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Bandido OPERATOR INSTRUCTION MANUAL
CONGRATULATIONS!
Your new TESORO Metal Detector was designed to provide you with many happy hours of enjoyment in the most
rewarding hobby I can think of – treasure hunting. Ahead of you lie fascinating and exciting experiences as you step into the
past – uncovering artifacts lost by past generations. I wish we could share these experiences with you, and we wish you the
best of success.
Your TESORO Metal Detector is capable of meeting your needs in any conceivable treasure hunting situation. As with
any detector, operating skill and familiarity with this instrument are probably the limiting factors in determining how successful
you will be. We recommend that you read this manual and understand fully before attempting to use the instrument in the
field. As you become more familiar with your detector through practice, your rate of success will increase dramatically.
The TESORO Metal Detector is a precision electronic instrument, which will last for years if properly cared for. Treat it
right and it won't let you down.
Good Hunting! Jack Gifford
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Bandido is a TransmitterReceiver (TR) type of detector that operates in the Very Low Frequency (VLF) portion of the
Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum. It provides true mineral free operation in both the All Metal and Discriminate modes. The
Discriminate mode is motion based, but the amount of motion required is so slight that pinpointing is easily accomplished in
this mode. The All Metal mode is not a motion based type, and so is excellent for searching as well as pinpointing.
The Bandido was designed to be a true All Purpose type of detector. It is sensitive to small gold particles, is powerful
enough to serve as a relic and cache hunter, and is plenty fast enough for competition hunting. It is equipped with an 8"
concentric coil, although other coil sizes and types are available.
The Bandido can be assembled as a pole mounted arm rest unit, or as a body mount unit. It can be converted easily
without tools.
As with any detector, the familiarity of the user with the instrument will have a great deal to do with how successful the
treasure hunter is. We recommend that you read and understand this manual fully before attempting to use the instrument in
the field.
Be sure to fill out and mail your warranty registration card to validate your warranty.
ASSEMBLY
The Bandido can be assembled in either of two configurations or easily converted from one to the other. The electronic
control housing can be mounted on the arm rest pole, or can be body mounted. Installation of the lower pole and coil is the
same for either configuration.
1.
Depress the two buttons on the upper end of the lower stem, and slide it into the upper stem. Push the lower stem
up so that the buttons click into the third set of holes from the end of the upper stem.
2.
Insert the pole tip between the mounting ears of the searchcoil, after removing the screw and thumb nut. Align the
holes in the pole tip and those in the mounting ears. Be sure the rubber friction washers are in place.
3.
Insert the coil mounting screw through the coil and pole tip. The screw head should be on the side of the searchcoil
where the cable comes out.
4.
Install the thumb nut on the screw and tighten by hand.
5.
Wind the searchcoil cable around the pole.
POLE MOUNT
1.
The control housing is already mounted on the pole, as shipped from the factory, so all that is necessary is to insert
the searchcoil connector into the control housing connector, and tighten finger tight.
2.
Use the two velcro straps to hold the cable tight against the pole.
BODY MOUNT
1.
To use the detector as a body mount, simply remove the control housing from the upper pole by depressing the
spring nuts in the plastic mounting piece, and slide the control housing off the pole.
2.
Insert the searchcoil connector into the control housing connector and then finger tighten.
3.
Use the two velcro straps to clamp the searchcoil cable. It will be best for you to sometimes move the straps so that
the wear on the cable is spread over a large area.
CONVERSION
Obviously, converting the unit from body to pole mount or vice versa, is simply putting the control housing back on the
pole, or removing it from the pole. Be sure to keep the searchcoil cable wound tight enough around the pole that it doesn't flap
right over searchcoil housing. The Bandido is strong enough to see the tiny cable wires moving, and can give you false signals
if the cable is too loose.
ADJUSTMENT
The searchcoil angle and stem length should be adjusted so that the unit is not uncomfortable or tiring after long periods
of use. The stem length is adjusted by depressing the spring buttons and extending or shortening the pole till they click into
the holes that give you the most comfortable setting. The coil should be about one inch above the ground while standing erect.
Adjust the angle of the searchcoil, so that the coil is parallel to the ground. Tighten the searchcoil thumb nut by hand to
maintain this setting.
The arm rest on the rear of the handle can be moved forward by removing the screws and nuts, and reinstalling the
assembly into the most forward set of holes.
Specifications
TESORO Electronics, Inc., reserves the right to modify or improve the design without further notice.
CONTROLS
The Bandido has five controls on its front panel, and a threshold adjust on its rear panel. The front panel controls are all
readily adjusted with the index finger of the hand holding the detector.
1.
THESHOLD CONTROL.
This control is placed on the back panel of the detector, since it requires very little usage.
Once the control is adjusted to the desired threshold, it will not require frequent resetting.
2.
GROUND ADJUST CONTROL.
This control adjusts the All Metal mode sampling so that the Bandido ignores the
normal ground mineralization. This control is a ten turn device, and it is sometimes difficult to feel when the end of the
turn range is reached. The setting of this control is the most critical adjustment to do, but it is a very simple adjustment
to make. Study the manual section on TUNING to be sure you learn how to properly adjust this control.
3.
ON/OFF, BATTERY TEST, SENSITIVITY CONTROL.
The primary function of this control is to reduce the detectors
sensitivity to those influences that could make the operation more difficult for you. This control also is used to turn the
power on and off. Turning the knob completely counterclockwise until it clicks disconnects the batteries from the circuit.
When the knob is first turned on (clockwise), the detector will automatically test its batteries, and give you an audible
indication of their connection.
NOTE: This test should be performed with the Mode Switch in the Discriminate
position.
Fresh batteries will cause a loud audio response which will gradually decay into silence over a period of about 4
or 5 seconds. As the batteries age and become weaker, the initial audio response will be weaker, and will decay quicker.
When the response is just a short buzz instead of a long beep, or when there is no audio response, it's time for new
batteries. It is recommended to always use alkaline batteries.
Many things can cause the response of the detector to become erratic as you are using it. Normally you will not hear any
sound from the detector unless you pass the coil over a good target. Very large targets or a multitude of closely spaced
smaller rejected trash targets can cause the detector to emit choppy sputtering sounds. CB radios, radio and TV
broadcasting antennas, intense mineralization changes, and other sources of electrical noise can also cause the detector
to emit false signals. These signals will generally sound "chopped" and will not be repeatable so you will not have any
trouble recognizing them. They can be distracting, though, and turning down the sensitivity control will help reduce them.
This will also cause a small loss of target sensitivity, so always run the sensitivity control as high as you can, while still
getting smooth operation.
4.
MODE CONTROL.
This toggle switch is used to select the All Metal mode of operation or the Discriminate mode. In
the Discriminate mode, the detectors response to unwanted trash can be controlled to eliminate digging much of the
common metallic trash items found in likely hunting spots. The detector may beep briefly when the switch is changed,
but is ready for operating in the selected mode instantly. In All Metal, the detector will find not only the highly conductive
nonferrous metals, but will also find the ferrous metals. This mode will be ideal for relic hunting or ghost town searching,
since many desirable artifacts (such as guns) are made of iron and steal.
NOTE:
The All Metal mode as a small degree of auto tuning to help narrow the detector's response to the target when
you are pinpointing. It will depend on which tuning mode the Tune Select toggle is in. To retune the unit to threshold for
either mode, just push the Mode Switch up to the Retune position momentarily.
5.
DISCRIMINATE LEVEL.
This control is used to adjust the detector's response to unwanted metallic trash when used
in the Discriminate mode. At the lowest setting "0", the detector will eliminate most iron objects, but will still respond in a
positive manner to light foil, bottle caps, pull tabs and most other metallic items. As the knob setting is increased,
response to more of these metallic trash items is reversed so that these objects give no response.
The figure below gives the control settings where some of the commonly found trash items can be rejected.
TUNING
No detector, regardless of how powerful it is, can provide optimum depth if it is improperly tuned. In fact, the more
powerful a detector is, the more critical the tuning becomes. Less powerful units are more tolerant of operator misadjustment,
but are not capable of the depth of a properly tuned high power detector such as the Bandido.
To achieve maximum performance from your Bandido be sure to properly adjust the GROUND ADJUST and TUNING
controls in the All Metal mode. The settings of these controls will also affect the detector's performance in the Discrim mode,
so be sure to adjust them properly, even if you only plan to operate the detector in the Discrim mode.
TUNING IN THE ALL METAL MODE
1.
Put the Mode Switch in the All Metal position. With the Sensitivity control in the Max position. Be sure that the
threshold control is adjusted to just yield a faint beginning of sound signal. Hold the searchcoil about one foot from the
ground, and if the threshold has changed, momentarily lift the Mode Switch to retune back to threshold. Then rapidly
lower the search coil to about two inches above the ground.
2.
If there is no change in the threshold sound, you are properly tuned. If the sound increases or decreases, it will
recover slowly due to the auto tune, therefore you must lower the search coil rapidly each time. If the sound decreased,
turn the Ground Adjust about one half turn clockwise. If the sound increased, turn the Ground Adjust about one half turn
counter clockwise. When you turn the Ground Adjust control, the threshold sound may get either louder or go quiet. That
is normal, and means nothing to the tuning procedure. as the searchcoil nears the ground, after lifting the searchcoil back
into the air. Push Retune momentarily then quickly lower the searchcoil towards the ground again.
3.
Move the searchcoil back up to about one foot above the ground, and momentarily push the Mode switch into the
Retune position to reestablish the threshold sound. Repeat the step of rapidly lowering the searchcoil to the ground.
Readjust the Ground Adjust control as indicated by the change in the threshold as the coil approaches the ground.
4.
When the threshold change reverses, then move the Ground Adjust control back in small increments, until there is
no change as the searchcoil is lowered rapidly toward the ground. Remember to momentarily hold the Mode Switch in the
Retune position each time just before you lower the searchcoil toward the ground.
NOTE:
The Normal mode of operation has a slow automatic retuning which is just fast enough to help you maintain the
threshold sound as you search. This slow autotuning can try to overcome the motion of lowering the coil to the ground,
unless it is done fairly rapidly.
TUNING IN THE DISCRIMINATE MODE
Tuning the Bandido for use in the Discriminate mode requires that the All Metal Mode tuning procedure be properly
accomplished, as the Ground Adjust control provides for mineral free operating in both the All Metal and Discrim modes. Also,
the threshold setting of the Tuning control determines the minimum sound level for deep targets in the Discriminate mode. Too
little threshold, and depth will be lost. Too much threshold, and the detector may become erratic.
After the All Metal mode procedure is accomplished, the only settings necessary for operation in Discriminate mode is to
set the Disc Level control to the desired amount of trash rejection, and to set the Sensitivity control the maximum setting that
will allow smooth operation.
SELECTING THE PROPER MODE OF OPERATION
The Bandido offers two basic modes of operation, the All Metal mode and the Discriminate mode. Both modes are
mineral free if the unit is properly adjusted. The All Metal mode is the industry standard "VLF" type which does not require
motion of the searchcoil for proper operation. This mode, while requiring an initial ground adjust setting of sound threshold,
offers two very important advantages, these being the ability to pin point without motion, and to provide exact ground
canceling. The Discriminate mode is based on motion of the searchcoil, but requires very little motion, and offers the
advantage of completely silent operation.
Nugget Hunting requires using the All Metal mode, since the response to small gold items is so close to iron.
We feel that for most nugget shooting use, All Metal Auto Tune will provide the best performance. Since most gold
nuggets are quite small, you need to be sure that your detector is tuned to threshold at all times to avoid missing any of these
little nuggets. Hot Rocks will cause a momentary silence as the coil is swept over them, with a loud overshoot when the coil
clears them. The sound is so different from a good target sound, that it is very easily recognized. The only problem with just
ignoring these sounds are that a small nugget may be hiding beneath the hot rock. Adjusting the ground Adjust control in the
clockwise direction until the hot rocks are almost neutralized will help detect small gold nuggets but the ground will read as a
positive signal, so you will have to be very careful to keep your coil height constant.
Remember that the auto tuning in the All Metal mode will cause a nulling of the threshold sound if you pass the
searchcoil over a very strong metallic target.
The Discriminate mode will allow you to control the detector's response to most of the common metallic trash items
found in most schools, parks, and beaches. This mode is generally used for coin shotting such areas in order to avoid having
to dig most of this common trash. The Discriminate Level control is used to adjust the response to these trash items. Each
detector can vary somewhat due to the manufacturing tolerances, so you should experiment with your detector and become
familiar with the rejection levels for these trash items with your detector.
Earlier motion detectors that are operated with the "Threshold" sound would give the user a definite indication of metallic
trash by either nulling completely or by generating short, choppy sounds. Since the Discriminate mode operates without
threshold sound, there is no nulling to indicate that the area is extremely trashy. When searching in the Discriminate mode,
we recommend that you periodically switch to All Metal and check the area you are searching to get an idea of how much
trash is really there. In extremely heavy trash areas, it may be desirable to switch to a smaller search coil, even through doing
so will cause a loss of depth. The smaller coil will allow you a better chance of finding coins between the close pieces of
trash.
FIELD USE
The detector should be held in a position that is comfortable for you. Swing the detector from side to side in about a three
foot arc, overlapping succeeding strokes well. This motion is called a “sweep.” The Bandido was designed to get maximum
depth without the frantic pace required of earlier motion detectors, so go at a pace that is comfortable for you. In fact, trying to
hunt too fast in Discriminate may even cause a loss of depth in heavily mineralized locations.
It would be helpful to bury some coins and trash metal junk items in an area that you know is clear of other metal
objects, and then try the unit in its various modes. Check the area in All Metal Mode first to be sure its clear of trash then
bury the targets at least a foot apart, and from 2 to 6 inches deep to start. Make a map of the test bed to be sure you know
what each target is and how deep it is. Practice on these targets to familiarize yourself with your detector’s target response.
This will also help you learn the proper sweep rate for DISC operation.
In All Metal mode operation, keep the detector tuned so that there is just a slight buzzing of a sound. This is easy to do
because the ground minerals do not affect the All Metal mode if properly adjusted. Regardless of which mode you are using,
try to keep your searchcoil height constant and close to the ground. Most people tend to raise the coil at the end of a sweep,
much like a pendulum, especially if they are hurrying. Try to avoid this, as any increase in height will cause a corresponding
loss of depth.
In areas with well kept lawns, the easiest way to maintain a constant searchcoil height is to allow the coil to rest on the
grass as you sweep from side to side. In rough and rocky areas it is best not to “scrub” the coil on the ground, as the rocks
will act like abrasives, and wear away the coil bottom (an optional coil scuff cover will protect against this.) Sweep the coil as
close to the ground as possible without touching. Hitting the ground or rocks may cause a false signal much like a desired
target would. Sweeping the coil too high above the ground results in a loss of depth.
When operating in the Discriminate Mode, some “false signals” may be caused by 1) heavy concentrations of trash metal
objects, 2) very large trash metal objects, or 3) electrical interference. These signals will sound different than good target
signals because they are generally short, choppy sounds. At the end of your sweep, as you the reverse the coil direction, the
detector is most susceptible to trash induced noise. There are two ways to tell whether these sounds are good deep signals
or trash “noise.” The first is by repeatability. Trash induced noises will not be regular as you sweep the coil over the suspected
target several times, whereas a good target response will be repeatable. The second method is to switch to All Metal Mode
and check the target response sound. If the response is weak, it may well be a deep, good target; but if the response is very
strong, it is probably trash. Note that a coin close to the surface can give a double beep sound, but it is regular and
repeatable. Raising the coil an inch or two will restore the single beep on surface targets.
If there is any doubt whether a target is good or not, DIG IT. For this same reason, in the Discriminate Mode, it is best
not to use a higher DISC LEVEL setting than necessary. Nickels and most smaller rings are rejected when the DISC LEVEL
is set to reject pull tabs on any metal detector that is a TR Discriminator like the Badido. If you don ’t dig any junk at all, you
are surely passing up a lot of good finds as well. Set the DISC LEVEL only high enough to suit the conditions where you are
searching.
PINPOINTING
The sweep speed of the Bandido is slow enough to allow pinpointing in the Discriminate Mode, but will require a little
more practice. Move the coil slowly from side to side and then from front to back over the target. Raising the coil slightly and
slowing the sweep speed will narrow down the detection area enough that it's easy to tell where the coil center is at the
instant of the sound.
Another easy method is to sweep the coil from side to side across the target in very short sweeps, as you slowly move
forward and backward across the target. Slow down the sweep rate and shorten the sweeps until you just barely get a
response at one spot. The target will be directly below the coil center at this response time.
The easiest way to pinpoint for most people will be to switch to the All Metal/Normal Tune mode, since no motion is
required. To pinpoint a target that doesn't saturate the audio, just move the coil forward and back, and side to side until you
get the strongest sound. The target will be directly below the coil center. If the audio saturates over a large area, simply push
the tuning mode switch to the retune position momentarily over the area to detune the detector. This will narrow its field of
response to allow you to once again seek the area of strongest response. It may be necessary to retune more than once with
this technique.
RECOMMENDED RECOVERY METHODS
Always obtain permission from the person in charge before hunting on private property, schoolyards, parks, churchs, or
state parks. Even when relic hunting in the woods, NEER LEAVE A HOLE!, or damage anything on the property.
PROTECT YOUR HOBBY FILL ALL HOLES
BATTERY REPLACEMENT
The Bandido has an automatic battery test sequence with each initial power tun on. To check the batteries, simply turn
the Bandido of for about five seconds, and then turn it back on. The battery test circuit will engage for about 3 to 5 seconds,
with the audio output loudness indicating the remaining battery strength. As the batteries age, this tone will get quieter, and
when you hear only a brief buzz or not output at all, it's time to replace the batteries.
To replace the batteries, pull the large knobs on the battery door on the rear of the unit. The entire door will pop out.
Remove the batteries from the detector, and then remove the leads. Replace the new batteries into the detector, observing the
polarity indicators on the clip leads. Install the battery door back onto the chassis, and push th nylon fasteners into the holes
on the chassis, making sure that the plungers are still pulled out. Then push the plungers back in to lock the door in place.
We recommend when you replace the batteries, that you change both at the same time, and that you always use good
quality alkaline batteries.
GENERAL CARE AND USE
If the detector is to be stored for a long period of time, it is best to remove the battery pack from the detector. This will
prevent internal damage to the detector if the batteries should leak.
The searchcoil is waterproof and may be submerged in either fresh or salt water. Caution should be exercised to prevent
water from entering the chassis, where it could damage the electronic circuitry. After the coil is used in salt water, the coil
and lower stem assembly should be rinsed well with fresh water to prevent corrosion of the metal parts. When used in the
body mount configuration, you should not allow the cable connectors to be submerged.
There are several good books to help the beginner learn how to use the detector, where to search and how to recover a
target without damaging the environment. A good coin shooter can recover a lot of finds and leave the area looking as though
he had never been there. Above all, always fill your holes when you have recovered the target.
TESORO Metal Detectors are sold through independent dealers, who are almost always treasure hunters themselves.
They can provide you with you much needed information about how to use your detector, how to probe, plug and dig in your
locale, and answer most of your questions about treasure hunting in general.
The use of earphones will benefit you in two ways. Most earphones will very effectively block out most of the ambient
noise, such as traffic noise and wind noise, which will enable you to better hear the fainter signals caused by the deeper
targets. Obviously, the older, more valuable coins will probably be deeper than the ones which were lost last week, so you
should take advantage of anything that will help you hear the weaker signals. Secondly, using earphones will greatly extend
the battery life, since it takes much less power to operate them. The detector is not equipped with a volume control, but does
have a limiting circuit in the earphone jack. If less volume is desired with earphones, you may want to use earphones with a
built in volume control. Any good 8 or 16 ohm set with 1/4 inch stereo jack will do.
HAPPY HUNTING, and thank you for purchasing a TESORO.
Under the copyright laws this documentation may not be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated or reduced to any electronic or
machine readable form, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of Tesoro Electronics Incorporated, except for the private
use of a Bandido owner or operator, or in a manner otherwise described in this documentation.
© 19951996 Tesoro Electronics Incorporated. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States.
WARRANTY SERVICE
Your Tesoro metal detector is covered by a
Limited Lifetime Warranty
, the
terms of which are listed below. If your metal detector should require service, you
may return it to the Tesoro factory, or tone of the factory authorized service
centers. Contact the factory for the name and address of the nearest service
center.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact the factory.
LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights
which vary from state to state.
This instrument is warranted to be free of defects in material and workmanship
as long as it is owned by the original consumer purchaser. This warranty is not
transferable, and is valid only if the warranty registration card has been completed
and mailed within 10 days of purchase.
During the first two years, TESORO will, at its option, repair or replace any
instrument covered by this warranty, without charge, except for transportation
charges, at its factory in Prescott, Arizona, or at one of its authorized repair
centers. After two years from date of purchase, TESORO will replace defective
parts at no charge except a nominal labor change and transportation charges.
This warranty excludes batteries, damage caused by leaky batteries, cable
breakage due to flexing on body mount units, and wear of the searchcoil housing.
Also excluded are instruments which have been abused, altered, or repaired by an
unauthorized party.
If warrant service should be necessary, contact the factor for nearest repair
center.
Tesoro Electronics, Inc. 715 White Spar Road Prescott, AZ, USA 86303 1928 771 2646
Operating Frequency
10 kHz
Searchcoil Type
Concentric
Searchcoil Size
8" Diameter
Cable Length
Approx. 3’
Audio Frequency
Approx. 625 Hz
Audio Output
1 1/2" speaker
Headphone Compatibility
1/4" stereo earphone jack
Weight (may vary slightly)
3 lbs.
Battery Requirement
9 volts DC
2 ea. 9V alkaline batteries
Battery Life (typical)
15 to 30 hours
Optimum Temperature Range 30° to 100° F
Optimum Humidity
0 to 75% R.H.
Operating Modes
All Metal
Discriminate
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