The Garrett Pro-Pointer II is Garrett's entry pinpointer: a 6.5 oz probe with 360 degree side scan, a pinpointing tip, proportional audio and vibration, an LED light and a scraping blade, running on one 9V battery. The Pro-Pointer AT works the same way, so in a dry hole the two do the same job. What it gives up is water: it is rated IP66, splashproof, and Garrett says the probe may go under water up to the power switch, but never the whole pinpointer. It also has fixed sensitivity and retunes only by switching off and back on. For dry-land hunting on a budget it is the one we would pick; for the beach or water, buy the AT.
What the Pro-Pointer II does
Switch the Garrett Pro-Pointer II on and it tunes itself to its surroundings, so switch it on in the air, away from the hole, your digger and any metal on your gear. As the tip or the side of the probe gets closer to metal, the beeps and the vibration speed up, so you can sweep the side of a hole and follow the signal to the target. The LED lights up the hole, and the scraping blade on the side loosens packed soil.
If you set it down and forget it, the lost pinpointer alarm starts chirping after 5 minutes without a button press, and the Pro-Pointer II switches itself off after an hour of chirping. To switch it off yourself, press and release the button.
Where the Pro-Pointer II stops
- Water. IP66 means it handles rain, wet areas and a rinse under running water, but it is not for dunking in the surf, a creek or a tide pool. The probe may go under water up to the power switch, never the whole pinpointer.
- Retune. Large targets, wet sand, salt water and mineralized soil can make any pinpointer sound off before the tip reaches the target. On the Pro-Pointer II you retune by switching it off and back on with the tip near the target or against the ground. It works, but it is slower than the one-press retune on the AT models.
- Sensitivity. Sensitivity is fixed, so you cannot turn it down in hot ground or up for a small, deep target in the side of a hole.
- No vibration-only mode. Audio and vibration come together.
Pro-Pointer II vs Pro-Pointer AT
The Garrett Pro-Pointer AT costs more and adds what the Pro-Pointer II lacks: IP68 waterproofing to 20 ft (6 m), one-press retune, three sensitivity levels, a vibration-only option and inch and centimeter ruler markings. Both weigh the same 6.5 oz and run on one 9V battery. Our Garrett Pro-Pointer II vs AT vs AT Z-Lynk comparison lines all three up side by side, and the Garrett Pro-Pointer AT review covers the AT on its own.
Battery
The Garrett Pro-Pointer II runs on one 9V battery. Garrett gives about 30 hours from an alkaline battery, 16 hours from carbon-zinc and 8 hours from a rechargeable 9V. Keep a spare in your finds pouch, and take the battery out if the pinpointer will sit unused for a season.
Who should buy the Pro-Pointer II
- Park, yard and field hunters who stay on dry land and want a proven pinpointer for less.
- A second pinpointer for a partner, a child or the spare kit in the truck.
- Not for beach and water hunters. If your hunting includes wet sand, wading or surf, the Pro-Pointer AT is worth the difference.
What to do next
The Pro-Pointer II works alongside any metal detector, from any brand. Every Garrett model is in our Garrett pinpointers collection, and our best pinpointers for metal detecting guide compares Garrett with the other brands.
Products in this article
| Best for | Product | Price today |
|---|---|---|
| Also covered | Garrett Pro-Pointer II Water-Resistant Pinpointer with Belt Holster | $99.99 |
| Also covered | Garrett Pro-Pointer AT Waterproof Pinpointer | $109.99 |
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