The 2 PIN-POINTERS that seem to always be in competition are, “the Garett AT Pro VS The NOKTA MAKRO pin-pointer so I have depicted the differences between the two of these products the best I could. Let me know in the comments if I’ve left anything out. I will also let you know the device I personally chose for my personal handheld pin-pointer for the field.

Power sources

Both of these 2 pointers run off a 9V battery, they both have the 5 minute alarm and automatic shut of to conserve battery power. They both have a run time of approx 30 hours.

Interface Blocking

A great feature on the Nokta device is the Coil Interface Blocking. This means that when it’s turned off, the magnetic transmission is fully disconnected, eliminating any possibility of interference from your metal detector preventing it from being picked up as a target. If you’re hunting smaller targets, its controls will allow you to adjust its sensitivity to improve detection and narrow down the target’s location. This will also tune out any signals from mineralized soil or wet send.

The Garette pointer is also well designed however it does not have the same technology and does sometimes get picked up by the detector in the off position, however this is a simple fix and very easy to avoid, simply move the machine further away from the area you are digging or put to a different angle and this will eliminate any false readings by your detector while you are digging. Also if you connect either of these devices to a Bluetooth headphones, it seems to also eliminate false readings, I have not tried this but I believe that when you connect a pinpointer to your wireless Bluetooth headsets, they will block out any noise from your detector.? I’m not sure about this as I have not tried it. many reviews of this about the Nokta pin-pointer if paired with a simplex detector using Nokta Bluetooth headphones. I believe this will be the case of paired with other Bluetooth headphones on other detectors as well. I will update this post when I try with my Minelab products.

Audio &Vibration

Both The Nokta & the Garette pointers have- both audio and vibration options as well as a combination of both. for searching underwater, or in crouded and public areas, especially crouded beaches. Try using just the vibration mode and an LED flashlight to aid in low light or murky water detection’s.

Lighting

The Nokta takes the win on the lighting as I believe the light to be a bit more powerful than the Garette and it can be turned off unlike the Garette pointer.

As mentioned above, both these devices, after five minutes of inactivity, will emit an alarm in case you’ve lost it, or plain forgot to turn it off before putting them into their respective holsters.

Accessibility button & Locations

On the Nokta, the controls are really easy to use. There are two buttons to turn the unit on/off and adjust sensitivity which is located on the top of the device so you won’t hit them by accident.

However I must give the accessibility and ease of use the the Garett At Pro pointer in this regard. There is only 1 button to activate every feature on the device, and it’s location takes the cake. It’s on the side of the device in perfect position for your thumb or forefinger to hit it when needed. Because the Nokta buttons are on top, & there are 2 of them it makes it just a bit less convenient than Garett pointer. Neither or these machines are difficult to operate tho.

SENSITIVITY

For the Nokta pin-pointer there are 10 sensitivity settings, these are easily located with the 2 buttons on the top of the device. At the lowest sensitivity range the device must be less than a 1/4 inch away from a small metallic target such as a 1mm sized piece of copper. This devise will pick up the smallest of targets on the top or sides of the device even with it’s different covers on it. At full sensitivity or level 10 (the highest setting) this machine will pick up the smallest targets with the protective covers on at 2,3/8” depth or 2,1/5” inches without the cover on it.

Depth Of Range

The Garett on the other hand on its highest setting would only pick up the same item at a max depth of 1,7/8” inches away and for the smallest of the targets, the Garett would only pick up the items on the side shaft, not the tip of the device. Now this was also an open air test for the two devices so not an in ground test. Still I would have thought open air would be an easier test for these 2 devices.

Waterproof

Both of these devices are waterproof. The Garrett pointer is waterproof up to 10 feet in depth. Some people would want the depth as deep as you can, I understand that, (sort of). Now to be perfectly honest here. Unless you are a diver and are only going super close to shore, ( less than 10 fee) then I’m not sure why they made this pin-pointer to go a depth of only 10 feet? No diver would buy this for detecting and no land detectorist is going to dive 10 feet for treasure. I do get that if you are going to be in water up to your waste, that you want a pinpointer that will be warranted to beyond your intended 3 ft digging area tho.

This is where the Nokta pointer falls behind Garett’s in my opinion. The Nokta pointer is only guaranteed up to 3 ft. So in my opinion 3ft is more than enough depth for your land detecting needs. It means this pointer is good in the rain, or if dropped in a puddle, using on wet soils, and shallow water digging. Bringing this detector for beach digs is where it’s meant to be. As is the Garett’s pointer. Neither of these pointers will be used for underwater activities such and snorkeling, or diving, in my opinion.

SHEATHINGS

In my personal opinion, both of these pointers come with a holder. I am going to give this one to Garett as it is a simple hard nylon holder that you can attach to your belt clip. Also if you’ve left your unit turned on then it is designed to set off continuously where as, even tho the Nokta holster does set off the device if left on, it only sets it off while you are putting it in the holster, once it’s in then the device no longer sets off. It is also made of a more flimsy neoprene kind of material, It does have a sturdy metal belt clip. I do think the simple design of the Garett is superior to the Nokta. IMO.

COST

For a medium budget option the Nokta Pinpointer has a great reputation for metal detectors and accessories for all abilities, each product made using the latest technologies as well as making them high quality and affordable. $129.00 Canadian currency. The Garette has maybe one of the best names in the industry today and is also affordable however, It also comes with a heftier price tag at $169-$249 Canadian, pending where you buy this product.

So what Pinpointer did I decide to get???. I really badly wanted the Garett AT Pro pointer due to its popularity. When I first started I went with a knock-off pinpointer instead of the real deal. The truth of it is that the knock off was actually pretty good and it was only $30 on Amazon. So I now know that if they can make these things and sell them under $50 that work, then really why would I spend nearly $200 on something for just a few extra features?

Well my answers to my own questions are as follows, I have decided to go with the Nokta Pin-Pointer. I went with this for several reasons. 1st and foremost. I wanted a second pointer so my partner also has her own when she comes with me, 2nd if I was continuing to search such public places, I like the option to turn off the volume and use the vibration settings instead. This allows others not to be bothered by my constant beeping. Plus I had the option to turn the light off which the Garett was unable to do, 3rd both the pointers seem to be great machines and extremely compatible with one another however even tho the Garett has easier accessibility buttons on it, the Nokta simply tested better with smaller pieces of metal and at deeper depths it was simply a better machine all round. 4th was cost consideration. Even though the Nokta tested better it was a sure thing when it is also $40 to $125.00 cheaper as well.

Again these are just my opinions so don’t let me sway you from buying a great machine like the Garett Carrot stick pin pointer.