Safari Pinpoint problem

[arcticcatt]

Hello everyone, I hope someone can shed some light on a problem I having with my Safari. Not sure if my Safari is altogether working correctly since sometimes when I pinpoint I don't hear the audio at all and then all of a sudden I start hearing a soft audio and at that point the audio starts to increase in sound until it reaches the normal pinpoint audio level. This happens occasionally, not consistent.
I always raise my coil slightly off the ground and away from the target before placing in pinpoint. This method has always worked for me regardless what detector I'm using.
I've only had this detector for 3 days and I'm trying to determine if I need to return this detector for replacement or repair. I'd sure appreciate some help. Thanks in advance.

CTX 3030, Safari, Explorer II
V3i, MXT
AT PRO
Garrett & Makro (waterproof) pinpointer

 

[Simpsonslammer]

I'd try and burry some coins at different depths, then see what kind of response you get in pinpoint mode. What kind of readings were giving the strange pinpoint audio's ?

 

[arcticcatt]

Thank you for your reply. My readings were always 33/34 and 4" or less in depth. When dug they were pennies. When I'd try to pinpoint over the target the safari would go silent, no sound at all but if I moved coil while still over target it would then began to sound off. I always move the coil away from the target before pressing the pinpoint button. At first I thought it was a delayed pinpoint response. I'm right on top of the target when this happens but it doesn't happen all the time. I'm in factory coin mode. I didn't know if this is how the safari reacts on a norm basis.
When I told the dealer whom I purchased it from, he seemed confused and said it pinpoints fine here in the shop. I told him I get different results in the field but again I don't always get this delayed (no sound) pinpoint response. Thanks again for your response.

 

[Simpsonslammer]

have you checked to see if the coil cable is connected tight to the housing, or possibly debris between the coil and skid plate? Other than that I'm stumped

 

[KennyD]

Arctic cat, it sounds like it pinpoints just like mine does. Once you practice a little more in PP mode you'll understand just how sensitive it is. Very accurate as well. The audio should start out low and get louder as you zero in.
Now if the audio is screaming loud.... Don't bother digging as it is probably a junk target.
Hope this helps...

 

[arcticcatt]

Thank you Simpsonslammer, I checked the connection and it was tight however I tightened as much as I could and went out for another test run and still have the problem. I always keep my Skid plate clean but did check it to be sure and it was ok. I'm thinking I really have a pinpoint issue. Thanks again and have a great Christmas.
Mike (arcticcatt)

 

[arcticcatt]

Hello KennndyD, you are on the money when you said the pinpoint is accurate. When my pinpoint works without delay or hesitation I find I'm always on top of the target. I've come to the conclusion there is a fault in my pinpoint and I am taking it back to the dealer today to see if he can order me a replacement from Minelab being it is brand new. I bought this machine to use on occasion but was wanting my daughter to put her detector down and use this Safari. The Safari is a great machine but boy did I have difficulty on the sounds. I finally had to rely on the TID(s) 34 - 38 and the high pitch sound to retrieve good targets, at first I was digging nothing but bottle caps. When I hunted in all metal I couldn't believe the high pitch sounds I was getting on iron in the negative numbers.

Thanks to everyone for your help and wishing the best to you all.

 

[Timelord2]

I have had my Safari for a year and this is what I have learned about pinpointing. Make sure you start pinpointing off target then scan over target otherwise the target gets masked out and take a while to pick it back up. The Sarfari is a beast to learn so don't give up it will reward you after you learn it. As far as all metal mode make sure you are running in ferrous sound mode and not conductive mode the iron sound will low and silver will come it higher. I have learned to run in all metal mode all the time and just deal with the noise, then you get to pick out the good sounds and never have to deal with the long delay when your in discrimination mode. I have found more silver this year than I ever have. The Safari is a great machine just learn how to use it, sad to say it takes a year or more if you come from a beep and dig machine but you learn to listen to the music.......

 

[arcticcatt]

WOW ! Thank you Timelord2 for your advise, I will definitely work on the pinpoint process.
You said, " As far as all metal mode make sure you are running in ferrous sound mode and not conductive mode, the iron sound will low and silver will come it higher".
How do you select CONDUCTIVE or FERROUS in the ALL METAL? Is it the selection of high trash or low trash option that selects the conductive or ferrous sound?
That's again for your advise.
Mike (arcticcatt)

 

[kschae4]

MIke..try this video and others that you can search for on youtube. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3avkqIscag.
BTW-coin, coin/jewelry are conductive tones, while relic (my go to mode ) and all metal, are factory pre-set in ferrous ( without discussing cross-saving here).

 

[arcticcatt]

Thank you Kachae4, I watched the video and then some. I appreciate your help, I'm going to try the coin shooting program. I ended up returning my Safari to the dealer. He ordered me another one and it should be here today. After reading what Timelord2 posted I wonder if I really had a defective machine. The dealer was very supportive and wanted me to be happy.
Thanks again and thanks to all whom have posted to help me. Happy hunting to all.
Mike

 

[kschae4]

GL MIke , looking forward to posting some great finds.

 

[Des D]

Mike,

The Safari you returned was probably normal.
That's how it is.
It takes a while to get to conquer pin pointing.
With the replacement machine play around with it and don't be afarid to stand there and press the PP on and off and move the coil about and hover, stop, hover, stop etc.
But try not to change the height...keep it low...just a few inches off the ground...keep it level, get a signal, get that double-bleep, move the coil to the right about the diameter of the coil's distance, press PP and come back in from the left smoothly and...wait for the signal to materialise.

Hope this helps

Good Hunting

Des D PS: I prottyped Safari...even named it!

 

[Will1877]

If you try to pin point while your over the target often there will be no audio. Its like this beep beep beep beep hit pin point after the tone from target is gone push pin point and slowly move back over target. I was very frustrated with exact thing when I started. I think it is one of the differences between older style coils and DD coils. Hope it helps. The machine is great once you get some time on it.

 

[Des D]

.....


......yeah, the guy never provided an UPDATE???
Probably too ashamed to admit there wasn't a problem!!!??

 

[Goldstrike]

I just wanted to mention that it's rare that I ever pinpoint. After approaching the target at different angles (like marking a cross over the target) I sometimes need to "tilt the coil" like Andy S. has mentioned in his books to zero in even more and that is usually sufficient to get within an inch or less of the target. If I'm off a little, my propointer will quickly get me to the target. If anyone finds it a challenge to pinpoint a target, you might want to read about tilting the coil. It works for me but it might not work for others. Just sharing some thoughts on this issue!