Electronic Hand-held Pinpionter

[tab-nabit]

I never had or used any of the hand held pinpointers. Was at a local mining shop a few days ago and noticed a couple different ones. The fella behind the counter showed me what they offer and to my surprise he thought in his opinion the cheap Wizard Vib-Probe II (2) was the way to go. I forgot but it was something like 30 or 40 dollars for it. He said that he liked it better than another brand that was 120 dollars. He also said the cheap one is selling better and better now.
This thing looks like a toy to me. I kinda have the feeling that he wants get get rid of them or he has something against the other more expensive brand. I told him that I don't use any electronic pinpointers, but I'll think about it.
Now this thing looks like a cheap Star Trek Buck Rogers no laser - but will take your eye out kind of thing - c'mon...
If I get any positives, I'll go back and purchase one. I checked on the metal detectors review site and the Wizard Vib-Probe II was not listed.
Anyone have or used the Wizard Vib-Probe II, and if so your review?

 

[khouse]

I won't leave home without a pinpointer. I used to build pinpointers to sell on a web site and some retailers. Here is the one I built and have used for over 8 years now. I even had custom decals made for the probe so you can measure the depth of your finds. Belt clip and trigger. What do you think of it?

 

[tab-nabit]

WOW Never used one but you must have not liked something about the market units to go through all that nice work. (a) Looks heavy duty and 8 years running too (b) Built-in belt clip to boot (c) Depth scale on the rod section a nice feature and looks well done (d)Labels add a nice touch with model number and serial + graphics (e) Lightning bolt - yes yes yes
Even retailed some eh... Too bad you used to make them - I'm liking the idea and recently have been reading a little about pinpointers. With over 25 years of medal detecting I don't know why I'm just starting to think about them. I have came across ads and articles before but never tuned into them. I guess I never thought I really needed one and don't feel I do most time but I guess there are times they could make a difference.
For years if I worked an area surgically, I used the brass probe rods with the glass ball for the handle. A hard handle transmits feel/vibration better than a cushioned grip. It worked for me.
I'm getting to see where the electronic has it's place.
Nice... Very Nice...

 

[khouse]

It may be older than 8 years - I can't remember. I do know that it was just after the Tinytec hit the market. I though I could make a better probe. Then the Vibraprobe came out and sales dropped. I couldn't buy my parts cheap enough to be competitive. I used to think that the probes were for fools. Then after using it I though different. I don't pull it out on every hole. But when you dig a hole and just can't locate the target - it's a killer. I haven't used it but the Whites probes look good. I have seen the Wizard probe that looks like a gun. I think it would work great.
http://wizdist.com/wizprobe.cfm
Kenny

 

[khouse]

http://www.mytoolstore.com/wizard/probes.html

You might want to call the supporters of this site to see if they have them also.

Good luck.
Kenny

 

[Farmercal]

Rob,
There are two probes out there that people continually talk about: one is the VibraProbe 560 and the other is Technetics because its relatively cheap. My preference is the 560 because it doesn't have an on/off switch (just turn it upside down and it comes on) and it's waterproof and durable. Some have said the Whites bullseye II were excellent but somewhat fragile.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

I've just started using a handheld pinpointer last year and still can't figure out what took ne so long.They work better than you can imagine.The competition hunt I entered in Michigan last fall had a lot of hunters using handheld pimpointers including myself.I use detectors that pinpoint very well,but I don't like hunting without one.Would you go out and buy an expensive TV without a remote? I use a White's Bullseye 11 handheld and an inline probe.The Bullseye has a switch for vibrate when using earphones.The White's handheld has held up very well the only mantainance a battery change and cleaning mud or clay off the unit.

 

[tab-nabit]

Will get one in a day or two along with new headphones too. Thanks for all the input. I decided to get one thanks to the inputs - If I don't get and try it out, I won't stop thinking about it now. I know it's going to be one of those "bet ya can't have just one" kinda of things.
Thank all......

 

[khouse]

n/t

 

[JT2]

Hey all,

I have the teknetics pinpointer and it has been very useful, but I find the detect range on it is very short, like 1/2" on anything small. I also read reviews on the Vibprobe 560 that say that it has a similar short detect range.

Is it really that hard to make a pinpointer that has a 2" range, and some sort of progressive display/sound/vibrate that indicates when you are getting closer to the target? Seems that it is...

I really like the idea of the SunRay probes as they use the electronics of the metal detector itself, but I guess I feel they are too pricy, especially considering that I use the inexpensive Ace250. Do I really want to buy a pinpoint coil that costs almost as much as the base detector?

So, does anyone know of a pinpointer with a decent detect range and the ability to show when you're getting close?

 

[tab-nabit]

So far I got the vibra-probe 560 and the Wizard Vib-probe.
Vibra-probe 560: Seems quality built, waterproof, sturdy, but must be in close proximity to the target, no switch, no LED, comes with holster.
Wizard Vib-probe: Inexpensive, adjustable sensitivity, LED, light weight, plastic, looks like it should have a holster.
So far I only have used them a few times so it will take more time to build a refined opinion. It's been cold and windy so MDing time is getting cut short.
Anyway, I'll continue working with these probes, and by the way, I'm having the sunray probe installed on my minelab EX-II.
I appreciate all the inputs, and look where this is taking me so far...

 

[tab-nabit]

I don't know but I guess it all depends if it's worth it to you for the ACE as far as the sunray goes. I wouldn't look at it as the ACE is inexpensive, I would look at it as is this what I want for me and my ACE.
I know it's about the cost of the ACE 250, but maybe it can be look at, well lets see, an ACE 250, or an ACE 250 with sunray probe.
By the way, I also got the sniper coil for the ACE 250 and it's a keeper for the trash area.

 

[JT2]

How is the sensitivity on the Wizard Vib-probe?

 

[tab-nabit]

A quick visual (eye-ball), I would say the Wizard was maybe almost a half inch more over the vibra-probe 560. I just air tested due to your question using a nickel and clad quarter. Both probes not only hit off the end of the probe, but also hit off the side of the tip area. Holding the tip to a target, the vibra-probe pulsed while the Wizard has a continuous vibration.
The Wizard can be switched from vibration silent mode, to audio. I don't use the audio. The Wizard in vibration mode is much more intense than the vibra-probe. There is no mistake when the Wizard goes off. The Wizard has some kind of a flush mounted adjustment screw next to the mode switch. I didn't save the package, but assume it's for calibration of sensitivity or something.
Using a flake of gold, the Wizard picked it up at about 1/4 inch, the vibra-probe would not. Even when I stuck it up against the tip.
The vibra-probe turns on by holding the tip up, turns off a minute after use on last target hit. The wizard has a thumb wheel adjustable rheostat that turns it on. It vibrates when turned on, then continue with the rheostat till the vibration stops. If you stop at that point, it seems to be max sensitivity, turn it beyond that point and the target must be closer to the tip (less sensitivity). The Wizard will stay powered on until it is turned off by the thumb wheel rheostat. I just leave it on till I'm done MDing. I don't know battery life as I'm on the first installed battery.
For whatever reason that I can't explain, I like them both. Maybe my opinion will change sometime down the road, maybe not. Then again, after I get the sunray probe on my minelab, that might also affect my opinion. The sunray hits at something like 3 inches, the hand held probes less. I think I'll have a use for both types.

 

[JT2]

Thanks for the info DirtRob!

I may have to try out one of the Wizard probes.

 

[stick]

what is the actual depth that you get with the bullseye II? i have a vibraprobe and it seems to be about a 1/4" to 1/2' for dimes and up to about 3/4" for a quarter in the soil i'm digging.

 

[Flintstone]

What is all this about wanting a pin pointer to go 4" or 5" or6" deep if i had one that went that deep i would throw it away. If you want that deep get anouther detector, if i pin point with my MXT, it said 6" I sure whould not want my hand-held pointer to go 6", 1/2 to 1" is all you want. Dig about 5" take out pin pointer and when it gose off you know you are about 1/2" away. I seen on anaother form a guy wanted a pointer that went 4to6" deep,that,s nuts. Good hunting Dean

 

[JT2]

Dean,

I wasn't looking for 4-6".

But it would be nice to have 2" with some sort of indication when you get closer to the target.

Sometimes it takes a really long time to find the target with my current pinpointer because the item is too small. When this happens the only way the probe will indicate is when it is touching the target. Sometimes I also never find the target even though the detector see's it, the pinpointer doesn't.

It must be difficult to have a progressive display that indicates when you are getting closer to the target, cause there don't seem to be any out there.

 

[stick]

i wonder why no one with a bullseye pinpointer wants to respond to this topic. i posted it on another forum and got the same response. a simple answer to the depth of the pinpointer was all i was wanting. i,m with jt. a pinpointer with 1-2 inches of depth would help a lot. i would think that you could use it before you even start digging on shallow targets. i have done this with the vibraprobe and pulled coins out with just my fingers.

 

[Steve missouri]

JT2: The Sun Ray Probe on my Ace 250 will hit a target at 4+ inches with the pinpoint button pushed. the probe will also give a target ID on the TID Meter, very useful if there are several different targets in the same hole. HH Steve.