DetectingWales.com

I have another question before I spend some more hard earned cash. Could someone explain about the pin point tool. I know when I have detected something with the detector it will tell me within a few inches where the object is. Do I then bring out the pin point tool to show me exactly where it is and if the object was say 8 inches below the surface would the pin point tool pick it upor does this depend on the terrain. I am thinking initially about beaches. The other thing I am not sure about is do I hold the end of the pin point tool just above the sand or do I dig it into the sand.

Finally are some makes better than others. Many thanks giuys, you have been really good at answering all my questions and helping me to make progress.

Geoff.

The pinpointer  is used when the target has been dug, you then use it to detect the spoil or the walls of the hole, you wont get any real depth with it!

just like the Deus then  ::) :o ;D :D

Mike no need of that lol

 :) :) ;) just a bit of banter mate

There are plenty of good pin pointers available, but the Garrett seems to be the most popular. I never used to use one, but now I have one it halves the task in locating the object after you have opened your first dig.
If you have dug the target out first time then use the pointer to locate it in the spoils, but if its still in the hole then use it to search the side and base. The pointer will locate objects along its sides as well as on the tip, this is handy if you have dug past the find by sliding the pointer up the hole.
Bloody hell, that reads like a school report  ::)
Their a good bit of kit anchor man.  ;) ;D

Heres an argumentative point, I would say if you need a pinpointer, either you arent using your detector properly, it isnt set up properly or you simply havent got a clue.
You really shouldnt need a Pinpointer if youre doing things right.
BUT I have to say on modern machines the Pinpoint mode is pretty bad.
On my old XLT I knew that after pinpointing, that the target would be exactly in the middle of the detector ring.

What I find sad is I read on another forum about someone getting a backup for his pinpointer in case it fails.
Sad, very sad.

so there you have it guys , 99% of us are not using our kit properly  ::) ::)

i'll  remember that when im searching through gloopy sticky wet mud for that little hammy with my probe  ::) ::)

a probe was an invaluable piece of kit when i was new to the hobby, and still is an invaluable piece of kit.  ;D

i've found it helps locate most items quicker than breaking lumps off and offering them over the coil, which leads to more time swinging, which potentially leads to finding more goodies! yes sometimes you flip the sod and the item is staring you in the face, but for most targets the probe gives you the initial clue as to where it is!

and dare i say it ........ I HAVE A BACKUP ONE!!!  :D 8)

in my opinion, well worth the money

Sharkey

How sensitive are these pin pointers, to finding little items? grots, ect
90% of my detecting is ploughed land and a pointer don't seem really necessary for that type of detecting, as the items are a lot easier to find, I think anyway.

But going out with Stever on pasture I have called him over more than once to stick his probe in the hole when iv been sweating digging down, to find its in the side wall of the hole, its a good tool for that sort of detecting but £80 is over priced for what it is, and the problems people seem to get :-\
    

so there you have it guys , 99% of us are not using our kit properly  Roll Eyes Roll Eyes  ;D
I as much heard this in another topic earlier , is anyone any good at tectin on here  ;D
yes pinpointers do come in handy in the right situations ,, like when you cant find the flaming thing your after in the hole ;)

 ebay would be busy wouldent it ::) see ::) some people on here are nuts ;)

I use the garrett pinpointer and It has helped me to find loads of hard to find  targets my detecting is mostly on beaches near the low water  tide line up sometimes in the dark when the beaches are quiet maybe the ones who are doubting the need for A pinpointer would think different if like myself and others who  have been on the beach in the dark looking for A target when the tides turning and your detector is showing the targets out in the wet sand yes you can find the target and your detector tells you its under the coil in the spoil yes it may even register that its in the center of your coil but how would you manage if as in the past its A back of an earring or A gold ear stud (these fall through most sand scoops) or A small coin don't forget the tides flooding while you're P- - -ing around yes some machines do have excellent pinpointing capabilities yes A few occasions when inland detecting  I have found targets without my pinpointer by pasing hand fulls of dirt over the coil Another thing is if you get A pinpointer  recommend you look through the tips + ideas, for the postings about covering your pinpointer to stop the sand + mud getting into it  also some kind of attachment to fasten it to your belt incase you leave it behind or drop it  :o






 .

i dont think thats a fair statement at all.
i found pinpointing easy with my previous machines (dfx f75 t2 classic 3) but am having trouble getting to grips with the sov gt so a pin pointer is not only going to help me find my target easily but is going to give me more detecting as im losing time digging in the place albeit by just an inch or two.

Well I never, If you guys are departing with your pin pointers I have now started a refuge for neglected ones. These will be well looked after just like the many pots of Marmite abandoned in the dark never reaches.
Just to reassure anyone about the care these misunderstood thingies will get, they will all have their own pouch secured by lanyard, with new 9v batteries available upon demand.
Pm for delivery address whenever confusion occurs.
 ;D ;D ;D ::) ::) :P
Brilliant bit of kit with use on all detectors

i was meant to quote goldpanners statement.poxy fat fingers and stupid little phone buttons.

I can give them a good home too  ;)

Bit late, I know, but I have found that a cheap pinpointer (TX2002) from the well known auction site (I bought mine straight from the States, cheapest way) has actually been quite useful. My Fisher F5 is reasonably good, but if I can't find it quickly the probe helps a lot. Each to their own, I guess.

hi john,dont mind me asking .what did you pay for yours straight from the states

the TX2002 is Chinese so you should be able to find it just as cheap here ???

Dunno Chef, I once bught Danish music CD's from the States cheaper than I could find them in Denmark  ::)  I'm thinking, maybe because of the tax/VAT thingy ?? I get medicine for the cats from abroad too, and if parcels are kept at under a certain amount (can't remember off hand),  they don't get subjected to tax on import. Seems silly, but hey ho...

Very true Svaipa but also good old British profiteering plays a part too ;)
£11 each
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/268045658/GT_2002_Pinpointer_Metal_Detector.html (http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/268045658/GT_2002_Pinpointer_Metal_Detector.html)

I've used the Garrett for some time. Its right to say that some machines will give you spot on pinpointing but others
are a pain in the butt to isolate a target. Anything that speeds up the 'finding process', allows you to get more detecting time in.

Having said that the latest Garrett is causing me so many headaches. Is sounding and spitting all over the place, even when you
hold the thing in the air. Really thinking about getting another brand, I'm so fed up with it. I mean at £89 a go, its not a cheap item.

Ysbyty

Try spraying some WD40 in the switch hole you can lift out the rubber gromit and spay in there,sometimes water gets in side, the WD 40 will sort it,spray it leave it stand a bit then shake it out and let it dry out,it worked for me.

Or if it's still under warranty, send it back and get a new one. Same thing happened with my minelab probe. it started to beep all over the place, and as you said, also when holding it up in the air. Proper confused it was. I called Crawfords and they told me they'd send me a new one, which I had within the week. Excellent service me thinks.

Afraid sending back is not really an option. Although virtually unused, its probably almost 18 months old as I bought it for my wife to use but she never really took to the hobby. The fact its sounding off as soon as it touches any type of earth makes it un-usable, as it indicates a target everywhere.
I know this is slightly off the original topic but I think its relevant to anybody thinking of purchasing a unit.

Mike have you tried loosening the top a little.???

Val

Yes Val. No difference. I've even tried the 'oak test' in desperation.

                                     I bought a Garrett ProPointer and thought it to be a great bit o kit and wouldn't detect without it but have recently ( like a great many other people ) started to have problems with it.  :-\

As i recently said, my brand new probe started playing up after a few weeks and the battery needed changing, after putting a cheap battery in, it was going beserk. after putting a duracell
battery in , problem solved.

                         I put a new Duracell battery in mine the other week and it did seem to behave it's self a little better. Going to give it a good workout on Sunday and have a new battery also in the bag. Going to give it a good airing and ensure that it is dry inside.                     

          Time will tell.

                        Roll on Sunday!  ;)

I have allways used rechargable in my garrett pin point and never had any trouble at all, a plus is you can allways keep the power up; i use Duracell.before putting the battery back in i spray a bit of WD40 into the pointer battery compartment to keep any damp out