Doesn't anyone use a dip-needle anymore>:-D
>
> I would also ask you to have a look on the ChrisNik HoundDog Which is also a new locator and has a lot of new and innovative technologies.
>
The Houndog is not new, it was originally marketed under the Magnawand brand name. I bought one well over 10 years ago. The Houndog has not changed from the original model, other than the name.
It is a great tool. Mine still works great. I used to use a schonstedt but I like the Houndog much better primarily due to its setting selection which includes a setting where it only sounds off if over a vertical component of magnetic field. Is very useful in finding pins next to metal fences.
It would be my first choice if I was needing a new one.
39 yrs - Schoenstadt :good:
> Doesn't anyone use a dip-needle anymore>:-D
I have one for sale. 🙂 The first PLS I worked for used the cheapest compass he could get, with no fluid in it. The cheap compass needle would deflect from North as he ran it very slowly across the ground. Took for ever and did not work that well, but he saved money on "that there fancy equipment".
As for the locators: Get the head phone jack if you are in a noisy area. The CST with the screen is hard to see in the sun and it takes your eyes away from the search!
I also own the Magnawand, never a bit of trouble and the vertical feature is very good and one I don't think anyone else offers, saves time on digging for stuff that isn't vertical, still may not be the mon, but does eliminate a lot of random junk when searching.
I will say the response seems a little slower than the older Schonstedt locators I have used, by that I mean the sweeps need to be a little slower or it doesn't seem to have time to respond, the sensitivity is just fine though as far as locating iron.
Very rugged, one 9V battery that lasts a long time.
I don't think there is anything wrong with Schonstedt locators, however I also think they sell a lot because many of us started with that brand when there wasn't other choices, now there are a number of choices and I think some of them may have more innovative features, they just don't have as wide of market share. I think there are at least a few of the newer brands that have some Schonstedt DNA. As I understand it some of the newer brands were started by ex-Schonstedt folks so it isn't like they didn't start with some ideas that they have since tried to improve upon.
SHG
have always liked the Schonstedt GA-52, but we have a couple CST Magna-traks also.
both work well, but given a choice, the Schonstedt gets chosen first.
(have not used the others mentioned here)
I have found that it is not that easy to look at indicator dials, lights and gauges with one eye and with the other eye looking out for snakes and other critters, stump holes, staubs, bull nettle, grass burs, thorns, and other entanglements.
Near highways and other noisy areas you can not hear anyone shouting a few yards away from you much less watch our for traffic.
Will admit the Magna Trak gives out a different pitched sound that will can be heard thru some ambient noises.
Schonstedt, Magna Trak and Sharp are the only ones I've ever used.
The Schonstedt and the Sharp both had earphone jack.
If you have never used and earphone, you really don't know what I am talking about. Using any type of earphone from mono ear bud to the really nice Schonstedt type turns any modest pin finder it into a very sensitive fine tuned instrument.
The wire can be annoying. That is why I adapted to Bluetooth.
1/4" Mono to 1/8" stereo jack
Bluetooth stereo sender audio dongle
LG Bluetooth earphones
Wire is very responsive and Bluetooth has some latency. Each produces a different tone.
There was an elastic Velcro strap. Gotta go shoppin 😉
Anyone here remember using one of these? I do, and I still think of myself as being young. At one time they were the best thing out there.
Yes, my dad had one of those. (I'm in my late 50's). Dip needle if I recall what he called it correctly.
It seems to me that there still might be a time and place for a little box like that at least in the truck.
I still carry my dip needle in the truck part of the time. It's battery never dies.
If I had a nickle for every hole I dug because of a dip needle...
I had one duct taped to the end of a lath that I used as a wand instead of using the straps.
> If I had a nickle for every hole I dug because of a dip needle...
That's what I remember about dip needles, though I only saw it in action a couple of times. All of the holes were in busy paved intersections, however, so they were all memorable.
> >
> > I would also ask you to have a look on the ChrisNik HoundDog Which is also a new locator and has a lot of new and innovative technologies.
> >
>
> The Houndog is not new, it was originally marketed under the Magnawand brand name. I bought one well over 10 years ago. The Houndog has not changed from the original model, other than the name.
>
> It is a great tool. Mine still works great. I used to use a schonstedt but I like the Houndog much better primarily due to its setting selection which includes a setting where it only sounds off if over a vertical component of magnetic field. Is very useful in finding pins next to metal fences.
>
> It would be my first choice if I was needing a new one.
I too have used a Magnawand, which appears to be the same as the Hounddog. We bought a Schonsted a few years ago because the Magna was getting old. I use the Magnawand.
You can actually analyze what is in the ground without digging it up with the Magnawand.
> have always liked the Schonstedt GA-52, but we have a couple CST Magna-traks also.
> both work well, but given a choice, the Schonstedt gets chosen first.
> (have not used the others mentioned here)
I used to be a shoenstadt guy but I started using a magna track cst. I went back to the shoenstadt and traded in the cst, boy I sure do miss that cst.
I thought that this may be helpful to the discussion. I posted a coupon code for the month of June for all forum users. 10% off of any online order (U.S. shipments only) at www.baselineequipment.com use code connect10 in check out.
Good morning forum folks! It has been some time since I have posted on the forum but today seemed a good time to get back to you. As you may know Baseline Equipment Company has been working with Surveyor Connect since 2010, supporting Wendell Angel and David as they create this great place for you all to discuss what matters to you.
After the PLSO conference in 2012 we donated $250.00 on behalf of Surveyors Connect and Baseline Equipment Company to the PLSO Scholarship Fund. We think it is very important to support the community that supports us present and future. This month Baseline Equipment Company is offering all the Surveyor Connect members 10% off of any order you place online! So visit www.baselineequipment.com and use coupon code connect10 at checkout. Not applicable on items in “This Months Specials” category or other restricted brands.
Thank you
James Flack
President & CEO
Baseline Equipment Company