Latest from minelab on batteries and service.

[Captaindan]

After purchasing a pro find 35 a few weeks ago. I have had a few problems with the unit shutting down or restarting. So in the two sessions out with it, i have on several occasions filled in a hole before realising the unit has shut down all together or had it constantly restarting during use.
Having told minelab this and questioned the product they replied the following.
.....................
When powering on, the PRO-FIND Pinpointer performs an automatic calibration; this is like a Noise Cancel on a detector.
It is important during power on that the Pro-Find is away from any metal objects as this can impact on the calibration.
The normal behaviour is two beeps at power on followed by a single beep after the calibration is complete (3 beeps in total).
The post calibration beep may take longer to complete on occasions depending on the environment/temperature. If indoors with excessive EMI the calibration may fail to complete.
The Pro-Find will not detect metal objects until after the third beep is heard.
Once the initial calibration has been performed outdoors in a given environment, further subsequent power-on calibrations should occur immediately after the two beeps of power on.
I would recommend using an Energizer PP3 9V battery or similar high quality battery. A number of PP3 batteries do not have a sufficient capacity (Kodak, Duracell, Varta) and are intended for very low current devices such as battery operated smoke alarms.

Other high quality PP3 9V Batteries
Energizer Industrial
Nuon
Rayovac Industrial Plus
If you are still experiencing problems, we have an Authorised Service Centre (ASC) in Surrey who will be able to assist with both warranty and non-warranty repair services.
..................

So basically, a reply which states I don’t understand how to work the thing (wrong) and that the battery they supplied with the very expensive bit of kit is not on the recommended list and i should buy another.



ADDITION
Having spoken to the supplier who were very helpful, it seems that there was no foam rubber in the removable tailcap, so the battery kept losing contact and causing mayhem. Poor for such an expensive bit of kit but an easy fix. Been using it for a couple of months now and cannot fault it for how it now performs.
So, yes i would recommend, but check the screw cap to ensure it has foam or some such inside it, i have plenty if not - so drop me a pm
Dan

[fred]

Disposable batteries supplied with anything at all should be regarded with extreme suspicion, regardless of make. For a start you have no idea how long it had been sitting on a shelf since it was made or how it has been stored. I generally treat them as being suitable for only a few hours use and regard anything extra as a bonus..

As pinpointers go the Minelab ones are fairly complex and the instructions in the box are not up to much. The advice in the email sounds like a good practical explanation to me.

[Captaindan]

Thanks Fred,
Having read as much as possible on here and watched several youtubes etc. I thought it would be a good pointer to go for. Your own advice for getting the best out of it is very informative indeed and much appreciated. But i feel its beyond a battery issue.
During use, the double bleep followed quickly by a third randomly sound out, making me consider the unit is switching off and back on again.
For a new unit, it does not in-still confidence, i never know if the thing is switched on, even after just hitting the button and hearing the three beeps.
I have a background in engineering and am quite tech savvy, just felt like a reply that could not really be bothered to consider a faulty item.

I shall get a new battery of the recommended brand and report back in due course.
Cheers Dan

[fred]

If it's any consolation I returned the first one I bought because it sounded off when I turned it on it's side. It was only when the second one did exactly the same that I realised that you have to run it with the sensitivity at less than maximum.

I think that I did a writeup about in somewhere. In my opinion it is actually the best pinpointer there is but, like most things Minelab, it actually has a learning curve.

viewtopic.php?t=98910

[haggz]

never know if the thing is switched on, even after just hitting the button and hearing the three beeps.

After switching my PP on and before sticking it down the hole i always wave it at my shovel.

[seiko]

Had the same problem with mine, could never be used on full sensitivity it would false in mid air, I was told to try better quality batteries, which I did I tried every brand, made no difference, and to remove the battery screw cover in the field, forget it you need a vice, I bought a different pointer and much happier now.

[Captaindan]

Many thanks for comments chaps.

Haggz, i do the same. It beeps and vibrates. Then 30 seconds later as i am searching for a signal i try again just to check and the darn thing is off.

I think seiko i may have the same solution.

I have read your write up carefully Fred, as i pointed out in my post, and it is indeed an interesting read. But i have tried it under controlled circumstances and handling the thing just turns it on or off at will.

Never mind, eh, i will put it down to experience and get a more reliable model.
Dan

[Poundfinder]

Thanks for the info, I have a pro find 20 and often wonder why it can at times take some time to
some time to complete the calibration, often thought there is a problem with it although after the third beep it working perfectly and I am very happy with it.With regards to whether it is on or off, especially when searching for very small targets I have got into the habit of touching it against my wedding ring for confirmation.Once again thanks for the info, minds at rest now.
Cheers Wayne

[fred]

Many thanks for comments chaps.

Haggz, i do the same. It beeps and vibrates. Then 30 seconds later as i am searching for a signal i try again just to check and the darn thing is off.

I think seiko i may have the same solution.

I have read your write up carefully Fred, as i pointed out in my post, and it is indeed an interesting read. But i have tried it under controlled circumstances and handling the thing just turns it on or off at will.

Never mind, eh, i will put it down to experience and get a more reliable model.
Dan

If it was purchased new it should be under guarantee, nothing to lose by sending it back?

[Charliechap]

I've had most pinpointers , all the main known ones apart from the teknetics f pulse .. something like that anyway .
The minelab 35 is the worst one by a long way .
Poor speaker placement, eats batteries , falsing etc...

[Captaindan]

Thanks charlie,
I had a good chat with the guy at detecnicks today, which is where i got the pointer from.

After a bit of chat, he suggested it sounded like the battery was losing contact with the terminals but it shouldn’t as the foam pad in the cap holds it down.
What foam pad ? I ask.

So, he has suggested that if i send it back, he will check it and if needs be replace the cap. I will however, try a foam packing myself first. If it solves it, job done, if not it’ll be returned.

I shall post what happens , When it does. Thanks all.
Dan

[Captaindan]

Good evening chaps and chapesses,
Well today at work i fashioned a small piece of foam rubber to sit in the tail cap of the pro35, and by jove early indications are that this is the issue.

After half an hours testing and turning and shaking and prodding, the little tool seems to work beautifully.

A longer test in the field will be done and battery life monitored too, but with luck it was just a missed item on quality control.

Thanks all for your comments,
Dan