The Groundtech IQ Series
Groundtech's IQ Series is two pulse induction tools built around the same 675 Hz circuit and the same 3.7 V 1050 mAh rechargeable lithium-polymer battery. Groundtech rates the IQ Pointer for land and underwater use in saltwater and highly mineralized soils, the ground where a pinpointer can be thrown off by the ground itself, and the IQ Detect for underwater, shoreline and saltwater use. Both have 360-degree detection, fast ground balancing, three sensitivity levels, a 6-level LED signal strength bar, and audio, vibration or combined alerts. Both are rated IP69, charge over USB Type-C, run up to 10 hours per charge and carry Groundtech's 2-year warranty. The difference is the search head: the IQ Pointer is a narrow probe for the hole, and the IQ Detect is a ring-shaped detector with a 5.5 inch (14 cm) round coil for searching an area underwater or in deep sand.
Groundtech IQ Pointer vs IQ Detect: Which Should You Buy?
The Groundtech IQ Pointer is the pinpointer. Its narrow probe detects at the tip and sides, it weighs about 215 g (7.6 oz), and Groundtech rates it for use up to 10 meters (33 ft) underwater. It has Ghost Mode for silent operation and Dive Mode, which locks the buttons on a dive, plus a built-in flashlight and an anti-loss alarm.
The Groundtech IQ Detect is a small metal detector. The 14 cm round coil covers a wider area for finding targets, not only locating them in the hole, it weighs about 410 g (14.5 oz), and Groundtech rates it for use up to 30 meters (98 ft) underwater. It has Ghost Mode, Dive Mode and Dive Lock, a built-in flashlight and a lost alarm, and its balancing works on the ground and in water.
Our recommendation: if you already swing a detector and need a recovery tool for the beach, the surf line or dry land, buy the IQ Pointer. If you dive or snorkel and want to search the bottom itself, or you dig deep in sand, buy the IQ Detect. Groundtech's underwater figures are the maximum operating depth in water, not a detection depth in the ground.
Groundtech IQ Pointer, Best For:
- Recovering targets with any detector on land, at the beach and in shallow water
- Black sand and highly mineralized ground, on the Low sensitivity setting
- Night and permission hunts in silent Ghost Mode, with the built-in flashlight
Groundtech IQ Detect, Best For:
- Scuba divers and snorkelers searching the bottom to 30 meters (98 ft)
- Deep-sand searching where a wider coil covers more ground than a probe
- Shoreline and saltwater hunts where you want to search, not only recover
Features That Matter in the Hole
Both IQ Series tools calibrate when you switch them on, and a short press of the power button balances them again to the ground or water in front of you, so you can re-tune as you move from dry sand to wet. Sensitivity has three levels: Low for indoor use or highly mineralized and saltwater ground, Medium as the standard setting and High for maximum reach. The 6-level LED bar climbs as you close in and lights all six when the tip or coil is centered over the target. Both have a lost alarm; on the IQ Pointer it sounds and flashes after 3 minutes idle, so you can find it in the dirt. Before going in the water, check that the O-ring is clean and intact and the rear cap is fully tightened, never open the rear cap while the unit is wet, and rinse it in fresh water after salt water or mud.
Which Detector to Pair With a Groundtech Pinpointer
A pinpointer works alongside any brand of detector, so the IQ Pointer fits whatever you already swing. Because it runs pulse induction and Groundtech rates it for saltwater and mineralized ground, we would pair it with a pulse induction metal detector or one of our beach detectors on wet salt sand, and with our gold detectors on mineralized ground. On a 3D ground scanner dig, from a GR-3, GR-4 or A2 Series unit, the IQ Pointer finds the target once you are down near it. For surf and shallow water, add a sand scoop.
Groundtech IQ Pointer and IQ Detect Comparison
| Feature | Groundtech IQ Pointer | Groundtech IQ Detect |
|---|
| Type | Pinpointer | Ring-shaped PI metal detector |
| Main use | Land, beach and shallow water recovery | Scuba diving, snorkeling and deep-sand searching |
| Technology | Pulse induction, 675 Hz | Pulse induction, 675 Hz |
| Search head | Narrow probe, detects at the tip and sides | 5.5 inch (14 cm) round coil |
| Waterproof | IP69, up to 10 m (33 ft) underwater | IP69, up to 30 m (98 ft) underwater |
| Balancing | Fast ground balancing | Fast ground and water balancing |
| Sensitivity | 3 levels | 3 levels |
| Alerts | Audio, vibration, audio and vibration | Audio, vibration, audio and vibration |
| Special modes | Ghost Mode (silent), Dive Mode | Ghost Mode (silent), Dive Mode, Dive Lock |
| Flashlight and lost alarm | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | 3.7 V 1050 mAh Li-Po, USB-C, up to 10 hours | 3.7 V 1050 mAh Li-Po, USB-C, up to 10 hours |
| Weight | About 215 g (7.6 oz) | About 410 g (14.5 oz) |
| Size | 257 x 46 x 51 mm (10.1 x 1.8 x 2.0 inch) | 410 x 162 x 54 mm (16.2 x 6.4 x 2.1 inch) |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
Our best pinpointers for metal detecting guide compares the IQ Pointer with other probes, and our Groundtech buyer's guide covers the 3D ground scanners.
Why Buy Your Groundtech Pinpointer from Serious Detecting?
- Free Shipping on Orders Over $99: Your Groundtech IQ Pointer or IQ Detect ships at no extra cost across the continental US.
- Authorized Groundtech Dealer: Showroom in Ypsilanti, Michigan, full 2-year manufacturer warranty and product registration support.
- Help Before and After You Buy: Our staff answer setup, sensitivity and IQ Series questions by phone or email.
GroundtechSale Price $215.00 Regular Price
