Bounty Hunter Time Ranger Owner's Manual
Time Ranger Manual
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Images are excluded due to the memory requirements; therefore, there will be references to
illustrations that do not exist in this text only document. All illustrations can be found in the original manual
published by First TX Mfg. Co. and available through the factory: (915) 855-4206.
Copyright ®1998 by Bounty Hunter Corp./First TX Mfg. Co.
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this Website and content, or parts thereof, in any form, except for the
inclusion of brief quotations in a review. Published by Bounty Hunter Corp./First TX Mfg. Co.
Bounty Hunter Time Ranger
®
Metal Detector
OWNER'S MANUAL
KEY POINTS
This Detector has two distinct systems in one:
1. No-Motion ALL METAL Mode with SMART TRAC: In this setting, detected targets will cause the
detector to sound off for as long as the target is under the searchcoil--motion is not required to detect a target.
When operating in this Mode, it is required to push the SMART TRAC touchpad to allow the unit to measure
the ground conditions for peak performance (see page 8 for important procedures). All targets will be
detected with a continuous medium tone. Sensitivity should be decreased or increased if necessary to obtain a
low threshold sound from the speaker. After adjustment, SENSITIVITY reading will stay on "5".
2. Motion DISC TARGET Mode: Operates with Three Tone Audio Target Identification, SENSITIVITY
touchpads and Automatic Ground Balance--the SMART TRAC touchpad does not apply in this mode of
operation. In this MODE three levels of PRESET can be selected by pushing the PRESET touchpad up to
three times. Motion is now required to make a detection--items will be tuned out if coil is not in motion (see
page 13 for PRESET details). SENSITIVITY setting, "2" through "8", will read as adjusted.
NOTE: Do not attempt to test unit by placing coin or metal objects onto a floor, because most floors contain
metal which will interfere with the detector's operation.
ASSEMBLY..........................................3
S-Rod Assembly.....................................3
Mounting the Coil....................................3
INSTALLING BATTERIES.......................4
Resetting the Detector................................5
Sentron Co-Relator...................................5
USING HEADPHONES............................6
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Listening Safely.......................................6
Traffic Safety..........................................6
READING THE DISPLAY..........................7
LCD Probable Target Identification.................7
Sensitivity..............................................9
Depth Indication.......................................9
Battery Level Indicator..............................10
Ground Monitor......................................10
Blanker................................................10
Target Info............................................11
BASIC OPERATION................................12
Turning on The Detector.............................12
Disc Target Mode.....................................12
Preset w/3 Levels.....................................14
Smart Trac All Metal Mode..........................15
Sensitivity Adjustment for Smart Trac All Metal..16
ALL METAL SMART TRAC™ SYSTEM........18
SNIFF™ MODE......................................20
AUDIO TARGET IDENTIFICATION.............22
TESTING YOUR DETECTOR.....................24
IN THE FIELD TECHNIQUES....................26
Pinpointing.............................................26
Coil Movement........................................27
METAL DETECTING APPLICATIONS..........30
Coinshooting..........................................30
Relic Hunting..........................................32
Jewelry Hunting.......................................36
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Gold Prospecting......................................38
Cache Hunting.........................................40
TROUBLESHOOTING .............................42
CARE & FEEDING..................................43
TREASURE HUNTER'S CODE OF ETHICS...BACK COVER
WARRANTY.........................................BACK COVER
Assembling your Time Ranger Metal Detector is easy and requires no special tools. Just follow these steps:
1. Using the supplied bolt and knurled knob, attach the searchcoil to the lower stem. Attach the control panel
with two knurled bolts (provided) to the upper 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
and the searchcoil level to the ground and about 1/2 to 2 inches above the ground.
3. Wind the searchcoil 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 searchcoil.
Note: To adjust the coil, simply loosen the knob.
4. Insert the coil's plug into the matching connector on the control housing. Be sure the holes and pins line up
correctly.
Cautions:
• Do not force the plug or you might damage it.
• To disconnect the cable, pull out the plug. Do not pull on the cable.
IMPORTANT: Your Time Ranger metal detector requires two 9-volt ALKALINE batteries.
Caution: Only use fresh batteries of the required size and type. Batteries must be Alkaline-type such as
Energizer No. 522.
Follow these steps to install the batteries.
1. Carefully remove battery compartment door by pressing release clip at right side of door.
2. Snap one battery onto each of the terminals, and place the batteries inside the compartment.
3. Replace the compartment door by carefully inserting opposite side of clip first. Then press carefully down
on clip side until battery door snaps in place.
Notes:
Upon connecting the batteries, and turning the unit "ON", the battery indicator along with all other indicators
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will light briefly so you know the detector is working properly, and the batteries are good. Turn unit "Off"
when not being used.
Whenever the low battery dial arrow points to "R" (Replace), replace the batteries.
Many metal detector problems are caused by weak, dead, or improperly connected batteries. If the detector
does not turn on, has weak volume, will not tune properly, has erratic operation, or drifts, replace the
batteries.
You can extend battery life by using headphones. A headphone jack is provided and can be used with any
1/4-inch stereo-type headset.
Remove the batteries if you do not plan to use the detector for a week or more.
RESETTING THE DETECTOR
The detector might "lock up" and sound a continuous tone if you have low battery voltage or are testing the
detector with the searchcoil near a large metal object.
Check and replace the batteries if necessary.
Move to a different testing location.
Reset the detector by turning it off and on repetitively.
SENTRON CO-RELATOR ANTENNA
This unique feature of the Time Ranger monitors outside interference levels, allowing the detector circuit to
make automatic adjustments. It also performs an important function related to the Smart Trac and Ground
Monitoring Systems. When in operation, the antenna should be extended. When stored, or not in use, the
antenna should be retracted. The Red LED Light at the rear of the Sentron will alert you whenever the
Ground Monitor goes negative.
Using headphones (not supplied) with your metal detector makes it easier to identify subtle changes in the
threshold levels for better detection results, and also reduces drain on the batteries.
The Time Ranger Metal Detector has a stereo headphone jack.
To connect headphones, insert the headphones'
1/4-inch plug into the headphone jack on the underside of the control panel (see illustration).Listening Safely
To protect your hearing, follow these guidelines when you use headphones. Purchase stereo headphones that
have right and left side volume controls.
Set the headphone volume to the lowest setting before you begin listening. After you begin listening, adjust
each volume control to a comfortable level.
Do not listen at high volume levels. Extended high-volume listening can lead to permanent hearing loss.
Once you set the volume controls, do not increase it. Over time, your ears adapt to the volume level, so a
volume level that does not cause noticeable discomfort might still damage your hearing.
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Traffic Safety
Do not wear headphones while operating your detector in traffic areas. This can create a traffic hazard and is
illegal in some areas.
Even though some headphones are designed to let you hear some outside sounds when listening at normal
volume levels, they still present a traffic hazard.
The LCD display is located at the center of the control housing and emits a constant reference in all aspects of
the detector's operation. Think of the LCD panel as your window of view as you're using your Time Ranger.
It's designed to be viewed as you're sweeping your coil. In combination with the 3-Tone Audio Target
Identification, it's designed to give you useful information for determining what type of metal is being
targeted. Target ID's are probable; there will always be a law of average to contend with when detecting. With
practice in learning how your Time Ranger reacts to different metal, you will minimize the trash-to-treasure
ratio encountered in the field. Before you start, you need to be familiar with the LCD abbreviations that may
be displayed under the word "TARGET".
LCD PROBABLE TARGET IDENTIFICATION
The LCD TARGET READOUT will display the probable target. Many other types of metal are in the same
detection range. It will usually lock on when a target has been detected and not lock on if the unit "falses" or
an object is borderline discriminated. The target ID displays various coins and metal objects, and a range
from GOLD to SILVER. When the detector senses a target, an arrow will indicate the probable target being
detected. Until another object is detected, the arrow will remain under the most recent target detected. 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 that happens to fall into the same range as the indicated item.
ITEM RANGE
FOIL............................1 to 7
5¢................................8 to 37
PULL-TAB....................38 to 75
Z-1¢/S-CAP...................76 to 125
1¢/10¢..........................126 to 165
25¢..............................166 to 213
50¢..............................214 to 250
$1 + Large Silver..............251 to 299
READING THE DISPLAY
GOLD/SILVER range: Indicated on the top of the readout. The gold spectrum is to the left of the LCD
Display and the silver spectrum is to the right. Other types of metal fall under both spectrums such as iron,
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foil, lead, nickel and aluminum under the gold spectrum and copper/brass under the silver spectrum.
IRON/FOIL: Indicates that the target is probably iron or foil. The Time Ranger has 4 levels of iron
discrimination from small to large and 1 level of foil discrimination. Some rusted oxidized iron may
occasionally register in the silver range.
5¢: Indicates that the target is possibly a 5¢ nickel/coin. Many gold rings register as 5¢. There is a percentage
of pull-tabs and foil that will still be detected as 5¢. For instance, some pull-tabs that are broken that resemble
the shape of a "beaver tail" will detect in this range.
PULL TAB: Indicates that the target is probably a pull-tab. Some small and medium-size gold may also read
as pull-tab.
Z-1¢/S-CAP: Indicates that the target probably is a zinc penny or a screw cap. Will usually emit a medium
tone when targeted. Other targets, such as large gold, may also fall into this category.
DEEP TARGET: Indicates that the target is out of detection range to be accurately identified. Depending on
where you adjust your SENSITIVITY will usually affect how often you get DEEP TARGET hits. If operating
in the "7" or "8" SENSITIVITY range, expect a lot of DEEP TARGET indications. Note: Many times when
attempting to retrieve a DEEP TARGET signal, you will find the signal disappears upon disturbing the soil.
You might try going into the ALL METALS mode to determine if the target is within range. If you no longer
are getting a signal, ignore the target and continue your hunting for more definite hits.
1¢-$1: Many items besides coins fall under these categories. For instance, copper, brass and oxidized metals
such as cans.
SENSITIVITY
The SENSITIVITY dial is located at the top left of the LCD panel. The SENSITIVITY can be adjusted by the
minus (-) and plus (+) touchpads located on the faceplate. You may adjust SENSITIVITY in either DISC
TARGET or ALL METAL SMART TRAC modes. In DISC TARGET mode, the SENSITIVITY indicator
will remain pointed to the selected setting after adjustment. In ALL METAL SMART TRAC mode, the
SENSITIVITY adjustment moves the Audio Threshold level and will always reset to number "5".
DISC TARGET Mode: If you're encountering a lot of false signals in the DISC TARGET mode, lower the
SENSITIVITY.
DEPTH INDICATION
The DEPTH indication dial is located at the top right of the LCD panel. Each number represents inches (2-10
inches). The DEPTH arrow will lock on and emit simultaneously with the Target Identification. Usually
when the depth hits 10 inches, the TARGET Identification will emit an arrow under DEEP TARGET.
Accuracy of target identification diminishes as depth increases.
Depth indication is accurate for coin-sized objects only.
BATTERY LEVEL INDICATOR
Located on the bottom left of the LCD panel. Each letter represents battery strength as follows:
G = Good
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