New Zealand Gold Prospecting & Metal Detecting Forums Archive

Hi Guys, I now have replacement switches (for the original) so if anyone wants one PM me, I got 30 for something like $7 from overseas so no payment needed.

Edited by user Wednesday, 30 January 2013 10:48:37 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Hi DB
No I didn't I was more interested in getting it fixed to go for a hunt. *8^)
the switch was pretty easy to d-solder (I have a good solder station and solder sucker) just make sure the replacement switch is up the right way or you will reverse the off on positions making on up and down off.
I also d-soldered the 3 wires from the coil took a very small snip off and re soldered them as the joints are fragile and don't like being moved to often.
While I was in there I also replaced the LED with a 5000mcd (I think) which is a good improvement but not huge.

This time I used long nose pliers to move the coil cable out the way as much as I could, took a couple of attempts as the coil cable kept getting in the way of the led but worse was sitting on the vibrator motor which was a little frustrating (should have used the fishing line).

Just slide the board back in slowly make sure it is in the guide slots and the switch is in the on position and push it down a little past the on position with a very small flat head screwdriver(through the switch hole) as you see it hit the body of the pin pointer.

Yeah ok, you're right i should have at least taken some pics, just didn't think of it at the time sorry.

Help! I need a switch!

My pinpointer was falsing badly so I decided it was time to pull the board out and give it a good clean. The plastic battery carrier seems to be jammed it so the board wouldn't slide out easily.

I had to use a pair of pliers and a LOT of force to get the board to come out and, of course, when it finally let go, it came out fast, ripped the coil wires off the PCB and I heard the tinkle tinkle of switch parts hitting the wall and disappearing behind my huge bookshelf. :(

I'll also need to know which coil wire goes where.

The board is very dusty, and there is some damp soil clumped over the coil wire soler pads so that will explain the constant falsing.

Do you know what the little switch on the board does? Reset?

I read in another forum thread that you can reset the propointer by holding the power button down for 5 seconds, the same as their GTx detectors.

I'm keen both for the propointer and to repair the Sov, but I'll give Gregg first dibs, since he's down there in Dunedin.

Edited by user Friday, 1 February 2013 7:55:39 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Cheers for the Pro Pointer and the tools Tony. Was great to meet you and to see some of your very cool finds!

Thanks for the switches, Gregg!

I removed the piezo speaker and vibraTING motor off the board and gave it a clean in soapy water in my ultrasonic cleaner to get all the dirt off the board, then reassembled it all with a new switch and it's going as good as new now. No more annoying falsing. Woot!

No worries Oroplata - glad to help.


Maybe there is a turn in the tide coming from what I've seen the Minelab pin pointer is more sensitive to gold and our two Gurus both use them.
Next time around I might give one a shot.

Whites, I guess we will see, can't be worse than a Bounty Hunter *8^)

I too am waiting eagerly for the new Whites pinpointer to be finalised. As a company they don't bring out a new product as often as other companies but when they do it is normally well in advance to the competitors. Their current Bullseye II pinpointer is using technology that is 20 years old so the new one will be worlds above it and I reckon there is a good chance that it will be much better then the Propointer or Profinder. What we don't need is yet another Propointer but Whites would know this and I suspect there will be some innovative features.

Hopefully it will be waterproof out of the box and wirelessly connect to my V3i :)

Thanks guys these notes have been a great help, sorry about hearing about the costly breaks. I really appreciate the heads ups.
Seems Garrett make gear that performs well, but just has issues sometimes making the distance. With all the notes and how to's on here I managed to carefully get mine apart.
Yea mine goes off with nothing around I cleaned it's exterior and no joy. So will clean out the inside and if its good then will bike tube it ( thanks Lifejockey ) .
If I get stuck I may send it to one of our members, "Guardian" on here.
My Atpro does the same some times. I used to use it in the rain all the time. So maybe the water proofing on the Atp's should be treated with some caution as well. I have sold that ATp to another member. I wish him luck with it too.

To waterproof the Pro-pointer you will need sealant under the rubber grommet, over the Led light, over the speaker hole and plumbers tape on the battery cover thread. Just make sure its completely dried out before sealing up.