Question for all the old timers

[robert roy]

Many of you have probably been MDing for years. I notice some of the metal detectors out there have no pinpoint mechanism; one has to X the target.
Were all the older detectors like this? When did they start adding a pinpoint button? Does it really add that much more to the cost of a machine to do so?
RR

 

[rwsnc]

I still have a Compass Coin Magnum and a Compass Relic Magnum 7 that I bought about 30 years ago. They didn't come with a "pinpoint" function like the ones today. I don't think you really need a pinpoint function. Both of the Compasses were concentric coils and you pinpointed by "X" ing over the target. That's the way I still do it with my xterra70 when I have a concentric coil on. I used the "zigzag" method with my DD coils.

 

[Digger]

having detected for over 35 years, maybe I am. And just don't want to admit it! I agree with rwsnc about Xing over a target. It almost seems as if you can tell how long someone has been detecting by whether or not they use the pinpoint function. Not all the time. But it appears many of the "seasoned veterans" still prefer to simply X over it, and dig. (or in the case of a DD coil, wiggle, drag and dig) Again, that is not to say some don't enjoy the pinpoint function. But when you cut your teeth on a detector without pinpointing or discrimination, it makes for some lifelong habits that are hard to break. In this matter, I say if it ain't broke, don't fix it. It's all a matter of personal preference.

As to whether it costs more to make detectors with the pinpointing functionality, probably not any more. I imagine lots of dollars went into the design and development of the first pinpointing motion based detectors. But with today's electonics, it is more a matter of software programming than it is hardware. Not to oversimplify the process. But you take a motion based VLF detector with an LCD, program it to have an all metal / non-motion mode, add a variable controlled oscillator for audio variance, and you basically have today's pinpointing capabilities. Add software for measuring signal strength, and you have depth indication.

Personally, I still like to X over the target with most detectors. However, the Prospecting mode of my X-70 gets a lot of use for sizing and pinpointing. JMHO HH Randy


P.S. I believe AHPro may have had the first detector with the Pinpoint function. But being an old timer, I can't swear to it. One of my first detectors was a Jetco Mustang. If I recall, I paid around $20 for it. If you asked my brother, he'd tell you it was the only detector he ever saw that would hunt around corners.

 

[rifleman]

Old Timers. What was the question again ??? I can't remember.

Good hunting, John K

 

[sport.pilot]

I do not mind Xing the target if I must, for example, if I am using my Gold Bug 2 or my Minelab GP Extreme. But, on the other hand, if the pinpointing function works correctly, there is nothing that makes centering the target easier. The Whites XLT with VCO on comes to mind. The X-Terra 70 has an adequate pinpointing function, but the XLT with VCO on is tops in my book. I have been detecting for about 15 years and have used coin detectors that have the pinpoint function and those that do not. Just my two cents, however.

Darryl

 

[rwsnc]

I think, in the end, it just boils down to personal preference. Both methods work.

 

[sport.pilot]

I agree, the best detector is the one you will use!

 

[I a thr]

n/t

 

[robert roy]

Hummmm. Interesting.
I asked because a couple people have told me it took them forever to get the Xing down to recover the target.
Both indicated three to four weeks of constantly MDing and Xing. That seems a bit long to me so I have to wonder if thats the learning curve for most people
useing a Detector without pinpoint for the first time.
RR

 

[vlad]

Both of those detectors had either retune or mode change, so in essence it was the same as pinpoint.

 

[vlad]

When you get a good target audio and watch the spot on the ground, then hit pinpoint, and that point
moves two or three inches, its generally a deep perpendicular rusty nail. Or if you hit pinpoint and the detector
nulls out, its a hot rock, or piece of iron that has turned mostly to rust.

 

[Elton]

n/t

 

[rwsnc]

Exactly right...

 

[sport.pilot]

And, what's the hurry?