Hand Held Metal Detector / Pinpointer

[rtr2006]

From what I have read/learned since I started this (a few weeks ago) it seems that most people have a regular metal detector and then most have a pinpointer. Some have garrett (although I'm reading a lot of a certain kind are defective) and some people have other brands.

My question relates more to finding an affordable pinpointer. I know that the word affordable means different things to different people. And some people will reply that I should save up and buy this or that.

But I'm talking about in the present, I have less than 50 dollars to spend and I'd like to get a pinpointer to help me with my digs.

Does anyone have any recommendations, or suggestion as to what I can buy with this amount of money to help?

Thanks

 

[TwistedT]

Look into the BH/Fisher/Teknetics pinpointer. Have seen these priced from $40-$65 bucks. Maybe even able to buy one from a member on here since most people don't like/use them.
It is a good value and works great - have used mine for 6 months and have never had a problem with it. Just need to learn how to use it correctly.

Then you have the Centech from Harbor freight - I have never used this one but it is my understanding that you have to do some mods to it to make it useful. And sometimes you need to get more than one to make sure you get one that works right. I think the price on these is less than $20 bucks.

If i were you with the money you have I would go with the BH/Fisher/Teknetics Pinpointer

 

[airscapes]

The HF is fine but you will need to replace the switch. If you do not have basic mechanical skills, a drill, soldering iron and the skill set to use them, spend extra for a better product. All HF tools are throw away and as such don't last long. My HF pinpointer with replacement switch is still functional after a half dozen hunts and I feel it is lived longer than expected and if it dies I can't complain. If White's new Pinpointer that White's has coming out is not ready by spring, I will buy another HF for backup. At $16 (fullprice without coupon) I can afford another to hold me over till the good one is on the market. If it is winter where you are, sit tight and save your money for a few month till spring. Then see what the hot product is.

 

[Lively]

I also bought a Harbor freight cen tech pin pointer. After about 2-3 months, I had to make a trip to radio shack for a new button. I bought a small toggle switch and souldered it inplace. I also have a garrett pro pointer and like it a whole lot more.


Proud to be a Texan!

 

[HarveyH48]

I got the Bounty Hunter pinpointer free with my first detector, works okay, but didn't like that the power switch is integrated with the tuning knob. Means that every time you turn it on, you have to adjust it for best range. Not a huge big deal, only takes a few seconds, does take a little practice. Bought the Centech, functionally similar, except the power switch is separate from the tuning knob. It's not a real strong build, not something to shove in the ground like a probe, it's a wand. It was $17, and I also do electronics as a hobby, so had planned on taking it apart from the start. Didn't like the push button, want to switch it on, leave it on, until I was done with it, rather than hold the button in. Heard the buttons wear out quick anyway, just never gave mine a chance. I have plenty of salvaged parts laying around. It was also kind of loud, don't like drawing attention, and repititious Q&A from the crowds, I simply want to hunt in peace. So, I removed the speaker, which has the sound circuit built in, which turned out well, since I only had to solder a pager motor to those wires. Vibrates pretty good.

I listen to all the hype, eventually bought a Pro Pointer, wasn't quite as amazed as most. Cool gadget, but not really worth the $127.50. The real bummer, is that after about 7 months, it would sound off almost immediately after being turned on. Started off only doing it occasionally, cycle the power, worked fine for a while. Just got so bad, it was useless in the hole, never knew if it was near a target, or lying to me. Didn't mind go back to the Centech for a while. Sent the Garrett in, nice, pleasant folks, hassle free. Got it back, work for a month or so, before it started up again. Only got about 6 month of light use this time, need to send it in again. Not exactly a quality product, for the premium price. Simple to use, but the others really aren't that bad, just takes a little time to learn where to set the knob to get the best range out of them. The Bounty Hunter has a much stronger case, will hand some abuse, but its not really a probe either, neither is the Garrett. You can shove them in the ground, but probably not a great idea to do often, unless you don't mind sending them back for repair. The Centech is very lightweight, won't stand much, if any abuse, but cheap, and really easy to work on.

 

[Diggum]

Got my Garrett ProPointer on eBay for $85, shipped to my door. Worth every penny and more, IMHO. Had the Centech, and couldn't find a thing with it. If I were on a tight budget, I'd look at the Bounty Hunter/Fisher pointers, as stated. If you like to tinker and spend time with your pointer, get the Centech.

 

[pete4638]

I have been told that there are some Chinese counterfeit Garrett pinpointers being sold on Ebay. The performance of these detectors is said to be substantially below that of the real Garrett devices.

Pete

From what I have read/learned since I started this (a few weeks ago) it seems that most people have a regular metal detector and then most have a pinpointer. Some have garrett (although I'm reading a lot of a certain kind are defective) and some people have other brands.

My question relates more to finding an affordable pinpointer. I know that the word affordable means different things to different people. And some people will reply that I should save up and buy this or that.

But I'm talking about in the present, I have less than 50 dollars to spend and I'd like to get a pinpointer to help me with my digs.

Does anyone have any recommendations, or suggestion as to what I can buy with this amount of money to help?

Thanks