Cen-Tech Pinpointer

[ken(toronto)]

Anyone bought a "Cen-Tech" pinpointer from Harbour Freight; if so, how deep can it detect a penny?
thanks

Ken

 

[Critterhunter]

You'll be able to find a penny a foot away, not because the pinpointer is picking it up but because the penny is in your other hand. I'd urge you to look into the ProPointer or the Vibraprobe. Both are about the same price ($117) and some prefer one over the other, but I'd say the ProPointer gets more positive feedback from people. The Vibraprobe is a PI unit and will get deeper but the ProPointer is about as deep as I ever need, and you can increase it's depth with the sliding metal trick people use.

I had a Centech pinpointer for a while and you can't beat the price, but if you've ever used one of the above you'll never want to pick up the Centech again. It's touchy with having to adjust it's sensitivity and the depth is only about half or less than the ProPointer.

 

[7centsworth]

I had one and sold it the first time I used it. It was inch or less on almost every coin.

 

[Hopskippy]

I have one as well. Its worth the 16 bucks, or at least I think so. Go on you tube and see how the cen-tech compares to the higher priced ones. Just type in Cen-tech pinpointer, you might be surprised.
The cen-tech can be super tuned as well. What I did, I took a key ring, that slides over pointer shaft, then sandwiched it between two small squares of black duct tape. Then cut an X in the center of the key ring. Careful to not cut the X to large, you want it to slide onto the shaft snugly.Now, slide it up the shaft to the top, press the "on" button, while button is pressed, slide the ring down towards the tip until it sets off the pointer, now as it squeals, slowly slide the ring back up until it stops. At this point it should have an increased range of approx. 50%. I get an inch on a penny without it on and about 1 1/2" with it on. The larger the target, the farther it detects it.
Now, all that said, I use it as it comes. It does a plenty good job. Your detector will tell you if its still in the whole or in the plug, the pinpointer really helps you locate it once you have it close.Some coins, I just can't see because of the dirt suck on them, most clad though. I bought the cen-tech in the first place because I'm on a very tight budget. Again, I think its a fine lil' tool for the money.

 

[Critterhunter]

It's for sure better than nothing, like it's better to ride a bike somewhere than have to walk, but riding in a car (or using the ProPointer) is that much better to get you there faster. Same deal, you'll find stuff much faster with a better pinpointer and not have to get back up to re-pinpoint the target with the machine.

 

[ken(toronto)]

Thanks for the tip on supertuning...how did you find that out?
So, with supertuning it'll go 1 1/2" on a penny? That is pretty good ! Even the White's Bulls eye will go about the same , 1-1 /2 "
Think I'll buy one and try it.


Ken

 

[tab-nabit]

Although I have a handful of pinpointers, the ProPointer I think is well worth it. Quality, nice size and gets the job done. And there sure is a lot of good things said about the ProPointer. I had to have one after what I was readings.
I just wish it was available when I first started to get into pinpointers. Would have saved me from the start, although a few others did me good.
If I knew then what I know now - I would buy a ProPointer and just get it over with.

 

[Hopskippy]

I read about super tuning pin pointers on one of these forums in here. There are some really smart guys out there. I'm not one of them. I do however read everything they talk about.This forum is the best place to learn !
I checked it again today.If i tune it close it gets one inch on a penny, supertuned ,it gets 1 1/2. Its not bad for the cost.Myself, its all I need for now.

 

[sqwaby]

I have been using one for about 2 years now, glued the tip back on which also waterproofed it. It does all I need at a great price, I don't need it to get more than 11/2" depth, I can get that close with my detectors. I had 4 of them on the bench for a comparison once, 1 maxed at 1", another maxed at about 3/4" the other 2 got 13/8- 11/2", so some are better than others, the difference is probably due to the cheaper components. If you don't want to spend a lot or just want to try a pinpointer for the first time, I say go get one.

 

[jackinaustin]

If you want low cost, go for it. If you want dependability, quality and possible further service go for the Pro Pointer. HH JackinAustin

 

[Dan-Pa.]

Certainly many better high priced pinpointrs on the market but for the bucks not a bad unit considering probably cost 1/10 th what others do...

 

[kydigger]

O.K. I've posted this several times.

I read this in another forum.
I tried it and it turns the Cen-Tech into as good a pinpointer as the more expensive units.
The key is that this unit was made for finding nails in wood, not coin shooting. By changing the factory settings you turn your Cen-Tech into a fine coin pinpointer
Do an air check using any coin to see what distance you have at the factory setting.
Open the box by removing the 4 corner screws. Don't remove the center screw.
With the probe pointing to the left, you will see a little blue box on the upper right.
You will see a little adjustment screw on top of that box.
Turning that screw clockwise raises the sensitivity.
Turn the external sensitivity knob about 1/2 turn.
Turn the internal sensitivity screw clockwise until the unit sounds off.
By doing a little tinkering with the 2 controls, you should be able to get the Cen-Tech to detect a penny at about 2".
Be sure to leave a little play in the outside knob to help narrow your search once you locate your target.

I mounted a Radio Shack 1/2" Blue-Capped control knob, part no. 274-403, over the factory control knob. Now I don't have to use 2 fingers to adjust that tiny knob. It looks better too. (LOL)
By the way. I do wonder why people need a hundred dollar pinpointer that that will detect at 3+ inches.
Let me know how this tweek works out for you.

 

[Shambler]

Certainly many better high priced pinpointrs on the market but for the bucks not a bad unit considering probably cost 1/10 th what others do...

No question. If you've pinpointed accurately with your detector, this will do fine for you until your gadget budget increases

You can also detune it to be more than 2"

 

[ken(toronto)]

O.K. I've posted this several times.

I read this in another forum.
I tried it and it turns the Cen-Tech into as good a pinpointer as the more expensive units.
The key is that this unit was made for finding nails in wood, not coin shooting. By changing the factory settings you turn your Cen-Tech into a fine coin pinpointer
Do an air check using any coin to see what distance you have at the factory setting.
Open the box by removing the 4 corner screws. Don't remove the center screw.
With the probe pointing to the left, you will see a little blue box on the upper right.
You will see a little adjustment screw on top of that box.
Turning that screw clockwise raises the sensitivity.
Turn the external sensitivity knob about 1/2 turn.
Turn the internal sensitivity screw clockwise until the unit sounds off.
By doing a little tinkering with the 2 controls, you should be able to get the Cen-Tech to detect a penny at about 2".
Be sure to leave a little play in the outside knob to help narrow your search once you locate your target.

I mounted a Radio Shack 1/2" Blue-Capped control knob, part no. 274-403, over the factory control knob. Now I don't have to use 2 fingers to adjust that tiny knob. It looks better too. (LOL)
By the way. I do wonder why people need a hundred dollar pinpointer that that will detect at 3+ inches.
Let me know how this tweek works out for you.

Wow! Great piece of Information , thanks Kydigger!
My buddy has a "Automax" pinpointer ($29) amd it only goes 1/4" or so. Even the Vibraprobe only goes to 1 " ($130).
I am trying to get a Cen-Tech , but they don't carry them in Canada. Harbour Freight has stores only in certain US cities. I will try to find one next time I'm down there.

Ken

 

[lafatlife]

Go to harbor freight online and order it that way. I have had one for 2 years and I am quite happy with it. The case/holder for it is not very good and falls apart easy, but you can rig up something else for it. If it breaks, it's only 16 bucks. If you get a propointer and it breaks, that's over 100 bucks. The difference is what 1/2 an inch or so?

 

[silversmith]

Uh...Uh ! This more like comparing a worn out One Lunger Lawnmower with a flat tire and a brand new Mercedes with all the trimmings. THERE AIN'T NO COMPARISON..........! The first thing that a Harbor Freight owner says when he gets his hands on a ProPointer is "OH MY GOD......"

 

[norman maassey]

Certainly many better high priced pinpointrs on the market but for the bucks not a bad unit considering probably cost 1/10 th what others do...

As many digging tool I have lost over years I will stay with a Cen-tach. When I do lose it want cry as long as if was a Gerrett.

 

[ken(toronto)]

Here's a video showing the performance of the Garrett pro-pointer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUoUkG5x7N8

here's a video on the Cen-tech:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fx07M749bYU

I see difference of about 1/2"

Ken

 

[Hopskippy]

O.K. I've posted this several times.

I read this in another forum.
I tried it and it turns the Cen-Tech into as good a pinpointer as the more expensive units.
The key is that this unit was made for finding nails in wood, not coin shooting. By changing the factory settings you turn your Cen-Tech into a fine coin pinpointer
Do an air check using any coin to see what distance you have at the factory setting.
Open the box by removing the 4 corner screws. Don't remove the center screw.
With the probe pointing to the left, you will see a little blue box on the upper right.
You will see a little adjustment screw on top of that box.
Turning that screw clockwise raises the sensitivity.
Turn the external sensitivity knob about 1/2 turn.
Turn the internal sensitivity screw clockwise until the unit sounds off.
By doing a little tinkering with the 2 controls, you should be able to get the Cen-Tech to detect a penny at about 2".
Be sure to leave a little play in the outside knob to help narrow your search once you locate your target.

I mounted a Radio Shack 1/2" Blue-Capped control knob, part no. 274-403, over the factory control knob. Now I don't have to use 2 fingers to adjust that tiny knob. It looks better too. (LOL)
By the way. I do wonder why people need a hundred dollar pinpointer that that will detect at 3+ inches.
Let me know how this tweek works out for you.

I tried your tweek, it works GREAT, doubled the distance. Fined tuned after tweek, it can get 2" on a penny !!

THANKS Kydigger, now that was a super easy UPGRADE !!!

 

[Dang]

n/t