Garrett ProPointer Tuning/Detuning Mod & Depth Test

[Critterhunter]

Today I put my "super tuner" on my Garrett ProPointer. I was trying to use a piece of wire bent into an "L" that would slide through a rubber tube zip tied to the probe but I found it would snag on the holster. I ended up just taking a washer and tying it to some soft flexible wire. String will do also but I prefer the wire because it's a little stiffer than string and so keeps the washer from dangling around so much when I'm not super tuning it. At first I was hoping just using the wire without the washer would work but found the Pinpointer needs to see a good size length of it along the shaft before it will go off. This way it's as short as possible, just long enough for the washer to reach towards the probe to cause it to go off, which ended up being somewhere right around the switch.

If I'm not super tuning my normal grasp of the pinpointer ends up catching the washer's wire in my fingers so it won't hang down and set off the probe with a false hit. When super tuning I just turn on the probe and then grab the wire/washer with my thumb and slide it up the shaft until the unit starts to sound off, then backing it off a hair.

You can also use this method to de-tune the unit when trying to separate targets or find one near a fence or other large piece of metal. Handy for checking if a large "can" hit is really several coins because detuning will allow you to precisely trace the outline of targets. To de-tune it just hold the unit pointing straight down so the washer is hanging near the shaft and then turn it on. Once done get the washer out of the way again by moving it (or the wire is easiest to grasp with your fingers or thumb) towards the back of the probe as normal.

I did some depth tests on a quarter using a yard stick away from any type of metal. I taped the quarter to the end of the ruler standing up so the probe would see the full side of the coin much like most coins will be laying in the ground. I then slide the ProPointer up the ruler until the first slight sound off on the coin. When super tuning it I just slid the washer up the shaft until the unit started to false and then backed it off a hair.

These depths are pretty impressive but keep in mind that you should get much better depth in the field because the ProPointer is probably adjusting it's sensitivity down lower at my house due to electrical noise. I also found that the pinpointer would sound off sooner if you were slightly moving the tip around, so keep that in mind in the field. Don't just hold it in one spot and try to get a signal. Move it around slightly much like you would a search coil.

Normal Depth: 1 1/2" (As said, is better in the field away from electrical noise since sensitivity auto adjusts on power up.)
Super Tuned : 3 1/2" (Should also be better in the field, though very impressive.)

As you can see, 3 1/2" is nothing to laugh at and it's very stable super tuned this way so long as you don't move the piece of metal around you are tuning it with. That's why I like this setup with the wire. It's very easy to grab it with your thumb and slide it up the tip. In fact, that's one of the big things I like about this pinpointer. I can take it out of it's holster on my left hip, turn it on, tune it if needed, find the target, turn it off, and put it back in the holster all with one hand.

At the above depth super tuned it shows that most clads are going to be well within the range of the unit. Using a screwdriver to pop them you can wrack up clad totals much faster in a day. Also great for ring or coin hunting in places where they might frown on you digging plugs, such as sports fields or somebody's yard.

By the way, I just realized I don't have to click the on/off button to turn the unit on. Simply hold the button down slightly and the unit will come on. I like this because when I set the pinpointer on the ground or back in my holster after it's found the target I don't have to remember to turn it off or go through the trouble of clicking the switch again. I'm sure it's less wear and tear on the switch as well and only plan to click the unit to stay on anymore when I need to.

 

[Monte]

Sine they provide very acceptable depth as they come, I will try it w/o any "enhancements."

If I want a little added depth, it is quite simple. I had discovered the "technique" with another pin-pointer and applied it to the pro-Pointer and that is to simply make use of some of that costume jewelry we find. I use a ring that fits on the fingertip of my "probe-hand", turn the Pin-Pointer on, then just advance my finger up the shaft of the device, slowly, just to where I can enhance the signal/performance.

It is very simple, very quick and easy to do, and doesn't call for messing with attaching anything to the Pro-Pointer or hampering the 'fit' the the holster.

Monte

 

[silversmith]

Yes, but, if you use a silver dime, especially a Merc say, you also achieve a psychological advantage. On the other hand, I could see if you used a 22kt fat ring with a BIG friggin Star Sapphire or huge Ruby (my favorite) setting.................. ya, you might have something there.

 

[Critterhunter]

The Pro Pointer does have very good depth and will find most targets instantly. However, on the rare occasion that the target is still out of range super tuning it is much faster and easier than getting back up to re-pinpoint the target with the detector. Also, as I said it also allows you to really reach down there on targets when you are not digging plugs and only want to pop them with a screwdriver.

This will drastically increase your recovery time and increase your clad or other find totals. Most of the time the ProPointer has more than enough depth as is, but it's nice to know I can boost it into over double the depth to find the target without getting back up. After a long day of hunting I don't like having to get back up and down more than I have to.

Yea, I've also heard of people using a ring on their finger or taping a piece of metal to it. That's not for me since I don't like to wear anything on my fingers when digging plugs (since it may fall off or I'd have to go through the hassle of putting it on/off with every pinpoint), or having that sound off in my hand to do the very rare (since I'm now using the ProPointer) but occasional job of picking up the plug and sweeping it over the coil. Really I can't remember having to do that when I've used the ProPointer but it can be a common practice with others. Having a washer tied to the unit is also one less thing I have to remember to bring with me when heading out, and also allows me to throw the unit over to a friend to use without having to give him my "magic ring" if he needs to super tune it.

Tying a washer on a string up near the back of the probe does in no way interfere with the holster and it isn't "attached" to the pinpointer in any way other than being tied around it, so it's not voiding any warranty or requiring you to mod the unit permanently. Where it's tied to the pinpointer is higher than the holster goes over the pinpointer and the washer and wire (or string) just hangs off to the side and doesn't need to be in the holster.

I did think about using the ring trick but the final straw on that for me was I found it odd dexterity wise to make sure my finger was no where near the top of the probe when turning it on, which would cause the unit to get less depth since it's now de-tuned. With the washer on the wire hanging by the back of the probe there's no risk of that so long as you turn it on holding it sideways or at least grab the wire with your fingers. As I said before I can do all this stuff with my left hand and not need to use two.

Other people are going to have various ways they like better for them but this one is what I've found best for me.

 

[Critterhunter]

Somebody recently told me that in a very highly mineralized spot two pinpointers they tried including the ProPointer were sounding off on the ground minerals. If that's the case then try turning the ProPointer on with it's tip touching the ground. When it auto adjusts sensitivity it should correct for the ground minerals to prevent falsing. You usualy have to do this with most pinpointers anyway to manual adjust the sensitivity. I've never had to do that with the ProPointer myself, but keep this in mind should you be in a really bad location with very high minerals.