Garrett ACE 8.5 x 11 in PROformance DD Waterproof Search Coil

The Garrett ACE 8.5 x 11 in PROformance DD Searchcoil (part 2222000) is the largest standard coil in Garrett's ACE line and the coil the ACE 400 ships with. Its Double-D winding runs smoother than a concentric on mineralized ground and wet salt sand, and the 8.5 x 11 in footprint covers more ground per sweep than the 7 x 10 in. It weighs 1 lb and is waterproof, with what Garrett describes as near-neutral buoyancy in water. It suits ACE 400 owners who need a replacement or spare, and ACE 150, 200, 250 and 300 owners who want a beach and hot-ground coil.

Who the ACE 8.5 x 11 in DD coil is for

• ACE 400 owners: this is the stock coil of the Garrett ACE 400. Buy it to replace a damaged coil or keep a spare.
• ACE 300 owners: the Garrett ACE 300 ships with a 7 x 10 in concentric. Add this DD for beaches, mineralized fields and open ground where coverage and a steady signal matter more than tight separation.
• ACE 150, 200 and 250 owners: the biggest step up in coverage and depth available for those detectors, and the one to choose if you hunt salt beaches.

Look at a different coil if you own the Garrett ACE Apex: Garrett's standard ACE coils are not for use with the Apex, which takes the Multi-Flex coils. If your sites are small, iron-choked parks, a smaller concentric such as the 7 x 10 in or the 4.5 in Sniper separates close targets better than this large DD.

Key features and what they mean in use

• Double-D winding: two overlapping D-shaped windings give a narrow blade-shaped detection field down the center line of the coil. Garrett says the design significantly reduces the effects of heavily mineralized ground and saltwater interference, which in use means fewer false signals and a sensitivity setting you can keep higher on the beach.
• 8.5 x 11 in semi-elliptical shape: more ground per sweep and more depth on coin-sized targets than the smaller ACE coils. Garrett's blunted tip and tail let the coil work right up against walls and fences.
• Waterproof, near-neutral buoyancy: the coil can go under water and does not drag up or sink hard when submerged. The ACE control box is not waterproof; keep it above the water.
• 1 lb: light for its size. On an ACE the balance stays comfortable without a counterweight.
• PROformance series: Garrett's current ACE coil line, the same family as the stock coils on every current ACE.

What is in the box

• Garrett ACE 8.5 x 11 in PROformance DD searchcoil with attached cable

Not included: coil cover, lower rod or mounting hardware. A coil cover protects the underside from rock and shell; we recommend fitting one. Covers and other parts are in our Garrett collection.

Compatibility

Fits: Garrett ACE 150 (discontinued), ACE 200, ACE 250, ACE 300, ACE 350 (discontinued) and ACE 400, where it is the stock coil.

Does not fit: the ACE Apex, or any Garrett AT series detector. The AT line uses its own 8.5 x 11 in DD coil with a different connector. All sizes are in our metal detector search coils collection.

Where the 8.5 x 11 in DD coil works well, and where it does not

• Salt beaches, wet sand and the waterline: the best fit. The DD field holds steady where a concentric gets noisy. Coil can be submerged; control box cannot.
• Mineralized fields and red clay: works well for the same reason.
• Open parks and fields: good coverage per sweep and depth on coins.
• Iron-heavy, trashy sites: the large footprint sees several targets at once, so separation suffers. Slow down or switch to a smaller coil.
• Pinpointing: a DD pinpoints along a line, not a point. Sweep, then turn 90 degrees and sweep again; the target is where the two lines cross. It takes a few hunts to get used to after a concentric.

How it differs from the closest Garrett ACE coils

Against the 7 x 10 in PROformance concentric: the DD is larger, steadier on mineralized ground and better on the beach; the concentric pinpoints more simply and handles iron trash well in parks. Against the 5 x 8 in PROformance DD: same winding type in a small package for trashy sites and tight spots, with far less coverage. Against the 9 x 12 in concentric: similar size, but the concentric suits mild ground and the DD suits hot ground and salt. Our metal detector coil guide explains concentric and DD designs in more detail.