While i dont need an exact amount does anybody know out of warranty if its worth dollar wise getting propointers tuned up ?. I have several that still work but for some reason may sound weak, or are misbehaving like buzzing endlessly once locking on to a target, or the switch is out of whack etc. I mean are these repair issues or tune up issues or somewhere in between? Any input would be appreciated. CO
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Is it worth getting older propointers tuned up?
- Thread starter osgood
- Start date
GeorgeinSC
Well-known member
I do not know how much it would cost to get one repaired but If they are Pro Pointers I would call Garrett and discuss it with them. You could always send them in and get a cost before authorizing repairs.
CLadMaster
New member
I have a Garrett Pro Pointer, had it some time and used on every hunt, just last year the on/off button started to play up. Two weeks ago it packed up and left me without a working pointer. As it's out of warranty, I decided to fix it myself. Now, this is no job for the novice by any means, the small components on the PCB can be damaged if care is not taken. Also, getting the thing apart and back together again takes some skill and time.
I now have a working pointer again, I replaced the on/off switch with a small switch that I got from Radio Shack. The switch has to be held down for the pointer to work.
The replacement switch is not mounted on the PCB, but connected via two wires and sits under the rubber on/off boot within the pointer.
If the pointer works but has a non working switch it's worth replacing the switch as long as it's within your budget to do so, whether you sent it to Garrett or do it yourself (cost is the decider here, postage v's DIY).
I now have a working pointer again, I replaced the on/off switch with a small switch that I got from Radio Shack. The switch has to be held down for the pointer to work.
The replacement switch is not mounted on the PCB, but connected via two wires and sits under the rubber on/off boot within the pointer.
If the pointer works but has a non working switch it's worth replacing the switch as long as it's within your budget to do so, whether you sent it to Garrett or do it yourself (cost is the decider here, postage v's DIY).
Propointer costs $40-$50 to get repaired, that includes return shipping.
So your cost including shipping and insurance would be no more than $60.
Now the question is do you think it's worth it to pay almost 1/2 the cost of a new Propointer and not have more than a 90 day warranty on repairs.
So your cost including shipping and insurance would be no more than $60.
Now the question is do you think it's worth it to pay almost 1/2 the cost of a new Propointer and not have more than a 90 day warranty on repairs.
CLadMaster
New member
Ism said:
Depends, if you have the funds to fork out ($60) for the repair, or if you are strapped for $$$.
I've spent lots of $$$ on this hobby over 4 years for this and that, and now have to justify repairs V's cost of new. Most cases I opt for the repair, but it depends on many factors.
In this case with the pointer, as I knew it worked, all I had to do was replace the switch with little outlay, but not very one can use a soldering iron, so here I am lucky. The cost was the factor here for me as well.
Do I send it in for repair ? How much to fix ? (cost of repair + postage $50 - $70).
Should I fix it myself ? Small cost of $4.00 and my time.
Should I buy a new one ? ($140.00)
If I sent it in, I'd be without a pointer for 5 - 16 days - This was not an option along with the cost to have it fixed.
Buy a new one - Again, not an option for now, I had one that worked all but for the switch.
Will I be buying a new pointer ? Yes, as soon as I've filled the jar with coins found, as it shows I will need a backup.
All my finds, coins, silver, gold etc, now go in the pot to purchase anything that's needed for the hobby, it's been this way for the last 2 years, the hobby can be very expensive as most of us have discovered.
thanks for the input. Im just miffed , like the thing is working , but it isnt. Id rather it be totally dead or not. I m not sure if i abused them or not, but do a VERY LOT of detecting. I kid you not i own four. Maybe i wish they where more durable? Im debating should i go buy another one again (i love the product) or keep going switching between several that are performing sub par? which when im moving along is frustrating. CO
Goldstrike
Well-known member
The Garrett Pro Pointer is a great tool but I happened to drop mine on a concrete surface and the switch which I later found out (in my opinion) is a weak point and popped apart. I was detecting in England with no back up so after trying my best to put it back together again, I ended up assembling/crazy gluing it permanently and just having the take the battery out to switch it off. When I came back home, I bought another Pro Pointer and I'm being very careful I don't drop it again! I'm going to get a switch from Radio Shack like CladMaster did and fix my old one for maybe around $5? or so! That was the only thing wrong with it so it'll make a great back up!!
Osgood....you may want to post the same question on the Mod's Forum where they can give you parts numbers if you decide to fix your Pro Pointers and also ask about tune ups as well.
Osgood....you may want to post the same question on the Mod's Forum where they can give you parts numbers if you decide to fix your Pro Pointers and also ask about tune ups as well.
Skipped the ProPointer as I saw the TRX was coming out as I was getting into the hobby.. Not sure I would get any electronic gear repaired if I could not do it myself.. Cos with shipping can be prohibitive when things are built and sold to be replaced. I think if the repair of anything is 1/3 the cost of new or less, I would consider it, but at 1/2 or more, why bother when you can get new with warranty for multiple years and probably a better faster more of everything...
BTW TRX has hit the create about 6 times.. no damage, if anyone is considering that unit over repairing the PP.
BTW TRX has hit the create about 6 times.. no damage, if anyone is considering that unit over repairing the PP.
Sort of gently off topic but may be food for thought
...you actually can detect quite successfully without a hand held...you may need to practice a bit with your detectors pinpointing capabilities, but its really not that hard to center a target just using your big rig... I'm saying dont let a busted/lost pinpointer shut you down..If you main rig is working, and you got a screwdriver probe and/or a trowel, you are good to go..
I know its hard to break out of a method or habit once a guy has done the same thing for so long, but it is liberating to get good at hunting without any extras..might be refreshing to try.
I have an Fpoint, and only use it for what i think could be a chain in the grassroots, or if I tip a coin on edge down in the hole stabbing....I deploy it maybe once or twice per month..so it can be done is all I'm saying....Most of y'all know me, and know I have no trouble operating successfully without one... (I was just too cheap to invest in one, and had to learn to do without!) 
I sure cant hunt without the screwdriver though!, thats why I carry a spare!
A cool practice session would be to try to quickly center a target with your main rig, stab the screwdriver down to the depth you think the target is at, and then carefully unearth the target to see how close you got with the screwdriver....after just a little while, you will be hitting that target, or be within 1/2" which is good enough for anybody using a pinpointer and trowel. I bet theres a lot of detectorists that dont use pinpointers.
Mud
...you actually can detect quite successfully without a hand held...you may need to practice a bit with your detectors pinpointing capabilities, but its really not that hard to center a target just using your big rig... I'm saying dont let a busted/lost pinpointer shut you down..If you main rig is working, and you got a screwdriver probe and/or a trowel, you are good to go..I know its hard to break out of a method or habit once a guy has done the same thing for so long, but it is liberating to get good at hunting without any extras..might be refreshing to try.
I have an Fpoint, and only use it for what i think could be a chain in the grassroots, or if I tip a coin on edge down in the hole stabbing....I deploy it maybe once or twice per month..so it can be done is all I'm saying....Most of y'all know me, and know I have no trouble operating successfully without one...
(I was just too cheap to invest in one, and had to learn to do without!) I sure cant hunt without the screwdriver though!, thats why I carry a spare!
A cool practice session would be to try to quickly center a target with your main rig, stab the screwdriver down to the depth you think the target is at, and then carefully unearth the target to see how close you got with the screwdriver....after just a little while, you will be hitting that target, or be within 1/2" which is good enough for anybody using a pinpointer and trowel. I bet theres a lot of detectorists that dont use pinpointers.
Mud
i did forget to mention, that at times with my out of warranty pointers, i tried that spray recommended by someone here at the forum on some switch issues. It did help when the issue was dirt, dust, crud, interfering with the switches operation. Although it evaporates it kind of acts like a lubricant as it blows out the obstruction and frees up the switch, really. CO
i did forget to mention, that at times with my out of warranty pointers, i tried that spray recommended by someone here at the forum on some switch issues. It did help when the issue was dirt, dust, crud, interfering with the switches operation. Although it evaporates it kind of acts like a lubricant as it blows out the obstruction and frees up the switch, really. CO
i did forget to mention, that at times with my out of warranty pointers, i tried that spray recommended by someone here at the forum on some switch issues. It did help when the issue was dirt, dust, crud, interfering with the switches operation. Although it evaporates it kind of acts like a lubricant as it blows out the obstruction and frees up the switch, really. CO
Robert2300
New member
For the price of a new one at $127.00 (distributor price) I'd spend
the $60 and have it repaired. I love my pro-pointer. Don't know
what I'd do without it.
HH
Robt2300
the $60 and have it repaired. I love my pro-pointer. Don't know
what I'd do without it.
HH
Robt2300
I detect alot over here in the UK and my pinpointers get constantly used all the time but never had one fail me yet,i always use either my Whites BullsEye or Garrett and have never had anything go wrong with them.I will admit that i dont use them in a water enviroment that type of thing,so not really sure why you have had so many go wrong ???
The common fault with the Garrett appears to be the on/off button,and water ingress in via the speaker grill,i guess the same weak spots are also on the Whites and also most other probes as well.
The most reliable probe that i have ever owned is my inline probe on my DFX which is of course teathered to that specific detector,so although its a probe its not a hand probe that you can use with every detector as such.
My way of thinking is that although it will only cost you $60 to repair your current probe and get 90 days warrenty,as you have had so many go wrong i think you mentioned 6-7 then going by past experiance the 90 day warrenty would not be reliable enough to cover you.
Not really sure what too suggest,prehaps changing the way you use a probe,maybe try another probe or even a inline probe could be the answer that is of course they make them for your detector.
What ever option you choosae i hope you get it sorted out quickly.
The common fault with the Garrett appears to be the on/off button,and water ingress in via the speaker grill,i guess the same weak spots are also on the Whites and also most other probes as well.
The most reliable probe that i have ever owned is my inline probe on my DFX which is of course teathered to that specific detector,so although its a probe its not a hand probe that you can use with every detector as such.
My way of thinking is that although it will only cost you $60 to repair your current probe and get 90 days warrenty,as you have had so many go wrong i think you mentioned 6-7 then going by past experiance the 90 day warrenty would not be reliable enough to cover you.
Not really sure what too suggest,prehaps changing the way you use a probe,maybe try another probe or even a inline probe could be the answer that is of course they make them for your detector.
What ever option you choosae i hope you get it sorted out quickly.
Eddie Current
Member
I noticed that my ProPointer was getting harder to turn off/on and inspected the button. It was half gone. I had to replace the rubber button on mine and called Garrett three weeks ago. Received two replacement buttons about four days later no-charge... and I am WAY out of the warranty period.
I would send the pointer in for a refurb if it had the bad switch rather than buy a new one.
Just my opinion: If you figure turning the pointer on/off AT LEAST 200 times each hunt, the wear adds up. I am over 3 years/ 2-3 times hunting per week. That is a lot of on/offs!
I would send the pointer in for a refurb if it had the bad switch rather than buy a new one.
Just my opinion: If you figure turning the pointer on/off AT LEAST 200 times each hunt, the wear adds up. I am over 3 years/ 2-3 times hunting per week. That is a lot of on/offs!
REVIER
Well-known member
Several weeks ago I called Garrett, talked to a nice guy named Adam and told him I have 2 units that are out of warranty and both have issues with the switches.
Not surprising since I turn them on and off hundreds of times during my hunts.
He said the cost is $27.50 for them to check one out, diagnose any problems and labor to fix it and that includes shipping back to me.
Parts are extra, but the switch is only a couple of bucks if that is all that is needed.
He also said since I have 2, if I sent them both in at the same time that same $27.50 will cover both, a deal I can't pass up to totally reconditioned my totally abused tools for the last 3 and 4 years, respectively...even if it costs a bit more than that for other parts.
I already have a return goods authority number so I am all set.
He said I t should be about a 7-10 day turnaround.
Just waiting for it to get a bit colder and my park hunting slows down before I send them in, hunting in the woods I can use a shovel and dig bigger holes, hunting in parks I would be lost without them.
Call Garrett before you decide on anything.
Not surprising since I turn them on and off hundreds of times during my hunts.
He said the cost is $27.50 for them to check one out, diagnose any problems and labor to fix it and that includes shipping back to me.
Parts are extra, but the switch is only a couple of bucks if that is all that is needed.
He also said since I have 2, if I sent them both in at the same time that same $27.50 will cover both, a deal I can't pass up to totally reconditioned my totally abused tools for the last 3 and 4 years, respectively...even if it costs a bit more than that for other parts.
I already have a return goods authority number so I am all set.
He said I t should be about a 7-10 day turnaround.
Just waiting for it to get a bit colder and my park hunting slows down before I send them in, hunting in the woods I can use a shovel and dig bigger holes, hunting in parks I would be lost without them.
Call Garrett before you decide on anything.
REVIER
Well-known member
Ism said:
Even if it costs a bit more to get these things back in shape, I spent $305 on both, used them hard, dropped them kicked them and and abused them for a total of 7 years together, and as long as it doesn't come close to regular retail price to get them refurbished and get me another 7 years out of them that kind of math works for me.
Jabbo told me about this trick. Turn the PP on. Hold it so the tip is up, back off on the cap until the light goes out. Turn it so the tip is down, light should come on, if not screw around until tip up, light off. ..Tip down, light on.. I went out for a half hour in a neighbors yard and only hit the ON button once.. Saved my thumb, and may save the ON / Off switch..