Metal Detector vs Pinpointer: Do You Need Both? (October 2026)

On this page (8 sections)

1. Metal detector vs pinpointer: what does each do?
2. When does a metal detector make more sense?
3. When does a pinpointer save time?
4. Which tool should you buy first?
5. What should you compare in a pinpointer?
6. How do you use the two tools together?
7. Can you hunt without a pinpointer?
8. Which tool fits your kind of hunt?

A metal detector finds buried targets, and a pinpointer helps locate them in the hole or dug soil. Start with a detector for broad searches, then add a pinpointer if finding the object during recovery takes too long.

The short version of metal detector vs pinpointer is that they handle different parts of a hunt. A detector scans ground; a handheld pinpointer narrows down a target once you start recovery.

You don't need to buy both on day one. Start with a detector if you're new, then add a pinpointer when you find yourself spending too long checking loose soil.

Metal detector vs pinpointer: what does each do?

A metal detector searches a wider area with a coil, while a pinpointer checks a smaller area with a handheld probe. One helps you decide where to dig, and the other helps you find the object after that.

A detector's coil passes over the ground and signals when it detects metal. Depending on the detector, its display or audio can give you clues about the target, but those clues don't identify the object with certainty.

After you dig, the object may be in the hole, the soil plug or loose dirt nearby. A pinpointer lets you move closer to the target and narrow down where to look.

Does a metal detector's pinpointer mode replace a handheld probe?

No. Some full-size detectors include a mode for centering a target before you dig, but that mode still uses the detector's coil.

For example, the SAKOBS 11-inch foldable detector includes a search mode called Pinpointer. A separate handheld probe is easier to move around a soil plug or a small hole.

When does a metal detector make more sense?

A metal detector makes sense when you need to scan an area before digging. Its coil covers more ground than a handheld probe, so you can move over a park, yard or beach and listen for signals.

A detector is the first tool to prioritize for broad searches for buried objects. A pinpointer can find nearby metal, but it isn't a practical substitute for sweeping a larger area.

If you haven't picked a detector yet, start with our guide to metal detectors for adults or compare the options in our best metal detectors guide.

When does a pinpointer save time?

A pinpointer helps after you have a detector signal and have started digging. Its small probe can help you check the hole and soil plug, which may reduce how much soil you need to sort.

It won't tell you what the object is with certainty, and it doesn't remove the need to recover a target carefully. Think of it as a closer-range search tool.

The Minelab PRO-FIND 35 gives audio and vibration signals that intensify as the probe approaches a target. It also has 5 sensitivity levels and two tone responses to help distinguish ferrous junk from nonferrous targets.

The DR.ÖTEK MT6 Pro pinpointer uses an LCD, sound and vibration alerts, along with 360-degree side scanning. Those cues can help you guide the probe through loose soil or around a hole.

For a closer look at how probes work, read what a pinpointer is used for.

Which tool should you buy first?

Buy a detector first if you don't own either tool. It finds the signals that tell you where to search, while a pinpointer helps with recovery after you dig.

If you already have a detector, decide based on how you recover targets. A pinpointer is a practical next tool if you often lose track of the target in the hole or plug, or if sorting soil slows you down.

You can also begin with only a detector and add a probe later. The metal detecting accessories guide covers other gear that may help after you've settled into the hobby.

What should you compare in a pinpointer?

Compare alert types, water resistance and controls before you choose a pinpointer. These features affect how you'll use it around a target and where you can take it.

The Minelab PRO-FIND 35 gives audio and vibration feedback, while the DR.ÖTEK MT6 Pro pinpointer adds an LCD visual signal. The Minelab has 5 sensitivity levels, and the DR.ÖTEK has one-touch signal cancellation.

Minelab claims waterproofing to 10 ft for the PRO-FIND 35, but its IP54 specification conflicts with that claim. Confirm its water limits with Minelab before submerging it; check the DR.ÖTEK's instructions for depth and use limits despite its IP68 rating.

Is a waterproof detector the same as a waterproof pinpointer?

No, coil waterproofing and whole-tool waterproofing differ. Check which parts can go in water and any depth limit before taking gear into a river or surf.

Our guide to what waterproof means on a metal detector explains why the word alone doesn't tell you what parts you can submerge.

How do you use the two tools together?

Use the detector to find and center a signal, then use the pinpointer during recovery. Once you have a hole or soil plug, the handheld probe helps narrow down the object's location.

A simple sequence is:

1. Sweep the detector coil over the ground until you get a repeatable signal.
2. Use the detector's pinpoint function, if it has one, to center the likely target area.
3. Dig carefully and keep the plug together.
4. Check the hole and the plug with the handheld pinpointer.
5. Recover the target once you have narrowed down its location, then fill the hole.

The detector and pinpointer don't need to be used at the same time. The detector does the searching first, and the probe comes out during recovery.

Can you hunt without a pinpointer?

Yes, you can find targets with a detector alone and sort the dug soil to locate them. Avoid reaching blindly into a hole or plug, since buried metal and glass can have sharp edges.

The trade-off is recovery time. If you regularly spend several minutes checking a hole and its dirt, a handheld probe may make that stage easier.

Start with the detector and pay attention to how recovery goes on your first few outings. Buy a pinpointer if locating the target after each signal becomes the slow part of your hunt.

Which tool fits your kind of hunt?

In a metal detector vs pinpointer choice, choose a detector for scanning a lawn, park, beach or field. Add a pinpointer for narrowing down a target you've already detected and begun to recover.

For a first setup, prioritize a detector that suits the places you plan to search. If you already own one and dig targets often, a pinpointer can be a useful addition.

Pick the detector for ground coverage; add a pinpointer for closer recovery work. For help with the first hunt, follow our metal detector use guide.

Frequently asked questions

Can a pinpointer replace a metal detector?

No, a pinpointer is a handheld probe for narrowing down a target in a likely spot or dug soil. A full-size metal detector scans a wider area and alerts you to buried metal, so start with a detector if you want to search a park or beach.

Do beginners need a pinpointer?

A pinpointer is optional for beginners, but it can help narrow down where an object is in a hole or loose soil. Start with a detector, then add a probe if recovery takes too long; avoid reaching blindly into soil that could contain sharp metal or glass.

Can a detector's pinpointer mode do the same job?

A detector's pinpointer mode can help center a target before you dig, but it still uses the detector's coil. A separate handheld pinpointer is easier to move through a soil plug or around a small hole, so the two tools help at different stages of finding and recovering a target.

Do you need both tools at the beach?

Both tools can help at the beach, but a pinpointer is optional: the detector scans the sand, and the probe narrows down a target in a scoop or hole. Before using either in water, confirm which parts can be submerged and the depth and use limits in its instructions.

What should you buy first?

Buy a metal detector first for broad ground searches, then add a pinpointer if locating objects in the hole or plug takes too long. For help getting started with your detector and planning your first search, see our guide to how to use a metal detector.