Advice Please! Buying a pinpointer for Christmas gift????

[Detectorwife]

Hi all, I am not sure where this should be posted but I would like some advice or an opinion on a good pin pointer to buy for my husband for Christmas. Since he has been hunting the beach seriously for the last year or two (and finding me jewelry I would like to get him something detecting related for Christmas. He has recently been talking about buying himself a pin pointer. I have never used one (I hunt underwater with a garret sea hunter mkII when I get time, he hunts the dry sand often) so I'm not sure what to look for or if it is even something that would prove useful over the long term. I know he has had his eye on the Vibra Probe 580 and the Vibra-Tector 730. I like that they are both PI like the sea hunter but not sure what else to look for. Also not sure which is most useful, the 4" coil (not technically a pin pointer but way smaller than the coils we use) or the wand like VP 580. I definitely want to get something that can get wet since I plan to borrow it I would ask him but he doesn't know much about them either and I want it to be a surprise. So, do you use a pin pointer and what kind do you like?
Thanks in advance!!!!
C-

 

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[GatorBoy]

Garrett pro-pointer without question.. But from the manufacturer that cannot go underwater.
The vibra probe would be the choice for getting in the water but in my opinion it's not real good on land
I don't know why Garrett has not come out with a good version of an underwater pro pointer
There's many easy ways of keeping a pro pointer dry if you're not actually taking it under water... Some as simple as a ziplock bag.
The pro pointer can be taken completely underwater with just a little plumbers putty and shoe goo if he's handy

 

[G.A.P.metal]

If you get the Garrett PP to wet it will die....so the ones you list 580-730 Vibra will be a better choice.
Gary

 

[kladdhunden]

Depends on how u will use the pinpointer, if dry Garret pro pointer no doubt.
if wet,well thats a diffrent story and i aint good at diffrent storys but im sure many others here are.

 

[Dak]

I own a 730. SAVE YOUR MONEY. Pin pointing is not its strong point. Not sure it has one. I would suggest the 580 for water though I have never used one. Own a Garrett for dry land and feel it is a quality unit that works very well.

 

[Hag730]

No need for a pinpointer if he has a good scoop....hint hint.

 

[GatorBoy]

Hag is right.. If he only hunts the beach.. Once you leave the beach though a pin pointer is worth its weight in gold which apparently you get...hmmmm

 

[Rookster]

Garrett without a doubt. If its a little wet just tape around the mic. and punch tiny holes in the tape at the mic .Remove the tape when dry occurs. Good luck

 

[OneEyedBandito]

My buddy has a Vibra-quatic 2 and after using it now I want one! We tested his and it picks up objects several inches away from probe.

 

[Fletch88]

No need for a pinpointer if he has a good scoop....hint hint.

Exactly what I was thinking. A good lightweight scoop is all one needs on the beach!

 

[RustyGold]

I have the Garrett Pro Pointer and love it! The Pro Pointer
Works so well I have often thought about putting it on a straight shaft!
Haven't used it in the water though and if that is the plan maybe you can get
Him a Pro pointer and he can get you the waterproof one you mentioned!
Good luck!

 

[smokeythecat]

I have a Garrett, it works well, however, unless I get sloppy the detector finds the target all the time.

 

[NJcigarman]

Hey Wifey
There a lot of fakes from china floating around. Especially on eBay so buy from a reputable dealer.

 

[ChampFerguson/TN]

I agree with every single post in this thread.
Garrett for land.
Vibra for underwater use.
Reputable dealer.
Most of the time an experienced hunter can do it with his coil, but at other times a PP is worth its weight in targets.

 

[BOXING63]

go with the Garrett pro-pointer

 

[NJnuggetpirate]

If you get the Garrett PP to wet it will die....so the ones you list 580-730 Vibra will be a better choice.
Gary

I just thought the sound box will die?

 

[Sir Gala Clad]

Wifey: Most beach hunters, who use long handle scoops, do not bother to carry a pin pointer, as they either use the holes in the scoop to sift, or dump the contents of the scoop on the ground (better method) and kick the sand away to isolate the target. When you use a pin pointer, it negates the advantage of a stand up scoop, as you have to bend down/drop knee to isolate the target plus there is (extra weight and more to go wrong) as you have to bend down/drop knee to use it. However, I have noticed that beach hunters, who use very sensitive detector(s) such as the CTX 3030, which detects very small targets, often carry a pin pointer.

On dry sand at the beach, I prefer the Garret Pro Pointer, as it is easy to find a target in the side of a hole, since it detects off its side(s) as well as its tip. Plus, It is easy to carry (more streamlined shape) and faster to pin point with (unless there are multiple targets are within it field(s)). The led light really helps to see a target in the hole or a night. Unfortunately, this pin pointer tends to false alarm on wet sand and is easily destroyed by salt water as it is not water proof (only water resistant).

On wet sand, in the rocks, or when shallow water hunting with a float and plastic sifter, the vibra probe 580 is my pin pointer of choice. Since it uses pulse induction technology, mineralization does not cause false targets. You also do not have to worry about damaging it if you submerge it and it can be used for shallow diving to seventy feet (IIRC). It is more precise as it only detects near its one inch diameter tip, and is stealthier since it only uses vibration (no sound, nor light) to indicate a target.
Surprisingly, even though the Vibra probe 580 uses pulse induction, it does not detect deeper than the Pro Pointer. You have to be more disciplined when using the Vibrant Probe 580 as it does not have the capability of detecting of its side (tip only). Also, it can interfere with your main detector, and your main detector can interfere with it, so you have to avoid pointing either coil toward each other, or turn one or the other off.

For more depth and larger targets or diving, I would use the larger water proof vibrant aquatic 2, which vibrates plus has a flashing light. It is less precise as it uses a 2 inch search tip.

I would not use the water proof Vibra-Tector 730 Pulse Induction Metal detector (a mini PI detector with 4 inch search coil) as a pin pointer as it is not precise enough for pin pointing.

 

[CASPER-2]

you can water proof your garrett - check on you tube - a few guys show you how they did it
I was going to use a marine clear caulk - have used it to seal detector leaks
cheap and easy to remove - when battery needs changing

 

[CASPER-2]

 

[RingMaster44]

Garrett pro pointer works the best. I have one and it works great for me.