Pipehorns

**sprayandpray** · November 5th, 2008, 08:34 PM

We are supposed to be getting some Pipehorns in soon to help us locate these damn Primaries that won't locate. I heard they were hard/tricky to use. Any words of wisdom?

**ifinditunderground** · November 5th, 2008, 08:47 PM

Great tool, but Dangerous in inexperienced hands.....Advice: Take your time learning this tool.

**Lucky219** · November 5th, 2008, 08:59 PM

One of the better tools out there but you need to take your time to learn it or you will have paint all over.

**ifinditunderground** · November 5th, 2008, 09:33 PM

And none of it will be right.

**UULC** · November 5th, 2008, 10:07 PM

You just have to be careful when drop box. They will light up everything in the ground. You can set it on a transformer with a piece of cardboard under it. IT WILL light it up.

**Goldenboy** · November 5th, 2008, 10:25 PM

The problem is you don't know if your marking an abandoned or live line when all you do is drop the box. Not saying they don't have their place but if your area is like mine there is as much abandoned crap in the ground as their is live stuff.

**UULC** · November 5th, 2008, 10:32 PM

The most famous words: If in doubt, Mark it out!!

**UULC** · November 5th, 2008, 10:33 PM

I also have one for sale. A 100 series. Look under the for sale section.

**TheCableVine** · November 6th, 2008, 12:24 AM

Originally Posted by sprayandpray

We are supposed to be getting some Pipehorns in soon to help us locate these damn Primaries that won't locate. I heard they were hard/tricky to use. Any words of wisdom?

I bought one a while back and it was a good investment. The person who sold it to me told me to learn it before I used it. So, I would do my locate and then go back with the pipehorn and relocate it to see how the pipehorn reacted in certain situations. How it worked when I put it next to the line or on the line or even 10 feet away. Make sure you know what is in the ground before you use it. That means you don't use it unless all the other utilities have located.

**bareclaw** · November 6th, 2008, 01:02 PM

you don't have to drop the box, you can hook up a pair of leads and use it just like any other machine, great tool but take lots of time to get to know her. I use the old black one, don't know much about the new fancy yellow thing they made.

**Metroman** · November 6th, 2008, 08:59 PM

Yeah 480 khz will give crazy bleedoff so use the gain very sparingly.I see the new version has 9khz as well which would be nice.

**Damage Investigator** · November 6th, 2008, 09:44 PM

Just wish they would change the design so it would be easier for lefties to use it.

**TBONE** · November 7th, 2008, 09:21 PM

Originally Posted by ifinditunderground

Great tool, but Dangerous in inexperienced hands.....Advice: Take your time learning this tool.

Very true I have used a 100 series for ever now I use the 800 and wont trade it for anything.....exept maybe an 810 metrotech.....na

**gypsygirl** · November 8th, 2008, 07:42 AM

Same advise as above... take your time learning it... practice, practice, practice first.

**dirt painter** · November 9th, 2008, 11:01 AM

A Pipehorn is (or can be) a great tool to add to your arsonal. Like all induction equipment, it is only as good and as effective as the user.

The model 100 has been around since dirt and has gained a reputation of being "dangerous" but the fact is that if you understand the processes required to apply EM signal inductively to a targeted, line this model can become your "go-to" unit in difficult situations.

The newer model 800 has an optional second frequency and is probably the best inductive unit I have ever had the pleasure of using.

As with all locating equipment you need to become comfortable with any given unit and I suggest practicing in an open area over single utility then move on to areas with 2,3,ect. utilities. Locate the target lines first with a unit you are comfortable with. Having the target line already located with allow you to calibrate your settings with confidence. Practice tilting your transmitter away from target lines to take current off of the target lines. This will help better isolate the applied signal in congested areas.