Problem with my ProPointer. Help?

[baylorhall]

I have been using it in shallow water, trying to keep my thumb over the speaker holes. Today it was not working well so I changed the battery. Then it wouldn't sound or vibrate at all. When I got home and tried it, it blares non-stop. Have I totally ruined it??

 

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[Georges Minelab Safari]

You will have to send it back to garrett for a replacement http://www.garrett.com/contact.htm

 

[Irregular]

Water likely migrated through your light port, just like mine this past weekend . Mine had the same symptoms as yours, if it was turned on it was buzzing. I disassembled mine, dried it out, reassembled and it's working fine. I sealed everything (including the speaker holes) except the battery access with quality silicone.

Having said that, I really don't recommend disassembly , but figgered I done wrong by submerging the thing up to the speaker hole (firmly thumbed) and didn't know if they'd cover it under warranty as a result. The control board has very stiff solid wire going to the "coil" that is hard to reinsert and keep out of the way when you're sliding the board back in. My passion and exuberance overcame common sense in the field, but I've gummed up all the potential leak spots and am now good with submerging the thing, at least up to the battery cap. A thin swipe around it may be in the future, otherwise the hind end won't get dunked.

The Pro Pointer is an obviously excellent, durable tool. I'd suggest siliconing the light regardless of whether the probe is used in water or not; just rinsing the tool will likely allow some moisture inside. The effectiveness of the light is not perceptively diminished by a light coat of clear silicone.

As for your situation, I'd remove the battery cap pronto to allow it to breathe and dry out. The longer it has moisture sealed in, the shorter your Pointer's lifespan will be. You could use a hair dryer set on very low heat at a distance just to move some air around inside through the battery compartment. The same day I soaked its interior my digging pard dunked his cell phone for a few milliseconds but long enough to do it in. He took it home, buried it in a bag of rice and said it worked fine the next day. You could try this on your Pointer with the battery cap off and some kind of fine mesh inserted to keep the grains out of its internals.

I wish you the best with your situation, I can empathize all too well. Georges Minelab Safari's advice is likely the best route to take if you have the patience. If you choose to play surgeon, contact me for more detail.

 

[baylorhall]

Re: Problem with my ProPointer. Help?---Update

I took it to Garrett and the insides were fried from the water. He told me that it was getting in around the turn on button as well as the speaker. Learned a great lesson and will not use it in the water again. They treated me very well and replaced it this one time. I was so thankful!

 

[Irregular]

Re: Problem with my ProPointer. Help?---Update

I took it to Garrett and the insides were fried from the water. He told me that it was getting in around the turn on button as well as the speaker. Learned a great lesson and will not use it in the water again. They treated me very well and replaced it this one time. I was so thankful!

Ultimate solution there, so glad to hear! I made a couple of mistakes and skirted by. I haven't had to deal with Garrett's support yet but have always heard good things. That helped influence me to buy an AT Pro last week which started serving me well immediately.

BTW baylorhall, I do like your avatar; sums up everything quite nicely.

 

[hammered]

The first thing I did with my Pro-pointer was to put a bead of vaselene around the thread of the battery compartment, then a spot of clear silicon on the led light. Then I cut a strip of black duct tape and stuck that, in one strip, over the speaker and on/off switch. The duct tape doesn't last forever, but I replace it every time I clean the pointer. So far, 18 + months now, water has never managed to get in and it works just like it did when I got it. I don't know if this would work for you, ie under water, but who knows


hammered