Fisher Labs 1280-X Aquanaut Operating Manual
CONTENTS
About Your 1280-X ..................................................................pg. 3
Assembly ..................................................................................pg. 4
Setting Up .................................................................................pg. 5
Hipmounting.............................................................................pg. 6
Control Panel ...........................................................................pg. 7
Discrimination Points ...............................................................pg. 8
Searching .................................................................................pg. 10
Pinpointing ...............................................................................pg. 12
Target Recovery ......................................................................pg. 13
Recovery Tools .........................................................................pg. 15
Operating Tips ..........................................................................pg. 16
Battery Replacement ..............................................................pg. 18
Battery Recharging .................................................................pg. 19
Maintenance ...........................................................................pg. 20
Search Coils .............................................................................pg. 21
Treasure Hunter’s Code of Ethics ...........................................pg. 21
Where to Hunt in the U.S ..........................................................pg. 22
Specications ..........................................................................pg. 23
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SPECIFICATIONS
Length
Collapsed ......................................................... 33” 8” Coil 10.5” Coill
Weight
Complete (with headset) ...............................................Lbs. 5.4 Lbs.
Search Coil ............................................................................... 2.6 Lbs.
Control Housing ....................................................................... 2.3 Lbs.
Frequency
VF-Search ...................................2.4 KHz, Quartz Crystal Controlled
Audio Target Response ...........................................400 Hz Unipolar4
Headset
Type ...............................................Piezo Electric, Custom Designed
Interchangeable .............................................................................No
Visual Target Response ...........................Light Emitting Diode (LED)
Search Mode ...................................VF-Discrimination, Slow Motion
Salt Water Operation .....................................................................Yes
Fresh Water Operation ..................................................................Yes
Land Operation ..............................................................................Yes
Search Coil
Type ...............................................................Concentric, Co-Planar
Diameter .............................................................................8” or 10.5”
Shielding .............................................................................. 100% E.S.I.
Interchangeable .............................................................................No
Hipmounting .................................Belt Clip for Detachable Control
Housing
Submersible ....................................................................... To 250 Feet
Batteries ......................................................... (8) 1.5 Volt AA Penlight
Battery Life
Carbon Zinc ......................................................................30-50 Hours
Alkaline ..............................................................................60-80 Hours
2-Year Limited Warranty
Notes:
1. Subject to improvement or modication without notice.
2. Approximate.
3. Pulsegate Unipolar Audio Processing. Advanced Fisher circuitry which allows silent
operation below “audio threshold tone” with no loss in sensitivity.
4. The 1280-X is a “motion” detector while in the search mode. The search coil must be
moving at least slightly to detect a target.
5. Electro-Static-Insulated to eliminate certain types of false signals.
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ABOUT YOUR DETECTOR
3
Fisher Research Laboratory has been producing rugged, high
quality, high performance metal detectors since 1931, longer
than any other company in the world. Your 1280-X Aquanaut is a
product of that proud heritage. Designed for deep sea treasure
hunting, the 1280-X will also do the job in fresh water or on land.
The 1280-X is easy to use. No ne tuning, no threshold tone and no
complicated “ground-adjustment”. Just turn it on, set the volume,
sensitivity and trash discrimination controls, and you probably
won’t have to touch the knobs again. The 1280-X automatically
tunes itself to changing ground conditions and salt water, rejects
most small pieces of junk and detects valuable targets all at the
same time.
The 1280-X is built to take a beating. The search coil is light-weight
glass-bead epoxy lled. The shaft is berglass reinforced ABS. The
control housing is injection molded ABS. The state-of-the-art Piezo
Electric headset was designed especially for the 1280-X. And the
entire unit is submersible to 250 feet.
The 1280-X is a “motion” detector, meaning the search coil must
be in motion to detect a target. However, the motion required is
slight and unlike earlier “motion” detectors, you’ll be able to almost
completely stop the coil for accurate pinpointing.
Your 1280 -X is a pre cision metal detector d esigned and
manufactured by the oldest and proudest name in the business.
Take good care of it, read this instruction manual carefully and
you’re in for some exciting treasure hunting. If you have any
questions, suggestions or make any big nds, drop us a line. We
want to hear from you. In the meantime...
Happy Hunting!
Fisher Research Laboratory
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Where To Use Your Metal Detector In The U.S.
National Forest and Federal Lands—Metal detecting is allowed
only by special permit acquired from the federal government.
Each area has a district ofce.
Corps of Engineers, Lakes, Shorelines and Lands—Permission has
been granted only on predisturbed sites, such as beaches and
attached swimming areas. New Corps lakes and lands must
be okayed by the main ofce of the Army Corps of Engineers.
Each area has a district ofce.
State Parks and Lands—Some state parks are open to metal
detecting, but some are not. Always check with the park ranger
before attempting to use your detector.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lands—Some areas are
open for metal detecting, and some are not. Always check
with the district ofce.
City or County Park Lands—Most are open to metal detecting
unless notice is given by a sign or city ordinance. When in
doubt, always check with the city’s Parks and Recreation
Department.
Public School Grounds—Most are open to metal detecting
unless notice is given by a sign, city ordinance, law
enforcement ofcial, or school employee. You should always
check with the school ofce rst.
Privately Owned Lands (Private Property)—Permission required.
And it is always best to have the permission in writing.
Historically Marked Lands or Sites—Metal detecting is not
allowed. Don’t even think about it.
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Spring Lock (Not visible)
Arm Rest Screws
Adjustable Arm Rest
LED (Light Emitting Diode)
Control Panel
Upper Stem
Battery Access Panel
Derlin Screw and
Nylon Wing Nut
Waterproof Headphones
Search Coil Cable
Lower Stem
8-inch Spider Coil
4
ASSEMBLY
The 1280-X requires very little assembly. Unpack it carefully and
save the carton which may come in handy for future storage or
shipment.
1. Remove the headphone, handle and search coil
assemblies from the shipping carton. Be careful not
to damage the foam rubber inserts or put any strain
on the cable connections.
2. Adjust the stem to the approximate length you will
be using, extended for stand-up use or, as short as
possible for diving. To extend the lower stem, push
in the spring lock, pull out the lower stem and let the
spring lock snap into another hole.
3. If you will be using the 1280-X on the handle, and
not body mounted, wind the search coil cable
around the handle assembly as shown in the diagram
above. Secure the cable with the two Velcro straps
included with your 1280-X. Make sure there is some
slack at the control housing end and enough slack
at the other end to attach the search coil.
4. Remove the Delrin bolt and nylon wing nut from
the search coil. Line up the hole in the stem between
the two holes in the search coil “ears”. Attach the
coil to the stem with the bolt and wing nut and nger
tighten.
TREASURE HUNTER’S CODE OF ETHICS
LETS PRESERVE OUR TREASURED SPORT!
Laws governing the use of metal detectors are becoming
more and more common. In many countries, the use of metal
detectors is illegal or severely restricted. Don’t let this happen in
your area.
ALWAYS get permission to hunt on private property.
ALWAYS leave a site cleaner than you found it. Take at least
some trash with you or, if you can, take it all.
ALWAYS ll in your holes neatly whether you’re in a city park
or remote wildernessness. Leave the land as it was before you
disturbed it.
ALWAYS obey all laws relating to Treasure Hunting.
ALWAYS return valuable property if you can locate the original
owner.
ALWAYS do whatever you can to give the hobby of Treasure
Hunting the good image it needs and deserves.
SEARCH COILS
The 1280-X is available with either the standard 8 inch “Spider”
coil or the 10.5 inch “Spider” coil. As a general rule, the 8 inch coil
is preferred for tight spots, fast moving surf and high density trash
areas. For normal conditions however, the 10.5 inch coil will cover
a little more ground with each sweep and will give slightly more
depth 5 to 20 percent in air, less in soil, depending on target size
and mineralization. The most noticeable depth improvement will
be on large targets in non-mineralized soil.
The coils are not interchangeable since each instrument is
factory tuned to each coil. However you may have your 1280-X
retrotted by the factory, phone or write for details.
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