ToddB64
Elite Member
Hi !
My Pro-Pointer AT (aka "Orange Carrot") doesn't operate correctly hunting in hot weather (80's Fahrenheit) when I try to cycle between the two detection settings, Audio-plus Vibrate or Vibrate-only. It gets stuck in one mode or the other and following the procedure explained on page #3 of the manual doesn't work in the field, but after I get home and try it again in the cooler 70's Fahrenheit room temperature it operates normally. BTW, the manual specifications state an operating temperature range of -35°F to 158°F. I received this pinpointer June 02, 2016 and during a phone consultation with a Garrett technical employee I was advised to use 9V Energizer Max Alkaline batteries and I always do.
Before every hunt I test the battery to be used on a ZTS Part No. MBT-1 Pulse Load Multi-Battery Tester that measures the battery voltage under load and gives readings of 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%. The Pulse Load magnitude varies according to the battery type and when testing my 9V Energizers the pulse load test duration is only a couple of seconds before I get a reading. After consulting with the manufacturer of this tester, it was suggested that I not use a battery that has a reading of less than 60% at the start of each hunt. I usually use batteries testing 80% or 100% if available, but never less than 60% and even then I don't recall ever hearing the Pro-Pointer AT's Low Battery Alarm go off during my usual 2 hour hunts. I'm limited to 2 hours due to health problems. Testing batteries with a Volt-Ohm meter alone doesn't give the whole story, as explained in the following paragraphs.
The difference between a simple battery tester and a battery load tester is that battery load testers, such as ZTS Multi-Battery tester, compute the battery's actual remaining power capacity using a 2-second pulse load test. This pulse load simulates the real power demand that batteries experience in a high drain electronic device. So battery performance is measured, not just voltage. The load is automatically disconnected, so testing will not harm or drain the battery.
A battery volt tester tests the remaining voltage of a battery. This is not a very reliable method for certain types of batteries. For example, LiMnO2 (Lithium Manganese Dioxide) batteries, such as CR2 batteries, have a relatively flat discharge rate. (They last a long time but die quickly) So, the battery’s voltage at 80% capacity is nearly the same as 40% capacity. A regular battery volt tester cannot indicate the difference between 80% performance remaining or 40%. While a simple battery volt tester may be sufficient for some batteries, it is not the best solution for all batteries.
The above information is presented here for the sole purpose of supporting my persuasion that the batteries I use are not the cause of the problem explained in the opening paragraph. I am not connected to or employed in any way by ZTS for profit. If this information encourages the reader to purchase equipment from ZTS, that is your own personal decision and I cannot be responsible in any way for the outcome.
Sorry for the length of this post, but has anyone else had the same or similar problem with the Garrett Pro-Pointer AT ?
Thanks for your comments !
ToddB64
My Pro-Pointer AT (aka "Orange Carrot") doesn't operate correctly hunting in hot weather (80's Fahrenheit) when I try to cycle between the two detection settings, Audio-plus Vibrate or Vibrate-only. It gets stuck in one mode or the other and following the procedure explained on page #3 of the manual doesn't work in the field, but after I get home and try it again in the cooler 70's Fahrenheit room temperature it operates normally. BTW, the manual specifications state an operating temperature range of -35°F to 158°F. I received this pinpointer June 02, 2016 and during a phone consultation with a Garrett technical employee I was advised to use 9V Energizer Max Alkaline batteries and I always do.
Before every hunt I test the battery to be used on a ZTS Part No. MBT-1 Pulse Load Multi-Battery Tester that measures the battery voltage under load and gives readings of 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%. The Pulse Load magnitude varies according to the battery type and when testing my 9V Energizers the pulse load test duration is only a couple of seconds before I get a reading. After consulting with the manufacturer of this tester, it was suggested that I not use a battery that has a reading of less than 60% at the start of each hunt. I usually use batteries testing 80% or 100% if available, but never less than 60% and even then I don't recall ever hearing the Pro-Pointer AT's Low Battery Alarm go off during my usual 2 hour hunts. I'm limited to 2 hours due to health problems. Testing batteries with a Volt-Ohm meter alone doesn't give the whole story, as explained in the following paragraphs.
The difference between a simple battery tester and a battery load tester is that battery load testers, such as ZTS Multi-Battery tester, compute the battery's actual remaining power capacity using a 2-second pulse load test. This pulse load simulates the real power demand that batteries experience in a high drain electronic device. So battery performance is measured, not just voltage. The load is automatically disconnected, so testing will not harm or drain the battery.
A battery volt tester tests the remaining voltage of a battery. This is not a very reliable method for certain types of batteries. For example, LiMnO2 (Lithium Manganese Dioxide) batteries, such as CR2 batteries, have a relatively flat discharge rate. (They last a long time but die quickly) So, the battery’s voltage at 80% capacity is nearly the same as 40% capacity. A regular battery volt tester cannot indicate the difference between 80% performance remaining or 40%. While a simple battery volt tester may be sufficient for some batteries, it is not the best solution for all batteries.
The above information is presented here for the sole purpose of supporting my persuasion that the batteries I use are not the cause of the problem explained in the opening paragraph. I am not connected to or employed in any way by ZTS for profit. If this information encourages the reader to purchase equipment from ZTS, that is your own personal decision and I cannot be responsible in any way for the outcome.
Sorry for the length of this post, but has anyone else had the same or similar problem with the Garrett Pro-Pointer AT ?
Thanks for your comments !
ToddB64