I will be honest—with the passing of my old pinpointer after many years, I was pretty distressed. But sometimes bad luck might just turn into good fortune. After weeks of reading reviews and watching a lot of YouTube videos, I decided on the Nokta PulseDive , and I am truly glad that I did.
First Impressions: More Than Just Another Pinpointer
When the package arrived, I smiled at the rugged carrying case. It’s probably overkill for beach trips (mine now lives in the garage), but it speaks to the quality you are getting. The first time I held the PulseDive, I knew this was no frail toy – it feels solid like good detecting gear should.
Beach Testing: Where the Fun Happens
That is where it gets fun. My first real test was at my local beach, and in just five minutes – I swear – I found a beautiful sparkly ring in about 3 feet of water. What luck for a beginner! My girlfriend quickly took it for herself, but I didn’t mind—just really happy about how easy it was to find.
The PulseDive works great in the water. Instead of carrying my big detector out in the waves, which I like but is heavy, I can now swim, crawl, or float while using this small and powerful tool in the water. It’s like having a metal detector that can do many things.
Honest Thoughts on Performance
Let’s be clear – this won’t replace your Minelab Excalibur or other top beach machines. But that’s not what it’s for. What it does offer is impressive depth for its size (better than my old Garrett Carrot), and the pulse induction technology means it stays steady in salt water, unlike some other detectors. I’ve found:
– A few rings (including that first lucky one that looks like a diamond)
– Some coins in the wet sand
– More bottle caps than I want to count (hey, that’s finding things!)
The best part? No picking means you dig up everything, but in the water, that’s a good thing – it’s better to dig up a few extra things than to miss something valuable.
Learning and Some Helpful Tips
Fair warning – there are a few quirks you’ll want to know about:
– ALWAYS check the charging port cap before hitting the water (ask me how I know.)
– The bigger 8″ coil is awesome for coverage but takes practice to pinpoint
– Retuning in the water is crucial for stable operation
Battery Life: Real-World Experience
I usually get around 6-7 hours of hunting time, which is more than plenty for a day at the beach. Charging time is fast – about two hours from dead to full. Just be sure to charge it the night before your hunt (again, learn from my mistakes).
What Could Be Better?
No review would be honest without some gripes:
– The buttons can be a little finicky with wet hands
– I wish the LED was a bit brighter for deeper water
– The learning curve on pinpointing with the larger coil is steep
Is It Worth Your Money?
The main point is this: for about $160, you’re getting a very useful tool. Consider this – a good pinpointer by itself is about $130, and here you get that plus a good tool for finding things in the water. After six months of using it regularly, I can genuinely say that it’s one of the very best things I ever bought for detecting.
For those who like tech details, here are the quick specs:
– Waterproof to 60m (deeper than you’ll ever hunt!)
– 5.5″ standard coil (8″ available separately)
– Multiple detection modes (I mostly use vibrate+audio)
– Around 8 hours of battery life
– 2-year warranty
The Final Scoop
If you’re as unsure as I was, just try it. It’s not perfect, but nothing is. It’s become my go-to for hunting on the beach and in the water for quick searches and shallow water. My full-sized detector is still useful, but it’s nice to just take the PulseDive and go into the water.
And hey, if my girlfriend’s new favorite ring shows anything, this little device can really work well. Just remember to keep your expectations realistic – it’s not a magic machine, but it is a very good tool that has many uses. Now if you’ll excuse me, the tide is low, and I have some detecting to do!
Product Overview
The Nokta PulseDive is an important new product in metal detecting. It works as both a waterproof pinpointer and a small underwater detector. With pulse induction technology and a depth rating of 60 meters, this device connects standard pinpointers to underwater metal detectors.
Key Features and Performance
The best feature of the PulseDive is that it is waterproof and has different coil options that can be changed. The standard 5.5″ round coil delivers reliable detection in both dry and submerged conditions, while the optional 8″ coil provides approximately 30% greater depth and coverage. The device employs multiple detection modes (Audio/Vibration/Audio+Vibration/LED) and offers five adjustable sensitivity levels to accommodate various hunting conditions. Operating at 3kHz, the pulse induction technology proves particularly effective in highly mineralized and saltwater environments.
Field testing shows great performance in shallow water and on beaches. Users often find jewelry, coins, and other metal objects at depths of 3-4 inches in wet sand and a few feet underwater. The device works especially well in saltwater, where regular VLF detectors usually have trouble. Recent user reports point out successful jewelry finds and good target locating in both surf and shallow water situations.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Performs double duty as an underwater detector and a pinpointer
- Fully submersible up to 60m/200ft
- Has decent pulse induction technology that can be used in saltwater
- Lightweight so you can detect for extended periods without getting too tired
- Has different modes to suit different conditions
- Charges up very fast and offers 8 hours of battery life
Cons:
- Cannot discriminate targets
- No target discrimination capability
- Less depth than full-sized beach detectors
- Learning curve for underwater use
- Pinpointing challenges with larger coil
Price-to-Value Analysis
My PulseDive is nearly $160; by the way, it is a good deal, considering the fact that it offers a double feature. It can act underwater, basically has an underwater detecting function and waterproof pin-pointer function together. Plus, it comes with a two-year guarantee. This is much better compared to buying separate pinpointers, which usually go at $130 or more each.
