Which cheap pinpointer should a ? digger choose (Using the example of Deteknix XPointer and Mars MD Pointer).

The digging season will soon begin and many of the diggers will be faced with the dilemma of choosing a pinpointer. Some of the good finds have probably already been sold, but I don’t want to spend a lot of extra money on expensive equipment, so let’s take a look at what cheap alternatives there are to the cool Garrett PRO Pointer AT (really good pin) and XP MI-6, which will soon appear in stores (there are also even cheaper & #8212; homemade products or already very cheap Chinese crafts that work anyhow).

Let’s consider 2 inexpensive hand-held target designators, which are now present on the shelves of many MD stores – these are Deteknix XPointer (made in China) and Mars MD Pointer (made in Ukraine). Both devices cost about $90 and also weigh the same 134 grams (without battery). So many people have a question, which of these cheap ones is better, if you can’t determine the price.

Components.

To decide which of the two pinpointers is better, let’s first compare their configurations.

Mars MD Pointer sold:

• in box;
• with cheap pressed leather case ;
• there is a ring with a hole for a safety leash, which is not included in the package. It happens that they sell it with a ring for a clip, but this is an old option;
• available on the market in three colors.

Deteknix XPointer on sale:

• in box;
• with a good-quality case made of thick fabric with an embroidered pinpointer name and an additional ring for fastening;
• safety twisted cord, fastening for which is provided on the body;
• protective caps for spout;
• on the antenna there is a ruler in inches;
• available on the market in six colors.

As you can see, Deteknix has better equipment.

 

Functionality.

Let’s now look at the technical capabilities of pinpointers included in them by the manufacturer. If XPointer was more lucky with the package, then maybe Pointer will have richer functionality?

Mars MD Pointer:

• one control button;
• provides a choice of two modes: vibration-sound, vibration only;
• static operating mode;
• lost mode is activated after 2 minutes;
• moisture and dustproof;
• power supply 1x9V polarity when installing, carefully look at the case.

 

Deteknix XPointer:

• two control buttons;
• provides a choice of three modes: vibration-sound, only sound, only vibration;
• 4 sensitivity levels;
• static operating mode;
• lost mode is activated after 3 minutes;
• indicates low battery charge;
• LED flashlight;
• moisture and dustproof;
• power supply 1x9V polarity cannot be mistaken during installation.

And what we see is that XPointer is better again.

 

Test.

Now let’s test the detection range of different coins. Maybe the pinpointer from Mars MD will show its best side here.

Since Pointer is sensitive to the amount of charge in the battery, we will conduct the test on one battery, alternately inserting it into the device under test.

GOAL	RANGE (mm)
	Deteknix XPointer	Mars MD Pointer
Silver denarius	55	43
Scales of Ivan the Terrible	29	22
5 kopecks of Catherine	61	55
1 kopeck 1926	44	38
5 kopecks 1961	67	56

As we can see, Pointer from Mars MD, unfortunately, showed a very weak result.

 

Output.

Having compared the equipment, functionality and detection range, we see that when choosing from two cheap pinpointers, Deteknix XPointer and Mars MD Pointer, the Chinese target designator turned out to be the best in everything.

When choosing a pin for the new season, you can’t go wrong with your choice.

The season will begin soon and it is useful to read reviews of various search techniques — all the material on the topic is collected here, many tests, reviews and other useful things! And we collect all the material about our favorite pinpointers at this link. Good luck!