Pro Pointer Tip Sensitivity(Lack Of)

[5900_XL-1]

I have been worried my Pro Pointer lacks in tip sensitivity, compared to the sides. I tried this "key test" and would appreciate y'all trying it and reporting back. Take a single key, house key, or whatever single key you have, and slowly point the tip-end of the key slowly and directly to the dimple on the end of the ProPointer. Note the visual depth when it sounds off. Now, do the same thing on the sides of the ProPointer with the tip-end of the key, and let me know if the depth is, or is not, different. Mine on the tip end ot the Pro Pointer was virtually touching before sound, and yet was a good 2X better when coming into the side with the same "pointed-key" adventure. I am not getting nuts about detecting a key mind you, but the Pro Pointer "has seemed" to be weakening on the tip end with general targets. Tia. martin

 

[khouse]

My Propointer hits a brass key 2 inches off the tip.

 

[5900_XL-1]

Just to clarify, that is with the key directed to the center of the tip of the PP just like you were going to insert it in a lock, not holding the key broadside? Thank you for your test. My ProPointer may need a ride to Garretts, depending on your answer. Mine, using the key-end drifted just like entering an actual lock, is almost touching before it sounds off. I can hold the key sideways and get added distance, but that shouldn't have to be the case. Stud earrings and the such will footprint more like the point of a key, so that's my benchmark. Besides, there's the fact that using the same pointing method of the key going along the side of the PP, gives maybe an inch+ at best, but the tip sensitivity is really poor dead center. I wondered whether there might not be coil windings in the very center, where the dimple is located. It'd be nice to see the guts of one of these probes, martin

 

[khouse]

2 inches broadside. 1 inch head on from the big side. 1/8 inch head on from the small end.

 

[Jerry-Wi]

Just to clarify, that is with the key directed to the center of the tip of the PP just like you were going to insert it in a lock, not holding the key broadside? Thank you for your test. My ProPointer may need a ride to Garretts, depending on your answer. Mine, using the key-end drifted just like entering an actual lock, is almost touching before it sounds off. I can hold the key sideways and get added distance, but that shouldn't have to be the case. Stud earrings and the such will footprint more like the point of a key, so that's my benchmark. Besides, there's the fact that using the same pointing method of the key going along the side of the PP, gives maybe an inch+ at best, but the tip sensitivity is really poor dead center. I wondered whether there might not be coil windings in the very center, where the dimple is located. It'd be nice to see the guts of one of these probes, martin

I think that is the results you can expect with that sort of a test. The radiation pattern of the Propointer has a doughnut shape to it and if you try hard enough with a slender object pointed right at it, you can probably find a deep null point right off of the tip whereas to the sides it is much stronger. No antenna radiates equally well in all directions and the Propointer is no exception.

Both myself and the wife has been using Propointers since they first came out. She has often commented that mine finds coins deeper that her's does. I have switched with her and there is no difference with the exception for the way it is used. She cannot kneel for retrieving coins so she bends from the waist. Thus has the natural tendency to just use the tip of the Propointer.

There are two ways I can think of to increase the depth of the Propointer.
1. Hold Propointer to take advantage of stronger signal to the side.
2. Use a coin to super tune the Propointer which can add significant depth.
Like this guy does: http://www.findmall.com/read.php?22,1180267,1313492

Good Luck

Jerry

 

[5900_XL-1]

Mine is most likely fine then Jerry. I was always under the impression that the tip of the ProPointer was it's hotest zone for depth, but obviously there is a Bermuda Triangle of dead space near the dead center of the tip when seeking small type foot printed targets. Obviously, the Pro Pointer has it's Achille's Heel in a way. I put a dime on edge, and it barely detected on the tip. Put it to the 90 degree test, it hit 2". Oh well, tell your wife she ain't alone. martin

 

[GoGoGopher]

Why do people test their detectors and pinpointers in strange fashions with the strangest of objects?
It is like telling a Basset Hound to do fetch a duck from the lake...Not gonna happen...
Your detector and pinpointer were designed to locate mainly coin shaped objects (flat) in the ground...
Any other form of test is to me for whimsy and NOT realistic...

HH,

 

[5900_XL-1]

I tested mine this way because I began noticing I wasn't getting detection in holes at the tip, but could get it with a side swipe. Like I said, the tip was supposed to be the hottest part, right? Seemed logical to work a test routine on the thing. The round coin test on the tip compared to the sides shows equal, possibly even a tad less than the sides, but certainly not more. I found it interesting that the PP could actually not see the tip of the house key until point of physical contact, yet the sides if the PP read it at an inch easily. I tend to test things to extremes to find their limits. martin