I remember when I was just starting to get involved in instrument searching, I thought that a pinpointer was an optional accessory in a digger’s inventory. My metal detector had a standard mono coil and with it I did not dig either wide or deep holes. Therefore, I found the target in the dump quite quickly. “And why is this pinpointer needed?” — I thought then. I thought this way until the comrade let me use his for a day. After that day, I wanted this device for myself, having understood all its advantages for localizing a find.
Several years have passed since that day. Now the pinpointer is always with me on the mine, as well as the metal detector and shovel. What is it about this hand-held target designator that I can’t imagine my search without it? 62~
1. Save time. No matter how you look at it, the faster you find a dug-up target in the dump, the more territory you will be able to explore. After all, sowing soil by hand is a tedious task, sometimes a long one (if you come across a pellet, flake, etc.).
2. Saving energy. When the target is somewhere in a hole, as a rule, you begin to expand and deepen it, trying to throw out the find along with the earth. With a pinpointer, you can localize a target in a hole without digging a trench and then, with just one dig, throw the find out.
3. Search at night. Basically, advanced pinpointers are equipped with an external LED. After sunset, by turning on such a flashlight on the target designator, you can easily find an object on dark ground. Also, the backlight is very useful when searching in an abandoned building.
He who digs with a pinpointer NEVER sits near the hole for a long time.
How to choose a pinpointer.
I’ve tried a lot of handheld pointers and can now give advice on choosing this digger’s assistant.
1. Adjusting sensitivity. It’s not for nothing that all top pinpointers have the ability to set the sensitivity level in their functionality. Yes, this makes the device less stable, but its detection depth increases. This is very useful when you localize a target in the wall of a hole or when the soil is not crumbly and the find is hidden somewhere in clods of earth thrown out from the hole.
The target designator’s good detection range will also be useful when searching in an old building. After all, behind any board there can be a cache of valuables that a good pinpointer will see.
2. Flashlight. How many times has the built-in flashlight helped me out on pina? At night, when no one is looking at you or bothering you, just dig and enjoy. Using a metal detector, you localize the target, dig it up with a shovel, and then quickly find it with a pinpointer, examine it under the light of a flashlight, hide it, and continue searching. Basically, you work like during the day. If you don’t have a flashlight, then as soon as it gets dark, turn up and go home. And it will be a shame when, due to the darkness, you didn’t get to the fat find with just a couple of strokes of the reel.
3. Working underwater. The pinpointer must be able to safely dive and operate underwater. In some models of hand-held target designators, the manufacturer writes “waterproof.” This does not mean that the pin can be put under water or even exposed to heavy rain – this means that the device will withstand high humidity and light rain.
If you search in shallow water, the pinpointer must be 100% sealed. If it is only “waterproof”, then there is a high risk of drowning the device (there are plenty of such stories).
Pinpointers that are currently sold and meet the requirements necessary for full operation are:
· DETEKNIX XPOINTER WADER.
· GARRETT PRO-POINTER AT.
· MAKRO POINTER.
· NOKTA PINPOINTER.
Still thinking about whether you need a pinpointer? While you’re thinking — others are already digging up targets faster and will have time to dig up even more while you are standing over the hole. Everything interesting about pinpointers is collected here, reviews, tips and new products.
