OPERATING YOUR METAL DETECTOR
Check the batteries are in good condition prior to searching. Frequently check the battery
condition during the search. Rechargeables give little warning of failure so ensure they are fully
charged prior to a long period of searching or carry a fresh set with you. ( See Batteries, page 4).
The unit may operate with reduced sensitivity for a period after indicating 'flat' batteries.
However the batteries should be replaced or recharged at the first opportunity.
Use headphones when possible. Not only do they extend battery life, but they also cut out
extraneous noise.
(It is instructive to bury some objects in a clear patch of soil and note the response when swept at
different rates with DISCRIMINATE at various levels). Large pieces of iron are difficult to
ignore and may give confusing signals. An aid to determine whether the target is iron or not is to
go into an all metal mode either by turning the DISCRIMINATE off or simply pressing the
PINPOINT button. Iron objects will generally give a stronger more positive signal than good
objects.
When operating on the beach the all metal mode may give a response to the beach itself. If this is
the case operate the unit with the DISCRIMINATE level set to the point at which it is ignored.
If in doubt as to whether the target is good or not we always recommend that you should dig it
up. Your knowledge of how the detector responds will increase each time and soon make you
more sure.
DETECTION RANGE
Detection ranges will vary depending on the size of the object, the length of time an object has
been buried, and the type of ground the object is buried in. The best ground conditions are well
compacted soils and coins can be found at the greatest depth if the object has been buried for
some time and the coin has interacted with the salts in the ground, thereby appearing larger to the
detector. The worst conditions for detecting are on loosely compacted or freshly dug ground or
when the object has only recently been buried. In these conditions detection range will be
reduced. 90% of all artefacts are found within 6" of the surface.
N.B. Your metal detector is a top performance deep seeker but adverse soil conditions can
significantly reduce the depth of detection.
DETERMINING THE TARGET SIZE AND DEPTH
An operator who is familiar with his instrument will be able to do an excellent job of determining
object size, shape and depth before he digs. This technique is learned from careful analysis of the
meter and audio signal coming from the detector. Each time a signal is heard, listen for any
peculiar characteristics it may have, determine over how large an area you get a detector signal,
and try to 'outline' the object before you dig. After digging up the object, compare the object size,
shape, depth and position in the ground with signal information you received before digging.
After careful analysis of many signals you will learn to 'read' the hidden target before digging.
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