Xpointer Pinpointer - PI or Not?

[Steve Herschbach]

I have not logged in here in ages but I need help. Can anyone verify if the Deteknix Xpointer is a PI or not? It is being advertised that way but the brochure would seem to indicate otherwise.

[WM6]

There are different info on working frequency of this pinpointer, from 12kHz to 94kHz.

And maybe it is about changing technology incorporated with time:

http://www.metaldetectingforum.co.uk...67540&start=20

[Chet]

I have not logged in here in ages but I need help. Can anyone verify if the Deteknix Xpointer is a PI or not? It is being advertised that way but the brochure would seem to indicate otherwise.

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Hi Steve


Looking across the internet does give mixed views. I found two different operating frequencies 36 kHz and the 95 kHz in the brochure. The Garrett pinpointer operates at 12 kHz.


If this Xpointer is running at 36 kHz then it only has 27.7 usec between pulses. At 96 kHz the time between pulses is 10.4 usec between pulses. Either of these is pretty tight for sampling for coins that have time constants that are much longer.

If we disregard this frequency specification as being erroneous. Then there is some evidence to support the PI claim. The four power levels would be applicable to conserving power from the single 9v battery. One of the You-tube videos measured the current drain of the Xpointer versus the Garrett. The Xpointer draws approximately 5 times the current of the Garrett.


Normally Pulse Induction detectors are not advertised with a frequency specification. I have a Detector Pro Pistol Probe Pulse Induction pinpointer. I just checked the pulse repetition frequency with an oscilloscope. It has a variable frequency control. The low end reads out at 2.24 kHz the upper frequency end was 6.26 kHz. It uses two 9v batteries.


I just tested it on a nickel. It gets a solid detection at 4 inches (101 mm). I have picked up very small nuggets with it. But it is sensitive to hot ground so I use a Garrett most of the time. Not to find the small nuggets but to quickly find nails and other large metal objects. It saves a lot of time to get the junk out of the way and to move on hunting for nuggets.


From what is presented in the You-tube videos the Xpointer is in the Garrett performance class. It doesn’t appear to be in the PI performance area.
Regards,
Chet

[WM6]

The Garrett pinpointer operates at 12 kHz.

According this site Xpointer too:

http://www.nuggets.at/XPointer-PinPo...Metalldetektor

[Chet]

According this site Xpointer too:

http://www.nuggets.at/XPointer-PinPo...Metalldetektor

Hi WM6

I missed this one. But it sure looks like Xpointer may be the same technology as the Garrett and other pinpointers of the same type.

Thank you,
Chet

[Steve Herschbach]

Hi Guys,

Nice to get intelligent answers - I knew you were the go to guys. I am not knocking the product at all - honestly do not care that much about it. I am always curious about the tech though, and this just looks like a Garrett clone. Nothing wrong with that, imitation, flattery and all that. However, I do also have a DetectorPro Pocket Probe and used to have the Uniprobe. Those units are in a different class of performance entirely. The idea that this is a PI just is not ringing quite right with me. If it was and had performance half way close to the Detector Pro for $90 then I want one right now! I do have issues with stuff being advertised at being something it is not. Most people would not know one way or the other I suppose if they had one but I am picky about people in the industry giving us the facts.

[bernte_one]

Hello Steve,

i was one of the first in Germany who was able to buy it direct from producer.
Deteknix has the normal pinpointer which is very good concept. And so far i now and my last infos is that they have a underwater PI Pinpointer planned for spring 2015. I hope that i got one of the first asmple this time too. And i will report than.

you can also read more here
http://www.geotech1.com/forums/showt...ty-pin-pointer

[Carl-NC]

Hi Steve,

If it were PI it would perform a lot better than it does. Almost certainly it is the same method as Garrett, which is a loaded loop oscillator. Same as Minelab, same as the old White's Bullseye. I categorize the loaded loop oscillator in with BFO, PLL, and off-resonance detectors; a very simple single coil design that works very well for a pinpointer but not much beyond that. Highly mineralized ground kills it. Also explains the 95kHz operating frequency, easy to do with a loaded loop. I think the old Bullseye was up in the 30-something kHz range.

BTW, the high frequency is probably why the Deteknix hits the small nugget that Garrett (at 12kHz) can't see at all. However, frequency isn't everything; the TRX at 12kHz also easily beats the Garrett (and probably the Deteknix) on small nuggets.

- Carl

[Steve Herschbach]

I guess if it is a PI it is a really lousy PI. Thanks everyone.

[bernte_one]

the xpointer is not a pi

the pi pinpointer will follow it isn´t on the market at moment