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  • Garrett Pro-Pointer LED on-off

    This is now a good and simple solution but you have to be careful:

    1. the plus 4V or something like this powersource for the ultrabright LED is located
    somewhere near that vibrations creating motor

    2. You have to scratch / cut the very tiny copper line that leads by default from
    a SMD resistor to the more center located LED output pin otherwise you can't switch
    it fully off, but you can get half brightness if you leave that as usual

    3. be very careful with the 3 wires that leads to the coil - those may break if you tear too often or too heavy

    4. Caution: first remove the rubber cap of the usual on-off switch and if you pull out the PCB you must push down
    that switch at the same time fully otherwise you will break this switch
    Attention: If you still have a warranty for this pinpointer you will lose it.

    5. Earlier I used a 150 Ohm resistor to save battery-power (the LED was running all the time)
    but now I have replaced it with 100 Ohm - this is alot brighter now

    6. My solution to switch the LED to on or off was by simple using one of those tiny plastic plugs that are used to
    connect cables with PCBs. I soldered it simply upside down to the flat side of the 9V block holder so all I have to
    do is to stick the wire into one of the both holes or remove it. You may melt a hole for a switch somewhere but
    it could cause more trouble than needed because of the holding grip for the hand and waterproof issues.

    7. It's a good opportunity to replace the little original LED with a ultrabright "big" or a green, red or blue one.
    If so you need to enlarge the hole exactly to the LEDs diameter and don't forget to isolate the gap with
    glue or rubberstuff afterwards so no dirt can get in and no water can run into the housing if its wet.


    additional tip:
    Check out electronic markets for 7.4v Li-Ion Packs (digicams, camcorder, mobiles or whatever) that have the
    size of a 9V battery! Of course you need a propriate charger, too. Remove the plastic at home and create some
    kind of 9V plug adapter (take apart an old 9V battery) - that way you can save alot money for these 9V blocks.

    Caution: Don't shortcut the open Li-Po pack and always use the correct polarity!


    GOOD LUCK !!!
    Attached Files

  • #2
    Don't lose your Garrett Pro-Pointer-Mod !

    Don't lose your Garrett Pro-Pointer, because this would be an expenisive "fun".
    And it really can happen quite fast !!!

    So today I melted a plastic-eyelet onto the the Pro-Pointers lid (closing cap)
    and attached a ca. 60cm / 2feet shoelace there incl. small lobster clasp.

    As an additional benefit now it's possible to lower the Pro-Pointer
    into small holes, cracks, gaps, openings in the ground etc.
    Attached Files

    Comment


    • #3
      Finally I have the Garrett Pro-Pointers LED now instant ON-OFF switchable!

      The biggest problem in the beginning was to find a good location for the mini-pushbutton.

      But I solved it - beneath the usual pinpointers ON-OFF switch.

      That location also is practical while working with the pinpointer.


      I soldered the new pushbutton-wires directly to the LEDs circuit so I still can use
      my first modification, too (LED always ON if wire is connected inside battery case)

      A little problem was the usual ON-OFF switch - somewhere it was stuck while
      reassambling (probably I have forgotten to push it down) and fell apart,
      but I could repair it and it works again. But now this is a good warning to be careful.
      Cause replacing this switch if its real broken needs to unsolder it from the PCB
      and replace it with a new one that has excactly the same size.

      Also be very careful that the inside cable that leads to the coil doesn't
      get stuck somehow if you reinsert the PCB - this can easily happen.


      Perhaps I will cover the little pushbutton with some small tape or membrane to
      make it more waterproof. Perhaps some black tape.


      The new mod not only saves more battery (or in my case 7.4v Li-Ion accu) power
      but its also better if you don't wanna get seen at night. btw. I'm using a red ultrabright LED.

      Have fun with the pictures - you also can see the special high sensitivitity screw.
      It was melted into the plastic including a screw-nut there so it really sits tight and
      it will not wear out even after long time usage.

      Not all screws work for this mod, they mustn't break if you bend them 90°.

      OK that's it and it feels great having the most heavy modified Garrett Pro-Pointer in the whole world now!
      Attached Files

      Comment

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