is a pinpointer necessary?

artemis moon

artemis moon

Hero Member
Jun 1, 2007
873
149
Near Bangor, Maine
Detector(s) used
Minelab Safari
ProPointer
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
I'm a beginner and having a little trouble pinpointing my finds. I just bought the ACE 250, and I'm wondering how effective the built in pinpointer is. Is it necessary to buy a separate pinpointer with this unit? The other question is, after you pinpoint your target, where is it under the coil? Directly underneath the center of it, or in front of it? Thanks!
 

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Art, I have never used a pin pointer with any of my Whites detectors. Than I read how good they are ,so I bought a bullseye. Yuck, what a waste of money. It was terrable for me. Some guys might like them but not me. I sent it back to my dealer as part of a trade. Mike.
 

Artemis,
To pinpoint a coin size object with the 250/150 model
First get a repeatable beep.
Place the coil ON THE GROUND close to where you think the target is.
Push the pinpoint button and don't let it up
Using two hands slide the coil left and right and stop in the center of the tone. Do NOT release the pinpoint button yet!
While in the center of the tone left to right slowly pull the coil towards you.
When the tone goes away the object is directly under the front edge of the center coil.
I'm talking about the smaller oval coil. Not the larger outer coil.
 

I don't go md'ing without mine. I don't use a pinpointer to pinpoint an object in the ground. I use the metal detector for that. I use the pinpointer to locate the object after it is out of the ground or in some instances when it is still in the hole, maybe along the edge where the metal detector ( I won't blame myself :o) didn't accuratingly center it under the coil. This happens sometimes, especially on objects close to the top of the ground or on some coins on edge. I use the Wizard Vib Probe. It is inexpensive ,gets the job done and is not big and cumbersome like the auto max.
 

khouse said:
Artemis,
To pinpoint a coin size object with the 250/150 model
First get a repeatable beep.
Place the coil ON THE GROUND close to where you think the target is.
Push the pinpoint button and don't let it up
Using two hands slide the coil left and right and stop in the center of the tone. Do NOT release the pinpoint button yet!
While in the center of the tone left to right slowly pull the coil towards you.
When the tone goes away the object is directly under the front edge of the center coil.
I'm talking about the smaller oval coil. Not the larger outer coil.
Click to expand...

I'm not trying to downplay your expertise here... but this seems to be the same misnomer going on around the forums. Have you ever actually used an Ace 150... no, not the 250, the 150. My reasoning for asking this is because I have an Ace 150, no not the 250... and there is NO pinpoint button or feature on it.

I'm not meaning to take my frustrations out on you... but I just tire of people on here confusing the 150 with the 250, even though I've clearly said 150 over and over in the past. There is a difference. Not nearly as many settings, and *no* pinpointing function. *sigh*

Sorry... *steps off the soap box* :-\

Bran <><
 

Its not too hard to pinpoint without a pinpointing feature. I do it with my Ace 250 all the time. Just X it out, keeping your eyes fixed on the point on the ground where you hear the signal, never taking your eyes off the spot, squat down and start digging :D.
 

you dont need a seperate pinpointer, but it makes things much better for me. i would really miss mine if i were to forget it. it makes life a lot easier for finding those targets that are still in the hole after you dig a plug.
 

Again, the Ace 250 *has* a pinpointing function built in... on my "ACE 150", I get a signal usually in a 5 inch by 5 inch square.... because there isn't a pinpointing function on it.
I guess it must be hard to understand....

Bran <><
 

Thanks to all who replied-especially to Shermanville whose short, sweet answer just cut through all of the red tape. ;D
 

That was going to be my answer!
 

Godisnum1 -

You are correct. I made a mistake. I know the difference. I was leaving for a vacation and quickly answered the question. Yes the 150 does NOT have a pinpoint feature.
 

Heh, it's alright... I've just had a small handful of people off of the forums batch the 250 & 150 as having the same features. Just kinda found it irritating... didn't mean to get edgy. Sorry!

Bran <><
 

I have an Ace 250 as well and just recently bought a vibraprobe pinpointer. As the ace does pinpoint very well I use the vibraprobe to find the object after I've dug a plug. I have found that the vibraprobe saves me tons and tons of time. If I didn't find the object right off the bat I kept swinging the detector over the hole or over the dirt pile or over the plug trying to find it. This was quite the pain in the back! I would not ever think about detecting now with out it.

Rebelinmass
 

I decided to order the Wizard VibProbe, because it was very reasonable ($27.00 on Amazon). I figured that I would see how much I like using it, and upgrade to a better one and pass the old one on to my kid in a couple of months. I know I'm still learning and I don't want to become dependent on having to use a pinpointer before I really understand how my machine works
 

Is a PP'er necessary? In my opinion, no. Give yourself a little time to learn the 250 and you will be fine. It's all in trial and error, and each and every time you go out there, you will bring back with you something new learned, to the point where you will feel like an expert at some point or another, but no matter how many times you go out there, you will learn something new. My advice in learning to PP with the 250 is simple, first, forget about the PP'er altogether. Try to get as precise an idea of where the object/coin is just by sweeping the coil over. Keep in mind that the machine rings off not in the center, but the outer coils. This would apply even more for a 150 without the PP. Believe it or not, if you get good at this method, you can PP with relative accuracy on that alone. Once that is put into practice, start getting good on the PP'er. My absolute advise for PP'ing with the 250 is do not even try looking at the screens bars. You will loose yourself. Do not even try to concentrate on a certain spot on the coil. Simply focus on the center of the coil and where it sounds the loudest as you pass it over the target. Although standard to change the X angle by sweeping forward and backward, I strongly advise against it and instead recommend you turn your body 90 degrees at give it another sweep. Listen, the advise me or anyone here can give you does not make up for actual hands on practice, so get out there and put some hours into learning your machine. It's no science and you will pick up its behavior.

Best,
Ricardo
 

I have had my Ace 250 for a couple of months now. I bought the automax pinpointer with it and I must say it is a pain to carry around. Too big. Plus it basically has to be touching the metal object to detect it.

That said, I think a pinpointer is very helpful. I can't tell you how many times, even with my limited MD time and experience, that I have had a tough time finding a target in a pile of gravel, dirt, or in the hole. I am 32 and have good eyesight too!

For instance, last Friday & Saturday I spent about 10 mins trying to find a couple of targets in a sand & gravel playground. One ended up being a small piece of bent & rusted wire. The other was a very small gear... like from a watch or toy or something. I think a pinpointer could have helped me in both cases, but I opted to leave the automax in the trunk.

Now, I am seriously considering biting the bullet and getting one of the Sun Ray YF-1 inline pinpointer probes for my Ace 250. I think in the end, it will be money well spent. Plus, I can sell it with my Ace 250 as an upgraded system if I ever get tired of MD or outgrow my Ace 250. The same Sun Ray YF-1 also works with other Garrett models, so that should add to it's own resale value too. The problem right now is coming up with the money for the Sun Ray. Maybe in a month or two I will have made the plunge and let you all know how I like it.

I say get a pinpointer. Even if it is the Wizard Vib-probe or one of the other lower cost ones. They will help you find targets quicker. My main recommendation though is find one that is convenient to carry around with all your other stuff - digging tools, pouch, etc. They do you no good whatsoever if they stay in the car like mine does.
 

I have been hunting for 14 years and have never used a pinpointer. But then most of the time i am using a Garrett and i can pp pretty well with them.

Also it all depends on what u want to do.

Is it crucial?? NO

Is it helpful?? Im sure

GL and HH
 

Pinpointers are tool. Just like any tool used correctly they save time and frustration. Whether you need one is a personal opinion. Over 3 years mine has saved me time, frustration, and kept me from damaging a few good finds. For me it is worth it.

Ed D.
 

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