Picked up a very inexpensive Cen-Tech pinpointer- Comments/Questions??

[Garrett424]

So I ran across an old thread yesterday regarding the Cen-Tech hand held "metal detector" from Harbor Freight Tools. I called them and they had 5 on the shelf at 17.99. Apparently, at the time the original thread was written there was a 2 month wait. I don't think that's a problem anymore/

Here's the original thread. I tried to bump it but it didn't bump:

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/tool-shed/82722-inexpensive-hand-held-pinpointer.html

There's a good thorough description, a picture and the specs in the OP.

Anyway, I got this thing, put the battery in (single 9volt) and gave it a quick test in my car. It definitely works, I can say that much. It has a sensitivity adjustment and a built in light that's kinda' cool IMO.

It looks a bit cheesy (because it is cheesy) but I ran across a few YouTube videos and a few more threads on this site that show how to modify it into a fairly decent pinpointer for just a few bucks and a little time.

Apparently, the switch is the weakest link in the device but that can be easily replaced. Also, the probe is bolted through the device with a simple small nut. I'm thinking a lock washer or some Loctite (or both) will hold that thing in place for a while. (super glue makes an excellent substitute for Loctite BTW). It's also not waterproof but that shouldn't be too big an obstacle to correct.

Tomorrow I'll test it on some real digs and see how it does. If it's really bad I'm only out about 18 bucks but I'm sure I'll get some use out of it before I use up my moneys worth anyway.

I stopped in Bass Pro Shops last Saturday morning after picking up my latest detector and they only had the Bounty Hunter pinpointer with a price tag of 69.99. You can get them online for around 35.00 any time.

So, I figured I would try this thing out in the meantime and see how it does. I just thought I would pass this info on to any newbies like myself who haven't heard of this device. And of course, if you don't have a Harbor freight store in your area you can buy them online from the company website.

I swear, that place is like the Dollar store of tools but they do have lots of unusual stuff at really low prices. I couldn't even get anyone to help me find the darn thing because there was no one there TO help me. It took me about 15 minutes and then another 15 waiting in the ONE checkout line that was open. Overall, I'm thinkin' it was worth the wait. That may change once I form a solid opinion on this device.

I do think that this thing is perfect for kids or those who are just learning the hobby. Plus if a kid (or anyone else) loses interest you're still not out any significant money.

Any comments or critiques are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance and HH.

 

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[Boatlode]

Harbor Freight pinpointer works great for me. No complaints.

 

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[Higgy]

I would also advocate spraying the tip with either Dupi-color or Rustoleum spray bedliner. Very tough stuff, and when/if it wears out, just spray it again. Way more durable than plastic dip.

 

[Garrett424]

Yes at some point the temperature change will probably go beyond the range of the external knob and you will have to adjust the internal pot. The pot seems to be a course adjustment and the knob a fine adjustment. I set the knob close to it's center of travel and turn the pot just till it stops sounding. Only takes a few seconds with a hole drilled in it. I keep a piece of tape over the hole.

I ran into that problem yesterday when it got really hot. The knob was useless and it just squealed like a banshee.

But, being the creative guy that I am I walked back to the car, put it in my cooler for about 3 minutes and moved on to a shady hunting spot. It worked great.

Once the really hot sun began to go down it was fine. I got about another 9 hours out of it yesterday.

But today I'll be drilling that hole. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Higgy]

On the other end of it, are the CenTechs affected by cold?

 

[Garrett424]

On the other end of it, are the CenTechs affected by cold?

Good question but I can't answer it because I just got this thing. I did cool mine down and it was fine. the cooler it is the more range you get in your sensitivity adjustment; at least, that's what mine does. I don't know anything about how consistently these things are produced or tuned.

I guess I'll find out in a few months when the weather changes.

 

[RobRieman]

You could always drill a hole in the side of your cooler and remote a switch up on the handle and just wheel it around to the holes you dig.

 

[Garrett424]

You could always drill a hole in the side of your cooler and remote a switch up on the handle and just wheel it around to the holes you dig.

If it comes to that I'll spend some money and get a real pinpointer.

 

[Frankn]

On the other end of it, are the CenTechs affected by cold?

Cold should not affect a pin pointer, however it does effect the battery. Cold slows the chemical action in a battery.
Frank...-

 

[Frankn]

If it comes to that I'll spend some money and get a real pinpointer.

You have a real pinpointer! Hay, the case is not as neat looking as some others, but you can't mod most others. If you want something neat, get a bright blue LED. Mount it in the case by drilling a hole at the desired spot, just solder the leads to the sounding device. Test it first. LEDs are polarity sensitive. You can't hurt it, it just won't light wired backwards.
Now try it out. When it finds the target, the blue LED lights. I epoxied the probe to the case, inside.
Mine is about 4 years old now, No problems, but I did add a good switch.
Frank...-

 

[Garrett424]

You have a real pinpointer! Hay, the case is not as neat looking as some others, but you can't mod most others. If you want something neat, get a bright blue LED. Mount it in the case by drilling a hole at the desired spot, just solder the leads to the sounding device. Test it first. LEDs are polarity sensitive. You can't hurt it, it just won't light wired backwards.
Now try it out. When it finds the target, the blue LED lights. I epoxied the probe to the case, inside.
Mine is about 4 years old now, No problems, but I did add a good switch.
Frank...-
View attachment 1033354

I know it's a pinpointer but you know how it is.

I can't complain though. I have so little money invested in ALL of my equipment I'm well into the black; way more than I had even imagined I would be.

The LED is an awesome idea. Who knows, by the time I get all of my modifications done I may have the most awesome, one of a kind pinpointer ever. You could probably doctor these things and sell them at a profit.

I saw a YouTube video where a guy actually mounted his on the end of some type of pole, made a holder for it on the shaft of his detector and doesn't even have to bend over to pinpoint the spots. he just pulls it out of the tube and pinpoints from a standing position. (i guess he still has to bend over to dig pick up whatever he finds unless he makes one of his kids do the diggin' or something)

I won't go quite that far because I don't want to clutter up my detectors but it seems to work for him. This is beginning to turn into a fun little project. The possibilities are almost endless.

Thanks again for the LED tip.

 

[I can dig it]

Yeah thats one of the best things about this cheap pinpointer, you don't have to worry if one of your mods screws it up. I think I'm going to do the vibrating motor mod on mine next. The loud sound it makes sometimes draws attention.

 

[Frankn]

Yeah thats one of the best things about this cheap pinpointer, you don't have to worry if one of your mods screws it up. I think I'm going to do the vibrating motor mod on mine next. The loud sound it makes sometimes draws attention.

You can get a cell phone type vibrator from Radio Shack that will work. Hooks up jest like the LED.
Hay that Blue led is quiet and you can just disconnect the existing sounding unit.
Frank...-

 

[Garrett424]

You can get a cell phone type vibrator from Radio Shack that will work. Hooks up jest like the LED.
Hay that Blue led is quiet and you can just disconnect the existing sounding unit.
Frank...-View attachment 1033474

Good idea. I was hunting in an EXTREMELY quiet area tonight and that thing was definitely loud. You could practically hear an echo through the woods. So was my detector for that matter. That's the one complaint about my Bounty Hunter detectors. They have no volume control.

I also saw a good YouTube vid that showed how to wire in a tiny electric motor as a vibrator. It's very simple to do.

And yeah, an LED mod is a very good idea.

 

[wainzoid]

Im going to build a pinpointer with Lego's.

 

[CladGrabber]

Im going to build a pinpointer with Lego's.

LoL!

 

[Garrett424]

Im going to build a pinpointer with Lego's.

You sound like my son. He's a Lego freak.

Ever step on a Lego block in your bare feet?? They hurt like hell. I can't count how many times that happened when my kids were little.

 

[I can dig it]

Im going to build a pinpointer with Lego's.

Sounds like a great project. Hopefully you find DIY as fulfilling and enjoyable as I do.

 

[Garrett424]

Well the switch finally died and I went and got a replacement at radio Shack. I soldered it in with no problems, didn't touch anything else whatsoever and now there's no sound whatsoever, no chirp, no nothing. The light comes on beautifully and the switch is fine. I even bypassed the switch and still not a sound.

All of the connections to the little speaker look fine and there's no dirt clogging it up or anything. I tried adjusting the sensitivity pot a bit but still nothing. It may have just died, I don't know.

I'm going to my best spot tomorrow and I have no time to replace it. I NEED HELP ASAP!!!!!

If anyone knows how to even begin to troubleshoot or fix this thing please lemme' know. PM me, post in this thread or whatever.

Thanks in advance.

 

[airscapes]

Well the switch finally died and I went and got a replacement at radio Shack. I soldered it in with no problems, didn't touch anything else whatsoever and now there's no sound whatsoever, no chirp, no nothing. The light comes on beautifully and the switch is fine. I even bypassed the switch and still not a sound.

All of the connections to the little speaker look fine and there's no dirt clogging it up or anything. I tried adjusting the sensitivity pot a bit but still nothing. It may have just died, I don't know.

I'm going to my best spot tomorrow and I have no time to replace it. I NEED HELP ASAP!!!!!

If anyone knows how to even begin to troubleshoot or fix this thing please lemme' know. PM me, post in this thread or whatever.

Thanks in advance.

Yep, that happened.. forget what I did to fix it.. think the speaker wire had a cold solder joint on the board. Do yourself a great favor, save your pennies and buy the whites TRX. After you use it a few times you will wonder what the heck you were thinking using this HF junk.

 

[Garrett424]

Problem solved, well at least, figured out.

The speaker is toast. The connector snapped off so deep inside it can't be fixed.
I'll save up for a real pinpointer. In the meantime I'll pick up some kind of buzzer and wire it in. That'll be easy an enough fix and one day, it'll be a backup.

I'm a bit pissed because I'm going to my best spot tomorrow and have no time for even a quick fix. The plans are already made to leave early. I'm hunting pinpointer or not and I'm going to have a great time.
Thanks