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Ace 250 trigger pinpoint mod and 250/150 stand mod

K

khouse

Active member
I have decided to add the pinpoint trigger modification myself. I'm not comfortable in selling a kit that some may find hard to install and give up.
For those of you that didn't read any past posts on the trigger. I terminate the thumb pinpoint/true all metal mode. Then I add a toggle (trigger) to the upper rod. If you pull it back it activates the pinpoint mode and when you release the toggle it moves to off. Then if you want to lock it in pinpoint/all metal mode you flip it forward and it stays there until pulled back. Just like most Whites detectors. You can hunt in the true all metal mode easily. While recovering a target you can just reach up and flip the toggle instead of using the thumb button. This mod renders the thumb button inopperable. But the button is left in place and looks the same. The trigger only takes minutes to become second nature to use. Thanks for looking. Kenny email me if you have any questions mowerdog@earthlink.com
 
Hi Kenny,

This looks like a great mod for use with the Sunray Inline Pinpoint probe.

FYI, I had emailed Garrett to see if there was any way to modify the software of the unit to allow it to enter and stay in pinpoint mode with something like a double-click of the pinpoint button, and I got a rather cryptic responce of:

"There is no way we can make the pinpoint button the way you would like. If the pinpoint is turned on too long it loses its accuracy."

I've tried having an email conversation with the customer service rep who had answered my email, but he has ignored my latest emails. I'm certainly curious as to what "loses its accuracy" means.

Anyways, would you be willing to post info on the manufacturer and model number of the switch you used? That looks like a great switch for this application.

Thanks,
John
 
If you have used a Whites machine you know how nice the toggle is.
Try holding the pinpoint button on for a minute or so. When you first apply it you will have a threshold tone. After a while the threshold goes silent but it still will detect metal. When I retrieve a target I lock the trigger forward and wave the soil over the coil. This is a great feature.
You can hunt with the toggle locked forward in the true all metal mode.
Buying the switch is the easiest thing about the mod. Adding the switch is another story.
 
So you've not seen any problem with losing accuracy like the rep said? Is this a switch we can buy at radio shack? I haven't received my ace 250 yet but I love to mod things, especially if it makes them work better. lol I'd think you just have to relocate some wires from the connection point on the board, and put them to the switch? If you don't want to answer this and feel responsible for somebody messing up their detector would you please private message me? Thanks, I like all of your posts btw. I'm new and should be getting my detector wed. I am somewhat knowledgeable in electronics, and my brother has a degree in it so we can do the work. Just curious bout if it's as simple as relocating the wire to the added switch since i've not seen the inside of the display box yet.
 
There are only 2 wires in the whole detector and that's to the speaker. Everything else is surface mounted. Once you get the detector open it up and see if it's something you want to tackle. You know that it will void your warranty? Have you ever owned a Whites with the trigger pinpoint switch? If so you know how easy it is to use. No, you cant get the switch from Radio Shack that will fit inside the rod. I spent over a month finding the switch.
 
Kenny,

See my message above. That is what a Garrett representative said when I asked them if they could change the Ace250 software to allow it to stay in pinpoint mode by double-clicking the pinpoint button (or some other method). They said it "loses accuracy" if it is in pinpoint mode for too long. I tried to get more info about this but they then ignored my subsequent emails.
 
Great Idea Kenny.....Do you get the threshold back when you retune
the detector in the all-metal?
 
Duggr,
Yes, just a simple click off then back on and the threshold is back. But even when the threshold goes silent it still will hit on any metal. When I have the trigger locked on and waving soil over the coil it will go silent. But as soon as I wave my target over the coil it beeps. The trigger will work on most any brand of detector that has a pinpoint feature. Tesoro's would be an example.
 
There must be a slow self adjusting threshold in the ace 250?
Thats probably why you loose the threshold.......No big deal
though. You got the right idea on this mod......It's amazing
how companys cut corners to save a nickel when they could
charge us another dollar to cover the cost of such a mod.....
Doug
 
I think we all have to remember that this little hot detector only cost $200. They probably had to stop somewhere. But I believe we all would pay another $100 if the 250 had a GB. I believe Garrett built what they thought was an entry level unit to market to the masses. But what happened is when the put it all together that built a great unit. Now I believe Garrett is stuck on the pricing. I don't think they would be selling that unit if they thought a lot of pros were going to swing it.
To be honest. At first I though people would point and make fun of me swinging an entry level detector. I was reluctant to buy one. But I can say now that I'm not afraid to coin shoot next to any other detector model or brand. I've been detecting since 1984
 
nice job on the modification and thank you for the post.
 
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