SAKOBS GC2006 Pinpointer - Value For Money or Just a Damp Squib?

As most of us know, pinpointer probes allow for precise targeting of buried objects. When you get a signal from your metal detector, a pinpointer helps you pinpoint the exact location of the target within a smaller area. So they are pretty handy little gadgets to have. But there are a lot of them on the market. Some are very cheap and others cost almost as much as a full-size metal detector. Which one do you buy?

The pinpointer we’re examining here, the SAKOBS GC2600, falls on the more affordable end of the spectrum. But does it measure up, and is it worth the purchase?

The Spec:

Waterproof to 60ft.
3 x modes, sound, sound & vibration, vibration only.
Built-in flashlight.
Single button retune.
Detection depth to 5 inches.
Power: Single 9v battery.
Comes with a holster and lanyard.

The standout there is the claim of being waterproof to 60ft/18 meters. You could be forgiven for thinking this was wishful thinking on the part of the marketing department. But there are two reasons why it could indeed be waterproof to some depth if not the claimed distance.

First, there is no speaker behind the grill; it’s solid plastic, providing no entry point for water. The only other possible entry point is the battery compartment, which is sealed with a rubber o-ring. As long as it’s properly tightened, water cannot ingress from there either. To clarify, we haven’t tested it beyond a few feet of water, but it performed well when submerged for 5 minutes, so we can at least confirm it is waterproof.

However, this does have a drawback on the volume output of this pinpointer. In a quiet environment, it’s adequate, but on a windy beach, for example, it was nearly impossible to hear. Additionally, the vibration mode isn’t strong enough to be felt through a gloved hand.

Build Quality:

The GC2600 is generally well-made and sturdy. The single button is recessed to prevent accidental activation while in the holster. It also features a built-in scraper blade, and the side is marked with measurements in both inches and centimetres. There’s also a lanyard attachment loop on the battery cover.

The 9v battery is housed in a tray with hard-wired contacts. The flashlight is decent but not excessively bright.

Overall, this is a well-constructed pinpointer.

In Use:

Aside from the volume level issues mentioned earlier, this pinpointer performs rather well. The claimed detection depth of 5 inches might be a bit ambitious. It may well detect targets at that range in the air, but in the real world, dealing with targets in the ground, we found it to be closer to 3 inches. Nonetheless, this is perfectly acceptable and respectable. It didn’t miss any targets we tested it on.

The vibration mode could have been stronger. It works fine without gloves, but in a gloved hand, it’s sometimes difficult to tell if it’s operating or not.

Conclusions:

As mentioned, there’s currently a wide array of pinpointers available in the market. Some are more affordable than the SAKOBS GC2600 but may not be as well-made. Others come with a higher price tag, often for added features that may not be essential. For most of us, a reliable, sturdy pinpointer that gets the job done without breaking the bank is all we need. The GC2600 falls into this category.

Price and Availability:

The SAKOBS GC2600 is currently only available through Amazon USA. As of the time of writing, the price for UK buyers is £54.28, including delivery. It’s cheaper in the USA at $49.99, which includes shipping.