Bench Tests
You should conduct bench tests to become more
familiar with your detector’s operation. To conduct a
bench test:
1. Place the searchcoil on a flat, non-metallic surface
that is several feet from other metallic objects.
2. Select the ZERO Mode.
3. Pass various metal objects (coins, bottle caps, nails,
etc.) across the searchcoil at a distance of 3 to 4
inches. Your metal detector will audibly and visually
identify the target.
4. Perform this test in all the modes available on
your detector. Observe the sounds as well as the
graphics on the LCD that are made in each mode.
5. Record the results of your bench tests and refer to
them when hunting in the field.
Once you have determined how your test targets
register on the Target ID during bench tests, test them
in the soil. Bury your targets at recorded depths to
create a "test plot." Note how various targets read
based upon whether they are lying in the ground flat
or at various angles.
Keep accurate records or surface markers to indicate
your test plot targets and their depths. Try testing these
targets again in several months after the ground has
settled, during periods of extreme drought or after a
soaking rain. Take note of any changes in how these
targets are detected.
Iron Audio bench test
Flat iron objects like bottle caps or steel washers
can appear to be good conductive targets. To better
understand the benefits of Iron Audio, use a bottle cap
to test
Apex
.
First, set the detector to ZERO Mode with all notches
active and pass the bottle cap across the searchcoil at
a distance of 3 to 4 inches. Note that the bottle cap's
flat surface usually gives a high Digital Target ID reading
with the tone of a "good" target.
Next, eliminate the first seven notches on the left
side of the LCD, and switch on the Iron Audio feature.
Pass the bottle cap across the coil again and notice the
different audio. The clean sound has been replaced
with a mixed, chirping tone that has subtle low tones
at the beginning and end, indicating a possible junk
target. Pass a conductive, coin-sized target across the
coil and note its clean high tone in comparison to that
of the bottle cap.
Record the results of your bench tests and refer to
them when hunting in the field. Knowledge of the Iron
Audio feature can reduce the amount of trash targets
that are dug.
22
