Garrett Pro pointer is a hunk of junk! I'm sick of it. (UPDATE: ordered vibra 580)

[Bonesquat]

I had trouble with one of mine last year....Garrett replaced it no problem...I'm sure it is frustrating happening more than once...

Garrett's customer service is fantastic - they just made a shoddy product. I shouldn't have to pay to ship off my pinpointer every 6 months knowing it'll break. I also shouldn't have to be without my PP...This is where it gets me ill. If they had a place in my town I could drop it off - get it fixed and pick it up in a few days I'd be happy as ever. Shipping it off to Texas and waiting a week just stinks!

 

[Gorgar]

Mine works fine after 2 seasons with weekly uses. Sorry to hear your problems. I assume and hope that your Pointer can be tracked by Garret and perhaps can be traced to the issue. You don't happen to go near some kind electronics? Or something like that? Sure is strange. Usually when something is strange,,,,THERE IS a logical reason. Good Luck.

 

[firewxman]

oh boy...

Great, my second time out with the new Garrett pro-pointer it was started beeping in mid air for no apparent reason, it continues from time to time now...I guess I should just expect the inevitable.

-firewxman

 

[Sonny b]

I bought the first one about two years ago. Sometimes it wigs out in mid air witha constant hum and squeel. I turn it off and then back on and it works fine for another couple weeks. But overall I am happy with it. I just ordered antother one ten minutes ago. I am really careful not to get it wet though. I wipe it down with damp paper towels but not soaking towels. I agree too that for the price these units should perform for the most part flawlessly.

Sonny.

 

[RWJR13]

Call them again and ask for Sue.....explain your frustration to her since this is the 3rd PP it's happened to...She will do all she can to help you out...

 

[007tallguy]

my PP'er has occasionally given up vibrating, but a little "thump" on the side of it gets it going again. it's only happened maybe 5 or 6 times, so i don't see that as being too major of an issue with it.
but as for that speaker hole right next to the power switch.... that's a poor location for it. if it's not covered up, it's gonna get dirt in it. and i still don't know how they assemble those things, but long story short, i had to put my own (external) power switch on mine. to tell you the truth, i like it better with a toggle switch mounted on the side rather than the push button.
i've had mine for close to a year and it's still going strong.

Pete

 

[Bonesquat]

my PP'er has occasionally given up vibrating, but a little "thump" on the side of it gets it going again. it's only happened maybe 5 or 6 times, so i don't see that as being too major of an issue with it.
but as for that speaker hole right next to the power switch.... that's a poor location for it. if it's not covered up, it's gonna get dirt in it. and i still don't know how they assemble those things, but long story short, i had to put my own (external) power switch on mine. to tell you the truth, i like it better with a toggle switch mounted on the side rather than the push button.
i've had mine for close to a year and it's still going strong.

Pete

Picture of your mod? Sounds interesting. A simple switch would probably be more reliable than a push button. They should use a microwave style button. Those NEVER wear out. I can't think of the name of that type of button - but it's a wonderful design. Garrett's design is too mechanical.

I'll talk to Garrett - probably tomorrow.

 

[Coin_Master]

Picture of your mod? Sounds interesting. A simple switch would probably be more reliable than a push button. They should use a microwave style button. Those NEVER wear out. I can't think of the name of that type of button - but it's a wonderful design. Garrett's design is too mechanical.

I'll talk to Garrett - probably tomorrow.

They should of made a switch on the top of the device Just like the new led flashlights have today. The switch on the pinpointer easily fills with dirt.

They should of also placed a thin membrane on the speaker so you could still hear it, but making the unit totally waterproof.


I don't understand why these companies don't ask actual users what they would like in a product, instead of just making something and hoping we like it.

 

[RyanChappell]

If you use them a lot and are rough on them they will wear out in a year or two. Just a cost of doing business.

A simple switch would probably be more reliable than a push button. They should use a microwave style button. Those NEVER wear out. I can't think of the name of that type of button - but it's a wonderful design. Garrett's design is too mechanical.

Touch pad like the e-trac has?

 

[Doggy Daddy]

Operator error? Mine works fine up to this time. Hope Garrett takes care of you. Never dealt with them. Sent Pistol Probe to Detector Pro for service and it was returned in 8 days.

 

[Gauntlet]

Mine's over 4 years old, but it doesn't see a lot if use. Once it dies, I won't buy another.

Buy 6 Cen-Tech's and replacement switches for the same money

 

[hawgdawg]

Wow, ive been hearing all the praise for this tool from so many, noone recommends another pin pointer,, and now 1 person has a complaint and then, wouldn't you know it,, 20 other people chime in with there gripes, many for the same reasons,,I have been real close to ordering one, but now I think ill stick with what ive got and save a 130 bucks. Thanks and good luck.

 

[sectshun8]

Does anyone know of a solid PP with the performance of a Garrett PP out of the box new? Oh, and one that doesn't have intermittent issues constantly? One that won't fail me in the middle of a hunt? A pin pointer that won't lose performance over time...Sorry about the rant. I'm just tired of the stupid thing. I want a reliable tool.

I absolutely do, the Vibra Probe 570 or 580. It doesn't do the tone though, just vibe... the closer to the target, the stronger the vibe. I've had mine since I started detecting and it's the only one I feel is as good and as durable in a hunt as the ProPointer. PLUS ITS WATERPROOF, submerisble and everything. It's about 50% larger, has no buttons (the position of the probe turns it on/off), and is a beast in the field, doesn't give false, erratic signals when slightly torqued or otherwise

The only con, more expensive than the ProPointer.

 

[Bonesquat]

I absolutely do, the Vibra Probe 570 or 580. It doesn't do the tone though, just vibe... the closer to the target, the stronger the vibe. I've had mine since I started detecting and it's the only one I feel is as good and as durable in a hunt as the ProPointer. PLUS ITS WATERPROOF, submerisble and everything. It's about 50% larger, has no buttons (the position of the probe turns it on/off), and is a beast in the field, doesn't give false, erratic signals when slightly torqued or otherwise

The only con, more expensive than the ProPointer.

Thanks sectun! Think I'll look into one.

 

[Dig-on]

I mentioned it before, and it is rugged! Might even be Bonesquat proof

 

[stewart73]

Wow, ive been hearing all the praise for this tool from so many, noone recommends another pin pointer,, and now 1 person has a complaint and then, wouldn't you know it,, 20 other people chime in with there gripes, many for the same reasons,,I have been real close to ordering one, but now I think ill stick with what ive got and save a 130 bucks. Thanks and good luck.

They ARE amazing pieces of kit when they aren't crapping out...unfortunately it seems that their built quality is a bit iffy. When working properly they are simply wonderful tools.

 

[jmorton04]

I don't know if this will help, but you might try it.

Clean up the outside of the device, remove the battery, leave off the battery cover and lay the PP in the lowest corner of your refrigerator. Most refrigerators are pretty good dehydrators. They are also cool which will slow down any moisture induced corrosion.
Leave it in there a few days and then put it into a ziplock bag and take it out of the frig. The bag will keep water from condensing on it when you let it warm up to room temp.
Based on the device losing its mind during cold/cool weather, and the symptoms being that a switch isn't breaking contact, and that multiple issues are going on with buzzer and vibrator, I suspect that something is allowing electricity to flow where it isn't intended to go. My guess is that either moisture is bridging circuits or there is a crack in a component.
Drying the thing out will test for the cheap issue. Hope this helps.
HH,
John Morton

 

[cmbtvet]

Minelab is coming out with a pp this year, I think I read somewhere that it'll be out late spring/summer. I'm kind of excited to see how it performs.

I've never had any issues with my Garrett (so far) but I'd like to get my hands on the Minelab one.

 

[NHKeith]

mine is temperamental. but I beat the !!!! out of it.

Its nose is almost completely worn off.

 

[SkiWhiz]

Toss it in the river bones and get one of these. I have never used one (I don't have a use for a pinpointer) but it must be good it's made by Tesoro .