A GFCI device does not need a grounding probe to protect you. If that were the case, how would the GFCI installed in your bathroom work? There's no grounding probe there. If you read Bean's article carefully you will see that there remains some controversy as to the effect of a grounding probe in our systems, whether they do more harm than good. It all depends on the equipment you have and the failure scenario. IMO a GFCI is a must to protect you, a grounding probe, perhaps. It is correct that if you do decide to install a grounding probe, you must have a GFCI as well. In either case, GFCI is the way to go for your safety.
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