Which pinpointer?

[Western PA 74]

Its hard to say, but I can offer a general comment. Just faster. For me, I'm about efficiency, and I think 80% of my target recovery time is wasted with the pinpointer. My Carrot sometimes has no depth at all, and I have to test it against my digger. Half inch from the digger, no signal, so I have to power cycle it just to fix this. I sent it in to Garrett, and they claimed they fixed this, but they did not. I put it in the hole, no signal, put it near the digger, no signal, power cycle, wash rinse repeat. Very annoying, but it does work in the end.

It falses so much on the most powerful setting that it is useless in mineralized dirt. The mid setting seem to get a dime at no more than 0.5 to 0.75 inches. It needs more range, and needs more targeted range on dimes. I think what I don't like about it is that the field comes from the middle of the device rather than the tip, but devices claiming to be tip-active (and I forget which ones now) don't seem to work as well.

Its best feature is its ruggedness, but from what I understand, the orange material is less rugged than the old green material. Google "carrot condom" to see what others have done to fix this problem. Mine is not worn down yet, but it will be in a matter of time in our rocky soil. I just don't have the patience to deal with another after market fix for something like this, but it is much more rugged than the cheap knockoffs being discussed. That Harbor Freight one didn't last a month in the field for me.

So, "holy grail", that means pie in the sky wishlist: waterproof (Garrett is now), rugged (like the old Garrett green ones), orange (I like the Carrot because I was always losing the green one in the grass, but fixed that by tying pink surveyor's tape to it), tip-active targeting that works well, more range, and the real holy grail, discrimination. Show me if the target is iron like the old Sunray probes did before I get to it. I get the technical challenges to a motion discrimination pinpointer, but I know enough engineering to know that it is possible. It just may cost alot, but for me, it would be worth it to have this. You said "holy grail" after all

I was going to get a "decent" pinpointer, but found one on Amazon for $23. See how it works. Just want it to help pinpoint those digs that you can't seem to pinpoint the target. I know it's probably a cheap imported knock off, but if it serves it's purpose, I'll take it! I'll probably get some negative responses for buying it, but I'm just getting started in the hobby, can always upgrade.

 

[oldkoot]

well I currently have three pin pointers
the Original Garrett Pro Pointer which was purchased in 2009, still works great and has good depth

the Nokta/Macro Pulse Dive which is a PI (Pulse Induction) Pin pointer and my favorite rite now it is the Longest of all three and the heaviest of all three and deeper than the Garrett

the last one that I have is the Fisher F Pulse which is another PI (pulse induction) pin pointer and my second favorite, the one thing I do not like about the F Pulse is it is hard to hear it, the F Pulse and the Pulse Dive are both vary similar in depth and sensitivity, the other thing I do not care for on the Fisher F Pulse is it is vary easy to unknowingly change settings in it which is not the case of the Nokta/Macro Pulse Dive

I have an order in for a Quest X Pointer Max, because I want to try one and it does have discrimination, everyone I have talked to that has used the Quest X Pointer Max loves them, so I decided to give one a try

I am also going to purchase Nokta's new pointer when it comes out because they are saying it also will have discrimination, it will be called the AccuPoint Pin Pointer

 

[Western PA 74]

well I currently have three pin pointers
the Original Garrett Pro Pointer which was purchased in 2009, still works great and has good depth

the Nokta/Macro Pulse Dive which is a PI (Pulse Induction) Pin pointer and my favorite rite now it is the Longest of all three and the heaviest of all three and deeper than the Garrett

the last one that I have is the Fisher F Pulse which is another PI (pulse induction) pin pointer and my second favorite, the one thing I do not like about the F Pulse is it is hard to hear it, the F Pulse and the Pulse Dive are both vary similar in depth and sensitivity, the other thing I do not care for on the Fisher F Pulse is it is vary easy to unknowingly change settings in it which is not the case of the Nokta/Macro Pulse Dive

I have an order in for a Quest X Pointer Max, because I want to try one and it does have discrimination, everyone I have talked to that has used the Quest X Pointer Max loves them, so I decided to give one a try

I am also going to purchase Nokta's new pointer when it comes out because they are saying it also will have discrimination, it will be called the AccuPoint Pin Pointer

There's so many different opinions in here! I never knew metal detecting was so sophisticated! It's like every hobby from mountain climbing to demolition derbys.... There's so many tricks of the trade! Haha! I appreciate everyone's input on getting me started into the world of detecting!

 

[oldkoot]

There's so many different opinions in here! I never knew metal detecting was so sophisticated! It's like every hobby from mountain climbing to demolition derbys.... There's so many tricks of the trade! Haha! I appreciate everyone's input on getting me started into the world of detecting!

well that is what makes friendly great we all have an opinion that we each give as to what is best, the best is quite subjective and the only person that can make a decision as to what is best for you is you, we can all make suggestions to you but that is really all they are is suggestions, I know what works best for me but may not be best for you

 

[Western PA 74]

well that is what makes friendly great we all have an opinion that we each give as to what is best, the best is quite subjective and the only person that can make a decision as to what is best for you is you, we can all make suggestions to you but that is really all they are is suggestions, I know what works best for me but may not be best for you

I'll keep that in mind when I end up tossing my $20 pinpointer in the crick and get a good one! Haha! And I'll remember Oldkoots nickles worth of free advice! Sometimes we all need to live and learn!

 

[markinswpa]

well I currently have three pin pointers
the Original Garrett Pro Pointer which was purchased in 2009, still works great and has good depth

the Nokta/Macro Pulse Dive which is a PI (Pulse Induction) Pin pointer and my favorite rite now it is the Longest of all three and the heaviest of all three and deeper than the Garrett

the last one that I have is the Fisher F Pulse which is another PI (pulse induction) pin pointer and my second favorite, the one thing I do not like about the F Pulse is it is hard to hear it, the F Pulse and the Pulse Dive are both vary similar in depth and sensitivity, the other thing I do not care for on the Fisher F Pulse is it is vary easy to unknowingly change settings in it which is not the case of the Nokta/Macro Pulse Dive

I have an order in for a Quest X Pointer Max, because I want to try one and it does have discrimination, everyone I have talked to that has used the Quest X Pointer Max loves them, so I decided to give one a try

I am also going to purchase Nokta's new pointer when it comes out because they are saying it also will have discrimination, it will be called the AccuPoint Pin Pointer

Old koot thanks for the info. I'll look into the Quest and Nokta. I always like the idea of a pinpointer with disc. I got the Pro-Find 35 the year it came out for Christmas. After a bench test it still sits in the box. My daughter ask me what I wanted this past Christmas and I told her I could use a new pinpointer and her reply was didn't I just get you one. I told her I would like a carrot this time. Haven't broke it in yet, still wringing the last of life out of the old one. Again thanks for the info. Mark

 

[Western PA 74]

well that is what makes friendly great we all have an opinion that we each give as to what is best, the best is quite subjective and the only person that can make a decision as to what is best for you is you, we can all make suggestions to you but that is really all they are is suggestions, I know what works best for me but may not be best for you

 

[Western PA 74]

Any idea what this might be Oldkoot? Steel plate with what appears to be a lead switch. About 4 inches x 4 inches.

 

[oldkoot]

Any idea what this might be Oldkoot? Steel plate with what appears to be a lead switch. About 4 inches x 4 inches.

your photo is really grainy, but the round thing in the center looks like some sort of plug, as to what it actually is I have absolutely no clue, try cleaning up your photo some and post it up as a new thread and maybe you will get a better answer than I have LOL

 

[Western PA 74]

Can't get a better picture to load. Tried upping picture size, says"oops we ran into a problem"

 

[Pete e]

Have only had two pinpoints, one a Nokta and the other a Whites TRX. The Nokta is built like a tank compared to the Whites, but the TRX has better detection range and actually pinpoints off the tip, which I much prefer.

Now some complaints...

Why does changing modes or power have to be typically so confusing ? Would it be too difficult to have LEDs to indicate what power you have selected, and a dedicated switch so you can simply cycle through those settings?

Do all pin pointers loose power/range after a year or two? Both mine have...

More pin pointers that detect off the tip please..

Can I have a pinpointer that will simultaneously pair with my Bluetooth headphones...

My TXR seems to detune itself when searching for very small targets as if it ground balances it self out of tune when you hit a faint signal?

 

[Western PA 74]

Have only had two pinpoints, one a Nokta and the other a Whites TRX. The Nokta is built like a tank compared to the Whites, but the TRX has better detection range and actually pinpoints off the tip, which I much prefer.

Now some complaints...

Why does changing modes or power have to be typically so confusing ? Would it be too difficult to have LEDs to indicate what power you have selected, and a dedicated switch so you can simply cycle through those settings?

Do all pin pointers loose power/range after a year or two? Both mine have...

More pin pointers that detect off the tip please..

Can I have a pinpointer that will simultaneously pair with my Bluetooth headphones...

My TXR seems to detune itself when searching for very small targets as if it ground balances it self out of tune when you hit a faint signal?

Interesting! Just the tip would be nice, that is the point of a pinpointer. Right? That's what we need them for. Not side to side!

 

[crazydigger]

I have always used Garrett's

 

[Martin_V3i]

Interesting! Just the tip would be nice, that is the point of a pinpointer. Right? That's what we need them for. Not side to side!

"Six of one, and half a dozen of the other." The tip only pointer will consume retrieval time in the beginning of retrieval many times. The side detection pointers can be detuned by a fast press of the power button and they grab metal signals, most pointer quick de-tune anyway. I carry both the side detection and a tip only pointer. If I had to give one up forever, I would keep the side detection ones, with the quick detune ability.

 

[garviso8511]

Has anyone tried the $20 pinpointers from eBay? Just wondering how good they are.

Just purchased one and wished I hadn’t total knock offs, barely audible ,stay clear

 

[vmc1161]

Which is why I carry both the TRX, plus my Fisher F-Pulse. The Carrot is weak in depth IMO

I also have the TRX and love it I have tried a few others that could not come close to it. I have the M1 as a back up. I tried to buy a TRX back up years back and could not get one... I should have tried harder. Especially now that Whites is gone, can't believe that someone is not making them.

 

[Volksman]

I like the Whites TRX also but got an F Pulse to try out. The F Pulse is taking some getting used to. I tried a Profind 35 and didn’t like it at all. The discrimination doesn’t really work as advertised and it’s not ergonomic.

 

[Western PA 74]

Thanks for all the different input on the pinpointers everyone! I'm waiting on my $24 Amazon one to arrive. It has good reviews, I'll put it to the test and see how "good" it is. I'm just starting out in the hobby. I'll probably be sure to upgrade to a good one if I stick with it!

 

[markinmichigan]

Garrett carrot, I was gifted a used Minelab and it collects dust.

Mark in Michigan

 

[Martin_V3i]

I like the Whites TRX also but got an F Pulse to try out. The F Pulse is taking some getting used to. I tried a Profind 35 and didn’t like it at all. The discrimination doesn’t really work as advertised and it’s not ergonomic.

That is a line-up of pointers after my own heart! The F-pulse will prove itself.