I've used cheapies and high end ones, the ultra cheap radio shack/harbor freight ones are garbage, I have an oversensitive Garret Pro I'd like to toss at a tree sometimes, and I've had Chinese(not garret copycats) ones that worked better and were waterproof for a fraction of the cost. Bottom line, check honest reviews of the product, get what you can afford, don't worry about anyone's politics on the matter, support USA products if you can, have fun. To answer the question, there are affordable non branded pinpointers that work and worth what you spend on them.