What would you recommend? Is a probe bsically indispensable or can I do quite well without ever needing one? I'm trying to figure if I do absolutely need to spend the additional bucks.

AFAIC, a probe is indispensable. You'll make up the difference in number of extra targets dug by saving search time. I'd recommend the SunRay if there is one for the machine you're using, or a Bullseye 140 if it doesn't have one. Go with the SunRay if available because while the Bullseye is great, the switches wear out pretty fast (~6-12 months for me, 2+ years for the 120 with the toggle) with frequent use and the extra money spent is worth not having down time...

Which detector do you have collectorBob? Because Sunray makes the best probes IF you have the right detector:

http://www.sunraydetector.com/

Bob,
I have all Three of the afore mentioned.
The Sunray inline is the best hands down but if the high price is to much the Vibra probe is way better than the cheep white's probe.
The vibraprobe works via vibration in your hand because there is no need to draw attention to you finding a target, (The white's unit makes a loud beep), The vibraprobe is also completely WATER PROOF and way more Rugged!
I use mine alot in the winter months when hunting in the rain!
The one thing I do like about the whites is when I let my buddy use it at night I can always tell if he's in a hot spot because of its cheesy light! :rotfl:

One thing for sure HAVING A PINPOINTER IS A MUST!

GOOD LUCK!

If you hunt the beach --
If you hunt tot lots with wood chip or sand --
You can do well without the pin pointer--Most of the time
In wood chips the pin pointer can help with multiple coin drops.

The "SunRay" unit is good. I like the way you hear it thru the headphones. Tone ID works also.

In the dirt---A pin pointer will help in time per target.

Get one! ! !

Jerry

HHHmmmm Pinpointer's who need's Ummm )) Can ya tell mines busted???((-----------I can dig like a son of a gun without one. And be good at it! But boy do they sure make a dif----HH Ride Um

The newer White's pinpointer also has a vibration mode. You
can remove the back and change it from beeping. Directions
came with it but, I think the switch was right by the battery.

I'm against the ones that call attention to the fact that you've
found something...no matter what it is! I can just hear the little
kids saying..."Oh, never mind. It's just anothe pull-tab..." :argh:

I use both the Sunray and the Whites...the sunray will go deeper but
on something really small, that fact makes it harder to find it. You
can adjust the knob on the Whites down as you dig. So it only goes
off when it actually touches metal.

The Whites Bullseye 2 pinpointer that came with my detector works great for me,never tried any other pinpointers,so i don't know how the bullseye 2 compares to others though.

I myself have a White's Bullseye also. Mine is 6 months old and the switch has already given out. It's intermittent like the hundreds of units sold with the defective switch. After a while no matter what you do, it will work or it won't. I spoke with White's just today about it. The good folks in Oregon apparently got the problem fixed some time back with a new switch that doesn't give out after a year or so. Or 6 months in my case. But nevertheless, I do like the Bullseye because it is a hand held unit that one can adjust the sensitivity on. It's very handy to carry in one hand with my Lesche and my MXT in the other. But, I wouldn't mind having a Sunray just for the sake of having a pinpointer that is integrated with my MXT. I think it would be less easier to use than a Bullseye for instance, but for relic hunting and deeper items, I think it would be great. A Bullseye is good for that type hunting too, but if you're picking up quantity, a Bullseye is quicker and easier to use. My opinion. :)

The Sunray in-lines rock! I found it a bit of a pain to carry the towel, trowel and the pinpointer, I kept leaving the pinpointer behind... :D Now I forget switch the probe switch back to the coil. :blink: Good thing there is a cord holding it to the detector or i'd leave it behind too... :rotfl:

Man! Don't you just HATE that!? I'm swinging away and thinking,
maybe I should try a different area cause I'm getting NO hits...
whoops, forgot to flip that switch back to coil!! :argh:
Then which do you do? Go back over the ground you covered since
you used the probe or just go on from there? That's after you whack
yourself in the head with the probe of course... :twak:

:rotfl:

I find myself double checking after just one swing without noise, or even before I set the coil back down. I hate to backtrack, just going in a straight line is hard enough. I look down for a couple of steps and i'm starting the drunken sailor search path again...

I could use some string and make parallel lines about 48" apart, keep myself on track! ;)
Like the blueberry raking days of my youth. ^_^

Thanks all! I got myself the Vibra Probe and so far I love it (of course, understand it's the first and only probe I have ever used!).

Regards,

--Boman.

You will like the V-probe!
The past president of our club (Sam Bernstein) is the one that makes them.
His web site: http://www.treasureproducts.com/about.cfm

Good Luck

Jerry