes and reject the trash with a quick glance at the LCD imaging screen.

If you don’t want to waste time digging tin foil, cans, and nails this is a great buy.

Coils

The GTI 2500 comes fitted with a 9.5-inch imaging coil as standard which is a good all-rounder.

You can up your game and look for specific metal with other compatible coils:

• 5-inch for trashy sites
• 5-inch PROformance for quicker search times
• Treasure Hound Eagle Eye search coil for larger objects at greater depth

How The GTI 2500 Compares to Other Garrett Detectors?

There’s nothing else on the market with the GTI 2500’s graphic capability. This machine is made for professionals that are fed up digging trash and want to find real treasures.

Its depth capacity is better than most. Reviewers say it frequently detects small objects at 12 inches plus and the imaging tech means you don’t have to dig pointless junk.

It’s in the mid-price point range too and is usually available for under $1000. That’s a lot of high-end tech for your cash.

Other Important Bits

It’s easy to get bogged down in specifics of coils and ground balancing if you’re looking for the best metal detector, but don’t forget these basic bits of information.

Weight and Length

The GTI 2500 weighs 1.8 kgs and I’d say that’s pretty light for the technology it packs. Still, it’ll get wearying after a few hour’s swinging.

It has telescopic reach as you’d expect from Garrett that ranges from 40 inches up to 51 inches to suit.

Batteries

You’ll need 8 x AA batteries to power up that massive LCD display and I’d recommend you keep a spare set in your pocket.

Warranty

All Garrett machines are backed with a two-year warranty. It’s a sign of great build and reliability.

What Are The Cons of Garrett GTI 2500?

Umm. Well, I’m going to struggle here because you get so much for your cash.

I do think it should be fully waterproof and have a little less weight – and if pushed I’d say the controls are confusing. Some of the buttons are multi-function so you end up going around in circles.

Conclusion

Overall the Garrett GTI 2500 is a solid detector that saves time. I wouldn’t recommend it for newbies but would say its best suited to serious hobbyists that have paid their dues digging trash and want to keep their spend under $1000.

This machine is going to tell you with real precision what you’ve found before your knees get muddy and that kind of information is gold dust.