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X1 Probe

C

Cody

New member
All probes I know of other than the X1 type of probe are small metal detectors. They have a power supply, coil, all the circuits necessary to be a simple metal detector. One that I like is the Uniprobe that is a PI detector in a headset. It can be used as a probe or with a shaft and standard coil just as any PI detector. It retails for about $350 and is hot and heavy and really hot on the head during summer months.

The X1 is called a probe just as the above small detector are called probes but there the X1 takes a magnum stride in that it is actually a one inch problem with a control box and a switch. The detectors attached coil is connected to the switch box and the 1
 
Just have to respond to probe stuff. Most probes have such a short detect range they don't tell you much of anything until you've got the hole partially dug and are right on top of the target anyway - better than nothing but no quantum leap. The X1, Uniprobe and Periscope are the only ones I know of that have extra-ordinary redeeming features. Obviously X1 mimics Explorer and has benefits stated by Cody, Uni - has better depth than most hand helds but I believe the Periscope is hands down better. Why - not because of range electronic detection but because of several other features. It's mechanical depth is limited only by the length of the hardened steel probe and soil hardness - 14". Because of it's ability to pierce the soil - you can stick in it in and out several times a second to quickly locate exactly where a target is - you literally touch it before you even dig. You can make ID assumptions re: metal content from the response beeps. You can literally use a coin pop probe to extract - although I never want to take a chance of scratching. It's the deepest seeking, quickest locating, requiring the least amount of retrieval digging and the only probe that can further discriminate and also provides range and direction to the target. It costs more but you get what you pay for - in't that why you have an Exploer to begin with?
JIM - EITHER MAKE MORE OR SELL US THE MANUFACTURING RIGHTS.
 
The X1 is a great tool but for deeper targets it gets used only after a hole is dug. would like to see an improved Sunray X1 where the probe can be pushed into the ground just like the periscope and the Tinytec.
 
I have use many probes and think I used a Periscope, early version, years ago. I was in Nebraska where the soil was very soft and could push the probe in the soil and touch the target and it indicated what the target is. I have not used one in a good 35 or so years so am wondering if this is the same probe. You guys really have my interest up on this probe as I have read many posts where users really liked them. This old rocky soil were I retired is like trying to dig through a parking lot at times so I was wondering about that also. Was there a problem with that where the Periscope is concerned?
 
It's pretty darn hard and rocky here in Mass but I've rarely had an area were I can't use it. The probe is much thinner in diameter that a screwdriver - so if you can stick a screwdriver in the soil - you can stick the Periscope in. Will it go through a rock of course not and there are some very tough ground conditions here where I push hard to get it in but most of the time - 90% - it's pretty easy - in woods and lawn - it's like " buttah " !
 
PS
I use a Lesche Digger for recovery and if an area is too hard to push the Periscope in -then it's also very hard to even get the Lesche in.
So if it's difficut to probe - it's difficult to even dig a hole where you could even get another probe down close to the target. So again Periscope wins - as once you get through the top tough layer here it usually gets a bit easier - then in goes the Periscope probe.
 
I'm a fellow periscope addict. Just wondering if anybody knows why he discontinued production. Only downside to the scope was the price. I never use the discrimination other than ferrous/non-ferrous or direction ability. Seems a dumbed down version could maybe made a bit cheaper.
 
I asked him but he was reluctant to talk about it - as he doesn't know me from a hole in the ground. I get a feeling he may he's trying to put something together - trying to work something out.
I'm just guessing but maybe it's the ability to maintain a decent profit margin in a relatively low volume market - I don't know though so I'm probably talking way out of line.
If I had the bucks I'd offer to take it to market with minimal profit - I believe it's that good a product and deserves to be out there in the hands of detectorists. I wish him luck and just hope it re-appears either via Jim or another source as the concept is really superior.
 
The first one the tones were just too high pitched for my hearing, so Jim bought it back. The second one he was able to adjust it to my hearing which was great and I can see a use for one. Where it is a well manicured lawn where you don't want to dig unless you have to, have a idea of what your target is and only the smallest plug it was great. The down side to it was it was extra weight to carry around and it was bulky. I also found in hard ground you couldn't not use it, I also found that many times i could not find the target as the depth was less than 1 inch from the probe and spent as much as 10 minutes trying to re pinpoint and find the target. I finally would give up and dig a plug and use my X1 to find the target with no problems. Another thing was rock as you couldn't push the probe into and area with gravel OR rocks around.
These were really built well and if you were in sand or nice rock free ground that wasn't rock hard they worked good, but for me I never found where I could use it much so I sold my second one.
 
Rick,
I guess perception is reality ......
I use the Periscope exclusively - listenening to me you'd think I was a freakin' salesman for the company BUT everyone I've detected with for any length of time and has seen it in use has now bought one (used) after seeing it in use - except my brother who couldn't wait as they no longer come up that often in the on-line classifieds - so he got the Uni but wishes he had the Periscope.
I NEVER detect "well manicured lawns where you don't want to dig unless you have to" I dig woods, trails and brush - lots of rocks and hard areas. Again bottom line is - if a screwdriver can penatrate the ground - so can the Periscope - as it's even smaller in diameter - so that's 90% plus of any locale I've been to in New England and if it can't go in it's even hard to dig with a Lesche.
" Many times I could not find the target as the depth was less than 1 inch from the probe and spent as much as 10 minutes trying to re pinpoint and find the target. " - If you are less than an inch from the probe you could either use directional location - which by the way I almost never use because I can poke that 1 " area as many times a second as I can pump my hand up and down. This is the MAIN reason I use it - to me it drastically cuts down location pinpointing - even if your off - as I am when I get lazy - which is often - because it's so easy to do multiple sticks so fast. I almost never dig a plug - I just slide the Lesche down next to exactly where the coin is - I know that cause I'm touching it with the probe - so I know the EXACT target locaction, size and depth and wiggle the digger and stick my finger in the digger slot and pull out the coin.
Funny because that to me is actually it's biggest advantage - along with actually feeling the target. To me I even enjoy feeling a can and literally pushing the probe through it knowing I didn't have to dig it or feeling the ring and hole of a pull tab without digging it.
It is minimally bulky but no bulkier than hip mounting - what I do is drop it in a tool belt pocket that I wear - which has pockets for all my other "junk" in it that I carry any way (water bottle, etc.) and has a nice loop in instead of a scabbard for the probe to hang from and it's just another item in its own tool pocket. Like most things the more you use it the better it gets - or more precisely the better you get.
 
Having run customer service organization for well over 20 years - I believe I know good service when I see it. Jim doesn't deliver good service - he delivers excellent service - he exceeds expectations......to whit......a recent issue......


" Your probe assembly had a small broken wire on the PC board in the handle. It was easily repaired. I will send it back to you tomorrow by UPS. There will be no charge.
Best Regards,
Jim Ott
OTT Technologies LLC "
 
Bill,

I had the same repair done a couple of months ago, and I usually break the tip once or twice a year. Jim always repaired them quickly and for free. Absolutely the best service around. I just hope he is in the process of being bought out instead of quitting for lack of business.

Chris
 
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