Using probes to locate targets ...

[Willee - Texas]

I have used both the Garrett Pro Pointer and the Pistol Probe and both work well for me.
I prefer the Garrett as it is more compact and built a bit tougher.

My question is about the Sun-Ray type of probes ... the ones that go between the coil and the detector.
(I have three of them and would gladly trade them for Garrett Pro Pointers or Pistol Probes)
They use the detectors electronics and since most detectors are motion type only work when the probe tip is moving.
(hard to do in a small hole)
That causes me some problems in locating the target as I never know exactly where it is in relation to the tip of the probe.
With the Garrett Pro Probe the closer it gets to the target the louder and faster it beeps (and the tip is small enough to move around in a small hole).

I could switch the detector into pinpoint mode but the detector switch is momentary and I need to either be pulling the trigger or pressing the button to keep it there.
That takes one hand away from recovering the target.
I could switch the detector to all metal mode before probing for the target but then the detector is howling in my ears the whole time I am recovering.

It just seems faster to whip out the Garrett, press the button, and go than to switch to the probe coil, somehow get the detector into non-motion mode, recover the target, then reset every thing to continue hunting. Ever try to hunt with your coil switch on probe?

So how do those of you that like the Sun-Ray type of probes overcome these problems.

Willee

 

[hershey1]

I very much prefer the Sun-Ray probe on my Minelabs because they discriminate out the other targets that may be in the same hole. I also use the Garrett pin-pointer with my G-2. Garrett is by far the best hand held pin-pointer in my opinion. I had a pistol probe and it drove my Minlabs crazy but was deeper than the others. Yes I still forget to switch from probe to coil on occasions but I'm old. My son has a Sun-Ray on his V3i and does not like it at all. I guess I just failed as a father. HH

 

[Larry (IL)]

I don't have those problems to overcome, maybe your problems are brand/model specific, what detectors are you having the problem with? I use the SunRay on both my V3i and SE Pro and would not go back to the handhelds for anything.

By all means use what serves your needs best, that is why we have so many choices in the equipment we use.

 

[D&P-OR]

I very much prefer the Sun-Ray probe on my Minelabs because they discriminate out the other targets that may be in the same hole. I also use the Garrett pin-pointer with my G-2. Garrett is by far the best hand held pin-pointer in my opinion. I had a pistol probe and it drove my Minlabs crazy but was deeper than the others. Yes I still forget to switch from probe to coil on occasions but I'm old. My son has a Sun-Ray on his V3i and does not like it at all. I guess I just failed as a father. HH

Hershey----Even us young fellas forget to switch from the in-line probes back to the coil once in awhile! ----The Sunray in-lines are great probes (you already know that).----On your Minelabs---just think of it as switch down=coil-----switch up=probe. ------I always "try" to remember to push the switch down (toward the coil) before I get back up from the target hole----I said I TRY to remember! ----------Del

 

[joe dirt_1]

I like the concept of the Sunray probes, but in reality it added more weight than I was comfortable with on my CZ5. And then there was the times I forgot to switch the probe back to the coil and hunted for several minutes before realizing why I wan't getting any signals......
I prefer the Pro pointer over the Sunray probe for the fact that Pro pointer tells me by its sound how far I am away from the target. I guess it comes down to what a person prefers.....both probes get the job done.

Roger

 

[dewcon4414]

There are advantages to a hand held..... its not detector specific so your investment stays with you and its not quite as difficult in the hole as you mentioned nor as heavy. However, i still prefer it. I lost a few of those hand helds and i dont like moving my detector because of the feed back. Im also not certain that attaching the Sunray to the top of the shaft is a good idea.... seems to get the cable twisted and pulled more than on the battery pack area which can break the cable inside. Thats an expensive repair.

Dew

 

[Willee - Texas]

I guess it is what you get used to as there are those that really like the SunRay probes.

Still like the Garrett Pro pointer best but I have acquired a Pistol Pointer and will give it a try.

Thanks for the replies and opinions.

Willee