Discovery3 Metal Detector (630-3008) Operation Faxback Doc. # 17724 Once your metal detector is assembled, it's time to learn how to use it. Please read this section thoroughly before you use your Discovery3. TURNING ON YOUR DETECTOR Hold the detector in a comfortable position and turn it on by rotating POWER/mode to DISC, NOTCH, or AUTO NOTCH. The detector sounds three beeps. SETTING THE MODE Your Discovery3 has two operating modes: ALL METAL and DISC (discriminating). In the ALL METAL mode, the detector sounds a tone for as long as the target is under the searchcoil. For ALL METAL tuning, push the toggle switch to TUNE, then release it to the center position. In the DISC mode, the detector must be in motion to accurately detect an item, and you can set it to reject iron and various levels of junk item. For fine tuning, set the toggle switch to DISC (discriminate). If you set the toggle switch to DISC, use POWER/mode to select the search mode (DISC, NOTCH, or AUTO NOTCH). See "Fine Tuning" for instructions about how to use the discriminate mode. READING THE DISPLAY The LCD display is located at the top of the control housing. The display shows a probable identification of the object (on the target ID meter), as well as its approximate depth (on the depth meter). The target ID meter displays various coins and metal objects, and a range from SILVER to GOLD. When the detector senses a target, <--- appears next to the name of a coin or metal object to show you the type of object it thinks it is detecting. NOTE: When the arrow points to a coin, the detector could be sensing either a coin or another type of metal (such as jewelry, tokens, medals, or even junk metal). The depth meter shows about how deep the object is. The window shows numbers representing inches (from 0 to 10). Two arrows on the display point to numbers to show a range of possible depths (SHALLOW, MEDIUM, or DEEP). When the arrows point to 0 and 4, for example, this means the target is 4 inches or less below the surface. NOTES: Sometimes only one arrow appears to indicate depth. The depth meter is more effective at detecting small objects than larger ones. SWEEPING Hold the detector in a position that is comfortable for you, as close to the ground as possible without touching the ground. Sweep from side to side in about a three-foot arc, at a pace that doesn't wear you out. Sweep in a slightly overlapping pattern. The search signal peaks as you pass a target's center. Try to keep the searchcoil parallel to the ground at all times and avoid lifting the coil off the ground at the end of each swing. When you use the detector, some false signals can occur at the end of your swing. The detector is most susceptible to "ghost" noise when the coil reverses direction. "Ghost" signals do not repeat as you swing the searchcoil over the suspected target several times; true target responses repeat. Very large (or many closely spaced) junk targets can also cause the detector to emit "ghost" sounds. Generally these signals sound chopped and do not repeat, and you can learn to recognize them. In the ALL METAL mode, if the response is weak, it might be a good deep target, but if it is very strong, the target is probably junk. When in doubt, DIG. If you don't dig at all, you are surely passing up some good finds! HINTS: Hitting the ground or rocks can cause a false signal similar to the sound of detecting a target. If you sweep the coil too high above the ground, you will only be able to detect targets near the surface. If you receive a signal and you cannot determine the target, you might have detected a combination of targets. THREE TONE AUDIO TARGET IDENTIFICATION (ATI) When the Discovery3 is in the discrimination (DISC) mode (with the toggle switch to the left), its Audio Target Identification (ATI) system automatically classifies metal objects into three categories, to make it easier to identify your target. The detector sounds three different tones to distinguish between categories of detected items: a low tone for small gold and nickel; a medium tone for most old and new pull tabs and some gold; and a high tone for copper, silver, and brass. NOTES: In the DISC mode, the detector does not sound a tone for iron and steel. The detector must be in motion to make a detection in the DISC mode. ADJUSTING GROUND AND SALTWATER BALANCE In the ALL METAL mode (with the toggle switch in the center position), the detector senses any metal, ferrous ( containing iron) or nonferrous. When you use this mode, you must set GND/salt ADJ to distinguish between elements commonly found in the ground and metal objects, and to balance the effects of saltwater when you search near the ocean. NOTE: If there is metal on or under the ground where you perform this adjustment, you cannot tell whether any tones you hear are caused by the metal or by elements in the ground (or salt in the water). Before you start, be sure there is no metal visible on the ground. If you think there might be metal under the ground, move to another spot and proceed. 1. Begin with GND/salt ADJ adjusted toward Salt (if you are searching near saltwater) or Preset (if you are searching elsewhere), and lift the searchcoil about waist high in the air. 2. Push the toggle switch toward TUNE and release. The switch springs back to the middle position. 3. Lower the searchcoil to about one inch above the ground. If the detector emits a tone, lift the searchcoil waist high in the air and try again. 4. Turn GND/salt ADJ counterclockwise slightly, about an eighth of a turn. Push the toggle switch toward TUNE and release again. Then lower the searchcoil as described in Step 3. If the detector still emits a tone, repeat this procedure. When the detector no longer emits a tone when you lower the searchcoil to the ground, it is properly ground balanced for that area. IMPORTANT: To assure you achieve an optimum threshold level when adjusting GND/salt ADJ, turn it in small increments. If you think you've turned GND/salt ADJ too far counterclockwise, turn it clockwise until the detector emits a tone, then turn it counterclockwise slightly until the detector no longer emits a tone. (JC/-11/02/95)