GAMMA 6000 User Manual

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.

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