choice of tools?

**1idejim** · February 14th, 2010, 05:48 PM

i was wondering what's the favorite locator that's out there.

if you were buying a locator for your use, money out of your wallet.

what would you want, what would you end up buying and how much would you be willing to spend?

i get a lot of leak detectors looking for wire locators to find pipes with.

i'm interested in the newer stuff, but i don't want to get rid of the stuff i have.

**ProfessionalLocator** · February 14th, 2010, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by 1idejim

i was wondering what's the favorite locator that's out there.

if you were buying a locator for your use, money out of your wallet.

what would you want, what would you end up buying and how much would you be willing to spend?

i get a lot of leak detectors looking for wire locators to find pipes with.

i'm interested in the newer stuff, but i don't want to get rid of the stuff i have.

If short on cash and RD400 or Metrotech 810 with the more versatile RD400 as the preference.

With money I would have to say the RD4000 or the newer RD8000, great machines.

I would keep in inventory an old Metrotech 810 and an old pipehorn. Not expensive and good backup equipment should the main locator go on the fritz.
Add to the backup equipment a 3M locator for buried electronic markers.

**orangeboots** · February 14th, 2010, 06:44 PM

gotta agree with pl rd 400 if money is a issue if not rd 8000 or vivax. I wont be giving up my dynatel 2273 any time soon

**sprayandpray** · February 14th, 2010, 06:44 PM

I was going to recommend checking out the RD 2000. It is the updated version of the 4000 without all the bells and whistles of the 8000

**Goldenboy** · February 14th, 2010, 06:47 PM

The thing with someone using a locator that doesn't use it daily is experience. You ask this question and you'll get a different answer from everyone. The thing is whatever a person uses they will like eventually.

And for me it would be the Rycom 8879. Very easy to use and very reliable in my opinion.

**1idejim** · February 14th, 2010, 06:54 PM

the power and phone companies here are using metrotech and rycom so i'm seeing them.

rycoms are in the trucks of contract locators.

**orangeboots** · February 14th, 2010, 06:55 PM

I used a 8879 for about 18 months and i seemed to have some bleed off problems for some reason.

**1idejim** · February 14th, 2010, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by Goldenboy

The thing with someone using a locator that doesn't use it daily is experience. You ask this question and you'll get a different answer from everyone. The thing is whatever a person uses they will like eventually.

And for me it would be the Rycom 8879. Very easy to use and very reliable in my opinion.

tempo-progressive developed the first valve locater for irrigation in 1986, the 521. i run into people all the time that tell me they have been using the 521 since it came out, they don't have it hooked up right, that's why i won't work.

most irrigators use the valve locator 2-5 times a year, i use on average 2-5 times a week just in my area.

the more you use locators the more comfortible you feel and the better you become, as i said before you guys will locate more in 1 day than i'll locate in 2weeks.

the plus for me is that irrigation locates last from 20 minutes to 8-10 hours.

**yahoo** · February 14th, 2010, 07:11 PM

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**Mke** · February 14th, 2010, 07:47 PM

I'm biased to the 810, I locate my fair share of Irrigation control Lines, but you tons of bleed off issues, you can hook up to the common, and bleed off on the 110v feedin the clock, or even any lighting paralleling the Irrigation. It doesn't take much to figure it out, but the 810 isn't for everyone.

mke

**fockerson** · February 14th, 2010, 07:58 PM

It to me is the man and what he's comfortable with or familiar with. I've seen guys do great work with only a couple different rigs. The RD400 and the Rycom 8879. Used both myself and got the job done with both. For now I'm most familiar with the Rycom 8879 and I dont want to try anything else. I am willing to bet there are greater rigs on the market and cost-wise I know nothing. Right now I'd buy Rycom.

**1idejim** · February 15th, 2010, 01:17 AM

a young guy in redmond wa. emailed me tonite, his boss bought a metrotech 8990 sfl used, no instructions and prolly without a hoop.

mitch has been trying to learn on his own, i'll get him going. is there anyone in that area willing to help him?

thanks for the responses on the thread.

**ProfessionalLocator** · February 15th, 2010, 07:23 AM

Originally Posted by 1idejim

a young guy in redmond wa. emailed me tonite, his boss bought a metrotech 8990 sfl used, no instructions and prolly without a hoop.

mitch has been trying to learn on his own, i'll get him going. is there anyone in that area willing to help him?

thanks for the responses on the thread.

Did he mean 9890? A search of the net finds no Metrotech 8990.

Also Metrotech and Vivax have merged into one firm. So far the merged company webpage is under construction.

**1idejim** · February 15th, 2010, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by ProfessionalLocator

Did he mean 9890? A search of the net finds no Metrotech 8990.

Also Metrotech and Vivax have merged into one firm. So far the merged company webpage is under construction.

sorry, my mistake

9890 sfl

thak you pl

**AULupstate** · February 15th, 2010, 09:27 AM

RD 400 or Rycom for me as well. Metrotech 810 for dropping though (rather have a Pipehorn) but it works.

I like the Ridgid series, if I had the cash I would buy a kit from them. I also like the Sure Lok for some reason.

I don't like Dynatel and I know this is going to sound petty but it's because of the audible tone. I HATE that friggin sound. I know you can turn it down or off but you have to have it where I am due to the traffic factor (gotta maintain that 360 degree situational awareness so you don't get run over).