GAMMA 6000 User Manual

Download

METAL DETECTOR

OWNER’S MANUAL

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. Expect chatter or

internal noise at high sensitivity.

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 search coil away from appliances such as computers, televisions and microwave ovens. If your detector beeps erratically, turn off appliances and lights.

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

3) Use a 9-volt ALKALINE battery only. Do not use Heavy Duty Batteries.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

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

Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Quick-Start Demo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Basic Of Metal Detecting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-9

Ground Minerals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Trash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Identifying Buried Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Size and Depth of Buried Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

EMI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Using Headphones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

How To Work The Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

MENU Selections

Sensitivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Disc Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Notch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

# Of Tones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

MODE Selections

Discriminate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

All-Metals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

PinPoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15-16

Ground Balancing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17-19

Target Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20-21

Depth And Target Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Trouble Shooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Code of Ethics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Back Cover

Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Back Cover

TERMINOLOGY

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

ELIMINATION

Reference to a metal being "eliminated" means that the detector will not emit a tone, nor light up an indicator, when a specified object passes through the coil’s detection field.

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.

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

Discarded pull-tabs from beverage containers are the most 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.

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. This Detector incorporates proprietary circuitry to eliminate false signals from severe ground conditions

ASSEMBLY

Loc

kin

Col

lar

Loc

kin

Col

lar

Upp

Stem

Cab

Knurled Kno

Bolt

Coi

S-R

Velcro Strap

Vel

cro

Str

Assembly is easy and requires no tools.

1 Loosen both Locking Collars by rotating 100%

●

counterclockwise

2 Insert the Upper Stem into the S-Rod and click

●

Silver Button into hole

3 Position the lower stem with the silver

●

button toward the back. Using the bolt and knurled knob, attach the search coil to the lower stem.

4 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 search coil parallel to the ground in front of you.

5 Wind the cable securely around the

●

stems.

6 Insert the plug into the matching

●

connector on the back of the detector body. Be sure that the key-way and pins line up correctly.

7 Tighten both locking collars.

●

8 Secure the cable with the 2 velcro straps

●

provided, one on the lower stem close to the coil, one on the upper stem, close to the housing.

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.

ASSEMBLY

Hand-grip

Nut

Screw

Search Coil Cable

Cable Plug

Sea

rch

oil

S-Rod

armrest

Velcro Strap

Middle Stem

Velcro Strap

Locking Collar

Battery Com

par

tment

(back side)

Headphone Jack

Optional Arm Strap

Adjusting the Arm Rest

The arm rest may be moved forward or backwards by removing the single screw and nut, and then repositioning the 2-piece arm rest. Users with shorter arms may find the arm rest more comfortable in the forward position. In order to move the arm rest backwards, the plastic plug must be removed from the aluminum tube.

Arm Rest Strap

(optional accessory) The strap is available for purchase as a separate accessory. Some users prefer to use the strap when swing the detector vigorously, in order to hold the detector secure against the arm.

The detector can also be used without the strap, with no compromise to detector balance and stability under most conditions.

BATTERIES

The detector requires a single 9-volt ALKALINE battery (battery not included).

Rechargeable batteries can also be used. If you wish to use rechargeable batteries, we recommend using a Nickel Metal Hydride rechargeable battery.

The battery compartment is located on the back side of the housing. Slide the battery door to the side and remove it to expose the battery compartment.

BATTERY LIFE

Expect 20 to 25 hours of life from a 9-volt alkaline battery. Rechargeable batteries provide about 8 hours of usage per charge.

SPEAKER VOLUME AND BATTERY CHARGE

You may notice the speaker volume drop while one battery segment is illuminated. With one segment flashing, low speaker volume will be very apparent. For loudest speaker volume, select 1 or 2 tones under the # OF TONES menu selection.

Do not use ordinary zinc carbon batteries.

BATTERY INDICATOR

The 2-segment battery indicator has 3 stages of indication. These indications are accurate for a 9-volt alkaline battery.

Segments Illuminated Battery Voltage

2 -segments more than 7.6 volts 1 -segment more than 6.2 volts 1 -segment flashing less than 6.2 volts

After the battery indicator begins flashing, expect the detector to shut off within 10 minutes.

A rechargeable battery will usually illuminate both segments throughout most of its useful charge. But as soon as it drains to the 1-segment level, it will then discharge very rapidly.

QUICK-START DEMONSTRATION

I. Supplies Needed

• a Nail • a Zinc Penny (dated after 1982) • a Nickel • a Quarter

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 searchcoil off the ground. b. Keep the searchcoil away from walls, floors, and metal objects. c. Remove watches, rings, and jewelry. d. T urn off lights or appliances, whose electromagnetic

emissions may cause interference. e. Pivot the searchcoil back.

III. Power Up

Press .

IV. Wave each object over the searchcoil.

a. Notice a different tone for each object:

Nail: Low Tone

Coins: Sound varies in pitch and volume depending on distance from coil

b. Motion is required.

Objects must be in motion over the searchcoil to be detected in this mode.

Press twice to enter the DISC. LEVEL program.

Then press until “40” appears in the center of the screen. a. The word “IRON” disappears from the display

VI. Wave the nail over the searchcoil.

a. The nail will not be detected b. The nail has been “discriminated out.”

VII. Press until “80” appears.

a. The words FOIL, NICKEL, PULLTAB, S-CAP+ and ZINC disappear.

VIII. Wave the nickel

a. The nickel will not be detected.

IX.

Press twice to toggle down to NOTCH.

Then press three times a. The word “NICKEL” reappears on the display

X. Wave the Nickel.

The nickel is now again detected. The nickel has been “notched in.”

XI. Press once to toggle down to ALL-METALS XII. Pass the quarter over the searchcoil.

Move the quarter closer to and farther away from the searchcoil. Notice the changing depth-display values at the bottom of the screen.

XIII. Press and hold.Pass the quarter over the searchcoil

Move the quarter closer to and farther away from the searchcoil. Notice the changing 2-digit depth-display values in the middle of the screen.

THE BASICS OF METAL DETECTING

A hobby metal detector is intended for locating buried metal objects. When searching for metals, underground or on the surface, you have the following challenges and objectives:

1. Ignoring signals caused by ground minerals.

2. Ignoring signals caused by metal objects that you do not want to find, like pull-tabs.

3. Identifying a buried metal object before you dig it up.

4. Estimating the size and depth of objects, to facilitate digging them up.

5. Eliminating the effects of electromagnetic interference from other electronic devices.

Your Gamma 6000 metal detector is designed with these things in mind.

1. Ground Minerals

All soils contain minerals. Signals from ground minerals can interfere with the signals from metal objects you want to find. All soils differ, and can differ greatly, in the type and amount of ground minerals present. You therefore want to “calibrate” the detector to the specific ground conditions where you are hunting. The detector incorporates a semi-automated ground-balancing feature which will eliminate false signals from most types of soils. But if you want to maximize the detector’s target identification accuracy and depth of detection, use the GROUND GRAB function to calibrate the detector to the ground where you are searching. See the section on GROUND GRAB for details.

2. Trash

If searching for coins, which will induce higher tone sounds, you want to ignore items like aluminum foil, nails, and pull-tabs. These undesirable items induce lower tones. You can listen to the sounds of all objects detected, and decide on what you want to dig up. Or you can eliminate unwanted metals from detection by using the DISCRIMINATION feature.

3. Identifying Buried Objects

When searching in the DISCRIMINATION mode, different objects induce different tones (high, medium, low) and are classified on the display screen in different categories from left to right. A 2-digit numerical reading is also provided in the middle of the display for more precise target identification. The DISCRIMINATION mode requires motion: sweep the coil over the metal object.

THE BASICS

continued

4. Size and Depth of Buried Objects

When using the detector in the motion DISCRIMINATION or ALL-METALS modes, the relative depth of an object is displayed at the bottom of the display in a 3-segment format: shallow, medium, or deep. A more accurate depth reading is available in no-motion mode, using PINPOINT. This mode displays target depth in inches. This no-motion mode does not require the coil to be in motion to detect metals. The ability to hold the searchcoil motionless over the target also aids in tracing an outline of the buried object, or in pinpointing the exact location of the object using techniques described in the pinpointing section.

5. Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)

The searchcoil produces a magnetic field and then detects changes in that magnetic field caused by the presence of metal objects. This magnetic field that the detector creates is also susceptible to the electromagnetic energy produced by other electronic devices. Power lines, microwave ovens, lighting fixtures, TVs, computers, motors, etc…. all produce EMI which can interfere with the detector and cause it to beep when no metal is present, and sometimes to beep erratically.

The SENSITIVITY control lets you reduce the strength of this magnetic field, and therefore lessen its susceptibility to EMI. You may want to operate at maximum strength, but the presence of EMI may make this impossible, so if you experience erratic behavior or “false” signals, reduce the

sensitivity.

Using Headphones

Using headphones (not supplied) improves battery life, and prevents the sounds from annoying bystanders. It also allows you to hear subtle changes in the sound more clearly, particularly if searching in a noisy location. For safety reasons, do not use headphones near traffic or where other dangers are present. This device is to be used with interconnecting cables/headphone cables shorter than three meters.

OPERATION and CONTROLS

Press or Buttons to CHANGE THE SETTING

of the active menu item.

The active menu item is

the Highlited line on the

left side of the display.

Press or Buttons to CHANGE THE SETTING

of the active menu item.

The active menu item is

the Highlited line on the

left side of the display.

HOW TO WORK THE CONTROLS

While in DISCRIMINATE

or ALL-METALS mode,

press and hold

the Pinpoint button to

actuate PINPOINT.

While in GROUND GRAB

mode, press and hold the Pinpoint button to

actuate GROUND GRAB.

Press MENU button

to select the menu item you want to adjust.

Press MODE button to TOGGLE between

the Discrimination,

All-Metals and

Ground Grab modes.

POWER

ON/OFF

POWERING UP

Press

• The detector always starts in the DISCRIMINATION mode. Motion is required.

• Sensitivity is at about 70% of maximum (value reads “80”)

• All target categories are illuminated, meaning that all metal objects will be detected.

OPERATION and CONTROLS

cont.

MENU SELECTIONS

1. SENSITIVITY

Use and to increase or decrease sensitivity while the SENSITIVITY line is highlighted.

Maximum sensitivity setting is 99. Minimum sensitivity setting is 05.

If the detector beeps erratically or beeps when there are no metal objects being detected,

reduce the sensitivity.

Notice that the sensitivity settings behave differently above 90. From 05 to 90, gain is changing. Above 90, the threshold level changes. Setting above 94 will be noisy or sound erratic.

HOW DEEP WILL IT GO?

The Gamma 6000 Metal Detector will detect a coin-sized object, like a quarter, to a distance of about 11” (28cm) from the searchcoil at maximum sensitivity. Large metal objects can be detected to a depth of several feet. Detectability is directly related to the size of the metal object -- the larger the object, the deeper it can be detected.

Accuracy of target identification is also related to distance from the coil. Beyond a distance of 8”, the accuracy of target identification begins to diminish.

All modes share the same sensitivity setting. If sensitivity is adjusted in any mode, the change is also effective for the other modes.

OPERATION and CONTROLS

cont.

MENU SELECTIONS

continued

2. DISC. LEVEL

Use and to increase or decrease DISCRIMINATION level. Each time you press , more types of metals are eliminated from detection.

Elimination occurs from left to right. When a category description (for example “IRON”) disappears from the display , then all targets classified in that category will not be detected.

Pressing reverses the discrimination process. With each press of

, more types of metals will be included and therefore detected.

Discrimination is a cumulative elimination system. Targets can be eliminated from left to right on the scale, with each additional press of , resulting in more objects being eliminated from detection.

3. NOTCH

The category icon will remain illuminated until the number printed to the right of the icon is reached. The number remaining illuminated in the middle of the display is the lowest target value included, value targets are eliminated from detection

Use and to notch target categories IN or OUT while the NOTCH line is highlighted.

and therefore detected. All lower

Whereas the discrimination feature eliminates all categories sequentially from detection, the NOTCH control allows you to selectively include or exclude target categories from detection.

With each press of or , the notched category moves across the display screen. As you move the position of the notched category, you are

changing the detection status of the selected category.

• If a target category was previously eliminated (word not visible) then notching that category will return it to detection.

• If a target category was previously retained (word is visible) then notching that category will remove it from detection.

Only one target category at a time can be selected for notching. To notch multiple categories in or out, press again while NOTCH is highlighted.

Each subsequent press of allows you to set an additional notch. Each time you press , followed by , the notch program will

begin by changing the status of the IRON segment.

OPERATION and CONTROLS

cont.

MENU SELECTIONS

NOTCH

At any time, the display screen indicates the current category notches or discrimination settings. Any category whose description is not visible will not be detected.

For example, the following settings tell us that:

continued

• The nickel, dime, and quarter categories will be detected.

• All other categories of targets (iron, foil, pulltab, s-cap+, and zinc) will not

be detected.

continued

OPERATION and CONTROLS

cont.

MENU SELECTIONS

continued

4. # OF TONES

While the # OF TONES line is highlighted, use and to program the number of different audio tones.

Different target categories are identified by different audio tones in order to give you the fastest real-time reference while searching. Most experienced users become familiar with the tones and search without always looking at the display .

Use this selection to program the number of audible tones the detector will emit. The default setting is 3 tones. Depending on your number of tones selection, audio target categories are:.

#Tones

*VCO (originally referred to as

Iron Foil Nickel PullTab SCAP Zinc Dime Qtr+

1 *VCO VCO VCO VCO VCO VCO VCO VCO 2 Bass VCO VCO VCO VCO VCO VCO VCO 3 Bass Low Low Low Low Low High High 4 Bass Low Medium Low Low Low High High

Voltage Control Oscillator) Pitch increases with increasing signal strength. Agiven target will induce a HIGH PITCH when close to the coil, but a LOWER PITCH when farther away. The audio volume always varies in proportion to signal strength. The closer a target gets to the coil, the louder the volume.

5. VOLUME

While the VOLUME line is highlighted, use and to change the speaker volume.

The default volume setting is 10. Maximum is 10. Minimum is 0 (volume off). At levels 1, 2 and 3, high tones will be inaudible or barely audible.

The speaker volume will diminish as battery voltage drops. For maximum speaker volume, use 1 or 2 tones, as the low and bass tones generate the loudest sounds.

Volume can be set while in either the DISCRIMINATION or ALL METALS modes, but only one setting applies to both modes. Volume in the two modes cannot be set independently.

OPERATION and CONTROLS

cont.

MODE SELECTIONS

There are four selections under the MODE section of the display.

• Press to toggle between DISCRIMINATION, ALL METALS and GROUND GRAB.

• While operating in the DISCRIMINATION or ALL METALS mode, press

to activate PINPOINT mode.

• While operating in the GROUND GRAB mode, press to

automatically ground balance the detector.

1. DISCRIMINATE Mode

This mode is the default mode, and requires the searchcoil to be in motion in order to detect and identify targets. This is the mode most commonly used for continuous searching. In this mode, targets are identified with distinct tones, and are classified in categories at the top of the display. Atwo-digit numerical value, on a scale of 10 to 99, is displayed in the middle of the screen. The depth range of the target is also displayed at the bottom of the display. All menu items can be selected and customized in this mode.

2. ALL METALS Mode

This mode is similar to the “Fast Autotune” or “SAT™” mode found in other detectors. Only the SENSITIVITY and VOLUME menu items are adjustable in this mode.

3. PINPOINT

To activate this mode, you must first be in either the DISCRIMINATION or ALL METAL mode. Press and hold to activate pinpoint. This mode is

momentary; pinpoint detection is only active for as long as you keep depressed.

Metal targets are detected with the searchcoil motionless over the target. Target identification is not possible in this mode. All metal objects will induce a single monotone hum. The 2-digit value in the middle of the screen represents the approximate target depth, in inches.

Pinpoint is used to find the exact location of a target which was previously located and identified using the discrimination mode. As this mode does not require motion over the target, the user can move the coil more slowly and then narrow the detection field when near the target.

OPERATION and CONTROLS

cont.

MODE SELECTIONS

How to Pinpoint

Position the searchcoil an inch or two (2.5-5cm) above the ground, and to the side of the target. Then press and hold

. Now move the searchcoil slowly across the target, and the sound will communicate the target’s location. As you sweep from side to side, and hear no sound at the ends of the sweep, the target is located in the middle of that zone, where the sound is loudest. If the sound is loud over a wide area, the buried object is large. Use Pinpoint to trace an outline of such large objects.

Narrow It Down

To further narrow the field of detection, position the searchcoil near the center of the response pattern (but not at the exact center), release , and then quickly press-and-hold it again. Now you will only hear a response when the searchcoil is right over the

continued

top of the target. Repeat this procedure to narrow the zone even further. Each time you repeat the procedure, the field of detection will narrow further.

Consider Purchasing a Pinpointer

When you kneel down to unearth an object, you may find it frustrating as the object can appear exactly like the surrounding soil. You may hold the object in your hand, and find it necessary to pass a handful of dirt over the searchcoil to see if it contains metal. An easier way is to use a handheld pinpointer. It is a probe-like device which is poked into the ground, making close up pinpointing a snap, reducing digging time, and minimizing the size of the holes you will dig. TEKNETICS offers a robust and inexpensive pinpointer designed for this purpose.

CORRECT

WRONG

OPERATION and CONTROLS

cont.

GROUND BALANCING

4. GROUND GRAB

All soils contain minerals. Signals from ground minerals interfere with the signals from metal objects. All soils dif fer, and can differ greatly, in the type and amount of ground minerals present. This detector incorporates ground balancing algorithms which eliminate interference caused by the ground minerals found in most soils.

The GROUND GRAB and MANUAL GROUND balancing feature allows the user to more precisely calibrate the detector’s internal circuitry to the specific ground you are searching.

We therefore recommend that you use GROUND GRAB to most accurately calibrate the detector to the specific ground conditions where you are hunting. It is a quick and automated process, and will instantly grab the ground reading of any patch of ground you are standing over. This process will maximize the detector’s target identification accuracy and depth detection capability.

AUTOMATIC GROUND BALANCING PROCEDURE USING GROUND GRAB

1. Find a spot of ground where there is no metal present.

2. Hold the detector with the searchcoil about one foot above the ground.

3. Enter the GROUND GRAB mode.

3. Push and hold

4. Physically pump the searchcoil and detector up and down over the ground. Lift it about 6 inches above the ground and lower it to within 1 inch of the ground, about once or twice a second.

5. A2-digit ground value will appear on the display. This is the Ground Balance setting.

6. When the 2-digit ground value stabilizes, release the button.

Note: GROUND GRAB will not automatically balance over highly conductive soils, such as a wet salt water beach. Automatic balancing is not possible in soils with gound values less than 40. The screen will display “--” and an alarm will sound if over metal or in ground with a value less than 40.

MANUAL GROUND BALANCING

In most situations, it is preferable to use GROUND GRAB to automatically ground balance. Generally, it is best to first let the detector automatically cancel interference from ground minerals. However, for gold prospecting, searching on a wet saltwater beach, or searching in an area with so much metal trash that there is no clean ground for the detector’s internal computer to sample, we recommended that you manually ground balance. Manual ground balancing requires a bit of skill, acquired with some practice.

OPERATION and CONTROLS

cont.

GROUND BALANCING

When manually ground balancing, try to “feel out” a spot on the ground to make sure there is no metal present. In order to avoid locking onto

metal, the detector will not ground grab where the GROUND setting is less than 40. Where the ground reads less than 40, the ground value is displayed as “--”, and manual ground balancing is required.

To perform the Manual Ground Balancing operation, do the following:

1. Select the GROUND GRAB mode The legend GROUND appears near the top of the screen. The present ground balance setting is displayed (0-99).

2. Physically pump the searchcoil and detector up and down over the ground. Lift it about 6 inches above the ground and lower it to within 1 inch of the ground, about once or twice a second. are trying to balance the sound as described on the top of page 19. a. If the detector balances, use this setting as a starting point for

manual balancing.

b. If “--” is displayed press until you find the desired setting.

3. While pumping the coil, press balance setting.

The range of ground balance settings indicated on the display range from 0 to 99; however, each displayed number spans about 10 pad presses of the settings change with each step; there are a total of 1000 different settings.

and

continued

You

to change the ground

butt on s. The actual internal ground balance

The scale at the upper-right of the screen indicates the AMOUNT of magnetic mineralization. The searchcoil must be in motion to

measure this. The most accurate measurement is obtained by pumping the searchcoil, as in the Ground Grab procedure.

The indicators are as follows: VL = Very Low Mineralization L = Low Mineralization M = Moderate Mineralization H = High Mineralization

The two-digit GROUND setting number displayed at the center of the LCD indicates the TYPE of ground mineralization. Some typical ground mineralization types are:

0 -10 Wet salt and alkalis 5 - 25 Metallic iron. Very few soils in this range. You are probably

over metal. 26-39 Very few soils in this range -occasionally some saltwater beaches 40-75 Red, yellow, and brown iron-bearing clay minerals 75-95 Magnetite and other black iron minerals

OPERATION and CONTROLS

cont.

GROUND BALANCING

When operating in ALL-METALS mode the goal is to eliminate the sound as the coil is being pumped over the ground. In some soils, the sound is not completely eliminated. If the ground balance adjustment is incorrect, there will be a difference in the sound as the searchcoil is either moving toward or away from the ground. It may sound like you are either pulling the sound out of the ground, or

pushing the sound into the ground.

• If the sound is louder as you raise the searchcoil, increase the ground balance setting.

• If the sound is louder as you lower the searchcoil, reduce the ground balance setting.

NOTE: Experienced users often prefer to adjust the ground

balance to get a weak but audible response when lowering the searchcoil. This is called adjusting for positive response.

Positive and Negative Response

The purpose of ground balancing is to adjust the metal detector to ignore ground minerals. If the setting is incorrect, ground minerals will give either a positive or a negative response, depending on which direction the adjustment is off.

POSITIVE RESPONSE

If the G.B. setting is too high a number, the response of minerals will be positive. This means that when the searchcoil is lowered to the ground in PinPoint or All Metals mode, the sound will get louder as the searchcoil approaches the ground. The sound will grow quieter as the searchcoil is raised. What, if anything, you will hear in discrimination mode depends on the discrimination setting. When searching in All Metals mode, if ground balance is properly set to cancel the ground, and you sweep over a positive hot rock, the rock will give a “zip” sound similar to that of a metal object.

continued

NEGATIVE RESPONSE

If the G.B. setting is too low a number, the response of minerals will be negative. When the searchcoil is lowered to the ground in PinPoint or All Metals mode, the machine will be silent. The machine will sound off as the searchcoil is lifted away from the ground. What, if anything, you hear in discrimination mode depends on the discrimination setting. When searching in All Metals mode, a negative hot rock will produce a “boing” sound after passing over it, making it difficult to know where it is located. It will not have the sound and “feel” of a metal object.

Hand-grip

Nut

Screw

Search Coil Cable

Cable Plug

Sea

rch

oil

S-Rod

armrest

Velcro Strap

Middle Stem

Velcro Strap

Locking Collar

Battery Com

par

tment

(back side)

Headphone Jack

Optional Arm Strap

TARGET IDENTIFICATION

In DISCRIMINATION mode, targets are identified both audibly and visually as follows:

1. Different pitch tones for different types of metals

2. A2-digit target I.D.

3. An illuminated icon within the target category best describing it The detector must be in DISCRIMINATION mode to identify targets. The ALL METALS mode does not provide target identification.

AUDIO TARGET IDENTIFICATION:

When in the 4-tone mode, tones identify targets as follows:

BASS TONE

Ferrous objects, such as iron and steel, like nails and tin cans. Smallest-sized gold objects and steel bottle caps

LOW TONE

Foil, pull-tabs (some new style), nickels, steel bottle caps.

MEDIUM TONE

Newer pennies (post-1982 are minted from zinc) Larger gold pieces, small brass objects, and most bottle screw caps. Most recent-vintage non-US coins. Pull-tabs (old style, some new style)

HIGH TONE

Silver and copper coins, large brass objects Older pennies (pre-1982 were minted from copper) Dimes, quarters, half-dollars, silver dollars Susan B. Anthony and Sacajawea dollar coins Flattened aluminum cans (with a stronger signal than a coin)

BASS TONE

Nails, Iron Objects,

& Smallest Gold Objects

LOW TONE

Pull Tabs, Nickels,

& Smaller Gold

Audio Target Identification (ATI) classifies metals into four categories.

MEDIUM TONE

Zinc Pennies (Post 1982),

Larger Gold Objects, Many

screw caps

HIGH TONE

Copper, Silver & Brass

Copper Pennies

(Pre 1982)

TARGET IDENTIFICATION

continued

2-Digit Target Identification

The 2-digit value in the middle of the screen provides a specific target value to help identify buried targets more accurately. With practice in the field, you will learn to associate target values with specific objects. Coins are more likely to yield the same value with each pass of the coil due to their concentric shape. The presence of multiple targets will yield multiple tones. Trash objects are more likely to yield a different number on each pass. The angle of the coil relative to an object may also influence target identification. If waving coins over the searchcoil for practice, wave with the flat side parallel to the searchcoil; this is the position you will most often find coins buried in the ground.

2-Digit TARGET IDENTIFICATION Values

Some Typical Values

Numeric Common for Common

Category Value Range Objects Objects

Iron 10 - 39 Foil 40 - 54 Nickel 55 - 59 US Nickel 57 PullTab 60 - 64 S-Cap+ 65 - 74 Zinc 75 - 79 US Zinc Penny 77

(after 1982)

Dime 80 - 84 US Dime 83

US Copper Penny 82 - 83 (pre-1982)

Quarter+ 85 - 99 US Quarter 88 - 89

US Half-Dollar 91-93 US Silver Dollar 96-98

DEPTH AND TARGET DISPLAY

READING THE DISPLAY

The Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) shows the PROBABLE identification of the targeted metal, as well as the PROBABLE depth of the target.

The detector will register a consistent target identification, upon each sweep of the coil, when a buried target has been located and identified. If, upon repeated passes over the same spot, the target identification reads inconsistently, the target is probably a trash item, or oxidized metal. With practice, you will learn to unearth only the repeatable signals.

The segment identifications are highly accurate, when detecting the objects described on the label. However, if an object registers in a given category for an unknown buried object, you could be detecting a metallic object other than the object described on the label, but with the same metallic signature. Also, the greater the distance between the target and the coil, the less accurate the target identification.

GOLD TARGETS Gold objects will register on the left side of the LCD scale.

Gold flakes will register under iron. Small gold items will register under foil or

Nickel. Medium-sized gold items will register between nickel and or s-cap+. Large gold items will register under Zinc.

Many medium size gold ring also register here. ZINC: Newer US pennies (post-1982), and

Canadian $1 and $2 coins register here. Many nonUS coins of recent vintage will also register here.

DIME: Dimes and older copper pennies (pre-

1982) register here. QTR+: Silver Dollars, Half-Dollars and

Quarters, very large iron objects, like a sewer lid, will register here.

Caution: The target indications are visual references. Many other types of metal can fall under any one of these categories. While the detector will eliminate or indicate the presence of most common trash items, it is impossible to accurately classify ALLburied objects.

3-SEGMENT DEPTH INDICATOR:

The Depth Indicator is accurate for coin-sized objects. It indicates the depth of the target, in inches as follows:

Segments Illuminated Top Segment = 0 to 3” deep, Top & Middle Segment = 3” to 6” deep All Segments = Over 6” deep.

SILVER TARGETS: Silver objects will register to the right of the scale, under DIME or QTR+.

IRON: All sizes of iron objects will register on the far-left side of the scale. This could indicate a worthless item such as a nail, or a more valuable historic iron relic.

FOIL:

Aluminum foil, such as a gum wrapper, will register as foil. A small broken piece of pull tab may also register here.

NICKEL: Most newer pull-tabs from beverage cans, the type intended to stay attached to the can, will register here. Many gold rings will also register here.

PULL TAB: Older pull tabs, which always detached completely from the can, register here.

Large and irregularly-shaped objects will yield less reliable depth readings

When passing over an object, the indicators will light up and stay illuminated for three seconds. If the depth indication varies with each sweep, try sweeping at different angles; there may be more than one target present. With practice, you will learn the difference between accurate readings, multiple targets, and highly erratic readings which evidence trash or irregularly shaped objects.

TROUBLE SHOOTING

TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE

SYMPTOM CAUSE SOLUTION

Detector chatters • Using detector • Use detector or beeps erratically indoors outdoors only

• Using detector near • Move away power lines

• Using 2 detectors in • Keep 2 detectors close proximity at least 20’ apart

• Highly oxidized • Only dig up buried object repeatable

• Environmental • electromagnetic until erratic interference signals cease

from power lines

signals

Reduce sensitivity

Constant low tone • or

constant repeating

tones

LCD does not lock • Multiple targets • on to one target ID present at different angles or detector emits • Highly oxidized multiple tones target

No power, no • Dead battery • Replace battery sounds

Discharged battery

• Wrong type of • Use only 9V battery

• Sensitivity set • Reduce sensitivity too high

• Cord not connected securely •

• Replace battery

alkaline battery or rechargeable

Move coil slowly

Check connections

TREASURE HUNTER’S CODE OF ETHICS:

• Always check Federal, State, County and local laws before searching.

• Respect private property and do not enter private property without the owner’s permission.

• Take care to refill all holes and try not to leave any damage.

• Remove and dispose of any and all trash and litter found.

• Appreciate and protect our inheritance of natural resources, wildlife and private property.

• Act as an ambassador for the hobby, use thoughtfulness, consideration and courtesy at all times.

• Never destroy historical or archaeological treasures.

• All treasure hunters may be judged by the example you set; always conduct yourself with courtesy and consideration of others

5-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY

The Gamma 6000 metal detector is warranted against defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for five years from the date of purchase to the original owner.

Damage due to neglect, accidental damage, or misuse of this product is not covered under this warranty. Decisions regarding abuse or misuse of the detector are made solely at the discretion of the manufacturer.

Proof of Purchase is required to make a claim under this warranty.

Liability under this Warranty is limited to replacing or repairing, at our option, the metal detector returned, shipping cost prepaid to First Texas Products. Shipping cost to First Texas Products is the responsibility of the consumer.

To return your detector for service, please first contact First Texas for a Return Authorization (RA) Number. Reference the RAnumber on your package and return the detector within 15 days of calling to:

First Texas Products L.L.C.

1465-H Henry Brennan Dr.

El Paso, TX 79936

Phone: 915-225-0333

NOTE TO FOREIGN COUNTRY CUSTOMERS

This warranty may vary in other countries, check with your distributor for details.

Factory warranty follows the channel of distribution.

Warranty does not cover shipping costs.

except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.

Published by First Texas Products, L.LC..

Warranty coverage does not include the cost of transporting the detector back to an owner who is located outside of the United States of America.

MGAMMA

1465-H Henry Brennan • El Paso, TX 79936 • (915) 225-0333 042409

GAMMA 6000 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual