To use the Garrett Pro-Pointer AT, press and release the power button away from metal until you hear two beeps and see the white LED. Hold the tip near your target and listen for escalating beeps and vibrations—they’ll intensify as you get closer. Scan hole walls in X-patterns, using the fast retune button to narrow detection when you’re inches away. Lower sensitivity in mineralized soil by holding the power button for two seconds. The techniques below will sharpen your pinpointing accuracy and speed your recovery time notably.
Key Takeaways
- Press and release the power button away from metal objects; two beeps and white LED confirm activation.
- Hold power button two seconds to cycle through six configurations: three sensitivity levels in audio-vibrate or vibrate-only modes.
- Increasing beeps and vibrations indicate closer proximity to target; maximum response occurs at direct contact with metal.
- Use 360° side-scan detection within ½ inch of tip; perform X-patterns and retune at strongest signals for pinpointing.
- Built-in LED flashlight, molded ruler, and lost alarm with accelerating chirps assist recovery and device retrieval efforts.
What Makes the Garrett Pro-Pointer AT Stand Out for Beginners
When you’re starting out in metal detecting, pinpointers separate targets from dirt faster than any digging technique—and the Garrett Pro-Pointer AT delivers five critical features that eliminate the guesswork beginners face in the field.
First, waterproof features rated to 10 feet let you hunt riverbanks and shorelines without equipment anxiety.
The 10-foot waterproof rating transforms shorelines and shallow streams into productive hunting grounds without risking your investment.
Second, three adjustable sensitivity levels provide target discrimination—you’ll minimize false signals and unnecessary digging.
Third, the fast retune button instantly eliminates ground mineralization interference with one press.
Fourth, proportional audio and vibration alerts intensify as you approach targets, while vibrate-only mode offers stealth operation.
Fifth, the integrated LED flashlight extends your detecting hours beyond daylight. The woven belt holster keeps your pinpointer secure and accessible during extended hunts.
At just 6.5 ounces with the battery installed, the lightweight design prevents arm fatigue during long detecting sessions.
These features don’t complicate your learning curve—they accelerate it, giving you professional-grade performance from day one.
Powering On Your Device and Understanding Basic Controls
Before you head to your first detecting site, master the Pro Pointer AT’s power sequence to establish a reliable detection baseline. Press and release the power button away from metal objects—proximity to targets during startup cancels detection signals.
Two brief beeps and a white LED confirm you’re operational.
Your device features three sensitivity levels and two detection modes. Access these by holding the power button for two seconds until you hear a single beep followed by a dual-tone confirmation. Cycle through settings to match your hunting conditions—maximum sensitivity reaches deeper targets, while silent vibrate-only mode works in crowded locations. Exit adjustment mode by holding the button or waiting 5 seconds for automatic return to normal operation.
For battery management during extended storage beyond 30 days, remove the battery.
Proper signal calibration starts with powering on in metal-free environments, ensuring accurate target identification from your first scan. The device will automatically shut off after 5 minutes of inactivity, conserving battery life with warning chirps during the final minutes before shutdown.
Mastering the Audio and Vibration Alert System
Your Pro-Pointer AT’s alert system functions as a real-time proximity gauge, with both audio beeps and vibration pulses increasing in frequency as you close distance to your target.
You’ll choose between Audio-plus-Vibrate mode for standard detecting or Vibrate-only mode for silent operations where discretion matters.
Understanding how these proportional signals intensify and diminish allows you to pinpoint targets with precision—the rapid pulsing tells you you’re directly over metal, while slower pulses indicate you’re moving away.
The device provides 360° side scan detection, allowing you to locate targets from any angle as you sweep around the search area.
Understanding Proportional Alert Signals
As you scan with the Garrett Pro Pointer, the device’s proportional alert system delivers real-time feedback that intensifies based on your proximity to metallic targets. Audio beeps and vibration pulses increase their pulsing rate as you move closer to metal objects, reaching maximum response at closest contact.
This weather resistance-tested feature works reliably across various hunting conditions.
You’ll notice sensitivity settings—indicated by color coding through beep counts—directly impact alert signals. One beep signals minimum sensitivity, two beeps indicate medium, and three beeps confirm maximum sensitivity for detecting smaller fragments.
During hole excavation, monitor how response changes as you lower the pinpointer. Maximum response at the bottom indicates targets at that depth, while constant response during lowering suggests side-wall targets requiring lateral investigation. The device’s 360° side scan coverage works in conjunction with the pinpointing tip to detect targets from multiple angles as you probe the excavation area.
Choosing Audio or Vibrate-Only
The Garrett Pro Pointer offers six distinct alert configurations: three audio sensitivity levels (minimum, medium, maximum) and three vibrate-only levels that mirror the same sensitivity range.
You’ll access these by holding the power button for two seconds, then cycling through settings with subsequent presses.
Choosing frequency depends on your environment—audio modes deliver proportional beeping that’s ideal for open areas and maximum sensitivity detection, while vibrate-only operates silently for discrete public searches.
Vibration-only modes are also useful when your battery charge is running low and you need to conserve power during your detecting session.
Customizing tones isn’t available, but you can match vibration sensitivity to audio equivalents for consistent performance.
Exit adjustment mode by holding the button two seconds or waiting five.
If you’re stuck in vibrate mode, power cycle completely and sequence through all settings.
High sensitivity audio remains the recommended default for general detecting.
The device will emit a beep if left on for extended periods, which helps you locate the pointer if you’ve set it down during your search.
Interpreting Proximity Through Intensity
Once you’ve configured your preferred alert mode, understanding what those signals tell you becomes your primary skill for fast target recovery.
The Garrett Pro Pointer’s patented proportional response system gives you real-time metal detection feedback through escalating pulse rates. As you move closer to your target, audio beeps or vibrations accelerate proportionally—this intensity increase is your primary proximity indicator.
At minimum sensitivity, you’ll receive one pulse; medium delivers two; maximum provides three for strongest target proximity cues.
The microprocessor automatically maintains peak sensitivity without manual tuning, responding equally to ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
Maximum detection occurs within ½ inch of the tip’s side, where the 360° detection field concentrates. The device operates at a 12 kHz frequency, which delivers reliable target identification across various ground conditions and metallic compositions.
Watch for intensity building as you scan holes or sift through soil—that escalating pulse rate pinpoints exactly where you’ll find your target.
Step-by-Step Techniques for Pinpointing Targets in Holes
When you’ve dug your initial hole and need to locate the target, start by scanning the entire cavity with your Pro Pointer’s 360° side-scan area to identify signal responses.
This systematic approach works whether you’re hunting historical artifacts or conducting marine archaeology in wet sand.
Core Pinpointing Sequence:
- Initial Scan – Move the pinpointer side-to-side across the hole bottom, then create an X-pattern vertically to narrow the signal area.
- Retune Progression – Quick-press the retune button near the strongest signal, repeating as you approach until full alarm triggers.
- Spin Detection – Rotate the pinpointer vertically in the hole; when chirping stops, you’ve located a wall-embedded target.
- Final Recovery – Continue retuning closer until the unit responds only on direct contact, then use your scraping blade for extraction.
For deeper targets or difficult mineral conditions, place your pinpointer near the suspected location and ground balance to soil to reduce interference and create a more precise detection map of the target area.
Adjusting Sensitivity Levels and Detection Modes
After mastering basic pinpointing sequences, you’ll need to optimize your Pro Pointer’s performance for varying ground conditions and hunting scenarios. Access the user interface by holding the power button for 2 seconds—you’ll hear a single beep, then a dual-tone with flashing LED.
The first button press reveals your current setting through beeps or vibrations: one pulse indicates minimum sensitivity, two for medium (factory default), and three for maximum.
Each subsequent press cycles through all six configurations—three audio-plus-vibrate settings followed by three vibrate-only modes for silent operation.
This sensor calibration proves essential when you’re hunting mineralized soil or saltwater beaches, where lower sensitivity reduces false signals.
Exit by holding the button 2 seconds or waiting 5 seconds for automatic timeout.
Using the Fast Retune Method to Narrow Your Detection Field
You’ll encounter situations where your Pro-Pointer’s full 360° detection field picks up multiple targets or responds to highly mineralized soil, making precise pinpointing nearly impossible.
The fast retune method solves this by narrowing your detection range to focus exclusively on targets within inches of your tip—you’re quick-pressing the power button while holding the tip near the strongest signal.
When you’re ready to scan a broader area again, simply move away from all metal and power cycle to restore maximum sensitivity.
Why Narrow Detection Field
The Garrett Pro Pointer’s fast retune method solves a critical challenge every detectorist faces: distinguishing a target’s exact location when your initial detection field is too broad. When you’ve dug a hole and need precision, this technique transforms your pinpointer from a general detector into a surgical tool.
Four Reasons You’ll Rely on Narrow Detection:
- Eliminate false signals from nearby metal debris or soil mineralization that plague broad-field detection
- Pinpoint large targets precisely by retuning after each alarm, progressively shrinking your search radius until contact
- Cancel ground interference instantly in wet sand, saltwater environments, or mineralized soils with a quick button press
- Maintain detection capability while tuning out distractions—your pinpointer stays active throughout the process, unlike sensitivity adjustments that compromise metal detection range
Step-by-Step Retune Process
When your pinpointer triggers a broad, steady alarm over a large target, you’re detecting metal—but you’re not yet pinpointing it.
Position the tip at the strongest signal point—not dead center. Hold steady and tap the power button once. This quick press activates the fast retune function, instantly shrinking your detection field to a precise cone.
The broad alarm narrows, letting you move closer to isolate the exact target location. Unlike advanced firmware updates or interchangeable coil compatibility found in higher-end detectors, the Garrett Pro Pointer’s single-button retune is elegantly simple.
To return to full sensitivity, turn the unit away from metal and tap again. The field expands, restoring your original detection range. Retune cuts recovery time in half.
Restoring Full Sensitivity Range
After narrowing your detection field to isolate a target, you’ll need to restore the Pro Pointer’s full sensitivity range before moving to your next find.
This reset prevents permanent de-tuning from environmental sensitivity and ground mineralization exposure.
Full Sensitivity Restoration Steps:
- Power off completely – Turn off the pinpointer to clear the narrowed field settings from the microprocessor’s memory.
- Move away from metal – Hold the unit clear of any targets, eliminating false cancellation during reactivation.
- Power on in a clean environment – Activate in air or neutral soil, allowing automatic maximum sensitivity calibration.
- Verify detection range – Test on a known target to confirm full range restoration and proper environmental sensitivity adjustment.
The microprocessor auto-adjusts without manual tuning, giving you freedom to hunt efficiently across varying ground mineralization conditions.
Scanning Dirt Piles and Hole Walls Effectively
Once you’ve located a target with your metal detector, efficient recovery depends on quickly isolating its exact position within the excavated hole or extracted dirt pile.
For dirt piles, use the pinpointer’s raised scraping blade to sift methodically through removed soil—audio and vibration intensity increases proportionally with proximity.
When scanning hole walls, employ the 360° side-scan technique by lowering the unit and lifting slowly until response decreases, marking target depth.
Spin vertically to identify wall-embedded objects; the chirp stops when pointing directly at them.
Ground mineralization and wet conditions won’t hinder performance if you’ve properly retuned.
Maximum metal detection of small targets occurs approximately ½” from the tip’s side.
Scrape soil away once you’ve pinpointed the exact location through constant alarm indication.
Taking Advantage of the Built-In LED Flashlight and Ruler
The Garrett Pro-Pointer’s integrated LED flashlight activates with the same button press that powers on the device, providing continuous illumination throughout your recovery operation. This feature proves essential when you’re detecting after dark or working underwater where visibility becomes compromised.
The integrated LED flashlight and power button share a single control, delivering hands-free illumination for nighttime and underwater detecting operations.
The molded ruler on the device’s side measures targets in both inches and centimeters, letting you assess depth without carrying separate tools.
Key applications for the LED and ruler:
- Illuminate ruler markings during nighttime depth measurements
- Navigate mineral interference in low-light conditions while monitoring battery indicators
- Conduct underwater recoveries with clear target visualization
- Measure hole depth against signal strength for accurate target location
Combined, these features eliminate your dependence on external lights while accelerating recovery speed in challenging environments.
Activating and Locating Your Device With the Lost Alarm Feature
The Garrett Pro Pointer’s lost alarm activates automatically after 5 minutes of inactivity. It emits progressively faster warning chirps to help you locate a misplaced device in the field.
This feature runs for 60 minutes before triggering auto-off, giving you ample time to recover your pinpointer while conserving battery power.
You’ll reset the alarm with a single button press, which immediately stops the chirps and returns the unit to normal operation.
Activating the Lost Alarm
After five minutes of inactivity, your Garrett Pro Pointer automatically triggers its lost alarm feature—a critical safeguard when you’ve set the device down and forgotten it during a hunt.
Activation Sequence:
- Initial Trigger – Progressive chirps begin after exactly 5 minutes without button interaction, independent of metal detector calibration settings.
- Audio Escalation – Chirp speed increases steadily over 55 minutes, creating an audible beacon for recovery.
- Auto-Shutoff – Device powers down automatically after 60 minutes total, conserving battery life in extended loss scenarios.
- Instant Reset – Single power button press immediately silences alarm and restarts the timer—hold away from metal initially to ensure proper reset confirmation.
The waterproofing features remain fully functional during alarm mode, enabling recovery even in wet conditions.
How the Alarm Works
When your Pro Pointer remains powered on without detecting targets or receiving button input, it automatically initiates a progressive alarm sequence designed to prevent field loss.
After five minutes of inactivity, the alarm mechanism triggers dual-tone chirps that accelerate progressively over time. You’ll hear these warning beeps increase in speed, signaling your device’s location for up to 60 minutes—even in low visibility conditions.
In Silent Mode, vibration pulses replace audio alerts while maintaining the same functionality.
A single power reset button press immediately silences the chirps and restarts your five-minute timer without affecting your sensitivity settings.
After the full alarm cycle completes, your device automatically powers off to preserve battery life, ensuring you won’t return to a drained unit.
Retrieving Your Misplaced Pinpointer
If you’ve set your Pro Pointer down while digging a target and can’t immediately locate it, the lost alarm feature serves as your recovery system.
After five minutes without button activation, the device automatically triggers progressively faster warning chirps, guiding you back to its location whether you’re hunting ancient artifacts or conducting underwater detection.
Recovery Protocol:
- Listen for the accelerating chirp pattern – the increasing frequency helps you triangulate distance as you search your dig site.
- Follow the audible signal systematically – scan your work area in a grid pattern for up to 60 minutes of continuous alerts.
- Press the power button once to reset the alarm when recovered.
- Power off manually after use by holding the button half-second to prevent future false alarms in your gear bag.
Practice Exercises and Battery Conservation Tips
Mastering the Pro-Pointer’s full capabilities requires deliberate practice with specific techniques that separate novice users from efficient diggers.
Establish a test garden by burying coins and trash in parallel rows—this controlled environment protects historical finds from unnecessary excavation damage while honing your skills.
Practice X-pattern sweeps, vertical spinning in holes, and side-rubbing techniques to minimize environmental impact through smaller, precise plugs.
Battery conservation directly extends your field time.
Power off immediately after each pinpoint rather than leaving the unit active.
In mineralized soil, use quick rebalancing bursts instead of continuous operation.
Tap the power button progressively closer to targets, tuning sensitivity downward to eliminate false signals.
Master proximity tapping on buried coins—when the chirp starts, retreat 1/4 inch to effectively double detection depth without draining power unnecessarily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Garrett Pro-Pointer at Detect Gold and Silver Jewelry?
Like a bloodhound zeroing in on a scent, you’ll find the Pro-Pointer AT excels at gold detection and jewelry pinpointing. Its 11.5kHz frequency locks onto small metallic targets, giving you the freedom to hunt precious metals anywhere.
How Do I Replace the 9V Battery in My Pinpointer?
Rotate the battery cover counterclockwise by hand—no tools needed. Slide out the old battery, match the larger terminal to the larger opening when inserting the new 9V, then hand-tighten clockwise. Simple battery replacement with built-in safety precautions.
Will the Device Work Properly in Saltwater or Beach Conditions?
Despite saltwater’s corrosive reputation, you’ll find the Pro-Pointer AT excels in beach conditions with its IP68 waterproof capabilities. Just maintain proper battery maintenance by checking the sealed cover, and you’re free to hunt any shoreline confidently.
What’s the Maximum Detection Depth for Small Versus Large Metal Objects?
You’ll detect small targets like nuggets at 2-3 inches depth with supertuning, while larger objects reach slightly deeper. Object size directly affects depth measurement—the pinpointer’s designed for close-range work, not deep searching. It’s a precision recovery tool, not a primary detector.
Can I Use the Pinpointer While Scuba Diving at 20 Feet?
Verily, you can use it at 20 feet—it’s rated IP68 submersible. Follow dive safety tips: secure the lanyard, perform underwater calibration before descending, and don’t exceed depth limits. The 360° detection and LED work perfectly submerged.
References
- https://garrett.com/sites/default/files/2019-11/propointer_manual.pdf
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jAhfgxp_ME
- https://www.supereyeusa.com/a-the-top-pinpointer-metal-detector-for-beginners-a-guide-to-finding-your-first-treasure.html
- https://garrett.com/garrett-pro-pointer-at/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHYJCiLSRF0
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUMIhtDEQLQ
- https://crawfordsmd.com/blog/how-to-use-a-pinpointer
- https://www.metaldetector.com/pages/learnbuying-guide-articlesgetting-started
- https://detectorwarehouse.com/blogs/news/16336764-garrett-pro-pointer-at-pro-pointer-ii-and-propointer-training-videos
- https://youcouldwin.co.uk/garrett-at-pro-pointer-guide-treasure-hunting/
