Edit: A good pinpointer for around $70-80

[DigDugNY]

So I never owned a pinpointer before and figured I could use one so I dont have to end up digging huge holes. It would be something I could ask for for christmas. What pinpointer is good for around $70-80

 

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[baylorhall]

Re: A good pinpointer for the money

You can never go wrong with a Garrett ProPointer. It isn't waterproof, but it is awesome!

 

[HuntNdig]

i would suggest paying the extra $40 or so and getting the propointer as well. Its huge time saver!

 

[cdv1]

Yep, got to back up the above advice. After starting in June, I soon needed a pinpointer and went the most natural route by buying on the cheap, AutoMAX Precision V2 Pinpointer off of Ebay for about $30. It works good but has drawbacks, like length of the probe and body size. It helped me find my first $90 in clad but I still wanted a Propointer. My Propointer got here yesterday and after using it for the first time this afternoon, I won't look back.

See if you can figure out a way to add money to the gift to get the Propointer.

Cliff

 

[Coin Digger]

I have the White's BullsEye and I wish I had spent my money on a Garrett. If that helps.

 

[Frankn]

Why waste money! The harbor freight is only about $17 And it has the same pickup range as the propointer plus it has a range adjustment knob that the propointer doesn't have. If you like to mod. things, the HF is easy to add features like a detect LED light for silent hunting etc. You can't mod a propointer and it cost app. $150. The HF Fr I use is over a year old and still going strong.
Frank

 

[Keppy]

I have to go along with the .....Harbor Freight Cen-Teck pinpointer... for about $17.00 it works great.

 

[Chug And Red]

Get the Propointer I went through Several Harbor freights Cheap Crap Before Making the Right Choice!!! If you go Cheap Keep it away from Dirt and Water HH Chug

 

[Frankn]

Chug, what does your propointer do that the HF does not due? Yes, I agree it is cheap. You can buy about 9 HF pinpointers for the price of one propointer. In the actual test of both pointers on T Net , they both pick up a dime at the same distance So what did you get for the extra $130 ? Frank

 

[Keppy]

Get the Propointer I went through Several Harbor freights Cheap Crap Before Making the Right Choice!!! If you go Cheap Keep it away from Dirt and Water HH Chug

I know that for some that $125.00 is out of reach... I was there at one time... So the Harbor Freight pinpointer will last for some time if you treat it right.................And it does go as deep as the Pro Pointer....... I use the Pro Pointer and i also use the Harbor Freight Cen-Tech..... And it is not cheap ... It just cost less..............

 

[SusanMN]

Re: Edit: A good pinpointer for around $0-80

Owned several - Centec, automax, bullseye - and thy are next to useless. Save your money until you have enough to buy the Garrett Propointer. You won't regret it.

 

[Frankn]

I notice there are a lot of comments to buy the pro pointer but no technical reason to do it. I realize it has a cult following. I just use a pinpointer to locate a target in the ground and the HF has worked fine for me, but then I treat my equipment with care so the HF has lasted over a year and found every target I used it on. Frank

 

[Chug And Red]

Chug, what does your propointer do that the HF does not due? Yes, I agree it is cheap. You can buy about 9 HF pinpointers for the price of one propointer. In the actual test of both pointers on T Net , they both pick up a dime at the same distance So what did you get for the extra $130 ? Frank

The biggest Problem with the Harbor Freight one is the Button, On the Garrets you just turn it on and Go With the HF one you have to Hold the Button Down to use it the button is Cheap and If any moisture or Dirt get in It starts Having Problems!!!! then you have to take it apart to clean the Contacts on the Button Over and Over the only solutions are Replacing the Button with a different switch of Placing the Detector In a Ziplock bag after putting a hole big enough for the Probe to Go through to Keep the Dirt and Moisture out of the Button!!!

I just Got tired Of dealing with Cheap And Went With The Recommendation's Of Several Tnet Members

Tools Are meant to Be used, and I'm Rough with tools and the Propointer Is built Tough and Well!!!

Plus In my experience to Propointer Has Better depth!!! HH Chug

This is what My first Pinpointer looked Like after a Week see Pic

 

[Keppy]

Chug, what does your propointer do that the HF does not due? Yes, I agree it is cheap. You can buy about 9 HF pinpointers for the price of one propointer. In the actual test of both pointers on T Net , they both pick up a dime at the same distance So what did you get for the extra $130 ? Frank

The biggest Problem with the Harbor Freight one is the Button, On the Garrets you just turn it on and Go With the HF one you have to Hold the Button Down to use it the button is Cheap and If any moisture or Dirt get in It starts Having Problems!!!! then you have to take it apart to clean the Contacts on the Button Over and Over the only solutions are Replacing the Button with a different switch of Placing the Detector In a Ziplock bag after putting a hole big enough for the Probe to Go through to Keep the Dirt and Moisture out of the Button!!!

I just Got tired Of dealing with Cheap And Went With The Recommendation's Of Several Tnet Members

Tools Are meant to Be used, and I'm Rough with tools and the Propointer Is built Tough and Well!!!

Plus In my experience to Propointer Has Better depth!!! HH Chug

This is what My first Pinpointer looked Like after a Week see Pic

Yes you are hard on your detectors................... But the pinpointer you have a picture up of is a Kellyco junk pinpointer ....Not a Cen-Tech....... The Harbor Freight pinpointer is better than the kellyco This is what a Harbor Freight Cen-Tech looks like

 

[Frankn]

Chug, I will give you the point. The early HF pinpointers had inferior pushbuttons that broke, but they have been improved. I replaced my switch. I have never gotten any dirt into my pinpointer, but then I treat my pinpointer like an electronic instrument that it is, not like my shovel. It looks like you just paid the price for abusing your equipment. Actually it doesn't look broken, it looks like it was taken apart or fellapart in which case it could have been glued back together. The propointer has a nice compact design but this can also cause problems. It is hard to disassemble without destroying the switch and the circuit board is literally jammed in there which has caused board failures that have been reported here on T Net. You are dead wrong about pickup distance as shown here on an actual video of a test comparison here on TNet.As far as the switch action, I prefer a unit that automatically turns off. The batteries last longer. I change mine once a year, they don't actually wear out. Frank

 

[DigDugNY]

I relle don't need something that costs $130....I could spend an extra like 50 and buy a new metal detector for that. Even if it was a gift that's too much....I just want somethin I can shove into the ground and get a decent reading on coins and jewelry and doesn't break easily

 

[Chug And Red]

Chug, I will give you the point. The early HF pinpointers had inferior pushbuttons that broke, but they have been improved. I replaced my switch. I have never gotten any dirt into my pinpointer, but then I treat my pinpointer like an electronic instrument that it is, not like my shovel. It looks like you just paid the price for abusing your equipment. Actually it doesn't look broken, it looks like it was taken apart or fellapart in which case it could have been glued back together. The propointer has a nice compact design but this can also cause problems. It is hard to disassemble without destroying the switch and the circuit board is literally jammed in there which has caused board failures that have been reported here on T Net. You are dead wrong about pickup distance as shown here on an actual video of a test comparison here on TNet.As far as the switch action, I prefer a unit that automatically turns off. The batteries last longer. I change mine once a year, they don't actually wear out. Frank

Guess I should have noted better that the Picture Was My first Pinpointer from KellyCo >>>>>Then i went through several HF Ones all of them Had issues with the Button Looks just like the One You Pictured Chug

 

[Lanny in AB]

Interesting thread. Thanks--I like a healthy discussion.

All the best,

Lanny

 

[kayden]

i would suggest paying the extra $40 or so and getting the propointer as well. Its huge time saver!

This !....+1....You will be very happy if you spend the extra 40$ Its more than worth it!

 

[kayden]

Chug, what does your propointer do that the HF does not due? Yes, I agree it is cheap. You can buy about 9 HF pinpointers for the price of one propointer. In the actual test of both pointers on T Net , they both pick up a dime at the same distance So what did you get for the extra $130 ? Frank

Frank please forgive me for butting in but I had a Harbor freight pointer it lasted about 1 month & I also feel the range on it wasnt even close to the propointer