How accurate have you found numbers to be in pinpoint mode?

[TrpnBils]

This is something I've wondered about since I got my Etrac in May. I know numbers aren't everything, but I'm thinking in terms of pinpointing in mixed signal areas. In pinpoint mode, how accurate are the numbers in terms of separating targets?

For example, consider the following situation:
Target reads in at 12-47 consistently but nulls out close by because of some nails next to the good target. In pinpoint mode, when the tone is of the best quality, the numbers read in at some iron reading (let's say 30 ferrous), but changes and eventually resembles the 12-47 depending on specific orientation of the coil.

If I'm trying to pinpoint a good target amongst some trash, is that a reliable way? This could be beneficial if it's a small target next to big iron, or in TTF where pinpointing can be tricky. I haven't been having trouble pinpointing, but I find myself with the target on the edge of a hole a lot and I'm wondering if this is why. It's more for my own curiosity at this point....

 

[Surfinsafari]

I absolutly use pinpoint to sniff out a good target amongst junk. I circle that target and if I get a repeatable good number, I dig. I get fooled sometimes but I never have to wonder if I passed up a goodie. Quickmask is your friend too. You have the right idea!

 

[surfchunker]

for me PP is off a lot ... it just picks up the strongest signal so if there is something else there it can be miles off but quick mask is your friend ... today I was getting a 12-45 and when to pinpoint and it was 35-43 ... so I never pay any attention to PP numbers but will bet the farm on quick mask numbers

 

[surfchunker]

picking out a good target in trash I rely on the minelab wiggle .... just wiggle it an inch or so till you get a solid tone and it will be dead center

 

[TrpnBils]

How, specifically, are you guys using QM in this type of application? I mainly use it if I get an iffy signal and I want to see if it goes low/right on an open screen or stays up top, but I don't believe I've ever used it in tandem with pinpointing.

 

[surfchunker]

I just use it to check an iffy signal. plus I make the chart small and the numbers big. I don't ever use the chart but that's probably a personal choice

 

[TrpnBils]

Same here with the display. Just started doing that fairly recently...

 

[robby4570]

I'm with Surfchunker all the way. I use the Digital Screen over the Pattern screen and usually a fairly to pretty much wide open screen for detecting. If I hit something that nulls out I'll switch to QM and use the "wiggle" method to home in on the good target. I have one site that is a veritable minefield of small nails, rusty screws, car parts and a myriad of other trash. But it is the location of a Company Store for a Turpentine Still that was in operation from 1900 to 1930'ish. We believe (but have not proven or verified it yet) that this company store burned down in the 40's due to the amount of trash on this site.

So, for me, the sounds is far more important than the numbers and I try to rely on only the CO number as the FE numbers dance all around even with a small coil (NEL Sharpshooter) and a very slow swing...

 

[Goes4ever]

I never use PP, numbers while using it are inaccurate and the wiggle method is a far better method to PP the item you actually want to dig

 

[ironsight]

Pin Point operates in all metal mode which means it will ignore the current discrim. pattern tending to lock onto the strongest metallic signal. I myself would not trust any ID in PP mode in junk dense areas.

In PP mode, sometimes you can squeeze out a PP for a smaller target aroound a larger junk target by wiggling the coil back and forth an inch or so at a time until it finds a pinpoint. In order for this to have any success, the wiggling has to be started far enough from the larger target or else it'll hopelessly lock on the larger target. Used this method quite a bit and it does work if the smaller object isn't too close to the larger object.

As others have said use the wiggle PP method (in detect mode) for the trickier or even all situations.

 

[surfchunker]

yeah the wiggle works ... I learned it from watching Dr Tones videos