10
AUDIO TARGET ID
Depending on the operating mode
and Disc/Notch control setting, the
Lone Star emits three distinct tones
which classify metal objects into
categories.
IRON & STEEL:
In the ALL/METAL mode most iron
and steel objects will induce a medium
tone. Highly oxidized iron can induce a
high tone, in discrimination,
depending on the Disc/Notch control
setting. For instance, some rusted
bottle caps will induce a high tone and
indicate to the right of the LCD target
display.
GOLD:
In DISCRIMINATION mode, gold
objects will induce a low or medium
tone, depending on their sizes. Very
small gold objects will indicate on the
left-most segment. Large gold objects
will read under the Zinc segment. If
you are gold prospecting, you will
usually be looking for natural gold in
an area which does not contain much
trash, and can therefore ignore the
specific segment descriptions.
PULL TABS:
Pull tabs are the most bothersome
trash items for detectorist. Most will
induce a medium tone. Most will be
eliminated automatically in the AUTO
NOTCH mode, or alternatively be
manually “discriminated out” in DISC
mode with the Disc/Notch control. The
older pull tabs (those not attached to
the can after opening) are sometimes
broken in half; these broken tabs can
induce low tones. Highly oxidized pull
tabs can also induce high tones.
It can be very difficult to differentiate
pull tabs from gold rings. When they
both induce medium tones, you might
notice a “double beep” from a gold
ring but a “single beep” from pull tabs.
To achieve this distinction, sweep the
search coil very slowly, and at different
angles. Two tones might signal as the
detector passes over each side of the
round ring.
COPPER, SILVER & BRASS:
Most valuable coins are composed of
these metals and will usually induce a
high tone. Valuable objects other than
coinage can also be composed of
copper, silver and brass.
Audio Target Identification (ATI) classifies metals into three categories.
LOW TONE
Nails & Bottle Caps,
Gold & Nickel
MEDIUM TONE
Old & New Pull Tabs, Zinc
Pennies (Post 1982)
HIGH TONE
Copper, Silver & Brass
Copper Pennies (Pre 1982)
