I came close to missing it that Tuesday afternoon. I was making my rounds of local thrift shops, when something between a pile of old board games and a rusty old treadmill caught my attention. My heart literally skipped a beat – a Garrett GTA 500 metal detector, looking curiously clean in a otherwise somewhat rough room.
As someone who’s spent hours sweeping metal detectors across beaches and open areas, I immediately recognized it. I used to use the GTX 1000 and GTI 1500 in my treasure hunting business, so to see their sister machine was akin to running across old friends. These detectors were serious business – the GTA 500 retailed for a whopping $450 new, and even used versions would sell for $250-275 on eBay when in working order.
“Does it work?” I asked the cashier, attempting to be nonchalant. She shrugged, adjusting the price tag. “No batteries to check it. Want it for twenty bucks?”
I’m fairly certain I left a tire mark getting to the cashier.
Testing the Garrett GTA 500
The Diagnosis I popped in for batteries on my way home, my mind working over possibilities. Even if it was a dud, I figured I could strip it for parts and get my money back. But there was something in this detector that led me to believe it just needed a little TLC to get it up and going again.
Eight fresh As in hand, I flipped on the power switch after a deep breath. The display came alive – promising! My elation was short-lived, though, when I noticed that the battery indicator was low, even after I put in new batteries. Worse still, the search coil could’ve been a hunk of wood for all it was picking up.
“Okay,” I told myself, pulling out my toolbox. “Time to get to work.”
The Fix
One of the better aspects of older Garrett detectors is that they are modular in design. Opening up the control housing revealed four circuit boards that were connected up via pin connectors – a dream to work on for a repair technician. Unfortunately, my first stab at reassembly didn’t pan out. The easy way is not always the right way.
Back to square one. This time I employed my magnifying microscope to take a close-up view. That’s when I noticed it – most of the connecting pins were gold-plated and pristine, but one of the boards had regular pins that looked like they’d been put through a war. Decades of current and dampness had eaten their way around to the point of contact.
That’s when money is not always everything – sometimes the best tool is one you already hold in hand. I employed a pencil eraser (yup, you got it right there) to gently scrub each rusty pin until they looked brand new again. A quick swipe of 91% rubbing alcohol, and they looked brand new.
The Moment of Truth
Ever hold your breath when you fire up a machine you’ve just fixed? Yeah, me too. But this time, everything came alive just as it should’ve. The battery indicator was full strength, and when I waved a quarter in front of the search coil, the display sang.
For the next hour, I put the GTA 500 to work. The 8.5-inch coil uncovered coins at depths that would be astounding even in newer models — a quarter at 10 inches, to rival newer models.
The discrimination controls worked beautifully, keeping trash metals in line in favor of the good stuff. It was like having a old pro get back in the ring.
Why I Love the Garrett GTA 500 Metal Detector
Look, I can go on all day (and for you technical types, this machine’s got some serious bells and whistles). But what makes the Garrett GTA 500 truly special is its delicate balance of sophistication and simplicity. The LCD display tells you just what you can anticipate digging up, be it coins or jewelry. The pinpoint function zeroes in on targets with scalpel precision. And while newer models bog you down in settings, this one lets you start basic and work up to its more advanced capabilities.
Yes, newer models get a few more frills. The newer GTI models can tell you a target’s size, and they may get you a little more depth to work with. But when it’s time to get serious about actual treasure hunting? This refurbished GTA 500 is a rival to three-times-the-cost machines.
The one thing it’s lacking is a backlight for night hunting — though I’ve got a notion or two for adding one. But that’s a project for a different day.
For now, I am just thankful that I was able to get this classic up and running again. Not bad for a day’s work scrubbing contacts with a pencil eraser and a $10 gamble. Next weekend, this sweetheart’s heading to the beach. After all, the best way to treat an old metal detector is to let it hunt up some treasure.
Tips for GTA 500 Owners:
Whether you happen to stumble across one of these gems in a used store or you’re in the process of buying one used, the Garrett GTA 500 is proving that sometimes the best treasure is not that you’ve found it – it’s that you get to use it to find it.
My name is Paul and I am the founder of Detector For Metal, a dedicated resource for metal detecting enthusiasts seeking to uncover historical treasures and connect with the past using the latest technology. As a stay-at-home dad and family man, I’ve found metal detecting to be the perfect hobby that combines family adventure with historical learnings for the whole family.
As a father, I’m deeply committed to passing on this hobby to the next generation of detectorists, starting with my own children. I share advice on everything from metal detecting with kids to exploring the top 10 metal detecting sites you never thought about. My methodical approach to the hobby goes beyond the thrill of discovery—it’s about creating family traditions while preserving history and sharing the stories of those who came before us.
