Bounty Hunter Prospector User manual

OWNER’S MANUAL

The Basics

of Metal Detecting

Your Prospector Metal Detector incorporates Motion Detection

Technology. Movement over an object is required in order for the

machine to detect the object and emit a tone.

While holding your Prospector Metal Detector as indicated in the

picture to the right, sweep the search coil slowly from side to side.

While sweeping, maintain the search coil level with the ground.

If the detector chatters, reduce the sensitivity by turning the left knob (Sensitivity)

counterclockwise.

When searching a possible target, move the search coil repeatedly over the target. Be certain that

the signal repeats during each pass over the target. If the tone does not repeat consistently, you

are probably detecting trash items or oxidation. Only dig up targets with repeatable tones.

IMPORTANT:

• Do not test the detector on the floor of a home or building.

• Most floors contain metal which will interfere with the detector’s operation.

• Unless air testing or demonstrating, use outside only.

PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING YOUR METAL DETECTOR

METAL DETECTOR

ProspectorManual07.qx6 6/28/07 9:06 AM Page 1

INTRODUCTION

Prospector

FEATURES

EASY ASSEMBL

Assembling your

Detector is easy and requires no

tools. Just follow these steps:

●

Adjust the stem to a length that lets you

maintain a comfortable upright posture,

with your arm relaxed at your side.

●

Caution:

•

The

Prospector

is a user-friendly instrument, requiring only a minimum

of operator skill, yet delivering effective performance over a wide range

of conditions and applications.

Streamlined in appearance,

with only two operating knobs

and a mode selection switch,

the

Prospector

has eliminated

the two most difficult aspects of

metal detector operation,

Tuning and Ground Balancing.

Both of these functions are

automatic with the

Prospector

The

Prospector

will detect in

extreme ground conditions,

ranging from salt (for beach

hunting) to black sand (for

gold prospecting), with no

operator adjustments to the

circuitry and with no loss of

sensitivity.

From salt water beach

conditions to black sand

deposits common at gold

prospecting locations, the

Prospector

sees through the

earth’s naturally

occurring minerals

to find buried

metals.

Headphone Jack

Three-Position

Toggle Switch

S-Rod

Handle

System

Meter System

Detector

Stand

Comfort

Hand-grip

Padded

Armrest

Discriminate

Control

Sensitivity Control

7” Interchangeable

Coil System

7" Waterproof Coil

ProspectorManual07.qx6 6/28/07 9:06 AM Page 2

EASY ASSEMBLY

7” Solid Coil

Coil

Cable

Upper

Stem

Control

Housing

Plug

Lower

Stem

Assembling your

Prospector

Metal

Detector is easy and requires no

tools. Just follow these steps:

●

1Using the supplied bolt and

knurled knob, attach the search

coil to the lower stem.

●

2Press the button on the upper

end of the lower stem and slide

the lower 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.

●

3Wind the search coil cable

around the stem. Leave enough

slack in the cable to let you adjust

the coil when you are hunting on

uneven ground. Then tighten the

knob at the end of the search

coil.

Note:

To adjust the coil,

simply loosen the knob.

●

4Insert the coil’s plug into the

matching connector on the control

housing. Be sure the holes and

pins line up correctly.

Caution:

• Do not force the plug in.

Excess force will cause damage.

• To disconnect the cable, pull out

the plug. Do not pull on the cable.

Lower

Stem

Upper

Stem

Bolt Knurled

Knob

Bottom view

Bottom side

nge

Connector

on back of

control housing

ProspectorManual07.qx6 6/28/07 9:06 AM Page 3

BATTERIES

IMPORTANT: Always use ALKALINE batteries for optimal

performance.

Always remove the batteries for prolonged storage.

CHECK THE BATTERIES if your detector exhibits any of the

following symptoms:

●

1The unit does not turn on.

●

2Low speaker volume.

●

Unit beeps continuously at low sensitivity setting.

The Low Battery indicator light will come on and stay on if the

batteries are discharged. It should flash momentarily when the

Power Switch is turned off.

IMPORTANT: Your

Prospector

metal detector requires two 9-Volt

ALKALINE batteries.

Follow these steps to install the batteries.

●

1Carefully remove the battery

compartment door by pressing

the release clip on the right side

of the door.

●

2Snap one battery onto each of the

terminals and place the batteries

inside the compartment. Insert

one battery with the terminals

facing down, and the second

battery with terminals facing

outward.

●

Replace the compartment door

by carefully inserting opposite

side of clip first. Then press down

on clip side until battery door

snaps into place.

Here is a quick way to demonstrate the basic features of your

I. Supplies Needed

II. Position your

III. Beginning Switch Settings

IV. All Metal Detection

V. T

VI. Disc Mode Detection

First Battery

Second Battery

First Battery

terminals facing in

Second Battery

terminals

facing out

Release

Clip

ProspectorManual07.qx6 6/28/07 9:06 AM Page 4

the

olt

Prospector DEMONSTRATION

Here is a quick way to demonstrate the basic features of your

Prospector

I. Supplies Needed

• A quarter (25¢)

• A nickel (5¢)

• A Penny (1¢)

• A small piece of aluminum foil

• A Nail

II. Position your

Prospector

• Place the detector on a table, with the search coil hanging over the edge.

• Be sure that the search coil is far away from walls or metal objects. Keep the search coil away

from any metal in the table.

III. Beginning Switch Settings

• Right Knob (Discriminate) – LOW

• Toggle Switch – Middle Position

• Turn detector on with "Sensitivity"

knob set to 3:00 position

• Reduce "Sensitivity" in case of interference

IV. All Metal Detection

Wave all objects over the search coil

• NOTICE THE SINGLE TONE

V. Tone Mode Detection

A. Move toggle switch to the right position – TONE

B. Turn the "Discriminate" knob to 2:00 (about 3/4 turn)

C. Sweep all of the different objects back and forth under the

search coil

• NOTICE THE DIFFERENT TONES

• NOTICE THE METALS REJECTED

VI. Disc Mode Detection

A. Move the toggle switch to the left position – DISC

B. Turn the "Discriminate" knob to LOW

C. Sweep all of the different objects back and forth under the

search coil.

• NOTICE THE METALS REJECTED

D. Turn the "Discriminate" knob slowly to the right while

sweeping all of the different objects at different settings.

• NOTICE THE DIFFERENT TONES

• NOTICE THE METALS REJECTED

ery

TOGGLE SWITCH

ALL METAL

TONE

FULL DISC

ProspectorManual07.qx6 6/28/07 9:06 AM Page 5

The

Prospector

is a “motion” detector. This means that the search

coil must be moving to detect the presence of metal. When

practicing with a stationary metal detector, keep the target moving

over the coil. Objects held still under the search coil will not be

detected.

THREE MODES OF OPERATION

The

Prospector

allows for three modes of operation:

ALL METAL, TONE AND FULL DISCRIMINATE

After turning the unit on, and adjusting your Sensitivity to the

desired setting, you're now ready to decide on your mode of

operation.

ALL METAL:

(Toggle Switch in the Middle)

In this mode, all

different types of metal will be detected such as: iron, steel,

aluminum, brass, silver, copper and gold. Applications: Relic

Hunting, Gold Prospecting, Cache Hunting and general applications

such as property marker locating. This mode provides maximum

depth detection capability.

FULL DISCRIMINATE:

(Toggle Switch to the Left)

When using the

Full Discriminator, most trash items will be automatically rejected.

Adjust the DISCRIMINATE control higher to increase the range of

discrimination.

TONE DISCRIMINATE:

(Toggle Switch to the Right)

When using

the Tone Discriminator, a unique dual tone “beep” and automatic iron

rejection makes finding treasure fun and easy. It's also possible to

achieve a broken tone for certain pull-tabs by adjusting your

Discriminate control to the approximate center position (12:00).

With the two-tone discrimination, along with a broken tone for

pull-tabs, you will be able to identify types of buried metals

according to the audio tones emitted. Applications: Coinshooting,

Jewelry Hunting and detecting in highly trashed areas.

OPERAOPERATION

TONE DISCRIMINA

(continued)

(Toggle switch to the Right)

detected metal objects by emitting a low

or high tone.

Adjust the DISCRIMINA

increase the range of the low tone. It is

possible to set the DISCRIMINA

that nickels have a low tone, larger coins

have a high tone, and pull-tabs have a low

tone or in-between “broken” tone. The

"broken" tone makes pull-tabs and trash easily recognizable.

ProspectorManual07.qx6 6/28/07 9:06 AM Page 6

rch

hen

ing

the

all

eel,

elic

ons

the

ed.

e of

sing

ron

e to

our

00).

for

tals

ng,

OPERATION

TONE MODE AUDIO RESPONSES

RESPONSE

Iron & Steel

LOW

TONE

Gold & Nickel

BROKEN

TONE

Old & New Pull Tabs

HIGH

TONE

Copper, Silver & Brass

TONE DISCRIMINATION

(continued)

(Toggle switch to the Right)

Classifies

detected metal objects by emitting a low

or high tone.

Adjust the DISCRIMINATE control higher to

increase the range of the low tone. It is

possible to set the DISCRIMINATE level so

that nickels have a low tone, larger coins

have a high tone, and pull-tabs have a low

tone or in-between “broken” tone. The

"broken" tone makes pull-tabs and trash easily recognizable.

Sensitivity will be reduced slightly when

using the

Prospector

in the Tone

Discrimination mode. If you want optimal

depth capability, operate in the All Metal

mode by turning the Discriminate control

completely counterclockwise; then turn the

Sensitivity control clockwise to its highest

clockwise position without chatter. If your

Prospector

chatters or beeps erratically,

reduce the Sensitivity by turning the left

knob counterclockwise.

ProspectorManual07.qx6 6/28/07 9:06 AM Page 7

Stand with your arm extended in front of

your body

comfortable position. Hold the unit so that

the search coil is about 1/2-inch above the

ground. Adjust the search coil so that it is

parallel to the ground.

SWEEP

Standing in the search position,

swing the search coil gently from

side to side, slightly overlapping

each sweep as you move

forward. Keep your search coil

approximately 1/2-inch above

the ground as you search.

Raising it during the sweep ,

or at the ends of your

sweep, can cause false

readings. Move slowly;

hurrying will cause you

to miss targets.

Most desireable objects will respond with a repeatable tone. When

discriminating, iron and foil objects generally do not respond. False

signals can be caused by trashy ground, electrical interference, or by large

irregular trash objects. These signals are easily recognized by their often

broken or non-repeatable nature.

IN THE FIELDOPERATION

AUTO GROUIND CONTROL:

The

Prospector

automatic Ground Track feature allows operation in

virtually all soil conditions, regardless of mineral content.

Use it effectively on the beach or for gold prospecting. In the ALL

METAL Mode (Toggle switch in the middle), the

Prospector

will detect

gold nuggets through black sand and will find deeply buried relics in

all types of soil.

OPERATING TIPS:

Turn the detector on using the left knob. NOTE: The detector will remain

silent when turned on. It will emit sound when metal passes beneath

the search coil.

As the left knob is clicked on, it will be at the lowest sensitivity

setting. Turning the control knob toward "HIGH" increases

sensitivity to small or deeply buried objects. If the unit “chatters”,

reduce the sensitivity slightly, until the chatter stops.

For maximum performance, operate with the sensitivity as high as

possible. The sensitivity can generally be set higher when operating

in Full Discriminate (DISC) or Tone Discriminate (TONE) modes.

ProspectorManual07.qx6 6/28/07 9:06 AM Page 8

STANCE

Stand with your arm extended in front of

your body. Don’t bend or stoop; stand in a

comfortable position. Hold the unit so that

the search coil is about 1/2-inch above the

ground. Adjust the search coil so that it is

parallel to the ground.

SWEEP

Standing in the search position,

swing the search coil gently from

side to side, slightly overlapping

each sweep as you move

forward. Keep your search coil

approximately 1/2-inch above

the ground as you search.

Raising it during the sweep ,

or at the ends of your

sweep, can cause false

readings. Move slowly;

hurrying will cause you

to miss targets.

Most desireable objects will respond with a repeatable tone. When

discriminating, iron and foil objects generally do not respond. False

signals can be caused by trashy ground, electrical interference, or by large

irregular trash objects. These signals are easily recognized by their often

broken or non-repeatable nature.

IN THE FIELD

CORRECT WRONG

n in

ALL

tect

s in

main

eath

vity

ses

rs”,

h as

ting

ProspectorManual07.qx6 6/28/07 9:06 AM Page 9

TROUBLESHOOTING

The following troubleshooting steps may assist you in case you’re

having problems with your

YOUR DETECTOR IS EMITTING ERRA

WHEN YOU’RE IN THE FIELD.

Your

Try reducing the

until the false signaling disappears.

Remember to swing your coil slowly

Some inconsistent signals will occur on

highly rusted metals. If the signal does not

repeat after successive passes of the coil

over the same area, then the target is usually not worthwhile.

Natural and man-made electromagnetic fields can cause interference.

YOUR DETECTOR IS NOT ST

TONE INSTEAD OF A CLEAR TONE.

This can occur if you’re operating near another detector or near power

lines that can interfere with the detector’

YOUR DETECTOR IS EMITTING A CONST

CONST

This usually occurs when the batteries are low

batteries with two new alkaline batteries.

NOTE:

IN THE FIELD (cont.)

PINPOINTING

Accurate pinpointing takes practice and is best accomplished by

“X-ing” the suspected target area.

●

1Once a buried target is identified by a good tone response,

continue sweeping the coil over the target in a narrowing

side to side pattern.

●

2Take visual note of the place on the ground where the

“beep” occurs as you move the coil slowly from side to

side.

●

3Stop the coil directly over this spot on the ground.

●

4Now move the coil straight forward and straight back

towards you a couple of times.

●

5Again make visual note of the spot on the ground at which

the “beep” occurs.

●

6If needed, “X” the target at different angles to “zero in” on

the exact spot on the ground at which the “beep” occurs.

REMEMBER: The detector will beep just as the center of the

search coil passes directly over the buried object.

If you have difficulty pinpointing very strong signals, try lifting

the coil higher off the ground until a weaker, but more concise,

signal is heard. For very weak signals, try moving the coil in

short quick sweeps, closer to the ground.

WHAT

READS

LIKE THIS

…MAY

ACTUALLY

BE THIS

ProspectorManual07.qx6 6/28/07 9:06 AM Page 10

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