Lets talk probes...

[Daniel Tn]

As an accessory item, the hand held style probes. I'm gonna get one of two probes. I was wanting to know any pros or cons of you guys.

I have a Whites TDI and Fisher F-75. I am really good at pinpointing with the F-75 and not so good with the TDI, but at any rate, I'm looking at the Garrett probe and the Detector Pro pistol one. I know both are pretty sensitive units. I'm looking more for things like...water or weather proofing, good at holding up against shock (in case it gets dropped), over all bulkyness, and things of that nature. Hows battery life on them and such.

Daniel

 

[Neil in West Jersey]

The vibraprobe is completely submersible and has not on off switch (although I think they added an off button on the new model). Just point the tip up to activate it. After one minute of inactivity, the unit shuts off automatically.

Interference is a problem on mine. It "talks" to my DFX until it shuts off in a minute. The new model with the off button resolved that issue.

 

[CSA GHOST]

For raw depth, Pistol Probe.

 

[GeoDiggerMike]

My buddy Sal (Mudslideslim) picked one up about 6 months ago, and loves it, and he swore never to use one, once upon a time. It has a powerful light for low light hunting and vibrates when the target is within a inch or so of the probe tip. It is built solid too. I'm planning on getting one here soon. GeoDiggerMike

 

[Druid]

Hi Daniel,

I have used a lot of probes and if you are mainly looking at the TDI as the unit you will use the probe with most PI probes cause cross talk with it according to TDI users . Docs probe, (see Yank Aussie forum) works like the SunRay probes in line and probably is best with the TDI specfically, Doc can best advise you if it is the TDI you want a probe for.
Otherwise I like the little Garrett Pro-pointer best as a hand held probe and the Detector Pro Uni-Probe which is built in to the headphones as an all around use probe which works on all detectors and has the best range, note that the UniProbe does see some interference from multi-frequency machines and definitely will with the TDI.
With the Pistol Probe I do not like the motion autotuned function that fades out as you use it, you have to keep pulling it out of your dig and back in and wiggle it constantly which I find defeats the whole purpose of a pinpointer.

All the best,

Drew.

 

[Low-Boy/LCPM]

You want the best get the uni probe hands down the only way to spend you money and they sound great!

 

[Daniel Tn]

I went with the Garrett and found it kind of defeated the purpose for what I needed a probe for.

I wanted to be able to check the hole to see what direction in the hole I needed to dig out further to retrieve the target. The Garrett just wasn't powerful enough for that. It only had a detection field of about 1" on a minie ball...which if you were within an inch of it, I guess you were okay, but 1.5 to 2 inches+ away and you still had no idea. If the target was smaller, you just about had to touch the item with the probe itself to find them.

The probe was great for finding .22 bullet sized objects in the dirt pile though, and for general location of things in the dirt pile. But just not for what I wanted it for.

Played with a VibraProbe as well in the store and found it to get about the same detection depth as the Garrett so I didn't bother with it. After watching videos on YouTube of the Pistol Probe I decided to get one of those.

 

[osgood]

I really like my garrett- it really speeds up my recoveries, it takes a beating. Ive said elsewhere for me I only use the light as a confirmation the unit is on. I dont find it powerful enough in a hole to help with vision even near dusk. A fresh battery (1, nine volt) help in increasing its depth field. The battery seems to last quite long and it will give a warning "siren" when it is getting low. Its profile is nice for slippin in and out your old jeans as you tool along. My ten year old loves to be the "buzz man", when we're recovering a find, he gets right in there and gives me guidance!