What is too much depth on a pinpointer?

[dirtmaster]

Why do some people think that a handheld pinpointer needs to detect deep? Doesnt that defeat the purpose of a PINPOINTER? I feel anything over 2 inches is too much for a handheld pinpointer. Am I wrong? If I am please explain the benefits of a pinpointer detecting the same depth as a detector. You pinpoint with your detector and it reads the target is at 10 inches....You dig down 10 inches and use your 2 inch pinpointer to find it. If you get a signal with the pinpointer you know you are within 2 inches of the target. If not dig a little deeper or re pinpoint with the detector. If you had a pinpointer that detects 5 inches,...that is a big area to search hence you havent pinpointed anything. What do you guys think?

 

[MarkCZ]

Two to three inches is about right for me as well for coins, now the real cheap-o toy pin-pointers that you have to touch the target with (1/4" or less) isn't worth the postage to mail them.

Mark

 

[REVIER]

I use my Propointer to locate the target from the top of the ground before I dig any hole.
In the hole 2-3" is about the right depth of field.
Most of my targets are usually 6" or less so I figured out a way to get the Propointer to get me to that mark and zero in on targets from the top.
I would use a Pistol Probe instead but that one is too big and the Propointer works perfectly for my needs once I figured out how to get it to go further.

 

[Steve O]

I'm with you dirtmaster, 1-1/2 - 2"s for coin size object is all I want/need. Didn't care for the deep one, for various reasons.
GPP is my favorite.

 

[5900_XL-1]

I will always want 3 inches depth in a pinpointer by choice. My Garretts don't get that without the sliding nickel trick, which is clumsy. People keep saying that it defeats the purpose of a precise PPr. I don't agree. The pinpoint when using the detector itself, isolates the all metal detection target.. Most of my digs are usually 3 inches or less anyway, so a pinpointer that lets me do a final pinpoint BEFORE the dig at 3 inches, saves a lot of grass and reduces my hole size. Think about it. The detector already hones in on the best signal pre-dig. With the quick detune you can do to zoom into the final location to a finite location, why wouldn't everyone want the 3 inch ability to begin with? Three inches is the prime choice IMO.

I carry two pinpointers, the ProPointer and the Pistol Probe. The pistol will hit 3-4 inches when the detector agrees and then the Garretts comes into play after the first scoop of dirt. If the Garretts had a 3 inch ability by design, I could simply carry one PPr and detune when needed. In conclusion, the metal detector already zoned into the AM target you want, so how can you lose with a PPr with 3 inches ability? I just don't get the thinking on more than 1-1/2 inches being the limit.

BTW, neither of my Propointers in my soil will dependably detect 2-3 inches. 1 or maybe 1.5 inches is it. So to those here who do get 2-3 inches with the Garrets, hang onto that PPr. My Pistol Probe really comes in handy but a nusiance to have to carry both. Any solid 3" PPr would be supreme IMO.

 

[GeorgeinSC]

I like to take a probe, find the coin and then pop the coin out of the dirt without having to dig a plug. I use the dime trick on the Pro Pointer to be able to get just a little bit more depth which I like. If I can not locate the target with a probe then I dig a plug.

 

[deliveryboy]

I simply pinpoint with my coil by "X"ing it then focus my eyes on that spot then probe top of soil with my Propointer, 95% of the time it will give me a signal and I dig it up and move on. I can get approx 2"-3" with my propointer with good batteries, keeping them fresh is the key. I don't feel I need anymore depth from it.

 

[CopyTech99]

I wish that some one would make a "tip only" version of pinpointer.

The side scanning is no use to me, and makes matters worse at times.

 

[WV62]

2 inches is a good number for me.

 

[mudpuppy]

Copytech99, get an Fpoint!

I know I'll catch some crap, but thats what I use! I like the closeness the Fpoint gives in the grass roots and deeper targets..i can wow out a hole with the screwdriver, and if I cant feel the target with the screwdriver, I can stab that thin Fpoint rod down in there and plow around with that...it only buzzes when its in real close proximity or touching the metal object...It only gets used maybe once per 1000 targets, but for thin chains in the roots that are pretty much unstabbable, its a good tool.
Mud

 

[Mike Hillis]

I prefer three to five inches of depth on my pinpointers. I only want to dig plugs if I have to and the depth gage on the detectors lie to me. What it says is 9" deep could just as well be a very small target near the surface. The pinpointer tells me the truth. I can lean over and probe down to around 3 to 4 inches faster than I can plug and I only want to plug what is below that. So with a pinpointer that can give me 4" of depth, I can tell right away if I need to probe or sit down and dig a plug.

That is why I like the Uniprobes so much. They have the depth, the adjustability and VCO audio to make dig decisions that save me a lot of time, as time is my most precious commodity.

If I only want 2" of depth in pinpointer I sure am not going to spend $100+ for it when I can get the same performance out of a $20 Little Wizard II.

HH
Mike

 

[MarkCZ]

Copytech99, get an Fpoint!

I know I'll catch some crap, but thats what I use! I like the closeness the Fpoint gives in the grass roots and deeper targets..i can wow out a hole with the screwdriver, and if I cant feel the target with the screwdriver, I can stab that thin Fpoint rod down in there and plow around with that...it only buzzes when its in real close proximity or touching the metal object...It only gets used maybe once per 1000 targets, but for thin chains in the roots that are pretty much unstabbable, its a good tool.
Mud

F-Point,
1/4" (at best) if your that close to it you can see the darn target!
Floppy battery,
If I had any extra money "mud" I'd buy you a real pin-pointer! LoL!

True Story!
I had an F-Point, it came with a New F2 I bought.
I played with it for awhile and found that it would pick up my fridge door @ about 1" and a US quarter at about 1/4" LoL
It was so cheaply made it reminded me of a dollar store toy.
So, I liked the idea of a pinpointer so I let my wife get me a pro-pointer for my birthday. Then I saw a post on here where this guy was wanting to try an F-point because he wasn't willing at the time to put the cash out for a propointer, so I chimed in and offered mine up for FREE!! and he was good with that and was going to pay the shipping, but the thing was so cheapest that I couldn't in good faith let him spent that kind of money for something like that, so I gave it to him and I also paid the shipping, you know to this day I still feel like I ripped him off! (really)
Its not possible that the china company that made those things has more than two table spoons of rice invested in them.

I know I'll catch some crap

Well, I didn't want to disappoint you.

Mark

 

[mudpuppy]

Mark CZ.. .I remember that! Funny as hell! Remember when I lost my Fpoint last year and everybody was laughing at me.!!!?.. One of these days I'll try a buddies Garrett, seems thats the consensus on hand helds.

Really though, If I accidentally tip a deep coin sideways with the screwdriver, or have trouble stabbing a ring, that Fpoint has come in very handy. But then I guess just digging a plug would solve the problem, I leave my digger in the car and just take the screwdriver and the Fpoint. Like I said, maybe once a week I need it, could live without it I suppose, cant live without the screwdriver though!
Mud

 

[Billium]

I use my Propointer to locate the target from the top of the ground before I dig any hole.
In the hole 2-3" is about the right depth of field.
Most of my targets are usually 6" or less so I figured out a way to get the Propointer to get me to that mark and zero in on targets from the top.
I would use a Pistol Probe instead but that one is too big and the Propointer works perfectly for my needs once I figured out how to get it to go further.

What did you do to extend the Propointer range?

 

[MarkCZ]

I use my Propointer to locate the target from the top of the ground before I dig any hole.
In the hole 2-3" is about the right depth of field.
Most of my targets are usually 6" or less so I figured out a way to get the Propointer to get me to that mark and zero in on targets from the top.
I would use a Pistol Probe instead but that one is too big and the Propointer works perfectly for my needs once I figured out how to get it to go further.

What did you do to extend the Propointer range?

They are taking something like a coin and just sliding it forward starting at the VERY base of the probe shaft with the button held in,
as you slide it out the shaft just until it sounds off, then bring it back just a tad below sounding off it will increase the probes sensitivity a good bit. Do some air test will a coin. Also if you go to youtube and do a search for pro-pointer you'll find videos where people show just how they do it.

It will work with any pinpointer, even the very cheap ones.

Mark

 

[Rob (IL)]

A pinpointer with adjustable sensitivity solves the problem, set it where you want. SOON !!

 

[Hunt4Fun]

Most of my retrievals are made by popping the target out with a modified screwdriver. Having a pinpointer that will signal on a 5 inch deep quarter is a huge help for target popping. I now use a DX-1 but would like to have a handheld pinpointer with at least equal depth that I could use with any detector.

 

[jerseyjim]

I agree with you dirt master. I just purchased a In-line prob. It works great and you do get extra deep hits, it is an extension of your MD. I find myself turning on my hand held mine lab pro. I can't seem to get use to the prob. I have more confidence in my hand held. I like to feel the vibration of the hand held and I know that the target is within inches. The prob is right on, it never missed a target but it doesn't feel the same. There is something different about hearing it in your head phones and feeling it and knowing it is inches away.I will get the hang of the prob, I hope.

 

[Hunt4Fun]

I agree with you dirt master. I just purchased a In-line prob. It works great and you do get extra deep hits, it is an extension of your MD. I find myself turning on my hand held mine lab pro. I can't seem to get use to the prob. I have more confidence in my hand held. I like to feel the vibration of the hand held and I know that the target is within inches. The prob is right on, it never missed a target but it doesn't feel the same. There is something different about hearing it in your head phones and feeling it and knowing it is inches away.I will get the hang of the prob, I hope.

If you use the DX-1 in pinpoint (trigger pulled) mode, you can de-tune it just like you de-tune the main search coil. The de-tuning helps to fine tune the pinpoint. It works that way for me. Another thing that helps is having VCO turned on.

Bob

 

[MarkCZ]

I agree with you dirt master. I just purchased a In-line prob. It works great and you do get extra deep hits, it is an extension of your MD. I find myself turning on my hand held mine lab pro. I can't seem to get use to the prob. I have more confidence in my hand held. I like to feel the vibration of the hand held and I know that the target is within inches. The prob is right on, it never missed a target but it doesn't feel the same. There is something different about hearing it in your head phones and feeling it and knowing it is inches away.I will get the hang of the prob, I hope.

If you use the DX-1 in pinpoint (trigger pulled) mode, you can de-tune it just like you de-tune the main search coil. The de-tuning helps to fine tune the pinpoint. It works that way for me. Another thing that helps is having VCO turned on.

Bob

You can de-tune the pro-pointer too.
I know this is just me, but I'm not a fan at all of the inline pin-pointers.

My pro-pointer works very well with ALL my detectors!
It doesn't add any weight to the detector,
When I sell or trade a detector I'm not back looking for another inline pin-pointer,
No extra cables,
No Thanks on the in-lines.

Mark