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OWNER’S MANUAL

The
Discovery 3300
is a professional metal
detector. While the most
difficult aspects of metal detecting
have been automated, it is a
sophisticated electronic device which
requires an understanding of some basic
features and metal detecting concepts.

If you do not have prior experience with a
metal detector, we strongly recommend that you:

1) Adjust the Sensitivity to a low setting in the event

of false signals. 

Always begin use at a reduced

sensitivity level; use at full sensitivity after you have become
familiar with the detector.

2) Do not use indoors.  

This detector is for outdoor use only.  Many

household appliances emit electromagnetic energy, which can
interfere with the detector.  If conducting an indoor demonstration,
turn the sensitivity down and keep the search coil away from
appliances such as computers, televisions and microwave ovens.
If your detector beeps erratically, turn off appliances and lights,
especially those with dimmer switches.

Also keep the search coil away from objects containing metal, such
as floors and walls.

3)

Read this manual. Most importantly, review the 

Quick-Start Demo

(p.7-8) and

Basic Operation 

(p. 9-11)

.

4)

Use 9-volt 

ALKALINE

batteries only.  Do not use Heavy Duty

Batteries.

Summary of Contents for DISCOVERY 3300

Page 1: ... have become familiar with the detector 2 Do not use indoors This detector is for outdoor use only Many household appliances emit electromagnetic energy which can interfere with the detector If conducting an indoor demonstration turn the sensitivity down and keep the search coil away from appliances such as computers televisions and microwave ovens If your detector beeps erratically turn off appli...

Page 2: ...tion 9 12 All Metal 10 Discrimination 10 Notch 11 Zap 11 12 Pinpoint 12 Audio Target Identification 13 Target and Depth Display 14 15 Sensitivity Adjustment 16 In The Field Techniques 17 22 Ground Balancing 20 Trouble Shooting 23 Treasure Hunter s Code of Ethics Back Cover Warranty Back Cover ...

Page 3: ... low grade metal that is an undesirable target in certain metal detecting applications Examples of undesirable iron objects are old cans pipes bolts and nails Sometimes the desired target is made of iron Property markers for instance contain iron Valuable relics can also be composed of iron cannon balls old armaments and parts of old structures and vehicles can also be composed of iron FERROUS Met...

Page 4: ...er stem into the upper stem Adjust the stem to a length that lets you maintain a comfortable upright posture with your arm relaxed at your side and the search coil parallel to the ground in front of you 3 Wind the cable securely around the stem 4 Insert the plug into the matching connector on the right underside of the detector body Be sure that the key way and pins line up correctly Caution Do no...

Page 5: ...alternate positions If you cannot fully depress the button with your finger use a narrow object such as the blunt end of a ballpoint pen The arm rest must be twisted with moderate force to move it to an alternate position this adjustment is usually made infrequently If desired for added stability re install the screw The screw is not re installed in the furthest forward position If the button beco...

Page 6: ...ely and you want to guarantee a very secure electrical contact insert a piece of paper or thin cardboard between the back of the battery and the supporting post 4 Replace the battery door Most metal detector problems are due to improperly installed batteries or the use of non alkaline or discharged batteries If the detector does not turn on please check the batteries If the detector does not turn ...

Page 7: ...elry or metal objects from hands and wrists d Turn off appliances or lights that cause electromagnetic interference e Pivot the search coil back toward the detector body III Power Up Press the POWER touch pad IV Wave each Object over the Search Coil a Notice a different tone for each object Bass Tone Nail Low Tone Pull Tab Medium Tone Zinc Penny High Tone Quarter b Motion is required Objects must ...

Page 8: ...ad again The R will appear under zinc XII Wave the zinc penny over the search coil The penny is discriminated out XIII Press the DISC A M touch pad The detector returns to ALL METAL mode No R s are displayed All types of metals will be detected XIV Wave the pull tab over the coil XV Press the ZAP touch pad An R will appear XVI Wave the pull tab over the search coil again The pull tab the most rece...

Page 9: ...rating modes require the coil to be in motion to detect a target When in the DISCRIMINATION ALL METAL or NOTCH modes the coil must be in continuous motion It is often useful to search for targets in a motion mode and when identified pinpoint their location with the PINPOINT control SENSITIVITY At its default sensitivity setting the detector will detect a coin sized object such as a quarter buried ...

Page 10: ...g the touch pad will change the detector into DISCRIMINATION mode If the detector is in the DISCRIMINATION mode pressing the touch pad will change the detector into ALL METAL mode DISCRIMINATION MODE Discrimination is used to eliminate unwanted objects from detection To enter this mode from ALL METAL mode press the DISC A M touch pad After pressing DISC A M the detector will Beep twice Display 3 R...

Page 11: ...r OFF 2 Turn the power ON 3 Press NOTCH A flashing R will appear under the IRON 1 segment 4 Press the DISCRIMINATION touch pad several times Notice that the R moves upon each press of the DISCRIMINATION touch pad 5 Press NOTCH again The flashing R will become permanently illuminated If an object has been notched out you can return it to detection status To un notch a category 1 Press NOTCH 2 Move ...

Page 12: ...The best solution to these problems is the no motion PINPOINT mode At any time during operation press the PINPOINT touch pad and the detector enters the no motion mode In the PINPOINT mode any object in the coil s detection field will induce a monotone hum The location of a coin sized object can be discerned with pinpoint accuracy as it will induce a tone only when it falls within the inner circle...

Page 13: ...notone sound The detector can sound four different tones depending on the object detected BASS TONE Ferrous objects such as iron and steel will induce a bass tone The smallest gold objects can also induce a bass tone LOW TONE Pull Tabs nickels smaller gold MEDIUM TONE Newer pennies post 1982 larger gold objects zinc small brass objects and most bottle screw caps will induce medium tones Many recen...

Page 14: ...ance will usually illuminate the Iron 1 arrow whereas large structural ferrous objects will usually illuminate the Iron 3 arrow Objects in this category could be worthless scrap or a more valuable iron relic 5c PT Nickels and most newer pull tabs those that stay attached to the can will register here PT pull tabs Pull tabs from older beverage cans will register here Few newer pull tabs will also r...

Page 15: ...time the coil passes over the target depending upon the angle of the object and the distance from the coil As a starting point refer to the table below TARGET Readout The table below list some common approximate target value equivalents With experience in the filed you will recognize many types of metals by their numeric value VALUE RANGE POSSIBLE OBJECTS 0 10 Iron 30 39 Nickel 43 48 Pull Tab 53 6...

Page 16: ... least 20 feet apart If the detector beeps erratically REDUCE THE SENSITIVITY by pressing the Sensitivity Pad on the left of the control panel SEVERE GROUND CONDITIONS A secondary use for the Sensitivity Control is to reduce false detection signals caused by severe ground conditions While your Discovery 3300 contains circuitry to eliminate the signals caused by most naturally occurring ground mine...

Page 17: ...attern 2 Take visual note of the place on the ground where the beep sounds 3 Stop the coil directly over this spot on the ground 4 Now move the coil straight forward and straight back towards you a couple of times 5 Again make visual note of the spot on the ground at which the beep sounds 6 If needed X the target at different angles to zero in on the exact spot on the ground at which the beep soun...

Page 18: ...coil directly over the suspected target a few times it is more than likely trash metal Crossing the target zone with multiple intersecting sweeps at multiple angles is another way to verify the repeatability of the signal and the potential of the buried target To use this method walk around the target area in a circle sweeping the coil across the target repeatedly every 30 to 40 degrees of the cir...

Page 19: ...pot there is probably no target present When searching very trashing ground it is best to scan small areas with slow short sweeps You will be surprised just how much trash metal and foil you will find in some areas The trashiest areas have been frequented by the most people and frequently hold the most promise for finding the most lost valuables To make searching easier in very trashy areas consid...

Page 20: ...ts in the ground To GROUND BALANCE your detector 1 Using the ALL METAL mode find a patch of ground which is free of metal objects You will use this section of ground to test the detector The presence of any metal objects in this area will interfere with this procedure 2 Begin with the ground balance KNOB in the PRESET position 3 Lift the search coil waist high in the air 4 Press the PINPOINT touch...

Page 21: ...detector is just silent It is important to move the knob in small increments in order to find the first setting moving clockwise at which the detector remains silent To insure yourself of the optimal adjustment move the KNOB slightly counterclockwise from a silent adjusted position to check for the most counterclockwise silent position possible If the KNOB is over adjusted in the clockwise directi...

Page 22: ...t a constant tone if so retune If you move from a warmer to cooler environment the detector may lose sensitivity if so retune PINPOINTING Detection Field The detection field depends on the size of the target Large Objects After detecting a target lift the coil off the ground to a distance where you hear the faintest tone Move the coil over the ground at this height If the tone does not fade you ha...

Page 23: ...pe of Use only 9V batteries alkaline batteries LCD does not lock Multiple targets Move coil slowly on to one target ID present at different angles or detector emits Highly oxidized multiple tones target Sensitivity set Reduce sensitivity too high No power no Dead batteries Replace batteries sounds Poor battery Push batteries in contact tighter Cord not connected Insert paper spacers securely see p...

Page 24: ...EVENUE OR PROFIT OR ANY INDIRECT SPECIAL INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES EVEN IF Radio Shack HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you In the event of a product defect during the wa...

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