Detecting without a Pinpointer

[Steven P]

This is what makes life interesting, that we all like different things, it would be pretty boring if we all liked the exact same thing.

For me getting a quality PP made a huge difference! It really is night and day for both the enjoyment factor and ease. I have serious back and neck trouble, and I am at the age where my eyesight is not what it used to be. Digging and scraping around a hole like a blind mouse searching for something that I knew was in the vicinity was hard on me physically and not as much fun. Now I can quickly and easily determine if the target is in the plug and if not what direction in the hole to look. Lets face it some of those penny's can really blend in with the dirt and even if I am dead on I don't always see them easily.

I can appreciate the fact that some would prefer the challenge of doing it entirely with the detector alone, I think that is great. The fact is this is a hobby to be enjoyed, there is no right or wrong way to enjoy it other than respecting the property being dug and it is obvious from reading this thread that can be accomplished with or without a pin pointer.

 

[Old Town]

Steve, you are a reasonable man. What kills me is to see people spend money they may not have on something advertising says they must have. It's rampant in every hobby field, in every human endeavor. This forum is filled with young and old of modest means who get unduly influenced into thinking they need every last electronic gadget that comes down the pike. This is never good. It leads to frustration on the part of the hobbyist furthering feelings of disastifaction in their life and position in life. Without getting too philiosophical, I think most people are happiest when they live a pared-down life of manageable wants and desires.

Now that's a lot bull for a simple probe discussion but my point is clearly illustrated by Yen's defensive attitude when he thought I was disparaging his low cost detector. I only mentioned the cost of mine as a literary devise to show a person already spends too much money on their chosen detector in the first place. Plenty of us spend more than a grand on the old detector. They do not need to spend more on a second detector of dubious utility. That is what the electronic probe is in my mind.

If you like your electronic probe, fine. But a detectorist sure does not need one. This point of view is rarely voiced for few want to rock the boat. As I'm a boat builder and virtually live on the water, I'll rock it once in a while.

Old Town

 

[Me&MyBoy]

First off, it's a hobby, and hobbies are notorious for gratuitous and unwarranted spending. That's half the fun of a hobby, constantly dreaming of how you can "take it to the next level" (real or imagined) and finding a way to afford it.

Secondly, it's a hobby. If a pinpointer makes someone enjoy it more, for whatever reason, that's awesome. Unless you're some kind of "coin harvesting machine" with innate and god-like pinpointing powers using only your detector, I would recommend a pinpointer. Which one, I don't know, I have an inline that I enjoy very much. Real or imagined, I think it helps me find what I'm looking for faster and neater. When I go pro, I may reconsider.

 

[EncrustedYen]

Old Town first you said " garrgreen to think they are worthless "

Hundreds upon hundreds of forum members would strongly disagree with this.

Later...
Now that's a lot bull for a simple probe discussion but my point is clearly illustrated by Yen's defensive attitude when he thought I was disparaging his low cost detector....

I have a GTI 2500 which I would hardly call low cost. I am, however,being defensive because I think you are giving out bad advice you said " they are worthless ' and "a detectorist sure does not need one" and they are of 'dubious utility" The reason few speak out against them is that they are so obviously useful.

I have given many reasons for their usefulness but the only con arguments seem to be...1. They cost money and 2. Pinpoint users are chumps.

 

[Old Town]

.

 

[Old Town]

SteveP is still right - we all like different things. He's my kind of guy.

OT

 

[ohiochris]

Just my personal preference!! I couldn't imagine hunting without a hand help pin pointer..A good example where mine came in handy was a while back I got a good signal between the roots of a large tree 6 inches down, I have no doubt that without my pin pointer I most likely would not have recovered the barber quarter that was stuck between the 2 large roots of the tree.. I've used a 9 dollar pointer & a 200 dollar pointer & I'd say any cheap pin-pointer is better then none in my opinion..

Thats a good example of how they can be helpful. But its important to note that running into that situation really dont happen on a regular basis for most people and having a pp just for that purpose wouldnt be necessary.

It all comes down to personal preference. Nothing at all wrong with doing it either way and if you feel you need or would like to try one then get one. But I do think its a little misleading to imply they are almost a "must have" , or that they make a huge difference every time out. A better suggestion to a newbie or someone who hasnt been doing this very long might be to just work on their target recovery and accurate pinpointing with their detector first , which will make them a more accomplished detectorist in the long run. If you keep running into situations where a pinpointer could really help then get one but if you have gotten proficient at doing it without one first then you have the best of both worlds.

 

[DIGGER27]

I hunted without one for awhile with a detector that was bad at pinpointing.
I then purchased a Harbor Freight pp and my hunts went better with much less frustration.

Then I got a Pro pointer...another world-changing tool.
Everything is faster and more accurate.
And more fun.

I have said it before...I liked my HF pp...but I LOVE my Pro Pointer!

HH

 

[Lightningjack]

I have a request..I would like to see a video of a someone on a hunt digging targets without using a hand held pin-pointer, I can't seem to find one on you-tube or anywhere else.. Thanks..

 

[digdug1968]

Geez, I've never owned one. Considered it tho.

The first time I went detecting, my stepbrother handed me a tesoro compadre, gave me a quick lesson on "x ing" the target, and went on his way with his troy shadow. I never had a problem that day, and still don't.

With my vaquero, I generally dig a 3 to 4 inch plug, and the target is almost always within that circle.......

I also already feel weighted down with all the equipment and doo-dads I need to carry, so I'm not sure that I want anymore..... stuff on hand.

I'm still not convinced that I need to spend the $180 for a propointer, to do what my $420 machine already does well.

That said, there are many tesoro users who don't use pinpointers, on this forum. It may be tougher to pinpoint with other brands? I dunno. I used a friend's whites classic once, and I had no trouble pinpointing with that, either.

I would think that a pinpointer would aid in the speed and...... cleanliness of recoveries, in turf, sod, etc....... even if you manage a small amount, like, 5-10 extra finds per hour vs. without a pinpointer, the few extra finds would add up over time. I cut plugs, and it's hard as heck to cut a flap and find the target with the detector. I could see a pinpointer helping there........ but for the moment, I'm plenty content to hunt without one. I guess ya can't miss what ya never had.

 

[burlbark]

I will never detect again without a pinpointer. The grounds that I detect on must be left as found. Searching around and needlessly expanding the hole is a deffinite no-no. I often recover 30 coins an hour. This would not and is not possible without a pinpointer. Mind you this is rocky hard road pack and digging is already a pitty.

 

[Turf Digger]

For me, a pinponter has been essential. I'm able to cut a plug and easily find the target in the plug, the hole or the sidewall of the hole. I'm able to close my plug up with the least amount of digging leaving the area looking as it did when I started.

I can understand though, how if someone never used one and has been digging successfully for years without one wouldn't see the need. But for me, as a relative newcomer, I would recommend one.

 

[DigginDoc]

I am with them on the Garrett pro pointer for all the same reasons. I wasted my money on the centech and they are a lot more up here. HH
Doc

 

[Sven]

I have never needed the use of an electronic pinpointer in 40 years of detecting. Just one more thing to drag around.

Sort of like folks who grew up having a cell phone glued to their palms, they can't live without them.

 

[gargreen18]

Wow! I haven't checked this thread in a while. I see we all have opinions.

Question: What is a metal probe?

I am sure I sound stupid but if I am correct it would be something such as a long screwdriver... correct? If this is the case how does this help?

When I first started I was using one and when I would stick it in the ground I was hittin rocks left and right.. How am I to know it is a coin vs. a rock?

I have gotten better at x-ing my target and can usually get it on the first plug. Yes, this is my hobby and my daughters but my wife thinks it's a waste so no extra spending for us. What we get is a metal detector (cheap one) and anything we can find laying around as tools.

 

[gargreen18]

Old Town first you said " garrgreen to think they are worthless "

Hundreds upon hundreds of forum members would strongly disagree with this.

Later...
Now that's a lot bull for a simple probe discussion but my point is clearly illustrated by Yen's defensive attitude when he thought I was disparaging his low cost detector....

I have a GTI 2500 which I would hardly call low cost. I am, however,being defensive because I think you are giving out bad advice you said " they are worthless ' and "a detectorist sure does not need one" and they are of 'dubious utility" The reason few speak out against them is that they are so obviously useful.

I have given many reasons for their usefulness but the only con arguments seem to be...1. They cost money and 2. Pinpoint users are chumps.

The point of this thread was not to argue. I was curious if PP are much help. That is why I asked. The problem with the world today is we go and buy something such as a cellphone. Instead of just getting a cellphone we walk out of the store with a bag full of crap that we "need" for the phone.

Do you understand my concern? I don't want to buy a bunch of crap I don't need. You go to Kellyco and they are constantly trying to up sell you on crap.

So, like I said, no need to argue. I have received the answers I came looking for.

 

[ohiochris]

Wow! I haven't checked this thread in a while. I see we all have opinions.

Question: What is a metal probe?

I am sure I sound stupid but if I am correct it would be something such as a long screwdriver... correct? If this is the case how does this help?

When I first started I was using one and when I would stick it in the ground I was hittin rocks left and right.. How am I to know it is a coin vs. a rock?

I have gotten better at x-ing my target and can usually get it on the first plug. Yes, this is my hobby and my daughters but my wife thinks it's a waste so no extra spending for us. What we get is a metal detector (cheap one) and anything we can find laying around as tools.

Some people use a metal probe, or even a long screwdriver. Instead of digging a hole , they stick the probe in the ground and feel for the target and then pop it out using the probe.

 

[Silver Eagle]

First of all you should be clear on just what a pinpointer does. It wont keep you from having to dig the hole , you still have to dig it before you can even use the pinpointer so you will still damage the grass. It wont keep you from missing your target spot when you dig either , you still need to be good enough to pinpoint the correct location with the detector before you dig. And once you are good at pinpointing with the detector and digging the plug , atleast 50% of the time if not more you probably wont need the handheld pinpointer because the target is right there anyway many times in plain sight. Im not saying dont get a pinpointer because they can be usefull , just that much of the time they are not needed and its just another thing to have to carry and put batteries in. Just sayin that unless you really want to spend the money ,...... it may be best to just work on your skill at pinpointing with the detector and digging the hole.....then you should be able to find almost any target as quick or quicker than getting the handheld out and using that.

Never owned one, nor do I plan on it either......unless I go Blind.
Never needed one either, as Ohiochris said, but I think the probability of it being in the plug the first time is a little higher, once you learn your machine, you'll get it the first time (well at least I do) 97 % the first time.
However, some machines do not pinpoint as well as others. Like my father in laws ace 250, junk. Like mding with a fisher price unit. However some of my friends swear by them, but it pinpoints inconsistantly. ie a diffrent place on their coil, depending on the shape and depth of the tartget.
Just one mans opinion, but with my machine, I can dig a round plug 3-3 1/2"
across, and 7" deep all day, and rarely miss the target.
Good Luck and Happy Hunting
DannO

 

[Old Town]

Silver Eagle, your findings are exactly mine. I can't remember the last time missing a coin with a plug. And after tapping into the coin with my probe at root level, fewer plugs are taken to begin with. Metal probes have their depth limit, but above 3-4 inches I can hit coins most of the time and not need to dig. I use my knife digger to cut a slit and take out the coin.
Xing targets seems to be a lost technique in and of itself. On coins size stuff if I'm off more than an inch and one half laterally it's very rare.

For those on a budget or who do not feel the need to keep up with current marketing schemes, the metal probe and good detector is all you need.

OT

 

[Utah_T-Hunter]

However, some machines do not pinpoint as well as others. Like my father in laws ace 250, junk. Like mding with a fisher price unit. However some of my friends swear by them, but it pinpoints inconsistantly. ie a diffrent place on their coil, depending on the shape and depth of the tartget.

I do beg to differ though. The Ace has a great Pin Pointing feature to it. I for one use one and does quite a few of others on here. In all honesty it might not be a expensive Machine but I would not consider it junk. I have seen the Ace perform just as well as a Thousand dollar machine. It all comes down to how well you know your machine. Not the price.

Any other Ace Users care to elaborate?