Pin Pointers - shopping for a new one.

[Monkeys Uncle]

Used a Garrett Pro Pointer for years but it's starting to malfunction. Any/all recommendations for a replacement are welcome. What's new and improved? I am interested in reliability and accuracy. Hopefully, the newer models 'reach' a little deeper than my standby Garrett PP. My use = strictly 'on dry-land (too old to wade/snorkel). TIA for all comments by mfg (good or bad)!

 

[still looking 52]

I recently bought the orange Garrett Carrot, used to have the old black one, this one is leaps and bounds better. It's deeper but the best thing about it, it doesn't drift out of tune, it stays focused.

 

[coin pirate]

You'll have as many opinions on pinpointers liken to people who think the nox800 is the next coming of detector gods lol.
Most every new pinpointer made, and there a lot of them, cost over or well over a hundred dollars, in my opinion, overpriced for a tool that's only real or primary function is to sort a pile of dirt quicker to discover your find....that being said, they are a useful tool, but the newer modern ones cost more, with more functions....basically detectorist candy.
With all the new bells and whistles, comes multiple failures, you can read them by the hundreds with a mere google search, I believe only 2 are worthy of what they are intended to do. The Garrett Carrot and Whites Bullseye TRX, both do as they were originally intended, even with their newer features, have kept them reliable without as many failures as the rest out there(yeah yeah light the torches, I'll head for a windmill) They are still high priced though. There are plenty of used ones and cheaper ones even if made overseas that work well for finding your target, they may not start your car, or make you pancakes...

 

[coin pirate]

By the way, I had the same black pro pointer, mine started to false beep under slight pressure, common failure of the old ones.

 

[GeorgeinSC]

Had the original pro pointer It failed one time and Garrett took care of it ASAP. Decided three or four years ago that I "Needed" the AT. Man that was a quantum leap forward. Much better depth with the three sensitivity settings and I don't have to worry about getting it wet.

 

[coin pirate]

Expensive or not, the AT is definitely one of those "last pinpointer ever needed" items you'll buy.

 

[still looking 52]

I agree that these pinpointed are over priced, way over priced but I sure enjoy pulling that pinpointer out of it's holster and it works the way it's supposed to.

 

[u2robert]

I just bought a Minelab Pro-find 35 from Backwoods Detector
Should get it tomorrow.
I have been using the Garrett carrot.
Carrott starts act erratic when the battery falls below 8.50 V?

 

[coin pirate]

I just bought a Minelab Pro-find 35 from Backwoods Detector
Should get it tomorrow.
I have been using the Garrett carrot.
Carrott starts act erratic when the battery falls below 8.50 V?

Expect to have similar problems if you use rechargeable 9v in your pro-find35, most pinpointers have issue when voltages start to get below a minimum threshold, regular alkaline s hold the voltage till dead.
I'm a Minelab fan, but too many issue related reviews for my taste, the F-Pulse and Whites TRX both use AA batteries, the newer F-Pulse supposedly has all their previous issues worked out.
Fortunately I'll be using a Sunray X-1 probe and a generic pinpointer I only paid $25 for, but works better than any others I've ever owned, and reads a lot of coins up to 3"plus, a metal tin almost 6" away. It only beeps and vibrates(choice or both) and has a light, no other adjustments at all. Does exactly what I need it to do. Claims waterproof-never tested that though.

 

[coin pirate]

Oh, and you can't beat Backwoods for products and especially service!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[u2robert]

Oh, and you can't beat Backwoods for products and especially service!!!!!!!!!!!

So true I've bought a few things from Richard &
never had a problem.

Expect to have similar problems if you use rechargeable 9v in your pro-find35, most pinpointers have issue when voltages start to get below a minimum threshold, regular alkaline s hold the voltage till dead.
I'm a Minelab fan, but too many issue related reviews for my taste, the F-Pulse and Whites TRX both use AA batteries, the newer F-Pulse supposedly has all their previous issues worked out.
Fortunately I'll be using a Sunray X-1 probe and a generic pinpointer I only paid $25 for, but works better than any others I've ever owned, and reads a lot of coins up to 3"plus, a metal tin almost 6" away. It only beeps and vibrates(choice or both) and has a light, no other adjustments at all. Does exactly what I need it to do. Claims waterproof-never tested that though.
View attachment 3258

I use Energizers.
I never ever use rechargeables

 

[Monkeys Uncle]

Boys (and girls) I've made a decision. After reading everyone's comments/advice AND watching numerous on-line videos...I ordered a ...(wait for it)...Fisher F-Pulse waterproof pointer. It was a difficult decision between Garrett Carrot, Whites Bullseye TRX and Fisher (or a Teknetics) pulse induction product. Not sure about pulse induction technology versus VLF (very low frequency) pointers, but it seems to be "the future" for MD. It's my first Fisher item...wish me luck and I'll let ya'll know whether it "delivers the goods" and lives up to expectations. HH and MANY THANKS to all who pitched in!!!

 

[u2robert]

I got the Pro-find 35 today ordered it Saturday very fast shipping
Very nice Pinpointer.
Thanks Richard

 

[miserman]

I have both the Fisher F-Pulse and the Teknetics Tek-Point which are actually the same pin pointer. My experience is that neither hardly ever "false",but the Fisher will false less than the Teknetics. All other functions seem the same. I use the Fisher as my main pin pointer and always bring along the Tek-Point as a back up. The only issue I ever have is that they will "freeze up'" once in a while. When this happens I use my Lesch digger as a screwdriver and unscrew the battery end and pull the end battery part way out and this resets it to the default settings. It doesn't happen a lot but each one does this so it is inherent to both. Not a big deal for me. I hunted 30 years without a pin pointer and had my share of scratched coins. I feel that a good pin pointer pretty much pays for itself in this way and also they are great for rechecking the hole for multiple targets.

 

[Dave_E]

Love my F-Pulse. I have 2.
As soon as it arrives, take off the cap and make sure the little spring in the cap is "stretched" up and not compressed too much.
That caused and weak connection and it was "resetting" all the time.
When that spring is really opened all problems went away.
Plus, how many pin pointers are programmable with just a button. It has features that are very helpful.

 

[coin pirate]

Love my F-Pulse. I have 2.
As soon as it arrives, take off the cap and make sure the little spring in the cap is "stretched" up and not compressed too much.
That caused and weak connection and it was "resetting" all the time.
When that spring is really opened all problems went away.
Plus, how many pin pointers are programmable with just a button. It has features that are very helpful.

I was tempted to buy one, but with all their initial problems I scared away from them, but have heard they were updated to eliminate the previous problems, so, I may reconsider one in the future

 

[5900_XL-1]

I have both the Fisher F-Pulse and the Teknetics Tek-Point which are actually the same pin pointer. My experience is that neither hardly ever "false",but the Fisher will false less than the Teknetics. All other functions seem the same. I use the Fisher as my main pin pointer and always bring along the Tek-Point as a back up. The only issue I ever have is that they will "freeze up'" once in a while. When this happens I use my Lesch digger as a screwdriver and unscrew the battery end and pull the end battery part way out and this resets it to the default settings. It doesn't happen a lot but each one does this so it is inherent to both. Not a big deal for me. I hunted 30 years without a pin pointer and had my share of scratched coins. I feel that a good pin pointer pretty much pays for itself in this way and also they are great for rechecking the hole for multiple targets.

"The only issue I ever have is that they will "freeze up'" once in a while. When this happens I use my Lesch digger as a screwdriver and unscrew the battery end and pull the end battery part way out and this resets it to the default settings."

That issue is what drove me crazy. I still own an F-Pulse. I could never understand why Fisher couldn't fix that one problem without losing 30 percent of its depth. Mine works for my needs, but it was so much better in the start.

 

[IowaRelic]

My F Pulse has been a great tool. I would buy another.

 

[Monkeys Uncle]

Got out this afternoon for an hr or so. Old school yard. Built in 1930's, closed 1969 and torn down during '91. Fortunately, grass was recently mowed. Ungodly amount of the usual trash. Switched my etrac to TTF (2-tone ferrous), bumped up sensitivity and heightened the discrimination level. Only dug the high tones that were deep. Finally pulled a '56 Rosie and two 'wheaties' ('44D and 1909...no 'S', so no 'vdb'). The latter was really toasted, very poor cond. As for the NEW F-Pulse PP...it worked great. Had some frequency interference (chatter) with my detector, but just 'lived with it' until I learn how to reset. All in all...happy camper!!