Finding My Invisible Dog Fence, How Much Detector Do I Need?

[Chase Goldman]

If they are that shallow (sorry, I missed that) you would be better off with a simple pinpointer as recommended rather than a full blown detector unless you wanted to also use the detector for other means.  I good powerful pulse induction type pinpointer such as the Fisher F-pulse can probably get the job done.  See link below.

https://a.co/d/0W7ZhPI

[Tron]

Hmm, if my best shot is finding the steel staples, which are spaced around 5-8' apart, a detector would probably make more sense than a pinpointer, right?

If I find the staples, I can be really sure the cable's directly underneath.

[Johnnysalami1957]

35 minutes ago, Tron said:

I totally forgot that both cables are fixed to the ground with steel staples. Those are about 1/8" in diameter, approximately 2" across the top and 6" long. I surely should be able to find those, right?

Those are landscape fabric "weed blocking material" staples. You can certainly find those with a strong magnet on a string.if they are ferrous.

[F350Platinum]

I bought a metal detector to find nails after a roof replacement, ended up upgrading and upgrading and have been here over 4 years now. 🤣

I hope you find some interesting artifacts as well, but you do get hooked. My first finds around my house were old colonial buttons, then Spanish silver in the farm out front. 🤪

Great you're responding to the advice, you really can't do better than this forum. 

🍀

[Chase Goldman]

19 hours ago, Johnnysalami1957 said:

Those are landscape fabric "weed blocking material" staples. You can certainly find those with a strong magnet on a string.if they are ferrous.

Or a pinpointer on a stick. 

19 hours ago, Tron said:

Hmm, if my best shot is finding the steel staples, which are spaced around 5-8' apart, a detector would probably make more sense than a pinpointer, right?

If I find the staples, I can be really sure the cable's directly underneath.

If you are going to use the MD for something other than locating these cables, you will need a pinpointer anyway.  The way I figure it, minimize what you need to pay to get the job done.  If the cheaper pinpointer doesn't work out then get the detector.  At the end of the day, you'll have two of the things you'll need to do metal detecting for fun.

[Tron]

Sorry, guys, that I haven't replied until now, I got caught in the "only 10 posts/day for newbies"- trap.

TheFisher F-Pulse Pinpointer that was recommended isn't all that much cheaper than an entry-level detector. I've ordered a Vanquish 340 and will see if the all-metal mode helps me out. As I mentioned, if I get a hit and can't pinpoint it any closer than a few feet, that is certainly too inaccurate for someone who wants to dig stuff up, but for my purpose that's more than adequate.

I'll try not to go down the rabbit hole of metal detecting/treasure hunting, I already have enough hobbies and not enough time as it is. Maybe when I'm retired ;-)

[Chase Goldman]

Just to be clear, the Vanquish 340 does not have a pinpoint mode, you have to use the X method with the coil to pinpoint and this is difficult to do if you are trying to pinpoint an elongated target such as a buried cable vs. a point target.  I guess I would focus on the staples but those might be hard to differentiate from the cable with that detector but listen for both ferrous and non-ferrous responses and then you can line up the cable.  It's do-able but might be challenging.  That's why I recommended the pinpointer, so you are not paying $70 more for a detector that doesn't even give you this basic level of pinpoint functionality.  Again, right tool for the job. Anyway, good luck.

[Tron]

Thanks, and yes, I'm aware that it doesn't have that function. I have a rough idea where the cable goes, and especially in what direction, so that should eliminate part of the search already.

Like I said, I'll give it a try, I may send it back and go with a pinpointer if it proves too cumbersome.

[strick]

Why not just use a rake…

strick