Best Magnetic Locator

Some are suggesting for ChrisNik HoundDog Magnetic Locator. Your opinion based on your experience would be very helpful. Thank you so much.

Subsurface.

But I only have experience with Schoenstedt and Subsurface.

I have been thinking of getting a new locator.

In my search I found that Schonstedt is the only one that appears to have a jack for headphones. To work in the rural areas that I do, it is amazing how much better any unit becomes by adding a headphone.

I suggested to all the makers and dealers I contacted that they add bluetooth to their headphone capabilities.

I've been using a bluetooth sending unit at times to use my phone headphones.

0.02

I have a Schonstedt magnetic locator. It is one of the compact ones with the retractable probe, and fits conveniently in a nylon holster I wear on my belt. I'm not sure if it is as sensitive as the ones with the fixed probe. Schonstedt appears to have an excellent reputation.

I have one of those issued to me by work.

I don't like it.

We call it the "Monument Verificator." If you want to actually find a buried monument then you need to get a "Locator" but if you know where it is and just want to verify it is a ferrous metal monument then the pistol one will do that for you.

My Subsurface is way better than that thing.

Am I correct to assume that by "better", you mean more sensitive? We used to have one of the older Schonstedt locators, but it got pretty beat up over the years, to the point where it wouldn't operate consistently. We bought the XT retractable locator, and it was an improvement. However, an associate of mine has a newer solid shaft locator, and I was noticing that it seemed to be more sensitive.

> I have a Schonstedt magnetic locator. It is one of the compact ones with the retractable probe, and fits conveniently in a nylon holster I wear on my belt. I'm not sure if it is as sensitive as the ones with the fixed probe. Schonstedt appears to have an excellent reputation.

Ditto! I love the compact version Schonstedt GA-92 for hauling around large parcels. It fits well in a day pack and has the reliability of a Schonstedt.

33 years in the field and seeing/trying tons os locators, Schoenstedt (sp) is the best, period...

Subsurface all the way

Best Magnetic Locator = Subsurface !

I have to agree with David on this one. Like most, I'm sure, the first step up from the dip needle was a Schoenstedt; an amazing tool. When it was time for a new one, after having the old one repaired through rebuilds, I went with the Subsurface. The choice was based on feedback from others and from having met one of the founders at a NYSAPLS conference booth. Apparently there was some internal strife within Schoenstedt at one time and the higher level design/management folks left to form Subsurface; or some version of that scenario.

I am very happy with my Subsurface; we find things. I opted for the model with the meters, appreciating the visual data when the site is too loud. Another good feature is the soft case - it does not rattle at every bump like the Schoenstedt did.

I would like to see the new, more streamlined version in action, but what I currently have works great.

KS

Have to side with the other folks in selecting the SubSurface instrument over the other locators. I have 1 SubSurface and 4 Schonstedts and we use them all everyday, but the SubSurface is preferred by every crew here.

Schonstedt 52C

We have a Schonstedt, a Subsurface and a CST MagnaTrac 200. The crews fight over the Schonstedt, second place gets the Subsurface and the CST is the backup.

You should look into the new Subsurface ML-3. It uses the same technonlogy that everyone here has approved of. They have the same warranty and are several hundred dollars less than the comparable Schonstedt. Plus, unlike the ML-1, the ML-3 is streamlined. It is just a straight pole with the digital face, no clunky parts, etc. Plus it has a soft case.

The problem that I have with the Schonstedts (The GA-52 series is that when the loosen up - and they all loosen up - the sensitivity switch breaks because it is constructed of panels. This happens a lot. Keep it tight, no problems...but why spend $895 or more when you can buy something better for $725?

We have had great feedback on this unit. Check it out here:

http://www.transitandlevel.com/magnetic-locators/subsurface/subsurface-ml-3-magnetic-locator.html

Thanks for the input.

I have one question. Is 1" common wire nail detectable using your suggested brand/model? I am normally using wooden hubs with 1" cw nail embedded on top. My intention is to drive hubs below the ground surface to hide them from public view and to effectively protect them from possible disturbance.

Again, thank you so much.

Regards,
Arnel

I've always been a Schonstedt fan, but that ML-3 looks like a pretty interesting development.

Amdomag:

The best way to be sure you can find your control points that are buried is to push a 2 1/2" MagNail into the ground next to your hub. The large Mag Nails have a great magnetic signature and are very easy to find with a magnetic locator.

T.W.

I have used both sub surface and Schoenstedt, both are good.

I just wish the Schoenstedts were louder like the subsurface. I need to try the head phones like a harris is talking about.

A SubSurface or Schonstedt will locate a 1" nail below ground in good conditions. However, if the nail becomes rusted or if it is near a fence or if there is local magnetic attraction, it may not pick it up - or if it does pick it up, you may not be able to distinguish that sound from the noise of other things. If you are using them for traverse points, I would strongly recommend that you consider using and burying a larger nail such as a mag nail, 60d nail, etc. and forget about the wooden hub. Unless the hub is treated, it is probably going to rot anyway. I can see using the wooden hub for construction layout, but not for permanent points.

My old beat up Schonstedt 52 found a pair of 10d nails with their tops 6 inches down. Couldn't do it if there was anything else iron in the area.