Author Topic: The day my propointer went mad! (Read 890 times)

Buttsy · « **on:** November 12, 2011, 21:05 »

After 10 days back at work I was itching to get some more learning time with the etrac. So at 5 am down to the beach I went thinking I would dig everything to get an idea whats going on. Problem is the propointer was all over the shop and a lot of the time it just wouldn't stop. Swapped batteries same prob. I was about to throw it into the sea so I gave up and went home.

Thinking about it during the day I thought I wonder if it's the etrac? Its only started since i bought it. I usually put the Ace 350 down beside me while I dig with no problems. This afternoon I met up with Landlubber for a beach hunt and tried out my theory. Bingo propointer fixed. Just got to make sure I put the etrac further away.

egg on face but glad I didn't need a new propointer.

Treadsoftly · « **Reply #1 on:** November 12, 2011, 22:13 »

I found that as well with my Etrac, sometimes the propointer would muck up, but if I leave the Etrac in pinpoint mode while using the pointer it doesn't bother it.

Buttsy · « **Reply #2 on:** November 13, 2011, 11:48 »

It's now official dead

with very little use) looks like I'm in for a new one. The switch has crumbled and it's falsing like no tomorrow. Don't think it worth the postage back to the states. Will find a local to look at it one day. Anyone else have one die so quickly?

ozjesteroz · « **Reply #3 on:** November 13, 2011, 16:20 »

Buttsy, have you removed the rubber switch-cap?
Mine wouldnt turn off last nite and today I puled the rubber off and blew around in there and scraped some dirt away and it clicked up (was moving up and down but not clicking)
Surely another switch could be installed by a tech (even if he charged $40) and it would be cheaper than a new one.
I'm no expert but the switch looks tiny and would be the first thing to bugger up?

Jester

Buttsy · « **Reply #4 on:** November 13, 2011, 17:47 »

Quote from: ozjesteroz on November 13, 2011, 16:20

Buttsy, have you removed the rubber switch-cap?
Mine wouldnt turn off last nite and today I puled the rubber off and blew around in there and scraped some dirt away and it clicked up (was moving up and down but not clicking)
Surely another switch could be installed by a tech (even if he charged $40) and it would be cheaper than a new one.
I'm no expert but the switch looks tiny and would be the first thing to bugger up?

Jester

I've managed to dodge the switch back but it won't last as one of the little metal contacts had broken. It now has to be held on too work

It's as clean as a whistle in the actual switch. My biggest problem is the constant chatter that won't go away. I will definitely get it checked out by a local tech unless I find it's cheap enough to send back. It's only three months old with little use so pretty annoying. More annoying is I get very little time to detect and I'm going away for work on tue and camping out on locked up crown land which I believe has very little detecting but used to be hammered by people. I'm itching for a night hunt and to have a crack at the $100 award. Chances are slim now.

Cheers Buttsy

Count Pierre · « **Reply #5 on:** November 13, 2011, 18:52 »

DUCT TAPE!

GemQ · « **Reply #6 on:** November 13, 2011, 20:50 »

Buttsy,

With CP on this one. I have given mine a fair workout for over a year or so and it still working well. But I have covered both the switch and microphone with fluorescent duct tape. Hasn't missed a beat and no issue know with dirt and dust and I can find it if I leave it near a find..

Buttsy · « **Reply #7 on:** November 13, 2011, 21:25 »

Quote from: GemQ on November 13, 2011, 20:50

Buttsy,

With CP on this one. I have given mine a fair workout for over a year or so and it still working well. But I have covered both the switch and microphone with fluorescent duct tape. Hasn't missed a beat and no issue know with dirt and dust and I can find it if I leave it near a find..

Have had duct tape on it from near new, it physically broke

the contact broke into two. Looking at it's such a weak switch I will need to replace it.

Tommy Cash · « **Reply #8 on:** November 14, 2011, 01:17 »

Postage isn't that much back to the States and they will send you a brand new one - sheesh people maybe a lot of you just love tinkering with things once they are broken- no offence to anyone, but I cant understand why people prefer band-aid solutions to a new pointer.

ant · « **Reply #9 on:** November 14, 2011, 07:56 »

Mine was constantly falsing, changing batteries didn't help, but then I put 10c between the screw cap and battery to push it down on the contacts and it's fixed

Xavier · « **Reply #10 on:** November 15, 2011, 11:40 »

Yep had to do something similar ant and its been good since.
Also keen to test the idea of my detector been to close and causing the pointer to chatter, i always put it down to ground mineralization but after reading the above I think they might be on to something.

land-lubber · « **Reply #11 on:** November 16, 2011, 21:17 »

they false badly on some wet sand xaiver. or anywhere near salt water

ozjesteroz · « **Reply #12 on:** November 17, 2011, 00:10 »

Buttsy,
Having to hold on the switch for it to work is quite useable for your trip away.
I turn mine off after checking a plug for a target, even if I need my Lesche to dig some more dirt away. Then grab the pointer switch it on again and repeat.

Occasionally mine did play up and I had to hold the button down and you will get used to it very quickly.
Obviously it's better fully working but don't give up the hunt.

Jester

Craig · « **Reply #13 on:** December 13, 2011, 18:12 »

Hi All
Mine also went bonkers it was the rubber switch after useing it a lot 2 years the rubber split and pushed in, so of to century foam a rubber i found a Grommet 12.7 mm it fitted perfect now it,s like new same as origanal or even better this one is harder so should last longer

Count Pierre · « **Reply #14 on:** December 13, 2011, 19:09 »

I drowned mine in the surf early this morning!!

Still works, though.

Devildave laughed!!

Devildave · « **Reply #15 on:** December 14, 2011, 12:18 »

Quote from: Count Pierre on December 13, 2011, 19:09

I drowned mine in the surf early this morning!!

Still works, though.

Devildave laughed!!

Now you know the number one beach rule

scratchinaround · « **Reply #16 on:** December 15, 2011, 01:50 »

dunno, was gonna get a garrett p/pointer from WILLSY, but funds went oooohhhh.damn, reading the posts, why would ya? reckon i,d spend 10-20 mins. doing the hole. hell, the tecknologee ain,t that grand.!when will garrett get it right?

or is it just a user thing?
since studying/researching detectors, it,s so confusing. seems the best is what finds you the most.so many variables. dunno, cheers

garrettguy · « **Reply #17 on:** December 16, 2011, 10:51 »

Just wondering why do you do night hunts?
Is it so you wont get caught?

Just wanting to know thanks.

Buttsy · « **Reply #18 on:** December 16, 2011, 18:21 »

Because my working day starts at 5am and finishes at 5 pm ..ten days at a time

then I have two toddlers to look after until 7pm...

..I struggle to get any time behind the detector....so night hunting seems to be the answer. Hope that answers your question.

Count Pierre · « **Reply #19 on:** December 16, 2011, 19:22 »

Sounds pretty logical to me, Buttsy.

It's hard to get the balance when you have a young family.

I reckon you are doing pretty damn good!

Buttsy · « **Reply #20 on:** January 15, 2012, 18:30 »

Ok update finally got around to sending my propointer just before Christmas via snIl mail to the US. Has been fixed under warranty and express posted back yesterday. They said it had a faulty coil? And they put a new switch in.

FSH00 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 15, 2012, 22:10 »

So they posted it back to you yesterday but not yet received yeah?
You may get it back faster than mine, sent the same time but within Australia

$:-\$

Buttsy · « **Reply #22 on:** January 16, 2012, 06:37 »

Quote from: FSH00 on January 15, 2012, 22:10

So they posted it back to you yesterday but not yet received yeah?
You may get it back faster than mine, sent the same time but within Australia $:-\$

Yeh not received yet so yet to test their repairs. But I thought for sending it in the post at Christmas that's not a bad turn around. They have emailed me a invoice of repairs and even put a new battery in it! At least Garrettt USA seem to have some idea how to look after there customers.

Gecko · « **Reply #23 on:** January 16, 2012, 18:39 »

keep us updated and let us know how the repairs are.
I am still wanting a pinpointer, but i have to find some coins to put towards it.
Gecko

eljay · « **Reply #24 on:** January 17, 2012, 11:14 »

Question, why send your Propointer back to the US, when their in OZ as well, or is the OZ agency low on customer service, just wondering as i purchased my Propointer from Garrett Australia cheaper than total cost from OS.

http://www.garrettaustralia.com.au/