GDI Magnasmart Instruction Manual

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INTRODUCTION

Thank you for selecting a MAGNASMART magnetometer.
With your purchase you support GDI geophysical instruments to continue investing
into the research and development of new equipments in the future.

This is a new, Hi - Power, twin sensor gradiometer, a professional tool that has been
designed to be easy to use, practical and ergonomical.

It is the technological result from knowledge gained through many years involvement
in metal locators. All the features implemented in the MAGNASMART are to satisfy
our customer demands and specific requests.

Please take the time to study this instruction manual before searching using MAGNASMART.
As a manufacturer we wish you the best for all your surveys.

APPLICATIONS

MAGNASMART magnetometers are extremely sensitive devices for the underground

location of:

- Magnetic metal targets, for example iron objects and iron ore.

- Utilities, pipes, manhole covers that were buried under asphalt layer.

- Military for buried weapons, army bunkers, landmines, unexploded ordnance survey (UXO)

- Crime scene investigation ( CSI )

- Anomalies in magnetic ground caused by voids, tunnels, dug ground, old wells.
The stronger the mineralization is on the ground, the deeper the location will be for these
anomalies. For non mineralized ground, for example limestone, the location of anomalies
is poor.

- Human constructions from magnetic materials, like ceramics, foundations, stoneand brick
walls, ditches and pits

- Constructions or items that have been fire-heated, ceramic vases, burn out ancient
settlements, bricks, fire places etc.
– Treasure hunting for ferrous relics

The user adjustable sensitivity ( SENS knob ) is the key to adopt MAGNASMART
to any magnetometer application for example utility, archaeology and treasure hunting.

LOW SENSITIVITY : Ideal for industrial, utility & pipe location. To find shallow buried iron
pipes, manhole covers, ferrous targets at urban areas, even near fences, parkedautomobiles
and concrete bars.
HIGH SENSITIVITY : Archaeology applications to detect ceramics, landfills, voids, tombs,
tunnels, foundations, ancient ditches, pits, dug ground.
HIGH SENSITIVITY : Treasure hunting to locate ferrous relics, weapons, army bunkers
and bombs at depth.

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FEATURES

 High detection depth range

 Adjustable sensitivity

 Mini headphones plug

 Push button for visual battery status check

 Detachable "twist to lock" gradiometer probe

 Data logger connection

 Internal speaker

 Dynamic VCO audio signals

 Automatic ground balance after power on

 Non motion operation and location at any speed

 Color LCD with signal meter and numerical values

 9 volt battery holder

 External battery jack for a 12V power pack

 Ergonomic handle

 Quality construction materials

BATTERY

An external 12 V power battery pack with 220 V charger is available.
It permits operation up to 20 hours. The external battery jack can be found at the bottom
of the handle base. The external battery pack must be hanged away from the probe
during operation. For example if holding the magnetometer with your right hand, hang the
battery pack on your left side, and scan with the right arm extended away from your body.

Battery condition is shown by pressing the BATT key while observing the meter.
A good battery condition indicates 950 and higher. If 900 or less is shown,
recharge the battery. A low battery emits a continuous sound and full scale meter reading.

External 12V battery pack and 220V charger

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ASSEMBLY

MAGNASMART has a detachable “twist to lock” probe. To attach probe, observe

the metallic spring on probe’s upper end, and a small insert in the main unit probe
connector. Align both parts at these points and press firmly to join. Once they are joined,
twist the probe counter-clockwise until it locks. Now both parts are secured.
A small amount of lubricant on this locking mechanism will prevent worn out,
and has to be applied to both sides probe and main unit. Take special care however,
not to lubricate the inside of the electrical connectors and their pins.
To dismantle the probe, simply depress the metallic spring and pull it out.

GROUND BALANCE

Also the depth penetration expected might be reduced on areas with large mineral

concentrations.

Ground balance is the ability on the MAGNASMART magnetometer to ignore those ground

signals from minerals, while retaining the depth penetration unaffected from interference.

What is ground balance ?

Most soils contain a percentage of magnetic materials,

for example minerals - iron ore, and occasionally

magnetic stones called "hot rocks".

Sometimes magnetic materials are originated

from human activity, like ceramics, bricks etc in old

settlements. When working a magnetometer

on such an environment erratic ground signals may

occur, like a constant or drifting low audio threshold

tone from the speaker.

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What is ground balance ?

Most soils contain a percentage of magnetic materials,

for example minerals - iron ore, and occasionally

magnetic stones called "hot rocks".

Sometimes magnetic materials are originated

from human activity, like ceramics, bricks etc in old

settlements. When working a magnetometer

on such an environment erratic ground signals may

occur, like a constant or drifting low audio threshold

tone from the speaker.

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Procedure

1. Observe the area to decide the proper direction to scan it, according to the obstacles
to be encountered on your way, and the ground formation. The scanning method must
be on a grid, that has to be walked in parallel lines on a given direction, for example
North to South, or South to North are the most effective directions.

2. Stand at the starting position with the magnetometer probe vertical, tip on the ground
surface, main unit facing towards the scanning direction. Ensure by any means,
that the ground on this spot has not been dug and it is clean from buried junk metal.

Starting position has to be far way from any metals like fences, automobiles, metallic
constructions, buildings, concrete iron net, etc. The user must be free of metallic objects
with him, his shoes, clothing etc.

3. Power on the magnetometer by the SENSitivity knob and set it at 3/4 , just below the
point where the “ticks” are audible ( see SENSITIVITY page 6 )

4. Wait completely motionless 15 to 20 seconds approximately for the Ground Balance
procedure, while MAGNASMART electronics become adapted to the ground type
automatically. During the automated tuning process MAGNASMART magnetometer
must not be rotated or raised from the ground. In case of a fault, erratic signals come from
the speaker and the Ground Balance procedure must be repeated.

5. Start scanning ( see SEARCHING page 7 ) In case the ground properties change and erratic
signals occur, try lowering SENS slightly. If this does not solve the problem thenrepeat
Ground Balance procedure on the new ground.

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SENSITIVITY

a. If false signals occur when the magnetometer is rotated to the left or right,

due to the earth's magnetic lines

b. When working on extremely mineralized ground

c. When searching closely to large metallic constructions, fences, buildings, automobiles etc.

d. On large targets that produce wide audio signals, hence becoming difficult

to pinpoint the exact target center

e. Electromagnetic interference, inside houses, near power lines, often indicates

as a fluctuating audio

Procedure

After Ground Balancing as described the MAGNASMART magnetometer set the SENSitivity
high to the point about 1 to 2 “ticks” per second are audible.

! Novice users should set SENS just below the ticking sound for a stable operation

Start scanning. The highest depth is achieved when setting sensitivity so that the "ticks"
are just heard. The ticking rate can be corrected anytime during operation using SENS,
for example if it is lost or when ticks are more than 2 per second.

In case erratic signals occur due to the above mentioned reasons,or a stable ticking rate
cannot be maintained, reduce SENSitivity slightly and continue searching. If not yet a stable
operation is achieved reduce it again a little, and so on, until the interference signals
disappear. When reducing SENS further, MAGNASMART enters into a “silent standby” mode
without any audible ticks.

At the opposite, if it is stable, increase SENSitivity , and continue increasing it in steps,
by checking the magnetometer while scanning, so that it does not start to betoo noisy,
if so reduce SENS as described.

What is sensitivity or SENS ?

It is a setting that controls the depth range

of the MAGNASMART magnetometer.

Users may desire the maximum depth range available from

their magnetometers, but there are certain occasions

when depth range must be reduced in order to achieve stable

operation without noises.

4 typical reasons to reduce sensitivity are:

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What is sensitivity or SENS ?

It is a setting that controls the depth range

of the MAGNASMART magnetometer.

Users may desire the maximum depth range available from

their magnetometers, but there are certain occasions

when depth range must be reduced in order to achieve stable

operation without noises.

4 typical reasons to reduce sensitivity are: