Ask any experienced detectorist what to buy after the detector itself, and nearly all of them will say a pinpointer. It’s a small handheld probe that finds the exact position of a target once you’ve dug a hole. Without one, you’ll spend ages sifting through soil for a coin that could be anywhere in the plug, and you’re more likely to damage a find with your spade.
Why you need one
Your detector tells you roughly where a target is, within the width of the coil. A pinpointer then tells you exactly where it is: whether it’s still in the hole, in the plug of soil you’ve lifted out, or in the spoil heap beside it. That means:
- Smaller, neater holes, which landowners appreciate.
- Less damage to finds, because you’re not stabbing around blindly with a spade.
- Much faster recovery, so you spend your time detecting rather than sifting.
What to look for
- Waterproofing. It’ll be used in wet mud, in puddles and on the beach, so choose a fully waterproof one.
- Proportional signal. The beep or vibration gets faster as you get closer to the target, which makes homing in much easier.
- Vibration, so you can find targets without hearing the pinpointer over wind or your detector.
- A bright colour. You will put it down in a field at some point. Orange or yellow is much easier to find than black.
- A holster or lanyard so it doesn’t get lost.
The best pinpointers
Best overall: Garrett Pro-Pointer AT (about £117)
The Pro-Pointer AT is the pinpointer you'll see in most UK detectorists' holsters, and it's the most-reviewed on Amazon UK by a distance: over 8,600 ratings averaging 4.7 stars. It gives a proportional audio and vibration signal, has an LED light, a scraper blade for working the soil, and detects all round its tip. Garrett says it's waterproof to 6 metres. It's bright orange, and it works alongside any make of detector.
Mid-price alternative: Nokta Waterproof Pinpointer (about £90)
Nokta's pinpointer is a solid choice if you want a brand-name, waterproof pinpointer for a little less than the Garrett. It suits Nokta detectors like the Simplex, but works alongside any make. It's rated 4.4 stars from 607 Amazon UK reviews.
Best budget: DR.ÖTEK Pinpointer (about £42)
If you've just spent £150–£200 on a detector and want to keep costs down, this budget pinpointer is rated IP68 waterproof, has an LCD screen, and has over 3,500 Amazon UK reviews averaging 4.5 stars. It won't have the build quality or long track record of the Garrett, but it does the job and is a big improvement on no pinpointer at all. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Minelab also makes a well-regarded waterproof pinpointer (about £119), a good match if you own a Minelab detector, though stock on Amazon was limited when we checked.
How to use a pinpointer
- Pinpoint with your detector first, then cut a neat plug of soil.
- Check the hole with the pinpointer. If the target is still in the ground, probe the sides and bottom.
- If it’s not in the hole, check the plug. Break it apart gently over your mat or the grass, sweeping the pinpointer over each piece.
- Turn it off between targets to save the battery, and re-tune it (usually by pressing the button) if it starts to drift.
- Put it back in the holster before you move on. Pinpointers are one of the most commonly lost bits of kit.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a pinpointer as a beginner? It’s not essential for your very first outing, but it’s the first accessory most detectorists buy, and it makes the hobby far more enjoyable.
Does a pinpointer need to be the same brand as my detector? No. Standard pinpointers work alongside any detector. Some brands offer wireless links to their own detectors, but it’s not necessary.
Can a pinpointer interfere with my detector? If you hold it close to the detector’s coil while both are switched on, you may get false signals. Keep them apart or switch the pinpointer off while you’re swinging.