Garrett Propointer

[beepsilver]

I posted this in the Garrett forum, but as Deus users, maybe someone has experienced the same issue?

I've had the Propointer for about a month now and I'm not sure I have a problem with it. I'll describe what happens, and please let me know if you think it's normal or not.

When I find a target to dig, I kneel down and set the detector down in a way so I don't get feedback in my headphones when I turn on and use the propointer. I get the most feedback when I have the Deus set to use 4Khz but my issue occurs in any of the 4 frequencies.

Anyway, after digging a hole, I turn on the propointer and go searching. When the target is in proximity of the pinpointer, the propointer sounds off as it should. When the target is beyond range, I would expect to get no sound or vibration from the propointer, but instead I get consistent chirping. This is even true if I remove the target and pinpoint the hole again...the chirping presents itself. Sometimes I turn off the propointer, turn it back on again, and within seconds the problem recurs. I don't press the propointer excessively at all, but I still get consistent chirping when the tip of the coil makes contact with the soil. I've read if you use too much pressure, the wire inside the propointer comes too close to something critical and it falses; this may be happening, but I assure you I'm hardly putting any direct or side pressure on the propointer. This problem occurs in most of the holes I dig, so I'm leaning toward ruling out irony soil as the culprit.

Any advice?

 

[Cladiator (OR)]

Hi beepsilver,
I use the White's Bullseye TRX and have noticed a similar issue. The TRX operates on 12kHz, so it is definitely more noticeable when I have the Deus running in 12k, but I have noticed the same issue in 8k also. So far, I haven't given it too much attention and have just been re-tuning the unit--but it does get kind of old having to re-tune all the time. I also try and set the Deus down at arms length with the coil away from me which seems to help a bit, but I haven't honestly spent much time trying to decipher what is going on yet. Sorry I don't have any good suggestions for you. I'll be monitoring this thread for advice as well.
---Cladiator (OR)

 

[beepsilver]

Also, roughly how many hours of use would you say you get from your 9V battery? I had probably 30-40 hours before mine needed replacing.

 

[Henrikras]

You could try in Freq - Expert and try another Freq. (Only at 8-11-17 khz).. And If that helps, you got a PP to close to the standard Deus Freq. - Even that that the PP is at 12 khz and you got interference at 4 khz can happen, because of resonans. I had that problem with my second buy Garrett PP not the first I bought.
A solution to help is a small capacity 1 nf parralel soldered at the PP coil... But in that case you lose your warranty.
Henrik.

 

[beepsilver]

Thanks Henrikras, I'll experiment with some freq changes. I'll hold of on the soldering for now

 

[Sleepyjim]

Maybe try the trick of put the pinpointer in the dirt (no metal) and turn it on, this ground balances it of sorts and then will detect targets better and will beep faster the closer you are to the target....

This may elim any interference I am thinking.....


Jim

 

[beepsilver]

Maybe try the trick of put the pinpointer in the dirt (no metal) and turn it on, this ground balances it of sorts and then will detect targets better and will beep faster the closer you are to the target....

This may elim any interference I am thinking.....


Jim

Thanks Jim, I'll give that a try first.

 

[samandnoah]

Honestly, I don't recall having that issue with the Garrett PP, but I've been using White's TRX exclusively since it came out, and as Cladiator pointed out, both the PP and the detector don't like it when you're in 12 kHz. I've only noticed the issue once in 4 kHz, and it was an area where I was having general EMI issues anyhow.
Rich

 

[beepsilver]

Honestly, I don't recall having that issue with the Garrett PP, but I've been using White's TRX exclusively since it came out, and as Cladiator pointed out, both the PP and the detector don't like it when you're in 12 kHz. I've only noticed the issue once in 4 kHz, and it was an area where I was having general EMI issues anyhow.
Rich

Thx Rich

 

[CZconnoisseur]

Try this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90YfULEKbi8

 

[beepsilver]

Try this out:

That's cool...I may try this (or may call Garrett for a new one) if the balancing it when turning on doesn't do the trick. Thanks CZ!

 

[asdadad]

mine has been doing this. turn on and go to use and falses beep beeoo beeo give it a rap and stops, then 10 mins later starts over..

My get a screwdriver and take a look..

 

[asdadad]

I stripped mine down to see what is going on.

I put a square of black duct tape on pcb to cover the components and a sing loop of tape around the 2 enamelled wires.

I think what happens is the wire gets rammed against soldered joints of components, some are leaded thru..


I clipped the white led off, as I never benefit in daylight, plus pulled the red lead off the vib motor.


I did fight with the button and the black collar on top of it popped off and that was the end of that.

I glued a small SPST into the recess where the button lives and cyano'd it as a tack, then put a solid cable tie around it to hold fast and taped it up.


It has stopped the annoying falsing crap now. months ago it started to false if you applied the slightest pressure to it when searching, that has gone also.


It is pure and a joy now - I guess Ive doubled the battery life too pulling the led and motor.

I was going to get a new one but its a keeper based on tests earlier post repair/mod.

 

[beez0404]

I had the same problem with a new one I bought. Had it for about 2 weeks and it started falsing all the time. I called Garrett and they said to ship it back and they would repair or replace it. I didn't like the fact they wanted me to pay to ship it to them and told them so. They didn't seem to care. So I tossed it in a drawer and bought a White's TRX and love it. Tremendous depth and only falses when I am dumb and have the Deus coil too close to the hole.

 

[beepsilver]

I had the same problem with a new one I bought. Had it for about 2 weeks and it started falsing all the time. I called Garrett and they said to ship it back and they would repair or replace it. I didn't like the fact they wanted me to pay to ship it to them and told them so. They didn't seem to care. So I tossed it in a drawer and bought a White's TRX and love it. Tremendous depth and only falses when I am dumb and have the Deus coil too close to the hole.

That's not good customer service at all. I expect any product (especially one I pay over $100 for) to be replaced immediately and upon receipt, send back the defective item with paid shipping. This is my one and only purchase from Garrett and my respect for them has taken a huge hit. Thanks for the information.

 

[Sleepyjim]

I had the same problem with a new one I bought. Had it for about 2 weeks and it started falsing all the time. I called Garrett and they said to ship it back and they would repair or replace it. I didn't like the fact they wanted me to pay to ship it to them and told them so. They didn't seem to care. So I tossed it in a drawer and bought a White's TRX and love it. Tremendous depth and only falses when I am dumb and have the Deus coil too close to the hole.

Send it back anyway, get it done then sell it or sell as is and let buyer send it, hell people like me who are looking for a back up would buy it even broke if price is right....

Nothing to lose as it is in a drawer.

Jim