Product Review XP MI-4 Pinpointer

I would guess that the vast majority of detectorists own a pinpointer – if they’re anything like me, they will have owned several over the years.

- Gary Blackwell

The logical reason for using one is to aid in the recovery of targets with the minimum of ground disturbance and to protect targets from an over active digging tool. My lesson was learned 25 years ago when I put the spade right into the middle of a pair of Roman tweezers, damaging a find of a lifetime.

Back then, probes were available but they suffered from water and mud ingress and were very temperamental, not to mention shaped like house bricks.

Over the years probes have evolved and are now pretty good, although several are still not quite the ‘finished job’, whether it be in terms of reliability, functionality or just simple ergonomics. XP have taken a look at all of these issues and produced a pinpointer that is affordable, reliable and practical – the MI-4.

XP MI-4 What You See is What You Get

The MI-4 as you can see, looks very much like the MI-6, and to a certain extent it is. The MI-4 still has a solid, chunky feel and a two-year warranty; it can be used on all terrains and in the worst weather conditions – the double seal system and moulded button protects the MI-4 from the elements.

In addition, the device is fully submersible to a maximum depth of 20 feet or 6 metres and it also floats!

Supplied in the box is an instruction manual, a charging cable, a lanyard and the XP rotating holster which can be mounted on a belt/webbing clip. In fact the only thing the MI-4 does not have compared to the MI-6, is Program No. 7 – the Deus radio link and its controller menu features. Charge time is approximately three hours – any standard USB charging outlet will work.

Is the MI-4 an Entry Level Probe?