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Vibraprobe or what?

A

Anonymous

Guest
I am looking to get an electronic probe to work with my XS.
I know that the X1 is out there, but will the vibraprobe or something else work good enough?
The main reason is that my wife (my huntin' buddy) is pretty excited about MD'ing and I'd like to get her involved (without buying a new detector).
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
 
get the periscope if you can. as far as i know, the only probe that doesnt require you to dig first. i also have the vibra probe, dont really use it anymore.
 
Not saying it isn't a great piece of equipment but it's very spendy and a pretty good size piece of equipment to carry in addition to everything else.
The vibraprobe and for that matter all the after market probes except the X-1 are very limited in range. they will only detect an object that is within about 1" or less depending on the adjustment. The vibraprobe is good and very sturdy (almost unbreakable), The Whites bullseye works well as does the Merlin. I have used all but the merlin which I'm am told is really good. The bullseye has some less than sturdy parts which can break if handled roughly.
The bullseye can be had for around $70. the merlin around 60 but the vibraprobe seldom sells for less than 99.(new prices) If you need further info drop me an email
 
You will be saving up for a Persicope, man.
If you are digging some deeper targets, the 'scope will save you a lot of effort. My hunting buddy calls me over to give him a hand from time to time and plans on getting one ASAP. He currently carries an S1 and a pouch-mounted soveriegn to pinpoint.
There is just a lot to be said for digging TO a target instead of digging FOR a target. You get to spend much more time detecting and considerably less time digging. More time detecting and lower frustration levels...
I also should mention that the Periscope will flatten learning curves with any detector. You can inspect everything that makes a beep, peep, or a blaaaat without digging like a mole. Because of this, I was learning nuiances of the Explorer and CZ-70 that would otherwise have been very hard-learned knowledge. In short, it will make you a better detectorist if you take the time to learn.
I have been a detectorist for over 25 years (and just turned 40). Since getting a 'Scope, my enjoyment level is at a peak that I haven't experienced since the first few years of being in the hobby. I regard the Periscope as a revolutionary product that has a long list of benefits with the only negatives being that you have to carry it and pay for it.
Tim
 
Every time I see a dinged coin posted, I know if that hunter wasn't using a "Scope". Man, that silver is too hard to come by, to go and ding it after you've found it, HH
 
the merlin is a waste of money, i'll tell you from first hand experience. It fell apart in my hand as i was setting it up to use for the first time, and sent it right back. I was then using the vibraprobe for many hours until i got my periscope and now use it exclusively. Tim was so right about the realizing the difference between digging TO and FOR a target. Its not noticed as extra weight or a bother, you wear it on a belt and it becomes part of your body. You have to own one and use it for a little while to understand what Im saying and what Tim also realizes. ONCE YOU OWN ONE, YOU WONT EVER WANT TO BE WITHOUT ONE!
(& i dont need any browning points from Jim)
 
I use X1 and The probe they both work great. I really love my probe even on shallow stuff you hit it and retreive. No damage to fine lawns. I am really getting spoiled when I cannot use it because of rocks.
 
Yes, it cost more and nearly as much as a detector. But then, it is a detector - a very good one. As far as the weight, I never notice it. The weight of the Explorer was much more noticeable than the Periscope strapped to my belt.
What is annoying is getting a good signal and then not being able to find it. Even more helpful is getting an "iffy" signal and then being able to verify whether it is a good target or not "before" you dig it up. Not to mention that when you do dig, your holes will be much smaller.
Pinpointing can be a challenge with the Explorer. Having a good probe is important and can help avoid some frustration. I plan to add the X1 probe too, as I sometimes have rocky ground that I can't use the periscope on. I agree that both would be quite an investment in probes, but in my mind it would be worth it.
HH Alton
 
I see so many good comments on the Periscope I thought maybe I should give my feeling on this probe too. This is not to degrade or put down the Periscope as it has it purpose and does good and the owner (Jim Ott) is one of the greatest guys you will ever talk to and will do whatever he can do to make you happy. He is one in a Million.
I got one of the first Periscopes and tried it many times and was not happy with it as it took a average of 10 minnutes to find the target and I had to dig it inorder to see what it was as I thought the ID was bad. What I found out was the tone was too high for my hearing as I am hard of hearing and deaf in the high tones. Jim offered to set the tones differnt for me so it would work better, but I never got it done and put it for sale on the fourms only to have Jim call me and said if I wasnt happy to send it back and he would refund all my money.This I did without having the tones changed.
My Conclusion on this Periscope probe was it would be OK if you were in a area where you only wanted to dig good targets you knew were good and only a hole big enought to get the target out. Any other places the Sunray pinpointing pobes were faster if the target was no deeper than 3 or 4 inches. Now if you could dig a plug the Sunray probes would also be faster and also easier to ID the target if it was deep.
Because of all the good reports on the Periscope and talking to Houndawwg when i was out in NJ in Feb I decided to get another Periscope and Jim called me and we set the tones over the phone to what I can hear better. I have only air tested it so far and have found I can now hear the difference for IDing the target, so this will help alot.
I find both the Sunray and the Periscope will have it own purpose with the Sunray being the main probe as it is on my detector all the time and the Periscope will be used in the areas like well groomed lawns I dont want to dig unless I know it is good and where the target is.
I still say it will take longer to find the target with the periscope over the Sunray probe as the Sunray probe has a 3-4 inch of detection depth, so if you get close you will know where to go. The Periscope has about a inch of detection depth and you will have to be within a inch of the target to hear it, but for the times you need to know where it is without digging and if it is good or bad they cant be beat.
Like I say they both have their purpose and they are the best there is, as there are no better that I have ever seen or heard about. Both companys are owned and operated by those that care about us detectorist.
Cost wise the Periscope isnt cheap, but that can make a difference if it can get you into a place that no one else can that may have that 1916 D merc.It will well pay for the Periscope and enough for a new Explorer and a nite out on the town.
Both probes have their purpose and I think I will be using both of them.
Rick
 
I just am putting this under Rick's post after I read it, the question is for any periscope users.
What the heck do you do for little pieces of lead, 22 short cases, little rivet washers, real skinny pieces of extremely rusted nails, little pieces of copper wire, etc, that sound like deeper good targets? These are the majority of my trash items, that along with a few nails. I keep hearing that you have to "touch" the target with the scope tip, well if you do, there is no way you can tell me that the scope would be quicker than the X-1. Plus add into the equation roots, chunks of bricks, golf ball sized rocks, broken glass, cinders, cinder paths, etc. that I am constantly encountering detecting, and I just can not justify spending that kind of money or time. For me, that is a lot of money that I don't have on hand just to try something! I see it's benefits and know it has to be a quality product for the simple fact you rarely see them for sale used, just like the X-1. If someone can address these concerns I will definitely consider looking into one. I just don't want to spend that much money for something I would only use a little and spend extra time with when I can cut a big plug and get it done. I saw a spot the other day that I remember mutilating a plug last year in the park when the ground was real dry and the plug broke all apart. It had thicker, greener grass now than the surrounding grass!!! I never see any of last years plugs, any damage is only temporary. I don't hunt any manicured lawns either, at least very few and I take my time with those and don't dig a lot of iffy targets. Well, I am getting pretty darn good knowing what a good iffy target sounds like, except those damn little non-ferrous targets I think are deeper. <IMG SRC="/forums/images/biggrin.gif" BORDER=0 ALT=":D">
 
John, I used the vibraprobe for 6 months I liked it very much,I could not hunt without it. The only draw back is 3/4 in depth max, it is a time saver and very durable you could almost dig with it,and its waterproof.I now have the x-1 there is no comparison.What you have to look at is $119.00 for the vibraprobe at 3/4in depth, then $179.00 for 3 to 4 in depth. For an extra $60.00 your getting 3in more depth. John TN
 
Hey Ric,
Are you the 7-11 birthday boy?
I bought a periscope a couple of weeks ago. I had been vacilating between the x-1 and the periscope for quite some time but Jim had one in stock and Ray didn't so...
And I'm quite pleased. You don't need to "touch" the item to locate it, it will pick up things about an inch away. Small Stuff too. For the ferrous/conductive discrimination to work however you have to be almost touching. (Actually with a bit of tuning that may not be true. I pretty much unpacked the thing and headed out the door. It's less complicated than the explorer but I'm sure to use it to it's full potential there is a learning curve that I haven't climbed yet.) The nice thing about the periscope is 100% accuracy on discriminating iron targets, never seen it miss. I've mainly been working in areas that are loaded with iron trash, really helps sort out good from iron falsing with the explorer.
Gravel is a problem and big rocks. Yesterday I was in a park working around trees and was able to snake the pericope around the roots. I found some coins that I would have given up on if I hadn't had the periscope. Not sure the X-1 could have weaseled it way to the target.
And it is amazing when you probe down 8-10 inches and hit a target and hear it scream. It does take a bit of time to probe, but the digging goes so much faster and neater.
Think you need to try one some time. Think I need to try an x-1 to compare. Not sure if that or 14" coil is next purchase.
Hope this helps
Chris
 
Sounds good! I was just emailing Dan back and while I was typing, got the bright idea that I need to send my 6000 D.I. in to be repaired (I think the coil is bad, but not sure) and sell it and some of my better coins and use that money towards a periscope. I wouldn't mind it then. But I just can not put all that cash out right now! I wish I could! I know how quick they sell used if you ever see one and I know I would have no problem getting most of my money back if I didn't like it. Just don't have the money to invest in one right now.
Thanks for the info! Today was a perfect example of what I was talking about! I went out a while and dug a 22 short, three little pieces of copper wire (probably like 14 guage solid, but short), a rivet washer and one wheat! <IMG SRC="/forums/images/frown.gif" BORDER=0 ALT=":("> I really should scan the stuff! I think I jinxed myself on the earlier post because that is exactly what I found! <IMG SRC="/forums/images/smile.gif" BORDER=0 ALT=":)">
I will probably some day end up with one, but right now the X-1 does me right! I can not imagine using/needing anything else!
 
Ric -
The scope is really good for sizing. I don't know how anything could do a better job.
You send the probe down and contact the target. Bring it up and back down a 1/4" away and quickly build a cross pattern. I have traced shell casings, an 8" long radio antenna, and a piece of wire just for fun.
The gotcha here are coins on edge. You can't land the probe on them. You can't feel them.
On the otherhand, the 'scope punches through tinfoil. I have even punched through a piece of a beer can several times. You can feel pulltabs flex if the ground is right.
If you have a periscope, the tool to add to your arsensal is a hole hog. I can find and recover a 6" or 7" coin in less than 45 seconds. The hole hog, when guided by the periscope, becomes an amazingly efficient digging tool. Crap, you hardly even get your hands dirty! The traces of digging are almost nil and it is just incredibly cool to be able to see exactly how the coin was orientated in the soil.
So, the bottomline for me, is that I dig any and everything that the hole hog can get to. I do this because I want the target out of my way, as it could be masking something better. And I can do this because the amount of effort on a hole hog recovery is so marginal that it really isn't that much of a problem.
Oh yeah, if you fish, there is one MAJOR side benefit. If you stick the periscope in the ground, it will drive the worms to the surface!
Tim
 
Hey Ric,
Actually you posted that fact some time ago and I responded. I'm a 7/11/63 myself. I went through the same thought process when I bought mine. Metal detecting finds seldom cover gas cost and recharging batteries, but..... I see explorers are holding value on e-bay and have never even seen a used periscope for sale. So worst I'm out a couple of hundred bucks for the pair. I figure it probably beats slot machines, not to mention the thrills of kneeling in dog#####and callouses and bad fingernails. Actually I hate metal detecting but just do it to impress women.
Today went to where I found an 1853 seated dime, only a merc and handful of wheats. Has to be older stuff there but area is just loaded up with junk. Think I'll try the 8" tomorrow.
So don't know about comparison without trying x-1 but do like the scope.
Chris
 
Rick -
One thing that I did early on was to use golf-tees. I would send the probe down and put a tee in the hole. I would then build a 3x3 grid with about half an inch between each hole, putting a tee in each hole, with the initial probing being the center of the grid. (Your area of detection is 4 inches by 4 inches by 14 inches.) You will eventually get comfortable enough with this that you will no longer need the tees.
If I built the grid and still hadn't hit the target, I would get up and try pinpointing again with the main detector. All you need to do is to get within 4 inches.
I also have to say that I do NOT hunt with a heartbeat. I keep it at a smooth purr as I have found that I can hear targets much better this way. The trick here is to tune it until it just becomes a solid sound - if you go to far, it will have a harder time letting you know that the target is iron.
Finally, I have had a couple of occasions to switch over to MAX. Using it can save you some time, but it is a little harder to use. Here is how I do it...
Switch over to max. Insert the probe away from the target and down to 7 inches. Adjust the periscope until you get a fairly steady growl. Now pull it out of the ground - it should go silent. When you probe, it will start to purr when it enters the soil and you can widen your grid to two inch increments. Just remember that ground mineralization will make a tone now and that the directional handle is now hot.
My final piece of advice is to put the search coil on the Explorer as far away from the area you will be probing as possible. I had a lot of trouble with the WOT interferring with the Periscope - I could not get that big orange monster far enough away from the 'scope.
I don't know if Jim will agree with any of these tricks and tips. All I know is that they have helped me out.
Tim
 
use it for the for sure coins, and the ones I don't find I could just dig. I have anymore been digging everything that shows 6" or more, but like I said, some of those end up being shallow small stuff. I will get one someday I am sure, but that will have to be in the future. <IMG SRC="/forums/images/smile.gif" BORDER=0 ALT=":)">
 
Cool, another 7/11 <IMG SRC="/forums/images/biggrin.gif" BORDER=0 ALT=":D"> Do you play those numbers in the lottery?
I love my X-1 sooooo much! I wouldn't trade it for anything unless I had another already! I will probably get another X-1 for my second Explorer before I get a scope, but I will get one some day! Thanks for the info!
 
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