The Garrett Pro-Pointer Lineup
Garrett's current hobby pinpointer range has three models. All three have proportional audio and vibration that speed up as you near the target, a 360 degree side scan plus a pinpointing tip, an LED flashlight, a scraping blade for loose soil, a woven belt holster, a single 9V battery, a lost pinpointer alarm and automatic power off. Garrett lists the same weight for all three, 6.5 oz (0.2 kg) with the battery in, and the same 3-year limited parts and labor warranty. Where they differ is waterproofing, sensitivity control, retune and wireless audio.
The Pro-Pointer AT is the one most detectorists call the Garrett Carrot, after its orange body. It is waterproof to 20 ft (6 m), rated IP68, with three sensitivity levels, a vibrate-only Stealth Mode, a quick-press Fast Retune and a ruler in inches and centimeters molded into the side. Garrett's manual gives up to 30 hours from an alkaline 9V battery. On the Pro-Pointer AT and AT Z-Lynk, Garrett's manuals say the lost pinpointer alarm starts chirping after 5 minutes switched on with no button press, and the pinpointer switches itself off after an hour of chirps.
The Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk is the same waterproof pinpointer with Garrett's Z-Lynk wireless built in. It pairs with one button press to any Garrett Z-Lynk receiver, such as the MS-3 wireless headphones or the WR-1 receiver, and Garrett's manual gives the audio delay as 17 milliseconds. The Pro-Pointer II is the land model: IP66 weatherproof, so it handles rain and a rinse under running water, but only the tip may go under water. It has fixed sensitivity and retunes when you switch it off and back on.
Pro-Pointer AT vs. Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk vs. Pro-Pointer II: Which Should You Buy?
Two questions decide it. First, will the pinpointer go under water? For beaches, surf, creeks and rivers, choose the Pro-Pointer AT or the Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk, both fully waterproof. The Pro-Pointer II is enough if you dig dry parks, yards and fields and only need it to survive rain. Second, do you hunt in Garrett Z-Lynk wireless headphones? If you do, the Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk sends its alerts to the same headphones as your detector, so you hear both without taking the headphones off. If you do not, the standard Pro-Pointer AT gives you the same waterproofing and controls.
For most detectorists who hunt both land and water, we recommend the Pro-Pointer AT.
Pro-Pointer AT, Best For:
- Beach, surf and river hunters who take the pinpointer into the water
- Detectorists who want three sensitivity levels and a quick-press retune for trashy or mineralized ground
- Busy beaches and parks, where the vibrate-only Stealth Mode keeps every target quiet
Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk, Best For:
- Owners of Garrett MS-3 wireless headphones or a WR-1 receiver
- Windy beaches and noisy sites, where you want pinpointer alerts in your headphones
- Hunters who want one set of headphones for both detector and pinpointer audio
Pro-Pointer II, Best For:
- Park, yard and field hunters who keep the pinpointer out of the water
- First-time pinpointer buyers who want no settings to learn
- A spare or second pinpointer for the truck or a family member
Features That Matter in the Hole
Sensitivity is the setting most buyers overlook. On the Pro-Pointer AT and AT Z-Lynk you choose minimum, medium (the default) or maximum, each with audio or vibrate only, and the pinpointer remembers your choice when you switch it off. Garrett's manual recommends the lower settings on highly mineralized ground, and Garrett says the three levels improve detection of gold nuggets and other tiny targets. Fast Retune does a second job: hold the tip to wet sand, water or hot soil and quick-press the button to tune it out, or quick-press on a large target when the alarm goes constant to narrow the detection field.
The side scan finds the general area as you sweep the side of the probe around the wall of the hole, then the tip gives the exact spot. None of the three Pro-Pointers discriminates iron, so the decision to dig stays with your detector. The lost pinpointer alarm is the feature that pays for itself the first time you leave the pinpointer in a hole or on the tailgate.
Which Pro-Pointer for Which Garrett Detector
Match the pinpointer to where the detector goes. The AT Pro and AT Max are submersible to 10 ft (3 m), the AT Gold to 10 ft (3 m) in fresh water, and the Vortex VX5, VX7 and VX9 to 16 ft (5 m). With any of them, the Pro-Pointer AT or AT Z-Lynk goes as deep as the detector does. For land hunting with an ACE 300, ACE 400 or ACE Apex, any Pro-Pointer does the job; choose the Pro-Pointer AT if you also dig at the water's edge.
For wireless audio, the AT Max, ACE Apex, Vortex VX7 and VX9 and Axiom have Z-Lynk built in and send their audio to Garrett Z-Lynk headphones such as the MS-3. Pair a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk to the same headphones and you hear both in one set. The ACE 300, ACE 400 and AT Gold need Garrett's external Z-Lynk module for wireless audio. Several of our Garrett detector bundles already include a Pro-Pointer AT or AT Z-Lynk; you will find them on each model's page.
Garrett Pro-Pointer Comparison
The three Pro-Pointers share weight, battery, LED, side scan and warranty. They differ in waterproofing, wireless audio, sensitivity control, retune and the ruler.
| Feature | Garrett Pro-Pointer AT | Garrett Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk | Garrett Pro-Pointer II |
|---|
| Waterproof | 20 ft (6 m), IP68 | 20 ft (6 m), IP68 | IP66 weatherproof, tip only may be submerged |
| Z-Lynk Wireless Audio | No | Yes | No |
| Sensitivity | Adjustable, 3 levels | Adjustable, 3 levels | Fixed |
| Retune | Fast Retune, quick press | Fast Retune, quick press | Power off and on |
| Ruler (inch and cm) | Yes | Yes | No |
| Vibration and LED Flashlight | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | 9V, included | 9V, included | 9V, included |
| Weight with Battery | 6.5 oz (0.2 kg) | 6.5 oz (0.2 kg) | 6.5 oz (0.2 kg) |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years | 3 years |
For a closer look, read our Garrett Pro-Pointer AT review and our Pro-Pointer II vs. AT vs. AT Z-Lynk comparison.
Why Buy Your Garrett Pro-Pointer from Serious Detecting?
- Free Shipping on Orders Over $99: Orders over $99 ship at no extra cost across the continental US.
- Authorized Garrett Dealer: Showroom in Ypsilanti, Michigan, full 3-year manufacturer warranty and product registration support.
- Help Before and After You Buy: Our staff answer setup, sensitivity and Pro-Pointer questions by phone or email.
