Anyone know what this is doing?

[3pinplug]

Hi
Recently tried the mod where you slide a coin up the side of your pinpointer until it buzzes then back the coin off a bit, the effect increases the depth of your pinpointer.

What exactly is that affect doing i.e increasing inductance etc, if anyone knows I'm going to try and mod my pinpointer with a more permanet solution to replicate it and hopefully have the increased depth all the time - unless anyone has already carried this out?

Thanks

Mark

[kt315]

sidekick? http://www.findmall.com/read.php?22,...41#msg-1788441

[Carl-NC]

The Propointer design is based on a loaded oscillator whose amplitude is heavily influenced by nearby metals and minerals. Minerals (ground) causes the amplitude to increase and metals cause it to decrease. When you turn the unit on, the micro measures the oscillator amplitude and sets a threshold level somewhat below that point; when a metal target causes the amplitude to drop below the threshold the buzzer buzzes.

The sliding coin trick pushes the amplitude down to barely above the threshold point, which causes an apparent increase in sensitivity to other targets. Note that the Propointer re-calculates the threshold every time it's powered on, so you cannot just tape the coin in place; it has to be slid into place every time. The Sidekick uses a coil and a switch to do the same thing.

BTW, most pinpointers use a loaded oscillator design because it makes for a simple coil winding.

- Carl

[3pinplug]

Many thanks, this looks very in tersting as fairly easy to do.

happy christmas

Mark

[sido]

I still cannot understand why would anyone require a pinpointer that can detect a metal objects more than what it is designed to do so.

Why the extra inch, 2 or 3????

Can someone please explain???

Sid

[kt315]

I still cannot understand why would anyone require a pinpointer that can detect a metal objects more than what it is designed to do so.

Why the extra inch, 2 or 3????

Can someone please explain???

Sid

Sid, I can explain. take Tesoro Compadre and make like you see on this photo, you will get the extra depth.

[sido]

Hi Kt315,

Okay, but why have a pinpointer detecting a metal object at great distances??....Not the detector above, but a pinpointer,

The purpose of a pinpointer is to locate the metal target once you have detected it with a larger coil on your detector.

I ask, why do people want extra depth???

Sid

[Carl-NC]

What depth is enough? Personally, I think 2" on an average coin is minimum, anything less than that and you are more likely to stab the coin with the digger. 3-4" would be great, but beyond that it's a diminishing return for general hunting. The Propointer gets 2", so detuning for an extra 40-50% isn't unreasonable. The DetectorPro Pistol Probe gets about 5" on coins and no one is complaining that it goes too deep.

[bklein]

Why wouldn't the mfr just give you the option of increasing the sensitivity/threshold to the same level of the sidekick? Seems in a comparison test it would then win out.

[Carl-NC]

It's possible that they could set the threshold a bit tighter, but maybe they found it susceptible to falsing or some other problem. I assume they didn't make it adjustable because that adds a control knob.

[bklein]

Would it be better to turn the pointer on when it is inside the hole (but at a distance to target). I'm wondering if it better adapts to the type of ground material that way.
The Profind does have adjustable sensitivity both +/- from the auto setting - I guess for the purpose you describe. So if the user turns it on above ground it may be too sensitive and the setting can be backed off. But I wonder if enabled while in the hole it gets you to the same final setting.

[Mark-VA]

This is why I've moved to start hanging out here.

Amazing what some of these humans know and are willing to share.

Why can't other detector makers share more information to the tech hunters?

The Propointer design is based on a loaded oscillator whose amplitude is heavily influenced by nearby metals and minerals. Minerals (ground) causes the amplitude to increase and metals cause it to decrease. When you turn the unit on, the micro measures the oscillator amplitude and sets a threshold level somewhat below that point; when a metal target causes the amplitude to drop below the threshold the buzzer buzzes.

The sliding coin trick pushes the amplitude down to barely above the threshold point, which causes an apparent increase in sensitivity to other targets. Note that the Propointer re-calculates the threshold every time it's powered on, so you cannot just tape the coin in place; it has to be slid into place every time. The Sidekick uses a coil and a switch to do the same thing.

BTW, most pinpointers use a loaded oscillator design because it makes for a simple coil winding.

- Carl

[homefire]

If you spent a million Dollars to make a cool new widget would you be willing to spill the beens on the whole thing?

[Mark-VA]

If you spent a million Dollars to make a cool new widget would you be willing to spill the beens on the whole thing?

Looks like you took that the wrong way.
Not wanting to know about what they are working on.