Pinpointers? Pros- cons? Critical? Not so much?

Wyomingmedic

Sr. Member
Jan 31, 2013
298
163
The black hole between Montana and Colorado.
Detector(s) used
Truffle seeking pig modified for metal.

The results have been so-so

When the pig fails me (which is often), I am relegated to a CTX3030 *sigh*. Like the dark ages or something.
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Title purdy much sums it up. I have never used nor felt the need to use a pinpointer, but as I get deeper and more financially engrossed into the hobby, I wonder how much I would use one.

Also, which ones are the most popular or highly recommended? In any price range?

Thank you, WM

And just so you are jealous, I will show you where the company paid me to 4 wheel to today. It doesn't look like much due to the lighting, but from here, you can see the Montana border, Mccoullough peak outside of Cody, and the peaks around Lander. Unfortunately, no metal detecting. FYI, you will notice that I like to post interesting photos a lot of the time. Usually completely unrelated to the subject matter. Wasting bandwidth.

Thermop1.jpg Thermop2.jpg
 

kayden

Bronze Member
Apr 24, 2011
1,331
229
Pennsylvania
Detector(s) used
Ace250,AT Pro & Garrett Propointer!
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
In before somebody says buy a harbor frieght to save money! LOL anyways before you buy 1 read up on before you waste $20-25 of your hard earned money on a cheap 1! I personally have a Garrett pro pointer & I love it as do all the guys I hunt with!
 

OP
OP
Wyomingmedic

Wyomingmedic

Sr. Member
Jan 31, 2013
298
163
The black hole between Montana and Colorado.
Detector(s) used
Truffle seeking pig modified for metal.

The results have been so-so

When the pig fails me (which is often), I am relegated to a CTX3030 *sigh*. Like the dark ages or something.
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Looks neat. Price isn't bad.

Not knowing much about pinpointers, is that considered "top of the heap" or does it miss some some of the bells and whistles of other models.

From what I am seeing, they all seem quite basic in design and function.

WM
 

SusanMN

Silver Member
Jun 1, 2007
4,534
4,098
Minnesota
Detector(s) used
Tiger Shark, Xterra 705, Makro Legend
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Looks neat. Price isn't bad.

Not knowing much about pinpointers, is that considered "top of the heap" or does it miss some some of the bells and whistles of other models.

From what I am seeing, they all seem quite basic in design and function.

WM
The Garrett Propointer is many times over better than its cheaper counterparts. The difference is in depth. the cheaper ones need to be practically touching the target to sound, while the Garrett will tell you when you are getting within a few inches of the target. Don't waste your money like I did on useless cheapies like bullseye, Centec, and automax.

and yes, a pinpointer is essential if you are a land hunter, or you'll waste time and energy recovering your target.
 

Last edited:

0121stockpicker

Silver Member
Aug 3, 2012
3,351
685
MA
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
1
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
I can imagine detecting without one. I believe you cut your recovery time significantly.
 

Tnmountains

Super Moderator
Staff member
Jan 27, 2009
18,714
11,703
South East Tennessee on Ga, Ala line
🥇 Banner finds
1
Detector(s) used
Tesoro Conquistador freq shift
Fisher F75
Garrett AT-Pro
Garet carrot
Neodymium magnets
5' Probe
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
I never thought I needed one till I bought one. I bought the Harbor freight first and turned right around and bought the Garret Pro pointer. Can not imagine not having one now. It speeds things way up. You will never look back once you have one.
Good luck
 

joecherry

Jr. Member
Dec 27, 2012
30
10
central illinois
Detector(s) used
bounty hunter
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Title purdy much sums it up. I have never used nor felt the need to use a pinpointer, but as I get deeper and more financially engrossed into the hobby, I wonder how much I would use one.

Also, which ones are the most popular or highly recommended? In any price range?

Thank you, WM

And just so you are jealous, I will show you where the company paid me to 4 wheel to today. It doesn't look like much due to the lighting, but from here, you can see the Montana border, Mccoullough peak outside of Cody, and the peaks around Lander. Unfortunately, no metal detecting. FYI, you will notice that I like to post interesting photos a lot of the time. Usually completely unrelated to the subject matter. Wasting bandwidth.

View attachment 734187 View attachment 734188


I wouldnt say it's essential to me but it definately makes life alot easier.
I just have a simple bounty hunter pinpointer. I've reduced my dig time by 40%. I havent missed an item that i got a signal on (for example if you turn a coin on its side digging the plug and you lose the signal, or push it deeper beyond machines range).Its really increased my production for 40$, id say its a good trade off. If you get a shallow signal just stab it in the ground till it buzzes and flip the coin out. No digging required
I only get about 1.5-2 inches on a coin compared to 3 inches with a $100+ garrett propointer. But ive gotten it wet, muddy and still goin strong in my opinion you cant go wrong with spending 40$ on one. Plus it vibrates, cheaply might i add but it still does.
Or if you got the cheese get the garrett propointer its supposed to be FANTASTIC
 

squiggy

Silver Member
Dec 14, 2012
2,785
934
CA
Detector(s) used
Ace 250..garret pro pointer
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Title purdy much sums it up. I have never used nor felt the need to use a pinpointer, but as I get deeper and more financially engrossed into the hobby, I wonder how much I would use one.

Also, which ones are the most popular or highly recommended? In any price range?

Thank you, WM

And just so you are jealous, I will show you where the company paid me to 4 wheel to today. It doesn't look like much due to the lighting, but from here, you can see the Montana border, Mccoullough peak outside of Cody, and the peaks around Lander. Unfortunately, no metal detecting. FYI, you will notice that I like to post interesting photos a lot of the time. Usually completely unrelated to the subject matter. Wasting bandwidth.

<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=734187"/><img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=734188"/>

Garrett pro pointer hands down..I also did not realize until I got it how much I needed it!
 

CityDigger

Full Member
Dec 30, 2012
142
78
Virginia
Detector(s) used
Teknetics T2
Garrett AT Pro
XP Deus
Primary Interest:
Relic Hunting
I bought the Bounty Hunter Treasure Hunting Accessory - Pin Pointer last week off ebay. I am totally disappointed. It has one adjustment that is basically like a squelch knob on a CB Radio. It is almost unadjustable. The response tone is either on or off and, YES you need to be within a 1/4 inch of a dime for it to sound off, no matter how the knob is adjusted. I bought this for about $30 and I am already in the market for an upgrade. The Bounty Hunter Treasure Hunting Accessory Pin Pointer stinks.

Great topic though and looking forward to some other reviews.
 

OldNBroken

Sr. Member
May 13, 2010
306
99
North Idaho
Detector(s) used
CTX 3030, XP Deus, ETrac w/ sunray X1, SDC 2300, XTerra 705, ProPointer
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Garrett pro pointer. Once you get it you'll never want to leave it behind.
 

Keppy

Gold Member
Nov 19, 2006
8,318
2,870
N.E. Ohio on lake Erie
Detector(s) used
** WHAT ONE I FEEL LIKE ON HUNTING DAY *****
Primary Interest:
Other
The GARRETT PRO POINTER ​is the only way to go....... If you get one you will really like it.... It beat's all the other ones and i have used most of them... And it makes recovery time fast..
 

joecherry

Jr. Member
Dec 27, 2012
30
10
central illinois
Detector(s) used
bounty hunter
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
I bought the Bounty Hunter Treasure Hunting Accessory - Pin Pointer last week off ebay. I am totally disappointed. It has one adjustment that is basically like a squelch knob on a CB Radio. It is almost unadjustable. The response tone is either on or off and, YES you need to be within a 1/4 inch of a dime for it to sound off, no matter how the knob is adjusted. I bought this for about $30 and I am already in the market for an upgrade. The Bounty Hunter Treasure Hunting Accessory Pin Pointer stinks.

Great topic though and looking forward to some other reviews.

most people say this about this pinpointer and maybe im thinking i recieved a hotter one from the factory..
yes i know this is a cheaply made low cost device and i dont claim it to be otherwise but if i had to get mine 1/4 inch from a dime to get a beep it would have went straight back where it came from. :icon_scratch:

this was not the case for me at all. 1 1/2 inches on a dime 2 on quarter. i have no reason to lie about a pinpointer and yes i know how much an inch is i own a measuring tape like every other american male :p
 

dig kzoo

Bronze Member
Jan 6, 2013
2,346
650
Kalamazoo co. MI
Detector(s) used
1 Minelab CTX3030, 2 Garrett AT Gold, Garrett ACE 350, 2 Bounty Hunter tracker IV,BH Junior, 2 Garrett pro pointers
a family adventure!!
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
the use of a pinpointer is like driveing to work vs. walking. Both work but one gets you there a lot quicker.
 

bowwinkles

Bronze Member
Nov 3, 2012
2,078
2,426
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Wy-medic, as you can see that most would say Garrett. I have at least one each of all the latest crop of pointers and by far I like the Minelab best with the Nokta Rs second. I have many hours on the Garrett which has failed twice. Now the original $127 has grown to over $150 because of shipping. Having a pointer just makes detecting more fluid and enjoyable.
 

Terry Soloman

Gold Member
May 28, 2010
19,419
30,082
White Plains, New York
🥇 Banner finds
1
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
1
Detector(s) used
Nokta Makro Legend// Pulsedive// Minelab GPZ 7000// Vanquish 540// Minelab Pro Find 35// Dune Kraken Sandscoop// Grave Digger Tools Tombstone shovel & Sidekick digger// Bunk's Hermit Pick
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
This is my opinion, and may have no bearing on reality!

I had never used a pinpointer since starting the hobby in the 1970s. Last year, a well known company sent me their pinpointer to use and review. I found that it slowed me down, and 99-percent of the time was unnecessary.

The results, for me, may be because after all these years I can mentally visualize where I think the target is in the ground before I cut the plug based on signal strength and tone quality. A new user is not going to be able to do that. After 30+ years of recovering targets, I can honestly say that a full 50-percent of the time I can see the target as soon as I fold the plug out of the hole. The other 49-percent of targets are in my first or second handful of dirt over the coil.

My children grew up with computers and cell phones, and cannot imagine life without them. I guess perception is everything.
 

Fishermanjuice

Jr. Member
Jan 24, 2013
49
7
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
I have the Garrett and I love it. I forgot it in my wife's car last week when I went hunting and felt almost lost without it. I hear lots of good things about the Minelab pointer as well. It has adjustments the Garrett does not. I don't think they are necessary, but if you are looking for such options you can pay an extra $40 on top of a Garrett to get them.
 

Metal Detecting Stuff

Supporting Vendor
Supporting Vendor
Mar 19, 2012
6,746
1,073
Spring TX
Detector(s) used
CTX3030/F75LTD/ Garrett AtPro/ XP Deus
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
The Garrett Propointer is one of the most popular. Two year warranty, vibrate and audio, turn on and use. Sunray probes are specific to certain machines, but go deeper and provide target information - in essence, they are a small coil.The chaper ones either have shallow depth or durabilty issues.

Wayne

www.metaldetectingstuff.com
 

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