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Is the Garrett Pro Pointer AT Pinpointer worth it?

ctf_error_coinsctf_error_coins Posts: 15,433 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited May 11, 2017 7:06AM in Metal Detecting

Are pointers helpful or just a waste of money?

I just got a brand new Fisher Gold Bug 2.

New to the hobby, I am only interested in finding gold nuggets.

TIA for any and all information.

Comments

  • AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 24,762 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Not necessary but quite helpful. Gold nuggets usually are not gold looking in the hole. They look just like all the other rocks until cleaned. So, a pointer is quite helpful but not necessary. The first twenty years of detecting I did not have one. Just left the rings at home and grabbed clumps of soil to run over the coil. Pitch and repeat. A hand held pointer comes in handy when the soil is really rocky and glued together (like caliche).
    I don't think I paid more than $40 for mine on ebay on a blowout sale. Guy had several hundred and sold them cheap. A newer model had just come out if I remember it was a bit over $100. I went cheap and seemed to work just fine. So, if you want to wait to buy cheap just be patient.

    bob

    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I find pinpointers to be very helpful when digging signals.... I keep one with me, but since I am a cache hunter, I do not need them very often.... Except when searching around cellar holes.... then they really help. Cheers, RickO

  • ctf_error_coinsctf_error_coins Posts: 15,433 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 11, 2017 7:48AM

    Wow you guys are quick, thank you. I just pulled the trigger as ebay has 10% bucks today.

    Mine was the newer more expensive model. Two year warranty and waterproof. Going to a gold mine camp on a river for a week this summer and this will help I hope. Look forward to searching the river with all the flooding this year. There are many from china available but I didn't want to go that route.

    Bob, Thanks for the info on the gold in the desert as I have only seen it in the pan after water was added. I have an area that I really want to search as there is not much trash as it is way off the road. I just dry washed up that valley and found good gold.

  • basetsbbasetsb Posts: 508 ✭✭✭✭

    Pinpointers are very helpful, as it can be near impossible to find a penny in the dirt sometimes.

    @basetsb_coins on Instagram

  • pcgs69pcgs69 Posts: 4,324 ✭✭✭✭

    I will say once you use one you won't detect without one ever again. Get the "carrot stick" and it can go ten feet in water. I had a pistol probe for years and find the carrot stick a nice alternative.

  • ctf_error_coinsctf_error_coins Posts: 15,433 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The pointer is not as sensitive as I would like to very small gold nuggets so I watched a tube video about taping a copper coin on the side to increase sensitivity. I tried it and it worked great. I just find it odd that I have to tape a copper penny on the side to make it work better, seems like they could have put some copper in the wand to do the same thing.

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Strange... I have not heard of that trick.... must be increasing the inductance.... Will have to check that out. Cheers, RickO

  • ctf_error_coinsctf_error_coins Posts: 15,433 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 20, 2017 7:54AM

    IMO, waste of money for small nuggets. I hope it works better for bigger stuff for the week long gold mine camp we are going to this summer.

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I have had pinpointers (Whites) and found them very useful.. even found buckshot when chasing an elusive target.....Cheers, RickO

  • rte592rte592 Posts: 1,670 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ErrorsOnCoins said:
    The pointer is not as sensitive as I would like to very small gold nuggets so I watched a tube video about taping a copper coin on the side to increase sensitivity. I tried it and it worked great. I just find it odd that I have to tape a copper penny on the side to make it work better, seems like they could have put some copper in the wand to do the same thing.

    I'll have to check out the video.
    Where abouts is this gold camp?

  • TreashuntTreashunt Posts: 6,747 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I have a pin pointer, but have never bothered to use one.

    Frank

    BHNC #203

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