PinPointing Difficulties Gold Bug Pro?

[ldweber51]

I have to say I really enjoy using my Gold Bug Pro.

The only problem is where the pinpoint button is located. I cannot lock in a solid position over the target.

Maybe it's my machine. Maybe there is a trick for doing it. If anyone else has the same issue or can recommend how to make the button more stable, I would appreciate any input.

Thanking you in advance, Larry...

 

[lloyd0161]

OK well, not sure how new you are to the hobby so I will give you my complete experience with target recovery using the GBP......

My initial pinpoint is in search mode. The recovery speed and target response is very short on the GBP and will narrow as you pass the coil over the object unless it is a large object. I can usually tell how deep the target is by the meter and response. I say usually because a very weak/deep signal on the meter can actually be a small target near the surface like micro jewelry, foil, etc. The ID meter will usually give me a clue to the target type as well. If it looks like a coin, pull tab, or other known object I will just pinpoint with this method. Walking in a circle around the object in disc search and crisscrossing with very short sweeps and reducing to almost just a wiggle of the coil will get you very close to center. Making a mental note of the spot on the ground where the target center is and not losing sight of this is the key. Once you are certain mark the center with your finger or by laying an object down like the tip of your screwdriver, poker chip, or whatever. The center will be under the dot in the center of the coil.

If it is a very weak signal or a very strong signal I will check the target by lifting the coil up while sweeping. A large item like a pop can will continue to produce a loud signal. If the signal drops off rapidly while lifting the coil I will then check the surface with my pin pointer (I use the Pro Pointer). A lot of near surface coins and jewelry are found this way. If it is a near surface find, the pin pointer will show exactly where the target is since it has a rather short detection distance.

If you are not having any success with pinpointing in search mode or If the signal is weak then use the pinpoint feature for more accuracy. The pinpoint is used by moving the coil away from the target and then pressing and holding the pinpoint button down. Now move the coil towards the target and listen to the sound. This is a non-motion mode which means the coil can be stationary and still detect the object. The pinpoint is a VCO type and if the target is large or shallow the sound will increase in volume and pitch. The louder or higher the pitch the closer to the center button on the coil the target will be. The pinpoint on the GBP is very accurate. Practice by throwing some coins down and trying this. Also dig some holes and bury some coins to practice. Practice makes perfect.

A note on recovery; I usually will dig a plug with my Mini Samson shovel with vertical walls on three sides so as not to cut the roots of the turf and then flipping the plug back with the fourth side as the hinge. I don't cut a plug all the way around. There is less chance of the grass dying this way. Do not shave off the top layer of grass and roots cause it will die. I push the shovel to the approximate depth as determined by the meter and loudness, etc. For shallow targets I will just use the tip of the shovel or my Lesche digger. Sometimes a screwdriver works better to pop the object out of the ground. My recoveries are usually rapid using the Garrett Pro Pointer. 90% of the time I can see a glimpse of the target in the hole unless it is dirty penny. I check the bottom of the plug and also the sides and bottom of the hole. Once you flip the plug back, check the back the plug itself by sweeping with the detector coil. If it is still in the plug, pinpoint with the detector and carefully slice into the plug from the back dirt side and probe with your pinpointer. You will do less damage to the turf this way. Once recovered I back fill any dirt, flip the plug back in and carefully tamp down. A hand towel is good to lay on the ground to place any excavated dirt. Most of the time you cant even tell that a plug was dug. This allows me to do almost no damage to the turf. I can't say how many times I see where an amateur detectorist has been through our parks and it looks like they used explosives or they cut the roots and there is a big circle of dead grass. This will ruin it for all of us.

Hope this helps.

Lloyd

 

[ldweber51]

Thank you Lloyd for such a nice reply. Ton's of good info that even though I've been detecting for a long time, other readers of this post can pickup tips.

Going back to the basics is important to all. We can sometimes pickup bad habits.

ldweber51

 

[lloyd0161]

Thank you Lloyd for such a nice reply. Ton's of good info that even though I've been detecting for a long time, other readers of this post can pickup tips.

Going back to the basics is important to all. We can sometimes pickup bad habits.

ldweber51

No problem. I have owned the G2 went to a Minelab and now use the GBP exclusively. They will not miss much unless out of reach due to depth. I wish I had kept the G2 because I preferred the grip style on the G2. Both are excellent. I like the big display with just the number scale and the lack of canned ID symbols for USA coins, etc.

Happy hunting!!!

 

[sniper4gold]

The other advise is to modify your work if the ground is damp vs dry. If really dry, it makes a mess with loose dirt left on top of the grass, unless you are careful. It probably does not cause harm, but looks awful for a while. I put my dirt onto a piece of cardboard that has been split down the middle and taped. Before closing up the hole, I bend the board so the dirt falls into the middle and then pour it into the hole. If I had to cut a few holes, I move a short distance away, so don't overly impact one small spot (I can always come back another day). What is really bad about cutting full plugs when things are dry is the park lawnmower will lift the plug and cut it up, leaving a hole. I can usually avoid digging a hole in the grass by using a screw driver for shallow (less than 3" targets). I just lever them up. If the dirt is not hard packed, I can also use the screwdriver as a pin pointer for most goodies by pushing it into the ground until the tip taps the object. Where I detect, there are no real rules/laws to obey, but I have had park workers and police watch me for a while and rapidly lose interest. I also carry a hand held pin pointer.