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4.5
Pinpointing a target
Accurately pinpointing a target makes digging it up easier.
Accurate pinpointing takes practice, and we suggest you practice finding and digging up small metal
objects on your own property before you search other locations.
Sometimes, targets are difficult to accurately locate due to the sweep direction. Try changing your
sweep direction to pinpoint a target.
Follow these steps to pinpoint a target.
1.
When the detector detects a buried target, continue sweeping the
search coil over the target in narrowing side-to-side motion.
Make a
visual note of the exact spot on the ground where the detector beeps.
2.
Stop the search coil directly over this spot on the ground. Then move the
search coil straight forward away from you and straight back toward you a
couple of times. Make a visual note of the exact spot on the ground where
the detector beeps.
3.
Repeat Steps 1-2 at a right angle to the original search line, making an “X”
pattern. The target should be directly below the “X” at the point of the
loudest response.
Note:
If trash in an area is so heavy that you get false signals, slow your sweep speed and use shorter
sweeps.
Recently buried coins might not respond the same as coins buried for a long period of time because
of oxidation.
Some nails, nuts, bolts, and other iron objects (such as old bottle caps) oxidize and create a “halo”
effect. A halo effect is caused by a mixture of natural elements in the ground and the oxidation
created by different metals. Because of the metal mixtures, target signals might not be in a “fixed”
position. This effect makes these objects very hard to detect accurately.
If your detector is not working as it should, follow the suggestions below to see if you can eliminate
the problem.
Problem
Suggestions
The detector displays false
signals.
You might be sweeping the detector’s search coil too fast or at the
wrong angle. Sweep the search coil more slowly and hold the
detector correctly. See “Testing and Using the Detector” and
“Pinpointing a Target” .
The detector might show a false signal if it detects heavily oxidized
metals. Try pinpointing the target from several different angles
(See “pinpointing a Target” ). If the detector does not display the
same signal each time, the target is probably heavily oxidized
metal.