Bounty Hunter DISCOVERY 3300 User Manual

OWNER’S MANUAL

The
Discovery 3300
is a professional metal
detector. While the most
difficult aspects of metal detecting
have been automated, it is a
sophisticated electronic device which
requires an understanding of some basic
features and metal detecting concepts.

If you do not have prior experience with a
metal detector, we strongly recommend that you:

1) Adjust the Sensitivity to a low setting in the
event of false signals. Always begin use at a

reduced sensitivity level; use at full sensitivity
after you have become familiar with the detector.

2) Do not use indoors. This detector is for outdoor use only. Many
household appliances emit electromagnetic energy, which can
interfere with the detector. If conducting an indoor demonstration,
turn the sensitivity down and keep the searchcoil away from
appliances such as computers, televisions and microwave ovens.
If your detector beeps erratically, turn off appliances and lights,
especially those with dimmer switches.

Also keep the searchcoil away from objects containing metal, such
as floors and walls.

3) Read this manual. Most importantly, review the Quick-Start Demo
(p.7-8) and Basic Operation (p. 9-12).

4)

Use 9-volt ALKALINE batteries only. Do not use Heavy Duty Batteries.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Assembly
Batteries
Quick-Start Demo

Basic Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-12

All Metal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Discrimination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Notch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Zap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-12

Pinpoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

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

Audio Target Identification

Depth and Target Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-15

Sensitivity Adjustment

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-8

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

In The Field Techniques

Ground Balancing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Troubleshooting

Treasure Hunter’s Code of Ethics . . . . . . . . . . .23

Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Accessories

2

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Back Page

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17-21

TERMINOLOGY

The following terms are used throughout the manual, and are standard
terminology among detectorists.

ELIMINATION

detector will not emit a tone, nor light up an indicator, when a
specified object passes through the coil’s detection field.

-

Reference to a metal being "eliminated" means that the

DISCRIMINATION - When the detector emits different tones for different

types of metals, and when the detector "eliminates" certain metals,
we refer to this as the detector "discriminating" among different
types of metals.
Discrimination is an important feature of professional metal
detectors. Discrimination allows the user to ignore trash and
otherwise undesirable objects.

NOTCH - Notching is the elimination of an item, or range of items, within

the metallic spectrum. We “notch-out” an object, or objects,
selectively. Objects to the left and right on the metallic spectrum
can be retained using the notch technique.

RELIC - A relic is an object of interest by reason of its age or its association

with the past. Many relics are made of iron, but can also be made
of bronze or precious metals.

IRON - Iron is a common, low-grade metal that is an undesirable target

in certain metal detecting applications. Examples of undesirable
iron objects are old cans, pipes, bolts, and nails.
Sometimes, the desired target is made of iron. Property markers,
for instance, contain iron. Valuable relics can also be composed of
iron; cannon balls, old armaments, and parts of old structures and
vehicles can also be composed of iron.

FERROUS - Metals which are made of, or contain, iron.
PINPOINTING - Pinpointing is the process of finding the exact location of a

buried object. Long-buried metals can appear exactly like the
surrounding soil, and can therefore be very hard to isolate from
the soil.

PULL-TABS -

bothersome trash items for treasure hunters. They come in many
different shapes and sizes. Pull-tabs can be eliminated from
detection, but some other valuable objects can have a magnetic
signature similar to pull-tabs, and will also be eliminated when
discriminating out pull-tabs.

Discarded pull-tabs from beverage containers are the most

GROUND BALANCE - Ground Balancing is the ability of the detector to

ignore, or "see through," the earth’s naturally occurring minerals,
and only sound a tone when a metal object is detected. The
Discovery 3300 incorporates proprietary Super-Scan™ circuitry to
eliminate false signals from severe ground conditions

3

ASSEMBLY

Lockin

g

Collar

S-Rod

Silver
Button

Searchcoil
Cable

Adjusting the Arm Rest

Most people will find the standard position
of the arm rest very comfortable. Very large
forearms and short forearms (particularly
children’s arms), can be accommodated
by moving the arm rest forward.

The arm rest is adjustable to three positions.

To adjust, remove the screw from the
underside, then press the silver button
and move the arm rest to one of the
alternate positions. If you cannot fully
depress the button with your finger, use
a narrow object, such as the blunt end
of a ballpoint pen. The arm rest must be
twisted with moderate force to move it
to an alternate position; this adjustment
is usually made infrequently.

If desired for added stability, re-install
the screw. The screw is not re-installed
in the furthest forward position.

If the button becomes disengaged inside
of the tube, remove the plastic cap at the
end of the tube to access the clip inside.
With a pair of needle-nose pliers,
reengage the button. Then replace the
plastic cap.

4

ASSEMBLY

S-ROD

LOCKING
COLLAR

INTERNAL

CAM LOCK

SILVER BUTTON

MIDDLE

STEM

S-ROD

MIDDLE STEM

Assembly is easy and requires no tools.

1 Position detector upright.

●

2 Rotate the LOCKING

●

COLLAR fully in a counter
clockwise direction.

3 Insert your finger inside the

●

tube and make sure the
INTERNAL CAM LOCK is
flush with the inside of the
tube.

4 Insert the LOWER STEM into

●

the S-ROD.

5 Rotate the LOWER STEM until the SILVER BUTTON locates in the hole.

●

6 Twist the LOCKING COLLAR fully in the clockwise direction until it locks.

●

7 If your detector has 3 tubes and 2 locking collars, repeat this process

●

on the Middle Stem.

8 Position the Lower Stem (the straight tube) with the Silver Button

●

toward the back. Using the Bolt and Knurled Knob, attach the
Searchcoil to the plastic extension protruding from the Lower Stem.

9 Press the button on the upper end of the Lower Stem, and slide the

●

Lower Stem into the S-Rod.

Adjust the Stem to a length that lets
you maintain a comfortable upright
posture, with your arm relaxed at
your side, and the Searchcoil parallel
to the ground in front of you.

10 Wind the Cable securely around the

●

Stem.

11 Insert the Plug into the matching

●

Connector on the right underside of
the Detector Body. Be sure that the
key-way 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.

5

BATTERIES

Use ALKALINE
batteries only.

To install the
batteries:

1 Remove the

●

battery cover by
disengaging the
clip at the back.

2 Align the polarity

●

of the batteries
correctly, with
the positive "+"
toward the coil
plug connection,
as indicated by
the + and –
indicators on the
housing.

3 Insert (2) 9-Volt ALKALINE batteries, with the contacts pointed inward,

●

and press down on the back of the batteries to snap them into place.

Some brands of batteries will require moderate force to clear the
retaining tabs.

4 Replace the battery door.

●

Most metal detector problems are due to improperly installed
batteries, or the use of non-alkaline or discharged batteries.

detector does not turn on, please check the batteries.

6

If the

Q

UICK-START DEMONSTRATION

I. Supplies Needed

• A Nail • A Quarter

• A Pull-Tab from a beverage can • A Zinc Penny (dated after 1982)

• A Nickel

II. Position the Detector

a. Place the detector on a

table, with the searchcoil
hanging over the edge.
(or better, have a friend
hold the detector, with
the coil off the ground)

b. Keep the searchcoil away

from walls, floors, and
metal objects.

c. Remove watches, rings and other jewelry or metal objects from

hands and wrists.
d. Turn off appliances or lights that cause electromagnetic interference.
e. Pivot the searchcoil back

toward the detector body.

III. Power Up

Turn Ground Balance knob to

pre-set position.

Press the POWER touch pad.

IV. Wave each Object over the

Searchcoil

a.Notice a different tone for each object.

Bass Tone: Nail
Low Tone: Pull-Tab
Medium Tone: Zinc Penny
High Tone: Quarter

b.Motion is required. Objects

must be in motion over the
searchcoil to be detected.

V. Press the DISC A-M touch pad

The detector will beep twice
and 3 “R”’s will appear
under the iron indicators.

Quick-Start Demo continued
on next page

7

Q

UICK-START DEMONSTRATION

VI. Wave the Nail over the Searchcoil

a. The Nail will not be detected.
b. The Nail has been "Discriminated Out."

VII. Press the “DISCRIMINATION-

▲” touch pad twice.

Five “R”s are now displayed.

VIII. Wave all objects over the

Searchcoil

The Nail and Pull-Tab will not be detected.
The other objects will be detected with their own distinctive tones.

IX. Press the NOTCH touch pad.

A flashing “R” will appear
under the 5¢/PT segment.

X. Press the DISCRIMINATION ▲

touch pad three times.

The flashing “R” will move to the
ZINC segment.

XI. Press the NOTCH touch pad again.

The “R” will appear under zinc.

XII. Wave the zinc penny over the searchcoil.

The penny is discriminated out.

XIII. Press the DISC A-M touch pad

The detector returns to ALL-METAL mode. No “R”s are displayed.

All types of metals will be detected.

XIV. Wave the pull-tab over the coil.
XV. Press the ZAP touch pad.

An “R” will appear.

XVI. Wave the pull-tab over the

searchcoil again.

The pull-tab (the most recently detected item) is eliminated from
detection.

XVII. Press the PINPOINT touch pad.

Hold one of the metal objects motionless over the searchcoil.

• All Metal objects are now detected.

• Depth and Target indicator do not illuminate in this mode.
One monotone sound indicates the presence of any type of metal.

8

•