Pinpointing

[MercDigger]

Hi all,

I am pretty new to the Explorer SE Pro, and even though I have mastered the main programs and buttons on this detector, I still do not know why this weird thing happens on it while pinpointing. When I first press the pinpoint button, it will start pinpointing, but it pinpoints by becoming silent rather than becoming more high pitched, even though I want the high pitched one. I solve this by turning pinpoint off and then back on again, but it gets a little bit annoying. Is this a factory defect, or is it programmed to do this?

Thanks,

MercDigger

 

[dewcon4414]

Its normal... but it depends on where you have the coil when you put it in pinpoint. Once you locate a target RAISE you coil at least a couple of feet and hit pinpoint then lower it directly over the target. If you do it to close to the ground the VCO kicks in which as you know reduces the foot or sound.

Dew

 

[TwoRivers]

Mercdigger.........Pinpointing with the SE can be a little strange at first. If you activate the pinpoint mode while directly over the target you will often get a loud audible in every direction except where the target actually is "It goes silent".. On the other hand when you locate a target move the coil to the left or right away from the target and engage pinpoint then bring it back over the target. This should take care of the problem. I also use the method of moving back from the target until the audio just stops, the target now should be located at the front edge of the coil. This approach is used without the pinpoint mode engaged.. I hope this helps you some, others may have some input as well.

John

 

[Erik in NJ]

Dew is right. Hold the coil a foot or so OVER the target and press pinpoint. Slowly lower it and scan right to left (or opposite). Make a metal note of where the loudest buzz is. Step to the left (or right 90 degrees) and do it again. The intersection of the two points is where the target is at the center of your coil. It's VERY accurate most of the time (some coins on edge make offset it). If you press pinpoint too close to the target the signal will invert and be silent over the target, but will often correct itself. You can use the silence to indicate the target, but best to raise the coil again. If there is junk nearby, pinpoint will lock on the stronger signal sometimes. Best practice in that case is to move 30 - 45 - 60 degrees and criss-cross (largest angle that works). With practice you'll find that the much maligned Explorer series pinpoint is actually one of the most accurate. For coins in the first couple inches use your X-1 to locate the target.

Don't forget that your SE Pro will ID nicely in pinpoint mode and can help ID iron that is falsing as a good target. The X-1 can be put in pinpoint mode too - it also needs to be detuned. This works well in cases where you still can' locate the target wth the X-1 in normal mode. The X-1 is TERRIBLE for super fine pinpointing (locating a dirty or small target in a pile of dirt when you know it's right there.....and switching in and out on pinpoint mode helps but is a real PITA) as it reads off the side of the probe. Don't get me wrong the X-1 is a MUST HAVE an I won't hunt without it, BUT if you supplement it with a Vibra-Probe that reads off the tip up to 1" you have the best of both worlds and you will not waste precious time trying to locate targets. I recommend that everyone get the X-1 AND a Vibra-Probe 570 to speed up target recovery.

 

[MercDigger]

Thanks for all the posts, the community is great here at Findmall and I am glad I joined

Happy detecting

 

[dewcon4414]

I rarely use the pinpoint anymore except when using the X1. I just wiggle the tip back and put the digger in a couple inches back....farther back on a deep target.

Dew

 

[Aaron]

Thanks for the great post Eric. I agree the X-1 is a must have and I feel the same way the about the vibra probe for narrowing targets down on the top of the pile especially dirty or rusty ones, except I use the ProPointer.
HH! Aaron

 

[Aaron]

Welcome Merc, to the best forum on Findmall. These guys are the most helpful and successful out of any other forum you'll find. I only just got my SE last April and obviously still learning. It took me a good 4 months really start understanding this beast. Its totally different than any other machine, but once you start clickin with it you'll really start appreciating it. I'm finding more silver than ever now and so will you!
HH! Aaron
#1

 

[Erik in NJ]

You're welcome Aaron. I'm really surprised more people don't use a secondary pinpointer to complement the X-1...saving time is the name of the game and this combo saves tons of time. I have the ProPointer too but am partial at the moment to the wonderful Vibra-Probe on my belt.

 

[MercDigger]

Anyone know anything about the Pistol Probe? Is it a bad pinpointer or just know one has it? Ill look into the Vibra-Probe, too.

 

[chip0877]

I've got a pistol probe. They have great range, probably best of the handhelds, but they make the SE go crazy. I've gotten use to setting the detector down with the coil far away from the hole before using.

 

[dewcon4414]

Ive got a vibra probe... but if you have the X1 to me i wouldnt run out and get a hand held unless you think you will need a back up. Those things arent cheap.... not to mention as PIs the really create EMI. Not to mention you better put YELLOW or some kind of tap on them ... because you are going to leave them sooner or later. I like the Garrett and the pistol... but when i sent my X1 in for repair it took me forever to find a target with that darn vibrapro. Every time i thru it in the truck i keep hearing a strange noise... the darn thing kept coming on and vibrating LOL. They really need a switch on it.

Dew

 

[Erik in NJ]

Dew,

At least for me the X-1 is miserable to do a fine pinpoint with in a pile of dirt when you know the dirty target is there, but you just can't see it. I reach for my VibraProbe and locate it in seconds. With the X-1 you need to switch the Explorer into pinpoint mode and detune again (good for finding direction in a hole, but a PITA for fine pinpoint to locate a target rght in front of you). I think the VibraProbe having no switch is brilliant....easy to turn on (hold it upside down), turns off automatically. The X-1 will set off the VP not the opposite, but if you keep them apart several inches you're OK. Yes, when travelling you can't just throw the VP in your car/truck since it can turn on if it moves around by itself, but if you use the holster on a belt you won't have any problems. Never lost one yet and won't leave home without it. Very durable unit, simple, elegant, and highly effective design. For me, every minute in the field counts and the VP saves me a ton of time.

It's a wonerful unit for very fine pinpointing and the battery lasts a LONG time. It vibrates in your hand so you can keep your headphones on when using it.

I got mine from forum sponsor Detector Depot (www.detectordepot.com) .... he carries the full line of their products.

 

[dewcon4414]

Dont get me wrong Eric... i agree its one tuff probe, waterproof, and i liked the vibration. Not sure about the battery just because it is another cost but they do last a long time. I just got used to an inline on my whites then on the explorer. One less thing to carry and look for... im old lol and i forget things when i set them down.

Dew

 

[Erik in NJ]

Hi Dew - No problem .... I guess I was just trying to say that if you want the fastest recovery time for a target you need the X-1 AND a VibraProbe. I don't get a lot of time to hunt and anything I can do to minimize my recovery time for targets is a good thing! I get very frustrated sometimes looking for a target I can't see with the X-1. I kinda see them as macro and micro probes - they complement each other well.