How to make your own Sidekick for the Propointer.

[Ism]

I have decided to stop making the Sidekick but have a several left so if anybody wants the kit, just PM me for purchase info.The Sidekick is simply a coil of wire and a switch. Simple concept but very difficult to work with because of the small size of the components.
To see how the Sidekick works in your own home, take a short length of copper wire about 3" long and bare the ends if its insulated. Wave it in front of your metal detector or your pinpointer. As you will notice, it is very difficult to detect if not impossible. Now twist the bared ends together to make a loop and wave it in front of your detector or pinpointer. The loop of wire is very easy to detect and hence the basic principle of how the Sidekick will super-tune the Propointer. Instead of having to slide a metallic object toward the tip of the Propointer every time you want to super-tune, you simply press a switch completing the coil loop thereby making it detectable. Setting up the Sidekick can be difficult but once the proper placement is located, using it in the field is effortless.

Picture #1 is an early prototype. You can see the small coil I wound and potted with a bladder type switch similar to the kind found on early remote controls.
Picture #2 is the Sidekick schematic.
Picture #3 is the circuit board and micro switch that makes up the current version of the Sidekick.
Picture #4 is what comes with the kit now (not including instructions).

HH
Ran

 

[Critterhunter]

A very ingenues idea there ISM! Never even crossed my mind to do that, and I know that an intact loop will present a much bigger target to detection fields. That's why Minelabs will bang super deep on the thinnest of gold rings while they have trouble with finer gold like thin chains or tiny earrings.

Glad to see you are willing to share your invention with others. Too bad you couldn't have made an agreement with Kellyco or somebody to make the product and sell it for you. Don't be surprised if some China company starts knocking it off. A friend of mine designs antennas for RC plane remote video viewing at very far distances of miles. His business has really taken off over the last couple of years, and just the other day he saw on a popular China supplier's website who sells very cheap RC plane motors and servos and such, that they are now selling his antennas and even calling them the same thing like they are an authorized dealer of them, but in fact no such agreement has been made. They simply copied his design and are now outright selling it AS him. Those China companies don't care about copyrights or trade marks. In fact, they consider it to be looked up to to be smart enough to steal other people's ideas. You can't touch them across the border with our laws, and since they are mail order shipping stuff to America, no way to stop them.

 

[Rob (IL)]

I can't see how you ever made it for $10. Why did you decide to stop producing them?

 

[khouse]

I'm really impressed! I had no idea what was in there? I built about 20 Gizmo's before I got it right. It's not easy bringing a product to market. I don't make much money on it but consider it more of a service. You will come up with other products that will net you a lot more money. I'm always thinking of new products. I can't wait to see your next great gadget!

 

[ivanll]

I'm in...........PM sent.

ivanll

 

[Ism]

Thanks for the kind comments everybody.
This is the furthest I've gone with any invention. It is not a commercially finished product (making it so would have cost thousands).
I wanted to finish something I started that actually worked pretty good. The only thing I work harder on with such little return is detecting....grin
But I brought it to completion and I'm happy about that....one of those life accomplishments that we all aspire to in one way or another.

 

[khouse]

I know exactly how you feel. I have a lot of inventions and not enough extra cash to move forward in the right way. I need a good friend that's also a patent lawyer!

 

[ivanll]

We'll put a few of them to good use............check in with PayPal................re-posting the Video on YouTube would be handy.




ivanll

 

[Ism]

Here's the video.
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eOgjQ4sGVc&feature=player_detailpage[/video]

 

[Mike in Fl]

Very nice. Any idea just how much depth you might have gained using the Sidekick? I am interested in getting one as well as a friend, so I have sent you a PM.

 

[Dodqe]

Have you thought of calling Garrett with the idea? Maybe they'd be interested in making an official Garrett version... Or maybe integrate it into the next generation of Propointers...

Very cool device, and thanks for showing is the magic.

 

[khouse]

I hate to say it but once you post something in public without it first being patened your idea is not protected. 12 years ago I designed an accessory for Zero turn mowers. I also designed a completely new type of Zero turn mower. I thought the manufacturers would be willing to cut me some fat cash for the designs. I called two of the largest manufacurers and talked the the owner of one company and CEO of another. Both wanted to see my ideas but neither one agreed to sign a disclosure statement to protect me from them stealing my ideas. Unless you have the money to patent all of your designs you are out of the game in most cases. I looked into a Patent on my Gizmo for Garrett detectors. From what I found it would take between 5 and 10,000$ to get a patent. So I decided to just be first on the market and take my chances. So far I know of one company that tried to copy it and after about 6 months faded their product away. Too bad there isn't some legitament outlet for small inventors. Maybe there is but I haven't found them?

 

[mudpuppy]

Hey guys, like most of you, I've come up with some inventions in the past and got ripped off when trying to present them to Mfgs.

Then I found the Muskegon Inventors Network...its a group of patent attys, Vc's, engineers, marketers, manufacturers, and inventors that meet once a month.
They are the source for inventors to go to get advice about their idea. Membership dues are 50 bucks per year, and any advice is free from all these resources during the meetings...I've seen people take a concept to product and sales through this group. They are cloning themselves into all sorts of communities around the Country. Look them up and find a group near you, or start one, hell these guys will help you start one in your town if you call them! .
I think every community would certainly benefit from a group like this...or else the small guy has no chance and just gets taken advantage of by the current system, or dies with the idea never coming to light.
Mud

 

[khouse]

I'll check it out. Thanks!

 

[Ism]

It costs around $350 to submit a patent. The problem is that it has to be researched and properly written. That's where the expensive patent atty's fees come in. If the patent is improperly written, its rejected and your fee is lost. You can resubmit but the risk of rejection it is still there. Thing is, once a patent was paid for and professional packaging is incorporated, the cost would be so high that people would simply use a washer or ring before paying $25 +shipping for the device.

Dodge, I thought the same thing... why not incorporate this in Garrett Propointers. I tried Garrett and got crickets for a response. I'm not looking to get rich but would like some recognition/compensation if they use it.
That said, development costs are high and I doubt that the idea can be incorporated without some sort of adjust-ability since variables in manufacturing will slightly change the super-tune location.

Anyhow, its public now and nobody can stop you from making your own.

Best wishes to all you inventors.
HH
Ran

 

[Tin Fin]

Ism,

This is a great idea - pm sent - you put it out to the public, and it will go where it does, but it's still a great idea, and even if someone else makes money off it, it wasn't their idea, and they know the truth of that as much as you do. Well done.

 

[goose584]

hello i cant pm now but want 2 if you will let me. thank you

 

[cadman_us]

I bought one from lsm about 2 months ago, it really does work. Added at least a 1/2" on a dime.

 

[Ism]

Tried to send you a PM Goose, says inelegable.
I will have them for a few more weeks. Contact me when you can.
Thanks
Ran

 

[earthmansurfer]

I bought one a few months back and Ran sent it all the way out to Germany for no extra cost that I remember.

It does indeed work. You do need to put it in the right spot to get optimal performance. Also, if your ground has mineralization, like mine does, then don't set it permanently on your pinpointer as the mineralization will cause it to false prematurely and you will have to move it a bit. So, stick it and then adjust it in the field (and then I set it firm with some black electrical tape that I brought along).

Anyway, It adds a good 1" to 1.5" to most targets in the ground. It is a big help before you ever dig to see if the coin is within the first 3" or so (yes, it easily and consistently gets my Pro-Pointer there, and a few times a bit more. And also on those deep deep targets when you are already 8" down you can use it to give you some sense of direction.

You did a nice service Ran and I hope someone takes your idea and runs with it.

Albert