FAQ: Will My Nokta Accupoint Pinpointer Pair with My Minelab Metal Detector Headphones?

With the release of the new Nokta Accupoint pinpointer metal detector a rather new frequently asked question is whether the pointer will pair with other metal detector brands' wireless headphones.  The answer is...maybe. 

The first time I got this question I couldn't answer it.  I had paired the pointer with the Nokta Legend metal detector headphones and it worked just fine after I initially got the detector and pointer paired.  When you are using the metal detector and switch on the pointer, the headphones choose it as the primary signal source.  When you shut off the pointer, the headphones pair back with the detector.  Although, at the time, there was a little delay for the headphones to switch back over to the detector...only a couple seconds.  This slight bug may be fixed in the future with a software update to the detector.

"NO, the Accupoint will not pair with the Manticore.  Neither will it pair with the Equinox 900 or 700 metal detector headphones. Nor will it pair with the New Minelab X-Terra Pro metal detectors.  It will however pair with the Equinox 600 & Equinox 800 metal detector headphones."  

The question I got was, "Will the Accupoint pinpointer pair with a Minelab Manticore?"    At first I told the customer that I would have to try it and find out. So, I tried.  A coworker of mine walked by and asked what I was doing.  He quickly reminded me that  the Manticore was not standard Bluetooth.  Neither is the Equinox 900 or 700.  So, the answer to that customer's question was NO, the Accupoint will not pair with the Manticore.  Neither will it pair with the Equinox 900 or 700 metal detectors (nor even the new Minelab X-Terra Pro).  It will however pair with the Equinox 600 & Equinox 800 metal detectors and, I have to say, it seemed to work better with the Equinox ML80 headphones than it did with the Nokta Bluetooth headphones. Although I haven't tried it, I have to assume the same would go for the Vanquish 540.

When it came to paring the Accupoint pinpointer to another brand detector, I had to learn how to do it myself.  So, I took my Equinox 800 metal detector and the Accupoint pinpointer to the bench to learn how to do it myself.

Here is How to Pair Your Equinox 800 Headphones to the Accupoint Pinpointer:

1. Pair the metal detector with the headphones first.  To do this, switch on your Equinox 800 metal detector and push the button on the upper right of the control box faceplate to put it into search mode. Make sure the detector and the headphones are close to one another
2. Turn on and hold down the power button on the headphones until the lights are flashing blue and red.  A short time after, your detector and headphones should pair.
3. Next, turn off your metal detector and headphones and turn on the Accupoint Pinpointer.  You should a tiny headphone icon with an even smaller Bluetooth symbol flashing.  
4. Then, turn on and hold down the power button on the headphones until the lights are flashing blue and red. In just a few minutes the headphones and the Accupoint should pair.  This may take a little longer than the detector took.  At this point both devices should have been paired to the headphones.  

You will notice that, just like when paired with the Nokta Legend headphones, when the pointer is on, the headphones will disconnect from the detector and connect with the Accupoint then switch back to the detector when the Accupoint is turned off.  I found the transition period it took to switch back to the detector to be even faster than the Nokta headphones. 

I found out that you may have to do this each time you want to use the two in unison - a small inconvenience for the ability to go wireless and silent-to-the-world with your devices.

It is unfortunate that Minelab followed Garrett in using a proprietary technology with its wireless signal delivery.  I understand they want to sell more accessories but it is really an injustice to those who want to use other equipment with their detectors.  The good news is, there are so many Equinox 800 & 600's out on the market and all of those detectorists can use the Accupoint wirelessly with their Minelab ML80 headphones in conjunction with their metal detector.