Coat the pinpointer?

[mrhvmd]

Does anyone silicone coat their pinpointer for underwater use? How's it working for you? How did you go about it?

 

[ajaj]

Knowing that the warranty would be voided, yes, I tried, but not before I bought a new one as backup. Fail! It worked nicely in shallow water (~1 foot deep), but it leaked in 4' water. My fault since I know Aquachigger and Nugget Noggin' go deep in rivers.

aj

 

[dgruff]

Aquachigger and Nugget Noggin' go deep in rivers.

aj

That's pretty deep, man.

 

[togamac]

I've been thinking about it and alternatives but haven't done it yet. One alternative I'm considering is putting it into a section of bicycle inner tube and rubber cementing the ends. Aquachigger has a you-tube video of using plumber's putty and silicon.

 

[mrhvmd]

I talked to people at Kellyco and it turns out (should have thought of this) there exists a selection of underwater pinpointers. Ordered a Treasure Products Vibra Probe 580. We'll see. The inner tube idea is ingenious.

 

[Auriemma]

For water proofing... Wouldn't a sandwich bag (ziplock) work with most of the air pressed out of it?

Do you have a food vaccuum sealer? Make a pouch, drop it in, vaccuum seal, trim suit.

 

[mrhvmd]

ALSO a great idea!!

 

[togamac]

I talked to people at Kellyco and it turns out (should have thought of this) there exists a selection of underwater pinpointers. Ordered a Treasure Products Vibra Probe 580. We'll see. The inner tube idea is ingenious.

Be sure to let us know how the new probe works out.

 

[Jine]

I siliconed my speaker grille and power button on my Pro-Pointer for underwater use and the internals got wet, rendering it whacked-out inoperable. I took it apart, a very delicate and difficult procedure, and dried all of its internal components with a hair dryer on the lowest setting possible. I realized at that point that I overlooked sealing the LED light port and that's where the water got in.

My pointer's been working like the champ it is ever since. I did coat the LED/port with clear silicone and have been using it completely submerged for a couple of years without any issues. The LED will still illuminate the immediate area as before, although there has to be some diminishing of its output. If you're considering this route use a couple of coats of high quality silicone such as GE's Premium Waterproof and a pipethread sealant on the battery cap; I use Rector's PTFE enriched type.

The ziploc bag idea would probably work okay until it contacted something unforgiving. Why Garrett didn't make it waterproof from the start befuddles me.

 

[metalhead]

I've been using a waterproof bag that is made for camera use underwater since I got my Propointer (not long after they came out) a few years ago. So far so good. The bag cost about fifty bucks, but is very good quality and has never leaked on me. Plus, I don't DIG with my Propointer like some people do. LOL. I've had a Vibraprobe 570 for a number of years and I rarely use it. I just like the Propointer a lot more.
Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide to do.
Happy Hunting!

 

[togamac]

Well, I did try the bike inner-tube. It seems to have worked well, i.e., I used it in about a foot of water for an hour and it's still working. I started taking it apart to see if there was any seepage but it was so tightly sealed, I stopped and put it back together. I used rubber cement that you find in the stationary dept. but I think I'd try contact cement if I did it again. The rubber cement was still wet when I sealed it but appears to have dried and sealed OK.
HH! Mac

 

[pulltabking]

I use Plasti-dip on mine. I covered the speaker hole with electrical tape first. Then dipped the whole thing. One half at a time. 3x each.

I've used it for dozens of hours underwater with no issues. The beauty is the plasti-dip peels right off if needed. My propointer looks brand new underneath.

Most hardware stores have it. I got mine for under $8 at Home Depot.

 

[togamac]

Pulltabking,
I actually like your idea better than mine and think I'll try it. Thanks for the tip!
HH, Mac

 

[justplainjoe]

Hi Tabking,

Sounds like the way to go, Do you re-coat when you change the battery breaking the seal? Or did you use something else to make the seal permanent?

Regards and Semper Fi.

joe