XP MI-4 And XP MI-6 Review

Below you will find the ultimate XP MI-4 review and then our XP MI-6 review. Right. Two-in-one!

The XP MI-4 is the first pinpointer manufactured by XP and can be used as a traditional pinpointer by any detectorist. It lacks ORX/DEUS radio connection and is waterproof to 19ft or 6m. The newer XP MI-6 includes ORX and DEUS connections. It is fully wireless and waterproof to 19ft or 6m. 

Often, people new to metal detecting are under the impression they don’t need a pinpointer to help locate objects or treasure. Big mistake. Even the experts are often seen waving their pinpointer around like a magic wand, for a good reason. XP has two of the best pinpointers available depending your skill and budget.

The best pinpointer?

We are on a mission to review all the top metal detector pinpointers.

Both XP MI-6 and XP MI-4 are solid options, with XP MI-6 having a slight advantage.

The XP MI-4 Pinpointer Review

The XP Deus MI-4 is the original and first pinpointer manufactured by XP. It has a practical and ergonomic design with a rubber grip at the top end. The MI-4 is durable and can handle all terrains with ease.

The XP MI 4 pinpointer is made of durable black and orange plastic. The only rubberized area is the grip. The front part of the pinpointer is smooth and tapers to the front. The thinner tip is handy if you need to get into small or restricted spaces.

The MI-4 pinpointer uses front and 360° detection making it easy to use without having to rotate it to find that sweet spot. The MI-4 is easy to calibrate by pressing the button. You do this while keeping the pinpointer away from any source of metal.

The MI-4 pinpointer can be easily operated with one hand and is lightweight. You can easily deactivate certain features such as vibration, volume, or the led. Not using certain features will inevitably prolong the battery life. 

XP Deus MI-4 Pinpointer Accessories

The XP MI-4 pinpointer comes with accessories that make carrying it around easier. There are three compatible options made by XP, namely – 

• A pinpointer lanyard made from robust steel. It can attach to a belt ensuring it does not get lost.
• PPClipStem – A compatible clip for the main stem making it easily accessible while keeping it perfectly balanced.
• XP Pinpointer Holster that attaches to a belt or pants, allowing easy access to the pinpointer at all times. 

What Makes The XP MI-4 A Good Pinpointer?

The advantage of using an XP pinpointer is clearly visible in the field. Their advanced technology gives you a multitude of benefits, one being never to lose a treasure again because you cannot find its precise location. 

Even though the MI-4 is the first pinpointer produced by XP, it has qualities that make it a good choice for beginner and more advanced detectorists. The MI 4 pinpointer’s function is to help you locate the treasure if the metal detector you use bounces the signal back and forth.

The XP MI-4 pinpointer has six basic programs, namely –

Program 1 – Vibrate only – This will give you 30 hours of battery life

Program 2 – Audio or Sound only – This program will provide you with 30 hours of battery life

Program 3 – Audio or Sound and Vibrate only – This program will provide you with 20 hours of battery life

Program 4 – LED and Vibrate only – This program will provide you with 11 hours of battery life

Program 5 – LED, Audio, and Vibrate only – This program will give you 10 hours of battery life

Program 6 – Battery saver 

There are three sensitivity levels you can choose from – Low, Medium, and High as well as two audio modes, namely Pitch and Pulse. The pinpointer can be re-tuned rapidly without complicated controls of programs. 

If you are planning on detecting on a beach, be reminded that beach sand and seawater are considered mineralized soil. Therefore, you should re-calibrate the MI 4 while it is touching the seawater or beach sand.

To determine the precise location of a target, it is best to re-calibrate the MI 4 pinpointer in close proximity to the object. This will significantly reduce the detection zone. The MI-4 detection frequency is 12kHz. 

A plus point to the XP MI-4 pinpointer is that all the parts are entirely replaceable. That gives peace of mind that you can order parts from XP and replace them should it drop and break, the speaker fails, or any parts malfunction. 

It is no secret that disposable batteries are harmful to the environment, and XP made sure their contribution to conservation is by using a rechargeable battery. The MI 4 is fitted with a lithium polymer battery, and the package includes a charging cable. 

The MI-4 pinpointer can be used in most temperatures, but it is suggested that the best performing areas for this XP product would be between 23° F and 104°F. The allowed temperatures under load are 32°F and 95°F.

The MI 4 pinpointer is ideal for shallow water metal detecting, especially when paired with other XP metal detecting products. Because the MI 4 is waterproof up to 6m, you can confidently wade, snorkel or dive to the allowed depth while detecting. 

While you are out metal detecting, chances are you are already carrying a few items, including a pouch or a backpack with tools and supplies. The last thing a detectorist needs is added weight. 

Another benefit of the MI-4 pinpointer is that it weighs a mere 170g. It is hardly felt when added to the stem of the metal detector via the clip or even when attached to your belt or the lanyard. 

The XP MI 4 pinpointer is also shorter than a standard ruler at 9 inches long and 1.5 inches in diameter.

XP MI 4 pinpointers are manufactured in France and carry a 2-year warranty which excludes deliberate damage. 

Pros Of The XP MI-4 Pinpointer

• Rechargeable lithium battery
• Lightweight and durable
• Waterproof to 6M
• Replaceable parts
• Ergonomic rubber grip

Cons Of The XP MI-4 Pinpointer 

• No wireless connection feature
• First generation 
• Limited sensitivity settings
• No ‘lost’ location feature

The XP MI-6 Pinpointer Review 

The XP Deus MI-6 is the latest generation pinpointer by the French manufacturer, and it does not disappoint. It is the first wireless pinpointer on the market compatible with the XP ORX or Deus metal detectors.

A pinpointer with wireless connectivity means you have much more freedom and less to concentrate on besides finding treasure. The wireless technology gives you access to several advanced features that the XP MI-4 pinpointer does not have.

The XP MI-6 is the second generation pinpointer manufactured by XP. It has an improved, ergonomic design with a rubber grip at the top. The rubber grip is solid, unlike the grip on the MI-4. The MI-6 is durable and can be used in multiple terrain settings.

The XP MI-6 pinpointer is made of durable orange and black plastic like its predecessor. The only rubberized area is the top grip section. The front part of the pinpointer is smooth and tapers to the front. The thin tip can get into small or restricted spaces.

The MI-6 pinpointer uses 360° detection making it easy to use without needing to rotate it to find the solid frequency. The MI-6 is easy to calibrate by pressing the button while keeping the pinpointer away from any source of metal.

How Do You Pair The XP Deus MI-6 With Your XP Metal Detector?

Pairing the MI 6 pinpointer with XP metal detectors such as the XP Deus, you will engage the remote control and follow these steps – 

1. On the remote control, make the following selections  – Option > Pinpointer > Pairing.

2. Now switch on the MI-6 pinpointer by holding the power button down for 8 seconds, thus enabling the pairing.

3. The MI6 will select the default Program #7. You may now adjust it according to your needs.

4. The  Deus MI 6 pinpointer is lightweight and can be operated with one hand. You can easily deactivate features such as LED, vibrate, and volume. Disabling certain features will inevitably prolong the battery life.

XP Deus MI 6 Pinpointer Accessories

The XP MI-6 pinpointer comes with handy accessories that make carrying it around easier. There are three compatible options made by XP, namely – 

• A pinpointer lanyard – Made from robust steel and can attach to a belt ensuring it does not get lost.
• PPClipStem – A compatible clip for the main stem making it easily accessible while keeping it perfectly balanced.
• XP Pinpointer Holster –  It attaches to a belt or pants, allowing easy access to the pinpointer at all times. 
• Car Charger option 

What Makes The XP Deus MI-6 A Good Pinpointer?

The following features can be accessed through the wireless connection that is not possible with the XP Deus MI 6 pinpointer.

Hear the pinpointer signals directly into your headphones.

Effortlessly adjust the pinpointer’s sensitivity by using the remote control of your metal detector.

You can locate it remotely if you accidentally lose or misplace your Deus MI 6 pinpointer during a treasure-hunting session. Even if the pinpointer has a flat battery, it will still show up. You can view the pinpointer’s location chart using the remote control.

By using the remote control, you can adjust the MI 6 pinpointer’s tone and check and adjust the settings easily through the remote.

The XP MI-6 pinpointer has seven programs, namely –

Program 1 – Vibrate only – This will give you 30 hours of battery life

Program 2 – Audio or Sound only – This program will provide you with 30 hours of battery life

Program 3 – Audio or Sound and Vibrate only – This program will provide you with 20 hours of battery life

Program 4 – LED and Vibrate only – This program will provide you with 11 hours of battery life

Program 5 – LED, Audio, and Vibrate only – This program will provide you with 10 hours of battery life

Program 6 – High Sensitivity – 90 hours of battery life 

Program 7 – Only accessible by pairing the MI-6 with an XP metal detector

There are 50 sensitivity levels you can choose from when the MI-6 is paired to an XP metal detector aside from the basic 3– Low, Medium, and High.

There are also two audio modes, namely Pitch and Pulse. The MI-6 pinpointer can be re-tuned rapidly via the remote control. 

If you plan on using the MI-6 to detect on a beach, be reminded that beach sand and seawater are considered mineralized soil. You should only re-calibrate the MI 6 while touching the seawater or beach sand.

To find the precise location of a target, it is best to re-calibrate the MI 6 close to the object, as it will significantly reduce the detection zone. The MI-6 detection frequency is 12kHz. 

A great feature of the MI-6 pinpointer is that all the parts are entirely replaceable. That will give peace of mind that parts can be ordered from XP and replaced should it drop and break, if the speaker fails, or if any part malfunctions. 

Like the MI 4, XP in France ensured that their contribution to nature conservation was sustained using a rechargeable battery. The MI-6 is fitted with a lithium polymer battery, and the package includes a charging cable. 

The MI–6 pinpointer can be used in almost any temperature, but it is suggested that the best performing areas for the latest XP product would be between 23° F and 104°F. The allowed temperatures under load are 32°F and 95°F.

The MI-6 pinpointer is perfect for shallow-water metal detecting, especially when paired with compatible wireless XP metal detecting products. Because the MI 6 is water resistant up to 6m, you can wade, snorkel or dive confidently up to the allowed depth while detecting. 

Another benefit of the MI 6 pinpointer is that it only weighs 170g. That means you will hardly feel it when added to the stem of the metal detector via the clip or even when attached to your belt or the lanyard. 

The XP MI-6 pinpointer is shorter than a standard ruler measuring 9 inches long and 1.5 inches in diameter.

All XP MI-6 pinpointers are manufactured in France and carry a 2-year warranty which excludes deliberate damage. 

Pros Of The XP MI 6 Pinpointer

• Rechargeable lithium battery
• Wireless pairing with XP metal detectors
• Increased sensitivity to 50
• Lightweight and durable
• Lost and found feature even after weeks of being off
• Waterproof to 6M
• Extra program
• Replaceable parts
• Ergonomic rubber grip

Cons Of The XP MI 6 Pinpointer 

• More expensive than other pinpointers
• Lower volume when not paired with wireless headphones

FAQs

Conclusion 

Both XP pinpointers are top-quality products but are vastly different in their functionality. The XP MI-4 uses older technology and cannot be wirelessly paired to XP metal detectors like the MI-6 pinpointer.