GM24k Controls
Goldmaster 24k User Manual 15
TracLock ON (tap)
Ground Scan (hold)
TracLock
TracLock on the
GM24k
is the locked, “manual” ground setting. It functions similar to the original GMT.
To LOCK the ground tracking to the current setting, TAP the LOCK button. A padlock will display on
the screen. This will put a hold on XGB and lock the current ground phase and strength setting. This can
be useful in those cases where you may find extremely tiny gold, or when you have located a faint target.
In some cases automatic ground balance has the potential to track out tiny nuggets as you zero-in on your
target. You may find it useful to enable XGB while searching, and then LOCK the tracking right after you
get a target.
Ground Grab
While the tracking is locked, you can press the CROSS HAIR button to perform a Ground Grab. This
updates the ground setting to what is currently under the coil. With a combination of LOCKED tracking
and Ground Grab, you can easily update the ground balance point as you swing.
When you perform a Ground Grab, the current ground phase reading will briefly display on the screen.
This is a good way to keep track of the type of mineralization you are walking over. More ferrous soils tend
to produce a larger ground number, whereas more alkali soils will produce a smaller number.
Ground Grab will also display the ground phase when the
GM24k
is in XGB (automatic) mode, but does
not interrupt the automatic tracking processes.
Ground Scan
Ground Scan is enabled by holding the LOCK button. The display will change to display the ground
strength on the top bar, increasing from right to left. Full bars equates to very strong mineralization, and
one flashing bar alerts you that no ground information is present.
The two-digit numbers displayed are the ground phase. Solid ferrite will read around 81, and alkali will
read between 50 and 30, but you may encounter any range of phase numbers depending on the area you
are in.
In Ground Scan you can also set a ground offset by using the UP and DOWN arrows. This selection will
affect the ground offset in normal search mode whether using XGB or locked settings.
Ground Scan is very useful in prospecting dry washes or creek beds for black sand deposits. One trick
you can use is to carry some landscaping flags with you, placing one down where the mineralization is the
strongest about every 10 feet. That is where you would want to process material through a sluice or dry
washer.
To return back to the regular search mode, tap the LOCK or CROSS HAIRS.
