Big Boys Hobbies

Cen-Tech Pinpointer from Harbor Freight Review.

No problem. You know theres 2 knids of people in this world, those who can take things apart and fix it. And those who can take things apart. Sometomes I get lucky.
 
RE:

Have a cen tech pin pointer and love it have done the sensitivity adjustment on it als sealed all the seames with clear silicone and never a problem in wet grass humidity etc it is great as a spare or one for the kids to use and cheap enough that if it breaks not out much + the sensitivity is on par with others I have used No major complaints
 
Just called HF

and they dont have any at the local store and said the regional warehouse was empty too....

maybe I should buy stock in Cen-Tech if they are always sold out???/
 
cen-tech pin pointer

Got 2 of these now. Phone order took 105 days!
Picked one up locally after waiting 2 mo. and seems to work fine.
How do they compare to the $100+ units?
I see RickO has used several. Any comments please?
Greydigger
 
Called my local Horror Freight today and they said "Come on over, computer shows we have 3 in stock." So I spent my lunch hour driving over and standing around only to to informed that they did NOT have 3 in stock. I inquired with the lady at the register that I had called ahead of time and I was told there were 3 in stock according to the computer and her reply verbatim was "our computer system isn't real accurate once item inventory falls below 10 peices."

That would have been a cool thing to know before hand, huh?

I never did get any lunch. :(
 
I agree the local help leaves a lot to be desired. Our store is so busy that they don't have time to "help" as much as I would like. I had to search the store to find the one I got and it was in housewares or something like that.
 
Cen-Tech pinpointer

I went today to a local HF store, have two of them here. Found they had 1 left so I got it, haven't tried it yet. Also was at a local Craft store that also deals in hobbies, they used to sell pinpointers but haven't for awhile but planning on getting some in the future. I asked what the price range would be, about $100. to steep for me...
~Audrey~
 
I finally got mine. Ordered 7/21, shipped 8/15, arrived 9/5. Ordering this online is not for the hassle adverse.

I wasn't expecting much, and must admit that I was pleasantly surprised. It does actually work ok after MetalManMatt's fix is applied (it was useless without this).

It doesn't have any range (3/4 inch tops for all practical purposes in my experience in the field), and it is a hassle to often have to change the sensitivity to the spot just pass where it doesn't always buzz, but it does save time in many cases.

You do get what you pay for, but it is useful enough to keep using until it breaks, then hopefully I'll get a higher quality pinpointer.
 
Been using my a lot lately. I abuse stuff, so we'll see... I haven't applied the "fix" yet... I just shake mine once in a while! A person should not have a detector without a pinpointer... I forgot mine one day and didn't even want to dig!
 
was detecting the other day and my pinpointer went quiet..thought to myself that the el-cheapo battry went dead so i went to the store and got new one,put it in and nothing??:(..after taking it apart and thoroughly inspecting it i didnt see anything wrong??looked more closely at the heat shrinked wires leading into the on/off switch and discovered that the red wire had broken off inside the heat shrink..be careful of this..its an easy fix.
 
I posted about this same problem awhile back . I had to go in mine and solder the wires to the switch and also had to glue the plug into the end of the pointer too it kept popping out after doing that haven't had anymore problems with it . Harold
 
-lecroix- said:
Called my local Horror Freight today and they said "Come on over, computer shows we have 3 in stock." So I spent my lunch hour driving over and standing around only to to informed that they did NOT have 3 in stock. I inquired with the lady at the register that I had called ahead of time and I was told there were 3 in stock according to the computer and her reply verbatim was "our computer system isn't real accurate once item inventory falls below 10 peices."

That would have been a cool thing to know before hand, huh?

I never did get any lunch. :(
Click to expand...
My girlfriend called me last sunday............Said come on over. no one was at home. I drove over..................No one was at home. ...........There is a harbor freight store here in ceredo WV. I have a bullseyeII, but may just stop by and see if they have any in stock......................
 
Called 3 stores today in my area and all are out of stock and said non in warehouse either...

I did find this code for $5 off which makes it 19.99 total including shipping if anyone is considering ordering one.

$5 discount code 173-192-146
 
beerdoodle said:
My girlfriend called me last sunday............Said come on over. no one was at home. I drove over..................No one was at home. ...........There is a harbor freight store here in ceredo WV. I have a bullseyeII, but may just stop by and see if they have any in stock......................
Click to expand...

I know that feeling ... :D

Buy up all those Cen Tech's you can find ... make for pretty good "barter" material.
 
Last edited:
I was able to find one of these PP at the Evansville IN store on Friday. I have a Bullseye II and figured for 14.99 the CenTech would make a decent backup. I played with the CenTech all day Saturday and it works just as well if not having slightly better range than the Bullseye, I am fairly impressed with it.
 
Try a store that specializes in woodworking...

I don't know if anyone is aware that the pinpointer/scanner is also used in woodworking, for finding hidden nails in old wood before putting thru a plainer. These stores might carry them...
~Audrey~
 
On 3-12-09, I just walked into the Harbor freight here in Burbank, IL and they had nine (9) units in the box, right on the shelf. So, I bought 2 units at $14.99 each plus tax. How can you beat that?? Got home and tried them out and they work great!! I put one unit up for a spare just in case it does goes bad They seem to pick up metal with the sens up at 1 1/2" and with it turned down at 1". Plus half of the probe works and not just at the tip. They have a LED light, a holster for a belt and a battery. All in all not to bad of a deal!!!
 
Just thought I would let guys on the fence know that I bought two of them opened them up and installed a dipole switch and vibrating motor out of old broken cell phones. The board circuitry looks good and all the solders were very nice, I will give one of them a thorough test and see if the main switch is still problematic but my first impressions are very good.
 
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