Be it for detecting gas leaks or locating underground utility cables, detector devices are everywhere. This includes metal detectors as well, which although do the same thing as other detectors, don’t always rely on the same technology. A metal detector uses radio waves that when in contact with a metal surface bounce back to the detector’s receiver. This is a pretty simple explanation of how metal detectors work.
But there is more to it than just pointing the detector to the ground and picking up a signal. Sometimes, it’s not as easy, and you need extra gear and equipment to help you find what you’re looking for. Just like you need accessories for welding or woodworking, you need accessories when working with metal detectors in order to make your findings less time-consuming. For this, you could use pinpointers or handheld devices that act as metal detectors and can be used everywhere.
Minelab Pro Find 35
One of these devices is Radiodetection’s Pro Find 35 pinpointer. This device is 23.7cm long and you can detect metal targets inside a small crevice or a hole with it. With the Minelab Pro Find 35, you get access to where no regular metal detector can get you access, as well as a rugged waterproof design and DIF technology. The Pro Find 35 comes with adjustable sensitivity, allowing you to change its maximum depth and minimum noise in all kinds of ground conditions, even underwater down to 3 meters of depth.
DIF or detector interference-free technology helps reduce the interference with another detector when you have the pinpointer off. If you happen to lose your Pro Find 35, you’ll get a sound alarm that activates after a certain period of inactivity. The Minelab Pro Find 35 is also able to tell non-ferrous from ferrous items, so it only picks up metal items instead of other items that have a similar composition.
With Radiodetection’s 193g heavy Pro Find 35 pinpointer you get 30 hours of battery life from one charge thanks to the 9V PP3 battery. This device also comes with a vibration indication and an LED flashlight indicator together with a holster and a lanyard. Pair the Pro Find 35 with one of Radiodetection’s quality metal detectors and you won’t ever worry about wasting time on items other than metal ones.
How Do You Use a Pinpointer for Metal Detecting?
Before Use
Before you get your pinpointer out of your pocket, make sure that you’ve used your regular metal detector for the location of a target. If applicable, pinpoint the target with your search coil, then dig a hole with your handy shovel and search the pile of dirt with the metal detector. If you dug up the target, your metal detector will pick it up and the need for a pinpointer is no more. But if you haven’t dug up the target and you’ve identified that it is at a tight spot, then you should use your pinpointer.
Using a Pinpointer
- Make sure your pinpointer is not facing any metal objects. Turn the pinpointer on and let it go through a series of beeps which will indicate that it is switched on and tuned to ground conditions.
- In case you’re using your pinpointer in a highly-mineralised terrain, you’ll want to place the tip of the pinpointer directly into the sand, soil, or saltwater. Make sure the ground balancing button is pressed when doing so, which can also be a retune or calibrate button.
- If your pinpointer is having environmental responses, either turn down its sensitivity or press the ground balancing or retune button once again. Pinpointers work by beeping faster the closer you are to the object you’re after, which is known as a proportional audio system.
- You’ll want to scan with the tip of the pinpointer into the hole or crevice and listen closely to how the device behaves. The beeps may change in pitch when you’re closer to the object with the goal being to move the tip of the pinpointer closer until the beeping becomes one continuous tone. A continuous tone means that you’re about 1cm away from your object.
- In case your pinpointer is not able to detect the metal target that the metal detector is able to detect, you may need to dig deeper. If there is an erratic behaviour present, then retune the pinpointer by pressing the ground balancing button. When you’ve found your target, switch off the pinpointer and make sure you clean it.
- Clean your target object using your dedicated cleaning tools and make sure to inspect it and bag it accordingly. Refill the hole you dug out the target object from, put your pinpointer in your pocket and move on happily as you’ve successfully used your pinpointer to locate a metal object from a tight spot.
