DetectingWales.com

Hi ,  new to metal detecting but im guessing a pinpointer is a must have ? Any suggestions will be welcome .

regards
Karl

The most highly recommended would be the nokta pointer due to it durability and it being waterproof and apparently loss proof, then would be the garret pro pointer and maybe detectnicks x-pointer.  The problem is the prices vary a bit with the x-pointer being pretty good at £60-£70 the garret £80 and the nokta £90.

Really depends on the funds you have available.

George

Hi KERTON,just a word on pin-pointers,be a bit wary of pointers advertised by a company called "Detectorbits", very keen prices,but products are a bit hit and miss.
For me,unless your going to do underwater detecting,go for the original Garrett pro- pointer,good all round pointer for around £80:00ish
Hope it helps👍

Welcome to DW kerton.  My how times change.  Only a few years ago you were considered a wimp if you used a pin-pointer, especially with built in pin pointers on most machines. Now it's an essential part of the kit.
Having said that (tongue in cheek)  ::)  I wouldn't go anywhere without Mr.Garrett.  He's been my companion for a good 3 years and still running on the ever-ready I put in to replace the cheap one it came with. Worth every penny.

Word of warning though.  Watch out for cheap imitations.  Like the detector, only buy from a recognised dealer. That way any problems are dealt with promptly and you don't loose out.

Go with that Val👍

It's the first time that I've heard of the Nokta probe. Has anyone had any experience with them. My Garrett probe has started falsing again and is now a bit long in the tooth..

Hi Dryland,tf you go onto www.Nokta (http://www.Nokta) Detectors.com you will see pointer on their header,must say,it sounds pretty good👍

Thanks DD I just had a look, I just wondered if anyone had first hand experience of them out in the field.

Yes Deadlock has got one but I wouldn't ask him for a good review ;D

 ;D ;D ;D  I won't tell him that you said that ........ honest lol

The after sales service has been very good in fact they've sent him so many replacement parts he's got a new pinpointer now :D

Rofl  think I'll by a Garrett :D

Good choice Dylan.  Just remember it's not a trowel  ::)

Very good point Val I've seen so many people if they don't get a signal they try and push the probe into the earth thinking it will get them that little bit closer and then complain that it sounds off when they do it ::) NO! just dig a bit more ;)

That's why I said it Geoff.   I've seen one or two breaking clumps soil up and scraping the sides of holes with them. No wonder they have problems.

Look after it and it will look after you   ;)


p.s.  not saying you do it Dylan, just making a point  :)

lol, I think I see an opportunity opening up here, time to patent a probe with a built in spade, or maybe the other way around ;D

Suggestions for "Drylands" combined spade and pointer.
(1)diggery-pokery
(2,)shovel-it-ting
(3) ?

Ouch  ;D ;D

Anyone had any issues with the Garrett? Only had mine since April and the button is playing up. Suppliers say it's not covered under warranty and it's the rubber button cover which is slightly worn. They'll send me a replacement for a fiver, but I don't want to be doing that every 6 months?

Not sure how its button is not covered as your finding out it wont work without one

You can have an issue with the garrett pro pointer and if in warrantee send back but if not probably you have an issue with the board being conducted by the 3 cables  .
 I have left a link to help you deal with this issue ,,,mogs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90YfULEKbi8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90YfULEKbi8)

Hi Mogs,several months ago,I complained about the same falcing problems, and I was emphatically informed by Kevin at REGTON'S that that was indeed an issue with the "Pro-pointer"several years ago,and this " falcing "problems had now been resolved so that condition could never happen again !!
Well,Kevin,obviously by the sound of things(excuse the pun) its still happening !!
It would be interesting to see if indeed the three problematic wires are indeed now insulated against each other,and indeed if they are insulated on the new generation of " PRO-POINTER'S....  ???
Kevin please !! ???

My Garrett pro pointer will get itself into an erratic state every now and again, hold it in the air, switch it off and back on, works every time for me.
One member of our club holds it in the hole switches off then back on, seems to work for him.
You can also do a reset,  remove and replace battery (same battery).

Hey Greg,by touching the pointer to the side of the hole,THEN switching it on is actually "ground balancing"
I saw it on U-TUBE, and now do it myself,and ya know what ? It seems to work !!👍

I Had 2 Garett probes that both stopped working, falsing etc. I then bought a Makro probe and its been pretty good, better than the Garett ones, it does throw a wobbler every now and then and wont stop beeping but shutting it off and restarting normally solves it. Its waterproof and will work underwater.

I have had my Garret Probe nearly 3years , a good bit of kit I would say.

After having 2 garret pro pointers I've given the Nokta a go had it about 6 months realy happy with it so far and the great thing is being fully waterproof you can give a good clean under the tap after use and it's as good as new and you get 2 replaceable ends.

Not sure about 'ground balancing' in the hole, if the metal object is near, will it not reduce the sensitivity?

Has anyone got or have any opinions on the Nokta

               Can't comment on the Nokta but have used a ProPointer for six years now. It did start playing up a couple of years ago and in an attempt to sort it I opened it up to get at the reset button on the pcb. All went well until I tried to reinsert the pcb and I broke the bloomin thing! 

               Eventually got it repaired and treated it gently since then and have had no trouble with it since. Mind you.............having said that!!!!  ::)

Hi Greg,regarding the question of  ground balancing your pointer,at one point a few years ago I read on a Detecting forum that if your pointer seems to be falcing, before your switch it on place it on to the side of the plug,hen switch it on and the falcing will cease and will act in a far more accurate and sensitive manner than just trying  to firtle away in the hope of determining the location of the target....This manner of operation absolutely works...
Why not give it a try... I'm sure you won't be disappointed...Good Hunting...👍

            There is also a little trick that will give you some extra depth with the ProPointer. Holding a coin against the body of the ProPointer, under your thumb, slowly slide it forward past the on off button until the pointer sound and then slowly back the coin off until the sounding stops. You will then find that your pointer will detect at a slightly greater depyh than normal. Providing that you keep the said coin in position!  :)

I recently purchased one after reading various reviews it is simple to use, waterproof, has the speaker to the rear and two buttons that control all the functions, it also has 10 settings and is extremely accurate, Joan Allan has them for about £80 something but all in all seems very good for the money.

still going

I've had 2 x Garrett pointers, both ended up falsing like crazy.

So I bought a Deteknix X-pointer PI....and it is absolutely FANTASTIC!!

WAY cheaper than the garret and a lot...LOT more reliable and stacks more features.

Matt.

A pointer saves you time,and gives accurate locating,less digging on the sides.
I personally use a Macro waterproof.Very sturdy,accurate and settings for distance from target.They come with two tips and a belt holder and a little finds bag on Joan Allen.
I think £90 quid.Cheers

I have the Garret PP2 and the most annoying thing is the button has come off twice, once it fell in the hole and I had to scratch around in the mud to find it!  Does anyone know if replacements are easy to come by?
Couldn't detect without it though.

                                  Wouldn't be without my ProPointer but did have problems with it falsing, some time ago. Stripped it and pressed the reset button on the circuit board but then broke the on/off button when putting it back together and had to pay to have it fixed. When the ProPointer eventually gives up the ghost, I will have a look at replacing it with an other make.

                                   I would suggest that newcomers don't bother trying to use a stud finder, or buy a cheap pointer from "Maplins"! Save your pennies and get a decent pointer. You will save your self an awful lot of frustration!

                                   If I am not mistaken; I think one of our members Chris (Dungbeetle) never uses a pointer but I could be wrong.

I've got an early Garrett and it tends to false a lot in the hot weather for some daft reason.
It usually gets a good flush out with quality aerosol switch cleaner twice a year - unscrew top and take battery out then prise out the rubber button hold upside down and give it a good dose of spray through the switch hole until the fluid runs clean (usually its quite filthy to start)then leave to dry / evaporate.
My main gripe with the Garrett is the speaker position right under the palm so it clogs up almost immidiatly on wet plough.
The makro probe solves this by mounting it in the cap. Unfortunately though the makro is a flaff to turn on and off as it requires a long push on the power button which is a pity as the waterproof design is the best for river and beach detecting.
I find when using the makro in saltwater it's best to submerge it first then turn it on as this ground balances it, otherwise it will false like mad in the saline.
I agree with Resurgam that a cheap probe is not worth the hassle.

Garrett pro pointer (orange), had one since they first came out, £125 but worth every penny, better range than any others I have compared, and sensitivity can be reduced in stages to find the smallest object quickly saving time and effort.
Like the old Garrett I can move my ring finger down the shaft until it registers and then move it back slightly, increases sensitivity even more.
Does false in mineralised soil, but push it into the clod and switch on, it then balances and works fine (tip off Dingdong).

Aaah; good point. Being right handed I never thought of using my ring finger in place of a coin to increase the range of the pointer. I will have to swap my wedding ring over to my right hand.  ;)

Reading this thread reminded me that I had my Garrett Probe for many years. I've even got the receipt, January 2011 £84.99 from Detecnicks. I've never had any problems with it at all. Mind you perhaps I don't find as much as I should  ;)