I have really only ever used Schonstedt. I have been out with crews that had subsurface locators before, but haven't really used them much myself, at least not enough to form an opinion.
What is the concensus on locators? Are Schonstedt the best, are they worth the extra bucks, is there a new king of locators out there?
Where is a good place to buy?
Thanks
Woops. I misread the post.
Read it again, I said I have only ever used Schonstedt.
I could have worded that better....
I fixed my message DJ...That's the only one that I've been happy with since they started making them. Always a schoney but I hear there are some other good ones. I've just always trusted my little yellow buddy. From the early square ones up to our last pistol grip one. Each took a little bit of time to learn to use and to get comfortable with but the Schoneys' have always proven themselves to me.
I have a SubSurface Model ML-1M that I bought some years back.
About 5 years ago I was working with another [old] Land Surveyor who had been using Schonstedt locators for many years. After a week of using my SubSurface instrument, he gave his (fairly new) Schonstedt to one of his field crews, and bought a new SubSurface unit!
That's all that I know!
Loyal
I like the pistol grip, had one at my last job.
I wonder about the ones that say they can discriminate around fences. Do they really work?
The nice thing about Schonstedt is there ruggedness and dependability.
I have not found anything that beats a shovel and digging when it comes to chain link fences. I hate those things.
Subsurface has served us well. Like it and it works better than several CST I have owned and better than an older Shonstadt we had (with headphones). Could be a tad bit more ergonomic. It has held up well to 5 years hard use.
I have to second Loyal's recommendation. When my old Schoenstadt died after about 15 years, I purchased a Subsurface. The Subsurface works great! Never regretted it.
KS
> I have not found anything that beats a shovel and digging when it comes to chain link fences. I hate those things.
That works when you know you are close to the point. I think we all hate those things.
Has anybody used the Hounddog?
> Where is a good place to buy?
This was the least expensive I found the Schonstedt GA-92XTi when I bought mine.
Since I'm (mostly) solo, I like the GA-92 mainly for the ability to carry it on my belt and free up a hand for something else.
> Since I'm (mostly) solo, I like the GA-92 mainly for the ability to carry it on my belt and free up a hand for something else.
Used one for years. I used to do a lot of recon before the crews hit the job, and being able to carry it on the belt was great.
One of the party chiefs I used to work with liked his subsurface too.
that thing's pretty sweet! never used anything outside of the old style box-on-wand schoney's - one PS I worked with had some orange cylindrical thing...could never hear the damn thing, but he swore by it. An SIT left it on the roof of his van once (no idea why he put it there), and it mercifully went clattering off to its ultimate demise
The GA-92 isn't very loud either, had trouble hearing on the side of the highway. Would definitely buy some headphones with it.
My personal Subsurface locator is my favorite.
I have a pistol grip Schoenstedt in my work truck. I can't recommend it. It's a strange locator, I think there is a weakness in the extendable part, something about the connection. It usually works. I also find that it will barely register on anything buried over a few inches. Also I'm tall, it's too short for me.
I like the Subsurface a lot better but I usually forget to bring it with me. I also like the handle on the top and the buttons under your thumb.
I like the price of the subsurface, that is for sure.
The telescoping GA-92 can be a pain, gets dirty and hard to extend.
The ML-1 is pretty representative of all I've ever used (in a schonstedt)...and yes, i like that price!
linky: http://www.ssilocators.com/magnetic-locators-c-1?zenid=14c9cb3cd7fb512efab2370e16d7a64a
The Subsurface sounds like a nice unit. I may try one if my 18-year-old GA-52C ever stops working.
I have used the CST brand for 15 years now.
The last one I bought had the "erase" feature that is supposed to ignore a nearby metal object for a few seconds, but it is basically a worthless feature.
I do like that it alerts you that underground power is lurking.
Randy