Pistol probe or pro pointer??

[OregonMetalDetecting]

I am going to upgrade my old treasure mate pinpointer. I am torn between the pistol probe and the pro pointer. I like that both will increase in noise as they get closer to target. I really like that the pro pointer has no adjustments and is completely waterproof. I also like the huge depth you can get with the pistol probe.

Any suggestions from personal experience? I wont order one till next week.

[Banemorth]

I was torn between the EXACT two pin pointers myself. I wound up choosing the Pro-Pointer because it was about fifty dollars less and just seems to have nicer features overall. Doesn't have as much depth as the Pistol Probe but I still think it has way more than enough.

[OregonMetalDetecting]

Do you really like the pro pointer Banemorth?? or is it just ok? Curious what kind of pinpointer did you use before?

[generalwalton]

I was torn on the issue too. I ended up ordering the Pistolprobe this week. The way I looked at it, they are kind of in different arenas and it depends on what you are using it for. I think of the Pistolprobe as a kind of before you dig pinpointer and the Pro is an after you dig pinpointer. I already have a couple of cheapy after you dig ones, like the Cen-tech for example, I dig a hole and move the pinpointer around in the dirt inside the hole(this is how I would think of using the Pro pointer.) The PistolProbe is really just a small hand held pulse detector with most of the same features as a full detector except with a real tiny "coil", and is used kind of like a full detector.

I went with the Pistolprobe because I do mostly coin shooting in public areas and wanted to pinpoint as close as possible before I start digging, to minimize the damage to the grass.

Hope this makes some sense.

[OregonMetalDetecting]

I mainly use my existing p pointer for searching my plug then scanning the hole bottom and side walls. It also comes in handy for finding those "dirt" colored coins that you just keep passing over with the naked eye.

General W, is the pistol probe overkill for this? My detector gets me in pretty close I just want to speed up recovery time. How well does the p probe do for close in work?

My existing probe the T Mate has a couple of inches range, which is great if you didnt pinpoint well and saves you having to grab your detector again. It also does well for finding things close. It is just time consuming to turn on, wait for it to be ready, the adjustment knobs while nice for ground balancing, get turned all the time while detecting.

I am looking for something similiar to it that is made a little more user friendly while you are in the field and has more depth than most of the cheaper ones. I have used some cheaper models and it is frustrating to not be able to scan your plug or get any range on the side or bottom of your hole. You almost have to touch the coin with some of those.

[generalwalton]

From what I understand of the 2 it sounds like the pro pointer would be better suited for what you want to use it on. The pistolprobe is a tip only detector and has great depth. It would work for what you want it to but it will probably be overkill, much more bulky and possibly slower for that type of pinpointing. Hopefully mine will show up today and I will write up a review this weekend.

[Banemorth]

I just ordered my Pro Pointer today! Once I get it I'll be sure to give you the full review. Right now I'm using the crappy pin pointer that came with my Bounty Hunter. Doesn't go off until you're touching whatever it is you're digging. Kinda defeats the purpose of a pin pointer.

[Banemorth]

In order to aide with my choice I found these online reviews that really helped out!


Pistol Probe pinpointer by Detector Pro: MSRP $189.95


Pulse induction technology
Adjustable pulse timing to prevent cross-talk and increase sensitivity over small items
Manual tuning/threshold adjustment
Excellent depth on coins and 3+ grain nuggets
Larger than average
Wide grip, less comfortable than others
Full time audio, manual audio low, high, silent with LED target light

Comments: this is the deepest of the probes. It needs a vibrate mode, VCO, or gradient audio like the Garrett has as you close in on the target. Detector Pro also makes a Uni-Probe which DOES have that gradient audio approach at $279.95. That probe can convert into a full blown pulse detector. Also: Uniprobe Headphones... they incorporate the same circuitry to bring you a high quality Detector Pro headphone set at $349.95.

PRO Pointer pinpointer from Garrett: MSRP $150.00


VLF technology 12 kHz
Ergonomically superior to most other models
Durable construction
Similar button switch like Bullseye locks unit on
Loud audio and vibrate simultaneous signal; place thumb over micro/speaker to semi-mute
Scraper blade... works great in bark
Increasing gradient audio response; gives you an accurate sense of how close you are to target
Depth is excellent but falls short of the leader: Pistol Probe

Comments: you can't turn off audio but overall #1 in my book due to its gradient target acquisition, which works like a Geiger counter...the beats increase until you are about 1/2" away and then flat lines. About 3x depth of Bullseye II, Fisher FP. In depth it is surpassed only by the probes of Sun Ray and Detector Pro.

[OregonMetalDetecting]

Thx for the info and replies all.

[The Rebel]

I Love my pro-pointer. I'm able to get good depth on it & if the target is shallow I'm able to scan the ground 1st then dig. Really speeds up recovery time. IMHO better than the pistol probe.

[OregonMetalDetecting]

Im going to order a pro pointer. Sounds like just what I am looking for with lots of positive reviews. Thx again all!!

Thx Bane for all that, just what I needed to make up my mind.....MOnolyth

[Banemorth]

Hey no problem! That's what decided it for me too!

[The Rebel]

Excellent choice Monolyth you won't be dissapointed. HH!!

[chipper01work]

I actually like my Pro Pointer better than my X-1 probe. Just my personal preference. In fact if the X-1 did not speed coil changes up by about tenfold on my E Trac I would probably sell the X-1.

[Boomer75]

I justed picked up a pro pointer myself and I love it! It's a big upgrade for me from the v4 which worked for about 2 week.

[longbeard]

i got both you asked about.
garrett[small,light, led light is cool,it vibs if you got head phones on. it only picks up a coin from 1 1/2 in.no interference,95 % water proof . $129

pistol[ big,clunky,led n sound only, it is quiet.hard to hear u have to remove your head phones. but its depth is far better.it also has multi freqs. at first it picked up my f75.and i was able to re tune it,not water proof $169

my f75 gives me targets 12 to 24 inches so the pistol is nice for that.but i like the garretts userbilaty.but my garrett misses things that are deeper than the hole i dug by 1 1/2 in.and the pistol see,s them

how far are you missing your targets ? and let that tell you witch one to buy.

best all around ;garrett
but for what im looking for pistol did the job.
i,ll probly put both on my belt.hahaha

[OregonMetalDetecting]

Originally Posted by longbeard

i got both you asked about.
garrett[small,light, led light is cool,it vibs if you got head phones on. it only picks up a coin from 1 1/2 in.no interference,95 % water proof . $129

pistol[ big,clunky,led n sound only, it is quiet.hard to hear u have to remove your head phones. but its depth is far better.it also has multi freqs. at first it picked up my f75.and i was able to re tune it,not water proof $169

my f75 gives me targets 12 to 24 inches so the pistol is nice for that.but i like the garretts userbilaty.but my garrett misses things that are deeper than the hole i dug by 1 1/2 in.and the pistol see,s them

how far are you missing your targets ? and let that tell you witch one to buy.

best all around ;garrett
but for what im looking for pistol did the job.
i,ll probly put both on my belt.hahaha

I usually dig pretty small plugs. So sometimes I am off by an inch or so. Very informative post you did, thank you for that. The pinpoint function on my F5 is very good, mostly it is user error if my hole is off center.

I don't go for many really "deep" targets. The soil conditions here being what they are you can find old coins anywhere from 6 to 8". Given that, I am thinking the pro pointer is the best for me. It has similiar range to the one I use now and is much more durable with less adjustments on it. I also like how it will pulse quicker when you approach closer to a target.

Thx for the your input

[30U Plymouth]

I love the Pro-Pointer.

I won't leave home without it.

[pedrofb19]

I have the pistol probe and it was probably the best investment ive made in metal detecting. Most of the time you can pinpoint before you even dig so you can make smaller plugs and remover the coin faster. I would buy it and if you dont like it you can trade it for the pro pointer and maybe get $40 also.

[WTXdigger]

Thanks for all the info. I too have been considering upgrading from my Bullseye. Seem to miss quite a bit on the targets that really intrest me. Pro pointer it is