Bounty Hunter TimeRanger User manual

TimeRanger™

Metal Detector

Owner’s Manual

The new improved Time Ranger™ is a top-of-the-line professional

metal detector with the kind of depth performance and sophisticated

features demanded by the serious metal detector enthusiast. A

large LCD screen displays the current operating status at all times,

and displays probable target type and depth when metal is detected.

All features are either named on the touchpads or displayed on the

screen, making it easy for you to program it the way you want.

The Time Ranger™ can be used as a "turn on and go" metal

detector (see page 4 ). However, you'll find a lot more if you read

the manual to acquaint yourself with the many performance-

enhancing features which the Time Ranger™ offers.

◆Waterproof searchcoil

◆Touchpad control panel

◆Microprocessor-controlled

◆LCD screen with target ID readout

◆Readout of ground mineral conditions

◆Numeric readout of target conductivity

◆SMART TRAC computerized ground balancing

◆Programmable target type acceptance or rejection

◆All Metals Pinpoint mode for pinpointing target position

◆

Self-Tuning all metals mode for maximum depth in mineralized ground

◆

Search for coins, lost jewelry, relics, gold nuggets, and other valuable metals

CONTENTS

Quick Start (if you're really impatient) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

THE BASICS OF METAL DETECTING

Types of metal detecting

-"coinshooting" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

-relic hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

-gold prospecting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

-cache hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

-shallow water hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

How metal detectors work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Capabilities and limitations

-depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

-target identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

-requirement for motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

-ground balancing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

-discrimination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

-depth reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

-air testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

THE METAL AND PLASTIC STUFF

Easy Assembly Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Headphones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

THE CONTROL PANEL

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Touchpad buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Numeric target readout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Probable Target ID fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-15

OPERATION OF THE METAL DETECTOR

Introduction: Selecting operating modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

DISCRIMINATION MODES

Preset Program #1 (low discrimination) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Preset Program #2 (medium discrimination) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Preset Program #3 (high discrimination) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Discrimination/Target Mode (fully programmable) . . . . . . . . .17

Blanker ("zap") . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Sniff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

ALL METAL MODES

All Metal Pinpoint mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

SmartTrac (ground balancing) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Preset Program #4 (Self-Tuning all metal mode) . . . . . . . . . . .21

SEARCH TECHNIQUE

How to sweep the searchcoil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

How to pinpoint targets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Pinpointing a target in the Self-tuning Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Retrieving targets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

False signals and chatter. Using the Sensitivity Control . . . . .25

Estimating target size and depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Tips on ground balancing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

TYPES OF METAL DETECTING: DESCRIPTIONS AND TIPS

"coinshooting" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

relic hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

gold prospecting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

cache hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

shallow water hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

TROUBLESHOOTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

LEARNING MORE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

TREASURE HUNTER'SCODE OF ETHICS . . . . . . . . . . .Back Cover

FIRST TEXAS PRODUCTS WARRANTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Back Cover

If you want to get started quickly, do the following.

1. Assemble the detector (see instructions on page 10).

2. Install two alkaline 9-volt batteries (see instructions on page 11).

3. Press the Power ON/OFF button. The machine should turn on,

giving several beeps and turning on the LCD screen.

4. When first turned on, the Time Ranger™ starts out in preset

Program #1. This is a "motion discrimination & target ID mode"

with iron and foil rejected. This means that the searchcoil has to

be in motion over a metal object to detect it, and that the

machine will ignore objects which it has decided are probably

iron or foil. .....Sensitivity starts out at medium, which is the

most a beginner should use.

5. If the searchcoil is not in motion and not close to metal, the

detector should be silent. If you experience false signals from

electrical interference, from the soil itself, or from lots of trash

metal, press the Sensitivity minus button to reduce sensitivity.

This will usually make the unwanted signals go away.

6. Toss a coin on the ground and sweep back and forth over it a few

times to get a feel for how the machine responds.

7. You are now ready to search for nonferrous metals such as coins,

to a depth of 6-8 inches under most conditions.

8. The All Metals Pinpoint mode makes recovering a target much

easier. See page 23 for details. Learn to use it at first without

Smart Trac ground balancing.

QUICK START (if you're really impatient)

THE BASICS OF METAL DETECTING

TYPES OF METAL DETECTING

The Time Ranger™ is suitable for all five of the main types of

metal detecting:

1. "Coinshooting" -- searching for coins, usually in places like

parks and people's yards. Usually there is a lot of aluminum

trash like pulltabs and bottle caps, so ability to distinguish

between metal trash and coins is important. Since coinshooting

is usually done in places where you're not permitted to dig holes

with a shovel, extreme depth capability is not essential. Some

towns have ordinances prohibiting metal detectors in parks, so if

you have any doubt, check first.

2. Relic Hunting-- searching for historical artifacts, including coins,

mostly in places like fields and vacant lots where digging holes is

okay. The most common unwanted metal is iron (nails, fence wire,

parts of wheeled vehicles, etc.) but you may actually be searching

for iron objects. For relic hunting, the important features are

excellent depth capability and the ability to ignore iron metals

(discrimination). Before you go relic hunting, obtain permission

from the property owner. Some public lands are protected by law

from relic hunting, so if you intend to hunt on public land, check

first with the administrator to make sure it's not illegal.

3. Gold Prospecting-- searching for gold nuggets. Because most

nuggets are tiny, high sensitivity is needed. And because gold is

usually associated with iron minerals in the soil, an accurate

ground balancing system is also needed. Ability to identify

targets or to ignore iron is relatively unimportant. It's best to use

a small accessory searchcoil. If you're going gold prospecting,

search in areas where gold is known to be present -- it's very rare

nowadays to discover a new gold location. Learn to recognize

posted claims and don't search on them without first getting

permission. Prospecting clubs often have their own claims which

are open to members.

4. Cache Hunting-- searching for a specific buried cache, typically a

jar or strongbox containing money or gold or silver bullion. This

requires a ground balanced all metals mode. It's best to use an

oversize accessory searchcoil. Always make sure the issue of

ownership is resolved before you dig a cache.

5. Shallow Water Hunting-- All First Texas Products searchcoils are

waterproof, allowing you to search in shallow water. However, if

you're searching around water, please be careful not to get the

electronics housing wet. Because water is electrically

conductive, mimicking the effects of metal, searching in the wet

zone of beaches usually requires sensitivity to be reduced. If it's

salt water, discrimination is usually necessary to avoid false

signals. Avoid salt spray, as it will work its way into the control

housing and damage the electronics-- such damage is not covered

under warranty.

HOW METAL DETECTORS WORK

Most metal detectors for finding buried objects are of the "VLF

Induction Balance" type. Here's how they work.

The searchcoil (also called "search head" or "loop") on the end of the

rod ("stem") contains two electrical induction coils which are like

antennas. The larger (outer) coil transmits a rapidly alternating

magnetic field, "illuminating" the region surrounding the searchcoil.

If metal is present, its electrical conductivity distorts the magnetic

field. If iron metal is present, its magnetism also distorts the

magnetic field, but in a different way, allowing the metal detector to

distinguish between ferrous and nonferrous metals.

The smaller (inner) coil is a receiving antenna which detects changes

in the magnetic field caused by the presence of metal. The

electronic circuit amplifies this weak signal, analyzes it to determine

what kind of change is occurring as the searchcoil is swept past the

metal object, and then conveys the information to the user in the

form of an audio tone and (usually) a visual display of some type.

The iron minerals which are present in most soils also distort the

magnetic field, often obscuring the weaker signals from small or

deeper objects. This can cause the object to go undetected, or to be

misidentified if it is detected. Much of the technology that goes into

modern metal detectors is devoted to the task of eliminating the

unwanted signals from iron minerals in the soil, while not losing the

signals from metals. The technology in the new improved Time

Ranger™ embodies the knowledge and experience of two of the best

known engineers in the metal detection industry.

CAPABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS

DEPTH

The Time Ranger™ can detect U.S. coins to a depth of about 9-11

inches under good conditions. Large objects (55 gallon drums,

manhole covers, etc.) can be detected to a depth of several feet.

Electrical interference from power lines and from electrical

appliances and electronic equipment can reduce detection depth, or

cause audible interference making it necessary for the user to

reduce the sensitivity setting. Soils with large amounts of iron or

salt minerals, may also reduce detection depth or necessitate a

reduction in the sensitivity setting.

TARGET IDENTIFICATION

The Time Ranger™ identifies the probable type of metal object

("target") by measuring its “effective electrical conductivity”, which is

displayed as a number from 1 to 299 on the LCD screen. The

"effective electrical conductivity" of an object depends on its metallic

composition, size, shape, and orientation relative to the searchcoil.

Since coins are minted to tightly controlled specifications, they can

be identified with good accuracy. Identification of pulltabs and foil

is less consistent because these kinds of targets come in wide

variety. In general, smaller objects, and objects made from lower

conductivity alloys such as iron, bronze, brass, lead, pewter, zinc,

etc. will read lower on the effective conductivity scale. Larger

objects and objects made from higher conductivity alloys such as

silver, copper, and aluminum, will tend to read higher. The notable

exceptions are gold, which usually reads low because it's rarely

found in large pieces; and zinc pennies, which read moderately high

because of their size and shape. Although nails and other iron and

steel objects will usually read as iron ring-shaped pieces of iron (for

instance steel washers and harness rings) will usually give medium

to high readings. Flat pieces of iron or steel, such as can lids, will

occasionally do the same.

Most targets can be identified correctly in air out to about 7-10

inches. The minerals in many soils will cause identification to be

less accurate. However in most soils effective target identification

can be had to a depth of at least 4 to 6 inches.

REQUIREMENT FOR MOTION

Like other modern metal detectors, the Time Ranger™ searchcoil

must be kept in motion in order to both detect and identify targets.

The All Metal Pinpoint mode continues to detect metal if searchcoil

motion stops over the target. This mode is used primarily to

pinpoint the exact location of a target so that it can be retrieved with

a minimum of digging, and does not provide target identification.

The Time Ranger™ also features a Self-Tuning All Metal mode in

Program #4. Under most conditions, this is the deepest and most

sensitive mode. It is used primarily for gold prospecting and for

relic hunting in areas where there isn't a lot of metal trash, and

does not provide target identification.

GROUND BALANCING

To achieve maximum depth in both the All Metals Pinpoint and Self-

Tuning all metals modes, the Time Ranger™ offers Smart Trac™

computerized ground balancing to cancel the effects of iron minerals

in the ground. This does not affect the other (discrimination/target

ID) modes. The All Metal Pinpoint mode can be used for pinpointing

objects at moderate depth in most soils without prior ground

balancing.

DISCRIMINATION

"Discrimination" refers to a metal detector's ability to ignore metal

objects in selected categories, especially iron and aluminum. This

makes searching an area where there's a lot of metal trash much

more pleasant. The Time Ranger™ offers a wide variety of

discrimination features which you can select according to conditions

and your personal preference.

DEPTH READING

The estimated "Depth reading" is based on the strength of the

signal. It is calibrated for typical coin-size objects. Small objects

will read deeper than they actually are, and large objects will read

shallower than they actually are.

AIR TESTING

There may be times when you want to test or demonstrate the metal

detector without sweeping it over the ground, for instance if it's not

fully assembled, or if you're indoors. Place the searchcoil in a spot

where it's stable and more than two feet away from any large

masses of metal, including the reinforcing steel which is usually

present in concrete. If you're wearing a wristwatch or jewelry on

your hand or arm, remove it. Then, test or demonstrate by waving

metal objects ("targets") briskly several inches in front of the

searchcoil.

The Smart Trac ground balancing system cannot be tested or

demonstrated in air unless you happen to have appropriate

specimens of iron minerals or electronic ferrite available.

Position of detector and object when air testing the Time Ranger™

Getting Started

Assembly

Assembling your Time Ranger™ is

easy and does not require any

tools. Using the following diagram

as your guide, just follow these

easy steps.

▲To assemble the

Time Ranger™

1. Using the supplied bolt and

knurled knob, attach the search

coil to the lower stem.

2. Press 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.

3. Wind 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.

TIP:

To adjust the coil, simply loosen

the knob.

4. Insert the coil’s plug into the

matching connector on the con-

trol 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 on the plug. Do not

pull on the cable.

Search Coil

Coil

Cable

Upper

Stem

Control

Housing

Plug

Lower

Stem

Lower

Stem

Upper

Stem

Connector

on back of

control housing

Bolt Knurled

Knob

Bottom view

Bottom side

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