Looking for recommendations on a pinpointer

[Scotty (Upstate NY)]

Looking for suggestions on a decent rugged waterproof pinpointer. Any ideas would be appreciated. I have an E-trac and am afraid that the in-line sun ray probe is too expensive and adds weight to the detector.

Thanks,

Scott

 

[GroundScanner]

I would wait until the new Garrett AT comes out . Water proof to ten feet. GS

 

[Mega]

The Makro pinpointer is waterproof to 10ft as well,seems to be gathering momentum sales wise,you do seem to get alot of pinpointer for your money as well and as yet no major faults or problems seem to be appearing.The new Garrett is still far too new and not yet proved itself and going by the current Garret probe price it wont be cheap either.

The new kid on the waterproof block does appear to be the Makro,trouble is suggesting a pinpointer that is both rugged,waterproof,reliable and to someone who is on a budget then its a really tough question to answer,what may work or seem a quality item to one person may not be the same deal with another.

 

[D&P-OR]

Makro or new Garrett

 

[coinhunterseth]

.The new Garrett is still far too new and not yet proved itself and going by the current Garret probe price it wont be cheap either.

It will cost the same as the old one.

 

[daddyflea]

I have the following

Whites Bullseye II
Whites TRX
Garrett Pro Pointer
Detector Pro Pistol Probe

My recommendation is still pending. All have their good points but right now I am on the fence. I really think it boils down to the TRX or the new Pro Pointer. I have not tried the Pistol Probe yet but the Speaker is hard to hear in a perfect enviroment. TRX has the same problem but not as bad.

Garrett does not have the depth but the gradiant response is good and it can be heard with headphones. Waterproof model may not be as loud. Garrett has had some durability issues in the past and the TRX has not been out long enough to test durability.

TRX is water resistant. and will use the AA Rechargeable batteries. Depth on the TRX is double the garrett

Right now my nod would have to go to the TRX simply for its depth. Otherwise either will get the job done.

I will write up the Pistol Probe later today after I use it some but the volume is going to be a problem and depth is no greater than the TRX. I do like the Temp On Off button which is too stiff.

 

[Mega]

@ daddyflea,the OP mentioned one critical criteria in his post that a pinpointer must be 'waterproof' just that one criteria cuts the selection down to just a few pinpointing probes as the ones that you have mentioned most of them are not waterproof.

 

[daddyflea]

@ daddyflea,the OP mentioned one critical criteria in his post that a pinpointer must be 'waterproof' just that one criteria cuts the selection down to just a few pinpointing probes as the ones that you have mentioned most of them are not waterproof.

Garrett is advertised as waterproof and the TRX is advertised as water resistant. Both have O rings that seal the batteries and a film over the speaker. Most people really do not need waterproof anyway unless you are a diver.

 

[Scotty (Upstate NY)]

Thanks all for your input. I should have clarified that I am looking for a pinpointer that I can use in rain/mud without issues. I don't plan on immersing it in water. Would I still require water proof or water resistant.....perhaps that makes a big difference.

 

[daddyflea]

Thanks all for your input. I should have clarified that I am looking for a pinpointer that I can use in rain/mud without issues. I don't plan on immersing it in water. Would I still require water proof or water resistant.....perhaps that makes a big difference.

I think Garrett AT or the TRX either one would work fine for you. The TRX can be washed off and does have a sealed speaker. The Garrett is also waterproof if you buy the newest release.

I hate digging in the mud myself which is why the waterproofing is not an issue for me.

I tried my Pistol Probe today and was suprised how accurately I could pin point from the surface without any digging. Only problem was that it was not loud enough for me to hear. I sent a letter to DetectorPro about this. Unfortunately unless they can do something about the volume I will be forced to sell it. My hearing is not great but I am sure not deaf either.

 

[Scotty (Upstate NY)]

n/t

 

[5900_XL-1]

Thanks all for your input. I should have clarified that I am looking for a pinpointer that I can use in rain/mud without issues. I don't plan on immersing it in water. Would I still require water proof or water resistant.....perhaps that makes a big difference.

I think Garrett AT or the TRX either one would work fine for you. The TRX can be washed off and does have a sealed speaker. The Garrett is also waterproof if you buy the newest release.

I hate digging in the mud myself which is why the waterproofing is not an issue for me.

I tried my Pistol Probe today and was suprised how accurately I could pin point from the surface without any digging. Only problem was that it was not loud enough for me to hear. I sent a letter to DetectorPro about this. Unfortunately unless they can do something about the volume I will be forced to sell it. My hearing is not great but I am sure not deaf either.

I called them also years ago about the lack of audio. They shot me a line about not having room inside the Pistol for a better speaker.

HAS ANYONE SEEN AND LIFTED THE PISTOL PROBE? It is huge and yet, DetectorPro couldn't fit a better speaker? It's feather light and big yet limited to a small pizo speaker? I would sell mine today, even though it does go really deep. I just hate dishonesty and DetectorPro effectively did that.

IMHO?, the Pistol is a senseless choice at the price they ask. We have way to many good pointers on the market now. I predict that the Pistol will die and wither. Heed my warning.

I feel the X-Pointer is the best deal for the buck. A two year warranty. I really do hope that the new Garretts pointer does still have loudness like their old PPRs, and it beats their less than 2 inches in depth. Time will tell

 

[daddyflea]

I just wish I had bougght mine new. I would be taking it back. I really like the way it Pin Points and I like the Temp On Off switch, but all that is for nothing if you can not hear it.

 

[ronhob]

My next pinpointer will be an x-pointer as well. Take a look at some YouTube videos of it. Big boys hobby has a good video also. Just plain affordable at $90 new.

 

[mrwilburino]

I've been using the Pistol Probe for almost five years now and have never had a problem hearing it. Do you guys all dig with your headphones on The only thing that I'm really having a problem with lately is the fact that it does not play well with my CTX. I've heard of the same thing happening with the X-Pointer. I'm wondering if Minelab's FBS machines just don't like PI pinpointers? Anyway, I might take a look at the TRX. Seems like the only other pinpointer with comparable depth.

 

[Bucksport]

Vibraprobe 580

 

[5900_XL-1]

I've been using the Pistol Probe for almost five years now and have never had a problem hearing it. Do you guys all dig with your headphones on The only thing that I'm really having a problem with lately is the fact that it does not play well with my CTX. I've heard of the same thing happening with the X-Pointer. I'm wondering if Minelab's FBS machines just don't like PI pinpointers? Anyway, I might take a look at the TRX. Seems like the only other pinpointer with comparable depth.

I run with headphones while digging but usually with one earcup off. If it's windy, if I am near a roadway with traffic, the pistol many times needs to have both ears naked. Even then, hunting somewhat near to an access road with traffic, or a hunt in open field with 15mph plus winds???, I have to stick my head right near the hole and the Pistol pointer to be sure I am not missing a deep tone, even with both earcups off. The Pistol is just too cumbersone and quiet. The TRX lacks sound too but passes with one earcup off. martin

 

[roadapple]

I prefer the Garrett pinpointer as it is very loud for my poor hearing and it vibrates. The combination of both sound and vibration definitely lets you know that the target is there. Now, with the new Orange colored waterproof version, I think this will be a winner !!!

 

[Scotty (Upstate NY)]

The Makro, TRX and Garrets look promising based on everyone's input thus far.

One thing that is confusing to me is that it might be desirable to have great depth capability with a pinpointer. I don't understand that because I thought the main objective of the pinpointer was to locate an item after most of the digging was done.........Are the deeper models still quite directional?

Scott

 

[daddyflea]

The Makro, TRX and Garrets look promising based on everyone's input thus far.

One thing that is confusing to me is that it might be desirable to have great depth capability with a pinpointer. I don't understand that because I thought the main objective of the pinpointer was to locate an item after most of the digging was done.........Are the deeper models still quite directional?

Scott

In some applications shallow might be better but in most applications it is not. If you can pin point before you dig you know exactly where the target is. The second thing is that after the target is dug, the ability to simply wave your Pin pointer over the dirt lets you find the target very quickly sort of like your detector. If I could hear the Pistol Probe it works very good for this. Most Pin pointers make you just almost touch the target before it goes off and those black pennies can really hide in that black dirt not to mention all those little bits of nails. The gradiant responses help but you quickly find that the response on a coin is much less than a crushed can. The TRX is much more directional than the Pro Pointer and some people dont like this. I do like this because if you miss your spot the Pro Pointer will sit there and indicate while you dig to china only to find that the target was in the side of the hole. Finding a small earing stud with a Pro Pointer is tough. Finding one with the TRX is easier if you resist the urge to rake through the dirt with the Pin Pointer and wave it over the top using only the tip.

I just ordered a Sunray after trying most of the Major brands. If the Pin Pointer says Water resistant or water proof this means that there is a film over the speaker and this significantly reduces the volume. Not a big thing except that most of us are old men and our hearing is not so great. Couple that with wearing Headphones, city traffic, and a problem develops quickly.

Pin Pointers are great but Manufactures are slow to make changes. DetectorPro Pistol Probe says theirs is loud as they can get it. A shame since this is one of the deepest I found and I liked the way it was setup. Worthless if you can not hear it.

TRX works well and is close to the Pro Pointer in volume but not quite as loud. Takes a couple of seconds to come on and the gradient response is different than the Pro Pointer. Irritating until you get used to it, but after you use it a while you like it better.

Pro Pointer has had reliability issues, although mine has been great, but mine is a great improvement over the old Whites Bullseye II. I did not try the water proof version but I bet the film over the speaker is tougher thereby reducing the volume, I am willing to bet to the same level as the TRX.