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Of the Pin Pointers on the market what do consider the best and why?? Thanks Bill

TheHunterGT Published on Dec 29, 2017

TheHunterGT Published on Jan 12, 2018

This is my first post after lurking for many months. Steve, you have a way with words and a level of civility that verges on saintly. I have learned a great deal reading your posts, specifically about the Equinox, and I hope to glean more from this excellent forum in the future. Thanks to others who also contribute excellent content. While I don't have much to share, I thought I would at least post a "tip" for a common problem we have. Here is a link to a video describing a way to keep the Garrett Carrot's tip from wearing through for not much money.

I just received my new Pro-find 35 as I like that it disconnects from the battery and coil when shut off. I had and have the 25 still but have had problems with it. It ran fine for 2 years, but this year after detecting in a hole and detecting something in the hole, after pulling it out, it kept beeping and wouldn't stop until I shut it off, It does that all the time now. It now also is picked up by my detector. That has continued for the rest of the season and is no longer of any use. My friend, that I met up with in November, purchased a 25, removed it fresh from the box at camp, is acting the very same brand new. I though I may have messed mine up somehow before seeing his. Has anyone else have this happen to their 25?

Any comparative information on air test between the Garrett pro pointer and the Minelab pro find pin pointer?

Has any one tried it in wet sand on the beach... I have sent video off to ML as mine does not perform anything like I expected on the beach. Hoping it is Faulty.

This quote from the report below caught my eye: "Aside from its obvious use as a pinpointer that helps you retrieve coins, I really feel like the PRO-FIND 35 can be a great standalone tool for people searching crevices for gold, ESPECIALLY those that are searching bedrock nooks and crannies in rivers. The PRO-FIND’s slim, waterproof design combined with high sensitivity and Ferrous Tone ID makes it a perfect tool to detect hard to reach places with the confidence of recovering only non-ferrous targets." The Pro-Find as far as I know is the first standard handheld metal detector pinpointer to feature ferrous discrimination. Like all discrimination the depth of the ferrous discrimination is less than the all metal depth. Still, this could make the Pro-Find 35 an effective tool for crevicing bedrock. At least a good portion of the ferrous bits stuck in cracks and crevices could be eliminated, saving the crevice splitting for non-ferrous targets like lead fishing sinkers or bullets - and maybe gold! The waterproof design means a person could even use it under water when dredging to check crevices (less than 10 feet). From https://www.minelab.com/anz/go-minelabbing/treasure-talk/my-pro-find-35-review My PRO-FIND 35 Review by Brandon Neice By now you’ve probably read all about the Minelab PRO-FIND 35 handheld metal detecting pinpointer. You already know that it can distinguish ferrous metals from non-ferrous metals and that it’s fully submersible. And if you know that, then you most likely also know that the PRO-FIND 35 has built-in shielding so it won’t interfere with your metal detector (or your friends) and that it has built-in vibration for silent searching or for the hearing impaired. It also has a bright LED for searching in low light situations. But most of all, you know that this innovative handheld pinpointer is an amazing bargain when compared to other pinpointers on the market. But what you haven’t heard is that the PRO-FIND 35 is also great for prospecting! In this month’s video, I tested this pinpointer on some sub-gram gold nuggets. Actually… come to think of it… I’m not sure the gold that I tested could even be classified as a “nugget” because it was so incredibly small! Maybe it would be better classified as a “picker”? Either way, the new PRO-FIND was able to sniff out all the gold that I tested. Aside from its obvious use as a pinpointer that helps you retrieve coins, I really feel like the PRO-FIND 35 can be a great standalone tool for people searching crevices for gold, ESPECIALLY those that are searching bedrock nooks and crannies in rivers. The PRO-FIND’s slim, waterproof design combined with high sensitivity and Ferrous Tone ID makes it a perfect tool to detect hard to reach places with the confidence of recovering only non-ferrous targets. People often ask me, “What can I do to better my odds of making good finds?” For me, the answer is to search in hard to reach places that other people either can’t get to or are too lazy to try. This pinpointer will certainly open up some of those hard to reach places and those who are willing to put forth the effort are sure to be rewarded. Check out my video to see how well the PRO-FIND 35 performs on small gold.

From https://www.minelab.com/anz/go-minelabbing/treasure-talk/my-pro-find-35-review My PRO-FIND 35 Review by Brandon Neice By now you’ve probably read all about the Minelab PRO-FIND 35 handheld metal detecting pinpointer. You already know that it can distinguish ferrous metals from non-ferrous metals and that it’s fully submersible. And if you know that, then you most likely also know that the PRO-FIND 35 has built-in shielding so it won’t interfere with your metal detector (or your friends) and that it has built-in vibration for silent searching or for the hearing impaired. It also has a bright LED for searching in low light situations. But most of all, you know that this innovative handheld pinpointer is an amazing bargain when compared to other pinpointers on the market. But what you haven’t heard is that the PRO-FIND 35 is also great for prospecting! In this month’s video, I tested this pinpointer on some sub-gram gold nuggets. Actually… come to think of it… I’m not sure the gold that I tested could even be classified as a “nugget” because it was so incredibly small! Maybe it would be better classified as a “picker”? Either way, the new PRO-FIND was able to sniff out all the gold that I tested. Aside from its obvious use as a pinpointer that helps you retrieve coins, I really feel like the PRO-FIND 35 can be a great standalone tool for people searching crevices for gold, ESPECIALLY those that are searching bedrock nooks and crannies in rivers. The PRO-FIND’s slim, waterproof design combined with high sensitivity and Ferrous Tone ID makes it a perfect tool to detect hard to reach places with the confidence of recovering only non-ferrous targets. People often ask me, “What can I do to better my odds of making good finds?” For me, the answer is to search in hard to reach places that other people either can’t get to or are too lazy to try. This pinpointer will certainly open up some of those hard to reach places and those who are willing to put forth the effort are sure to be rewarded. Check out my video to see how well the PRO-FIND 35 performs on small gold.

In January 2018 issue of Lost Treasure page 44 you have a great review on both Pro -Finds 15 & 35 by Andy Sabisch. This looks as if this is the month for Minelab in Lost Treasure Mag. Chuck

Steve, have you tested these also? If so, any info you can share?

I was at an Outing this last weekend and was able to buy a Profind 35 pinpointer....I like it very much , seems to be real sensitive . It was a big help when using the GM1000 at finding the little bird shot that was the same color as the dirt in my scoop. It also found other lead targets and brass shells. I have not had it out coin hunting yet , but I do think it will be great.

Published on Nov 4, 2017 This test / review of the new Minelab Pro-Find 35 and the Pro-Find 15 pin pointer is for American Digger Magazine. The first ever recovery speed test of the new Ferrous Tone ID while switching targets! Also the first maximum detection depth test of these units. Side scanning was also tested and provided consistent results to the tip on both units, it was left out of the video to cut down on the length, but will be included in later videos. More on the new Minelab Pro-Find 15 & Pro-Find pinpointers here.

Minelab is pleased to announce that the new PRO-FIND Series will be available for purchase from November 13th, 2017 onwards. *Initial availability may be limited in some regions. Please contact your local dealer for specific price and availability information. PRO-FIND Series pinpointers feature Minelab’s Detector Interference Free (DIF) technology. DIF significantly reduces interference with an operating metal detector, when the pinpointer is switched off, by disengaging the pinpointer coil’s magnetic field. Read the Treasure Talk Blog "PRO-FIND and DIF Technology" by Gordon Heritage here. More blogs to follow soon. Watch the DIF technology test video here: The above information derived from https://www.minelab.com/customer-care/product-notices?article=322187 and http://www.minelab.com/__files/f/310895/KBA_28-1 DIF Technology EN.pdf

This isn't at all a detailed comparison, but this sub-forum seems to be right place to put it. I'm pretty sure these devices are no longer made for any detector models, but it might help someone thinking of buying a used one. I bought a used FX-1 (for Fisher F75) recently. I did look for reviews and found a few, but unless I read too fast those didn't tell the key features (particularly minuses). This is not meant to be an overall review like you'd find in a magazine. The other reviews you can find on the WWW do that. The main thing to know about this device is that it is effectively a (passive) replacement/substitute coil for your detector. It has a switch for changing between your main coil and the pinpointer probe -- only one operates at a time. PLUS: since it's using the detector electronics as would any coil, you get all the audible and visible readouts that you normally get, thus discrimination. That sets it apart from every handheld standalone pinpointer I'm aware of. MINUSES: two big ones, IMO. 1) For the same reason that you get discrimination (using the detectors capabilities), if your detector is set in motion mode (which is the default and in many cases the only option on modern detectors), you have to be moving the probe to get it to sound off. 2) Ditto the reasoning above, the sensitivity depends upon what gain you've set your detector for your main coil. In my case I had the F75 gain set to 50 (half scale) and the probe only went off when I got within about 1.5 in (~4 cm) from a piece of metal. Compare that to the White's Bullseye TRX at 3 in. and the Garrett Carrot at 2.5 in. The documentation I received (hard/impossible to find online, BTW) claims 3 inch depth. I can believe that if I crank the F75 gain up to 99. Sure, I could go to non-motion all-metal and I could crank up the gain. But that's a lot of changing detector settings every time I want to dig. I assume the detector's pinpoint mode would also work (it's basically non-motion all-metal) but on the F75 that requires holding down a spring-loaded switch. That's not at all convenient when you're on the ground trying to probe for a target in a hole. Further, one of the big reasons detectors went to motion mode in the first place is to be able to cancel/adjust-out electronics drift. So even if you lock into non-motion all-metal I assume that could have a negative effect since often one can spend non-negligible time finding the target in the hole (uh, especially if you need to get to 1.5 inches to hear anything!). As a novelty and possibly for special situations I can see using this device. Unfortunately, unless I'm missing something, mine is going on the shelf and/or auction block.

From http://www.minelab.com/customer-care/product-notices?article=321022 Minelab PRO-FIND Series Pinpointers PRO-FIND Series Pinpointers assist in accurately locating targets at the point of extraction where a metal detector coil cannot fit. This results in smaller holes, less environmental disruption and faster target recovery time. The PRO-FIND 15 offers essential core pinpointer features and is designed for simplicity and ease of use. The PRO-FIND 35 provides premium level functionality in a fully waterproof design for the serious detectorist. Both models use VLF transmission and incorporate Minelab’s unique Detector Interference Free (DIF) technology. More details are available on the PRO-FIND Series web pages: PRO-FIND 15 PRO-FIND 35 Download the new PRO-FIND Series brochure here. Download the new PRO-FIND Series Getting Started Guide here. Read the Treasure Talk Blog "The new PRO-FIND 35 hits the spot!" by Mark Williams here. More blogs to follow soon. Further product details and product availability will be announced in the coming weeks. Watch the new PRO-FIND Series Introduction video here:

Fisher is releasing a new pinpointer for metal detecting, the new Fisher F-Pulse. The name implies it is a pulse induction pinpointer? The screw in plug in the end implies AA batteries and that the unit is probably waterproof, but with no other information to go on right now these are all guesses. No word on price yet either.

Just announced yet another new pinpointer, this time from Teknetics. Since Teknetics is owned by First Texas as is Fisher I would have to assume we will see a Fisher version of this also. Looks to be a fairly standard implementation - side button, LED tucked up front. However, instead of a end cap that screws off to install batteries the Tek-Point has a screw in plug - must use a couple AA batteries? I am guessing waterproof also just based on appearance but I could be wrong.

From http://www.minelab.com/usa/customer-care/product-notices?article=319527 18 Sep 2017 - Pending release of new PRO-FIND Series Pinpointers Minelab is pleased to announce the pending release of our next generation PRO-FIND Series Pinpointers. PRO-FIND Series Pinpointers assist in accurately locating targets at the point of extraction where a metal detector coil cannot fit. This results in smaller holes, less environmental disruption and faster target recovery time. There will be two new PRO-FIND Pinpointers available, the PRO-FIND 15, and the PRO-FIND 35, both of which will obsolete the existing PRO-FIND 25 model. The PRO-FIND 15 offers essential core pinpointer features and is designed for simplicity and ease of use. The PRO-FIND 35 provides premium level functionality in a fully waterproof design for the serious detectorist. Both models use VLF transmission and incorporate Minelab’s unique Detector Interference Free (DIF) technology. Splash proof design Audio indication High visibility Holster included Pro-Find 15 Minimum Advertised price (MAP) $99.00 Ferrous Tone ID Waterproof to 3m (10ft) Audio & vibration indication Adjustable sensitivity High Visibility Holster & lanyard included Battery included Pro-Find 35 Minimum Advertised price (MAP) $129.00 Further product details and product availability will be announced in the coming weeks, on minelab.com and the Minelab Facebook page.

With all the Equinox hype, these seem to have being overlooked, if true that is. I cant find anything on Minelab website. http://allmetalmode.com/mikes-blog/2017/09/16/minelab-pro-pointer-35-my-pinpointer-dream-come-true/

I was a big fan of the Carrot, but then mine went on the fritz. I sent it in 10 days ago (under warranty) so hopefully returns as good-as-new. In the meantime I bought a White's TRX, which is about $20 more expensive. It compensates (somewhat) on the price difference by operating more cheaply (if you go the non-rechargaeable route, anyway) on two AA's. It will also work on a 9V, like the Carrot, but why would you want to except in a pinch? When the carrot comes back I'll do some side-by-side comparisons. But I've gotten used to the TRX and really like it.

Found the pinpointer is not up to it, gave the Deus a go but it interfered (coil being on seeking RC) with the Z now will the Monster save digging those Z19 holes so big.

The Scuba Tector is made by Deteknix and is a great water detector if you are just looking for rings ( maybe ) and coins. I was wondering around the net and was looking at MD-Hunter.com and here was a picture of my Scuba. I click on the picture of it and it went to three videos. I pick one of the videos I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It couldn't detect gold chain. So here I go digging out gold chain i'd found in the past. It didn't make any difference being one two are all three in a ball the detector didn't see them. I pulled out some nuggets and the results was the same as in nothing coming out of the Scuba. Now it detects rings great and my thinking on this is because of other metals in the rings. Even at 14 K gold that's only about 65 % gold. So you can forget about finding any gold chain with the scuba Tector . If i can't detect it in a ball with two others your not going to find one laying out straight. Looks Good. Chuck

I admit to have wondered about these little hand held detectors / pinpointers. The main thing being do they really deliver significant depth advantages over standard pinpointers? These are only air tests but at least you get an idea. Nice depth chart at the end of the video you can screen capture.