Quest Pinpointers

The Quest XPointer Pinpointer Lineup

Quest's XPointer range covers three jobs: dry land, wet ground and shallow water, and diving. All three are handheld probes that work beside any brand of detector. Where they differ is how much water they take, whether they tell you what is in the hole and how they are powered.

The XPointer Land is the simple land pinpointer. It runs on one 9V battery, has four sensitivity levels and lets you choose sound only, vibration only or sound with vibration. The beeping and vibration speed up as the tip closes on the target. It has an LED light for the bottom of the hole and a 3 inch ruler molded into the probe for sizing coins and rings. If no metal is detected for 3 minutes, it keeps giving short beeps so you notice it. It is not made to be submerged, so treat it as a rain and wet grass pinpointer.

The XPointer Max adds target information. It is tested 5 m (16 ft) under water for 30 minutes, and it separates targets by tone (a high tone for non-ferrous), by LED and on its OLED display. You can switch the iron tones and symbols off. Sensitivity has four steps, 1, 2, 3 and BOOST, and volume has five. It charges by USB-C, and our XPointer Max listing comes with Quest's Magic Holster.

The XPointer Scuba Tector is the diving pinpointer. It is waterproof to 60 m (200 ft), with a Snorkeling mode for 0 to 10 m (33 ft) and a Dive mode for 10 to 60 m (33 to 200 ft). It uses pulse induction, has a rechargeable battery that takes about 2 to 3 hours to charge fully, three alarm modes, four sensitivity levels and an LED flashlight.

XPointer Land vs. XPointer Max: Which Should You Buy?

Two questions decide it. First, will the pinpointer go under water? The XPointer Land is for dry and damp hunting and is not made to be submerged. The XPointer Max is tested to 5 m (16 ft), so it handles wading, creek beds and the surf line. Second, do you want to know what is in the hole before you dig further? Only the XPointer Max separates ferrous from non-ferrous targets, so a nail sounds and reads different from a coin.

For parks, yards and fields on a budget, the XPointer Land does the job and runs on a battery you can buy anywhere. For iron-heavy relic sites, beaches and water, we recommend the XPointer Max. If you dive, neither land model is rated for it: choose the XPointer Scuba Tector.

XPointer Land, Best For:

• First pinpointer buyers who want simple controls
• Dry parks, yards and plowed fields
• Hunters who want to size finds on the spot with the 3 inch ruler

XPointer Max, Best For:

• Relic and coin hunters who want ferrous and non-ferrous indication in the hole
• Wading, creeks and beach hunting to 5 m (16 ft)
• Hunters who want USB-C charging instead of 9V batteries

XPointer Scuba Tector, Best For:

• Scuba divers and snorkelers recovering targets on the bottom
• Deep surf and lake drop-offs past the depth of a land pinpointer
• Pairing with the Quest Scuba Tector Pro underwater detector

Features That Matter in the Hole

Sensitivity is the setting to learn first. All three XPointers have four levels. Turn it down to pinpoint a shallow target among trash, or up to find a deeper target in the side of the hole. On the XPointer Max, BOOST is the highest level.

Retune matters in mineralized ground. On the XPointer Max and the XPointer Scuba Tector, a quick press of the power button mutes the current alarm so you can keep searching, a feature designed for highly mineralized conditions and for narrowing down a target. Move the probe again until you hear the target.

The lost alarm saves pinpointers. The XPointer Land keeps beeping when no metal has been detected for 3 minutes. The XPointer Max starts beeping after 3 minutes with no alarm or use, then switches itself off after 3 minutes of alarming to save the battery. The XPointer Scuba Tector also beeps after 3 minutes with no alarm or use. We recommend a bright lanyard or holster on all three so they stay with you.

Diving With the XPointer Scuba Tector

Pick the mode before you go down. Snorkeling mode covers 0 to 10 m (33 ft); hold both buttons for 2 seconds to switch to Dive mode for 10 to 60 m (33 to 200 ft), and click Mode three times quickly to switch back. Always attach the lanyard, tighten the battery cap before entering the water, and grease the O-ring and replace it at least once a year. After a dive, wipe it and let it air dry before you use or charge it again. We carry the Scuba Tector O-ring and a Scuba Tector coil cover. Our XPointer Scuba Tector getting started guide covers first use.

Which XPointer for Which Quest Detector

Match the pinpointer to where you take the detector. With the Quest Q40, whose control box handles heavy rain but not submersion, and the phone-controlled Quest Air, the XPointer Land covers land hunting. For the waterproof X5 and X10 X IDMAXX detectors in creeks and wet sand, we recommend the XPointer Max. Divers using the Quest Scuba Tector Pro should pair it with the XPointer Scuba Tector. Each XPointer works on its own, so it also suits any other brand of detector.

Quest XPointer Comparison

Read our Quest XPointer pinpointer comparison for a closer look at the family.

Why Buy Your Quest XPointer from Serious Detecting?

• Free Shipping on Orders Over $99: Orders over $99 ship at no extra cost across the continental US.
• Authorized Quest Dealer: Showroom in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and the full Quest manufacturer warranty on every XPointer.
• Help Before and After You Buy: Our staff answer setup, dive mode and XPointer questions by phone or email.