Goldak 7200, 9200 Operating Manual

Goldak Inc.
547 West Arden Avenue
Glendale, Ca 91203
[phone]
fax [phone]

www.goldak.com

Model 7200/ 9200

Metal & Valve Locator

Operating Manual

Goldak Inc.

www.goldak.com

A. GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Both the 7200 & 9200 Digital Metal and Valve Locators use
computer-driven circuitry to assure easy and accurate
locations of buried metallic objects. Although each has
different features they share the same ergonomic, collapsible
design along with fully automatic operation all from a single
trigger. Both are used extensively by municipalities, water
and gas utilities, contractors, maintenance people and others
to locate valve caps, boxes, valve risers, manhole covers, etc.
Below is an illustration and comments on both the 7200 &
9200, and their components.

Trigger

Display Head

Battery

Compartment
(back)

Headphone

Jack (back)

Speaker

Swivel Arm

Detection Head

Cross-Hair Symbol

B. SYSTEM COMPONENTS

• Tri g g er: Single trigger action used to switch between
locating modes (7200 only) and turn the unit on and off.

• Di splay Head: LCD display with vertical red-lighted
graph.

• Ba ttery Co m p a r t m e n t: Easy access for the eight “AA”
batteries.

• He adp h one J a c k : Optional headset to eliminate
outward audio.

• Sp ea ker: Provides a strong, clear tone to indicate when
a metallic object is located.

• Sw iv el Ar m : Swivels only one direction, folding down
for easy storage in case or bag.

• De tection Head: When “peak” signal is obtained, the
center of the object will be directly under the C r os s­Ha ir Symbol.

Note: Both the display head and the detection head are adjustable, allowing
the operator to position them in a way that is most comfortable for their
individual use.

Fold ing th e 7200/ 9200

1. 2.

C. THE MODEL 7200

The Model 7200 has two distinct features that distinguish it
from most metal & valve locators. First it has a “motion”
mode, which allows the user to freely swing the locator while
searching, greatly reducing the amount of time it takes to
sweep an area. Second is a feature that, while in “pinpoint”
mode, allows the user to distinguish between ferrous and
non-ferrous metals. The following instructions will guide
you in how to access each mode individually and enhance
your ability to locate your desired objects quickly and
accurately.

1. 720 0 L ED Display:

On/Off Battery Indicator Light: Large Mass Indicator:
(When Battery is low, light blinks) Indicates “Large Masses”

Metal Indicator:
Senses the
Amount of metal
Content in the
Object being
Located

Iron Indicator: Senses the amount of Iron
content in the object being located

2. Trig ge r C o m man ds:

The trigger of the 7200 has only three possible
commands. Below is a quick list of each command and
its function.

Si n g le Cl ick – Turns unit on and/or resets “motion” mode
Cli c k Hold – Resets and retunes “pinpoint” mode
Dou ble C lic k – Turns unit off

3. “M otion” Mod e:

“Motion” mode was designed and engineered to
eliminate ground effects and false signals often
associated with this type of locator, while
simultaneously allowing the operator to move the
locator freely and at an increased pace without getting
erroneous readings commonly found with other metal
locating devices.

- Ac tivatin g

To activate “motion” mode at any time the locator is
on, simply click the trigger once. A single, quick
click of the trigger will always reset the unit to
“motion” mode.

- Se a rchin g

To search while in “motion” mode, sweep the
detection head evenly above the ground you are
surveying at the recommended distance of about 2”­4”. When the disc passes over a metal object, the
7200 will emit a short beep with a rising pitch. In
“motion” mode this response will always be the
same, regardless of the size of the object being
located (Eg. whether you pass over a sprinkler head or

a manhole cover, the unit will respond only with a
short beep).

3. 4.

- Veri f y ing
To verify an object positively, pass the detection
head repeatedly over the target location. A crisp
beep should occur every time you pass over the
desired object, in effect, verifying its presence.

4. “Pinpoin t” M ode:

“Pinpoint” mode was designed and engineered in the
more traditional style of metal and valve locators, but
with an enhanced, self-tuning feature not commonly
found in other similar instruments. While in “pinpoint”
mode the 7200 also has a self-adjusting gain feature that
enables the user to center even large objects such as
manhole covers.

- Ac tivatin g
To activate “pinpoint” mode at anytime the locator
is on, simply click-hold the trigger until hearing a
distinguishable siren burst. Hearing this tone means
the locator is in “pinpoint” mode, while also
confirming that it has automatically tuned itself at
the level from the ground that it was held. The
operator can have the instrument re-tune itself
automatically at anytime by click-holding the trigger.
When doing so, the user will once again hear a siren
burst, confirming the locator has successfully re­tuned. (Note: It is recommended for maximum
sensitivity that the user hold the instrument away
from any known metals while tuning).

- Pi n poin ting the Ob j ect
To pinpoint the object while in “Pinpoint” mode
make sure the instrument is successfully tuned away
from metal and the desired distance above the
ground which you wish to search at. Maintain that
distance and sweep the detection head across the
desired area while continuing to keep the disc

parallel to ground level. As you move across the
desired object the instrument will emit a continuous
tone, indicating the detection head is passing over a
metallic object. Response of the locator will vary
relative to the differing conditions of each job
scenario. For instance, a manhole cover that is
relatively shallow will produce a long, continuous
tone as you pass over it, while a manhole cover that
is buried a few feet deep might only produce a short,
quick tone as you pass over it.

- M e ta l/Iron Ind ica tor

This feature is provided to give the user even a little
more information to decipher the object being
located. Being able to determine the composition of
the underground object can be a great aid in
determining whether the item the user is locating is
in fact the one that is being targeted (valve lid, valve
riser, etc. vs. aluminum). When passing over most
metallic objects of any type, the METAL indicator
will almost always provide a response. It is when
you pass over objects that have magnetic qualities
(such as iron, steel, and nickel) that the IRON light
will respond, as well as the METAL light. When only
the METAL light responds the instrument is likely
over non-magnetic materials (such as brass or
aluminum).

Note: The level o f iron response will vary depending on the
composition, shape, and orientation of the object. On large
flat iron objects the light will be lit as you approach the
object, yet as you continue over it, the IRON light could go off
due to the conductivity of the object.

5. 6.

- La rge Mass I ndicator
The Large Mass Indicator will light any time the
instrument reads it is over a large mass of metal.
Large masses of metal would generally include
manhole covers, valve lids, valve risers, vault lids,
etc.

Note: The deeper the large mass, the less likely it is to be
indicated as a large mass on the display (eg. A manhole cover
at three feet deep can easily be located, but will not be
indicated as a large mass. A manhole cov er at three feet will
read very similar to a silver dollar buried six inches deep.

5. Turn of f the 72 00

To turn off the 7200 simply double click the trigger.
Also, the 7200 will shut off automatically after five
minutes of inactivity to preserve battery life.

6. Chang ing t he Batteri es

- When the ON/Battery light flashes during operation,
the batteries must be replaced with new ones.

- Place the 7200, in extended position, on the floor.

- Place the heel of your palm on the top end of the
chassis, and grasp the ledge of the handle cavity in
the battery cover with your fingertips.

- Pull up on the cavity ledge with your fingertips. The
spring-loaded cover will “pop” out of the chassis.
Fully remove the cover.

- Remove the batteries from both the cover and the
chassis. Replace them according to the polarity
markings molded into each part. The 7200 uses eight
“AA” size, 1.5V alkaline batteries.

- Replace the cover as it was before, inserting the tab
first. Seat the battery cover completely by pressing
down the lower corners of the cover with your
thumbs. The cover will “pop” into place when it is
properly installed.

- Activate the instrument to make sure that the
batteries are properly installed and making good
contact.

7. Testing th e 7200

You should have received two metallic discs with your
locator. One of which is ferrous and the other is
composed of non-ferrous metal.

- Place both discs on the ground (free of other metals
or piping) two to three feet apart.

- Start in motion mode to locate both discs.

- Switch to pinpoint mode – as you pass over the discs,
one will light only the metal side of the display while
the other disc will light the metal and iron sides of
the display.

7. 8.

D. THE MODEL 9200

The Model 9200 was designed in the more traditional style of
metal and valve Locator, with the addition of an automatic,
self-tuning feature and a digitally enhanced response. Built
in the same lightweight, ergonomic package as the model
7200, the model 9200 offers simplified functionality that
makes locating underground metal objects ultra-easy with
just a single click of a button.

1. 920 0 L ED Displa y

On/Off Battery Indicator Light Signal Response Meter

(When battery is low, light blinks)

2. Trigg er Commands:

The trigger of the 9200 has only two possible commands.
Below is a quick list of each command and its function.

Si n g le Cl ick – Turns unit on and/or resets auto-tuning
Dou ble C lic k – Turns unit off

- Ac tivatin g
To activate the model 9200 valve/ metal locator,
simply click the trigger once. A single quick click of
the trigger will turn the unit on if it is off, or reset the
auto-tune feature the unit is already on. The 9200
will make a rising tone as it starts up.

- Se a rchin g
To search with the 9200 hold the detection disc a
little above the ground level at which you intend to
search. Click the trigger and the instrument will
make a “siren” sound to indicate that it has been
reset. Lower the detection disc slightly to stabilize
the setting, and sweep the search area. When the
disc passes over metal, the LED bar graph will light
up and the speaker will make a robust sound
corresponding to the nearness of the metal object.

- To P inpoin t
The 9200 allows the user to pinpoint the center of the
object, regardless of its size. As you pass the
detection disc over the metal object, position the disc
for maximum response. The instrument will
automatically adjust itself to the size of the object.
When the “peak” response has been obtained, the
object will be centered under the circle with the
cross-hair on the top of the disc.

9. 10.

- Tu rn off the 92 00
To turn off the 9200, simply double-click the trigger.
The unit will emit a descending tone and shutdown.
Also, to preserve the battery, the 9200 will shutdown
automatically after five minutes of inactivity.

11.