???s about probes

[CowboyKolo]

's about probes

Okay, I've been contemplating buying a probe for quite some time. There's just a couple things that have stopped me. One is price, I'm kind of on a tight budget at the moment. The other is something a local metal detector dealer told me when I inquired about them.

Essentially, he said they were a waste of money. You could get by with just a screwdriver.
Now, I don't know a lot about metal detectors, but I know they detect metal. I also know that
a screwdriver is made of metal. So maybe I'm off the mark here, but wouldn't the screwdriver override the detectors ability to pinpoint anything? How does using a screwdriver help?

 

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[wildrider]

Re: 's about probes

Short version....Pinpoint with MD then use your probe to poke around until you feel it hit the object then wedge it up out of the hole...kinda

 

[Eu_citzen]

Re: 's about probes

Yes you can get by with a screwdriver but it's not as easy as the probe. The probe is a must if you ask me.

You pinpoint the area and use the screwdriver to "feel" the coins and other objects this requires training a probe does not.



Good Hunting!
Eu

 

[CowboyKolo]

Re: 's about probes

Hmm, the scrwdriver also seems to carry the disadvatzge of possibly damaging the very item your looking for

 

[Pepper2004]

Re: 's about probes

If your in a pinch use the screwdriver. That is what I used when I first started cause I didn't know what a probe was...lol
Save the coins you find and buy a probe later. The screwdriver can get kinda rough on coins (scratches and nicks).

HH,
Pepper

 

[La Beep]

Re: 's about probes

Some people like probes, most don't.
Probes are made out of brass so they won't damage you find.
Very few people use a probe to make the smallest hole possible. Most make the hole the same size anyway, the width of the digging tool.

So if you learn to pinpoint with your detector and going to make the same size hole the probe is just an extra non needed step.

Now If you are going to practice making super small holes go for it.

****VERY IMPORTANT DO NOT USE STEEL AS A PROBE**** and stay away from the dealer who told you to use a steel screw driver. I think I know what he was trying to say to you, basically, the same as I said above, but should have left out the screwdriver part.

 

[PMike]

Re: 's about probes

I have a name brand probe that came with my detector purchase, but bought another one. The other one is a detector that has a small led for illumination and a sensitivity dial to adjust it. The name brand is marketed at a retail price of almost $200.00, but often sells for less. The off brand seems to work better for me and cost under $20.00 with tax. The off brand is a "Centronic's" and sells through Harbor Freight.

Mike

 

[La Beep]

Re: 's about probes

I have a name brand probe that came with my detector purchase, but bought another one. The other one is a detector that has a small led for illumination and a sensitivity dial to adjust it. The name brand is marketed at a retail price of almost $200.00, but often sells for less. The off brand seems to work better for me and cost under $20.00 with tax. The off brand is a "Centronic's" and sells through Harbor Freight.

Mike

There is a difference between a pinpointer and a probe
A pinpointer is a small metal detector.
A probe is a rod with a handle on it.

 

[PMike]

Re: 's about probes

"There is a difference between a pinpointer and a probe
A pinpointer is a small metal detector.
A probe is a rod with a handle on it."


My bad

Just re-read this thread and noticed it more specifically is about probes. In my situation I do have what is called a "cache probe" and it is in fact a combination of both. I have used it very little as it seems to be less than effective for me than using the Centronic's detector.

 

[La Beep]

Re: 's about probes

It's not so much bad as it is misleading, it hard to probe with a pinpointer. But it can be done. But it must be warned that probing with a pinpointer may break it.

 

[CowboyKolo]

Re: 's about probes

Thanks for the info folks. A pin pointer might not be a bad idea, but a probe certainly isn't essential with the size plugs I usually dig lol

 

[La Beep]

Re: 's about probes

The off brand seems to work better for me and cost under $20.00 with tax. The off brand is a "Centronic's" and sells through Harbor Freight.

I will agree this is the best bang for your dollar if you are looking for a pinpointer. At times they are hard to order due to being out of stock.

Bottom line... learn to use your detector it gives you the tools needed.

 

[greydigger]

Re: 's about probes

Some of the land that I look at is very hard clay at this time of year.
I cannot see driving an 1/8" piece of brass into it more than 1 or 2 inches.
I thought the spendy detectors told what depth and you go below that and pop it out?

 

[mach2]

Re: 's about probes

Okay, I've been contemplating buying a probe for quite some time. There's just a couple things that have stopped me. One is price, I'm kind of on a tight budget at the moment. The other is something a local metal detector dealer told me when I inquired about them.

Essentially, he said they were a waste of money. You could get by with just a screwdriver.
Now, I don't know a lot about metal detectors, but I know they detect metal. I also know that
a screwdriver is made of metal. So maybe I'm off the mark here, but wouldn't the screwdriver override the detectors ability to pinpoint anything? How does using a screwdriver help?

Make your own probe, I did although I don't use it that much. They're great for surface finds though. I couldn't use 1/8 brass stock because the basic cabinet knob found at home improvement centers require a 8/32 machine type thread therefore I had to get 5/32" brass stock. Cut the threads into one end used a brass nut, flat wash and a finish washer. Bought the knob at lowe's. Total investment: a tad over 3 bucks! Very easy project.

Here's detailed picture:

 

[Slingshot]

Re: 's about probes

I use a probe to locate coins in lawns with nice grass that I don't want to tear up with a digger, and bring down the ire of John Q. Public. It has a plastic handle and a bronze or brass solid round shank with a point. I poke it around until I feel the coin, then while leaving the probe in contact with the coin, I ease in a flathead screwdriver underneath the coin and wiggle it out, dimes will sometimes follow up the screwdriver shank and jump out of the ground - which makes for an impressive display to show someone. Practice makes perfect, but sometimes I have to abandon a good signal because I can't locate it with a probe. I'll try to get back to it in winter when the ground is saturated with water, and the grass is dormant, then it's time for Mr. Digger to take on the task the probe could not finish.