Harbor Freight Pinpointer

[Brian Finder]

Day 1 for my new cheap HF pinpointer. I have to say I like the way it works for me. It is good for about 1.5 inches
which is about all I need for my digs. Helps find the real dirty stuff you can only feel otherwise.
Brian

 

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[Ammoman]

I got one as a back up. It works when i have one foot off the ground and one hand in the air while standing on my head.

 

[Brian Finder]

Do you have a picture of that?

 

[Mzjavert]

I just tried to get one but they didn't have any in stock. They make a fair backup or when you are on a tight budget.

 

[RngrRachel]

I just bought one the other day. I'm new at this and didn't want to drop a ton of coin to try one out since I'd never used a pinpointer before. It took a while to fiddle with the settings to get the thing to where it didn't beep within 1 foot of anything metal but once I adjusted it it worked fine. I set the dial to 6 O'Clock as you're looking at the front of the unit and that was the sweet spot for me. Unfortunately you basically have to do this every time you use it because it gets jostled around in your pocket.

 

[cudamark]

Sure, they work when they're new. The main problem with them is that they don't last. The switches break, they're not ergonomic, and you constantly have to fiddle with the control. Once you get a GOOD pin pointer, you won't settle for anything else.

 

[RustyGold]

Bought two for my grandsons. Both did not work out of the box...

 

[Xraywolf]

Might be marginally better than nothing if you are tight on the $$, would advise to pony up some $$ for a real PP for serious hunting.

 

[Rothman]

That was my first pointer... Replaced the switch, increased the sensitivity on the circuit board... All of the mods. Once I got a real pointer I never looked back. I keep it for when I take a newbie out hunting. Even modded out, they are TERRIBLE when compared to a good pointer. With a good pointer it will detect inches away, The HF, you have to be almost touching a coin sized object. Truly, there is no comparison.

 

[ecmjamsit]

Mine lasted 30 minutes. Then it quit. Got a whites, switch died. Fixed it with new switch. Now use a Garrett Pro II. Couldn't be happier with it, from ebay for $71 NEW.

 

[Slingshot]

My HF pinpointer does everything I need it to do, and I've been hauling it in the field for 3 months now without any issues with it. I've been detecting for 53 years and this is the first such device I've ever used. I modded it for more depth and it is getting 2 inches now. I am amazed at how many detectorists feel pinpointers are a necessary piece of equipment. I only use mine when I have a target that has eluded my detectors pinpoint, which isn't often, and on those occasions it does speed up recovery, but to use it on every target is a drag on recovery time, at least for me. I see people digging with them and it's no small wonder they don't last long, maybe the manufacturers can incorporate a retractable digger on the end of these gadgets, but that might save wear and tear and they wouldn't be able to sell you a new one when yours goes tango uniform. To each his own!

 

[Xraywolf]

I sure don't use mine for every target, like any tool I use it when I need it.

Glad it works for you but you cannot expect many to endorse something like this.
Easy to see how fragile it is just by looking at the pic, and harbor freight is not exactly known for quality equipment.
With some exceptions, most of it is cheap made in china junk with little to no quality control sold as almost disposable tooling.

3 months is no time at all, I expect years out of my pinpointers and have not been disappointed.

 

[Honest Samuel]

You get what you pay for. Good hunting and good luck.

 

[searching 4]

after reading about all I could find on the cen tech pin pointer, I think it's a 50/50 proposition, sure they aren't they best thing out there but at around 16 bucks, why not try it , so I bought one .with a coupon it cost me 13 bucks .so far so good, detects about anything to around 1.5 inches... I really don't think it will last for years but until I get the cash for a good one this thing is working ok for me

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

The switch is junk, but it works in pinch, good for coin shooters in tot lots with wood chips.If you have your receipt harbor freights return policy I think is 90 days just exchange it for a new one and keep doing that every 80 days or so.

 

[RudyT]

I purchased a “Goint” pointer for 37.00. It’s my first one and the best thing I bought. I don’t know how well the expensive ones work but this one works great! I haven’t had any issues with it and it sure saves a lot of time. I also bought a “Dirt Dobber” shovel and it sure makes the digging easy. It’s like cutting through butter with a hot knife!

 

[☠ Cipher]

On a budget the HF pinpointer works just fine. The button can be quirky if you're not easy with it, but it's certainly better than nothing. I still have one sitting around that works just fine for an extra/backup. I got about an inch before modding it and over 1.5 after mod.